Batch 006 - How To Get More Instagram Followers and Better Engagement with Allison Mayer

The Social Media Advantage for Craft Breweries

One of the most common social media questions is focus on how to get more followers on Instagram. In 2016 Instagram introduced an algorithm into it's platform. The goal of the algorithm is to create a better experience for its users and keeps them on the platform longer. This means that strategies and tactics used just a year ago may, at best, no longer be relevant, and at worse may be working against you. This reality can feel overwhelming and trying to execute a strategy that leverages it in your brewery's favor may seem impossible. In this batch I chat with my friend Allison Mayer who is using Instagram as the primary social media channel for her photography business. Based out of Indianapolis, Allison started taking Instagram seriously when she lost one of her biggest clients to another photographer who had a big, active Instagram community. In batch 005 (hellobilello.com/batch005) I shared some tools you can use to help you create variety in your Instagram posts. This batch compliments it and digs in on the strategies you can do beyond just posting photos to create an engaged community on Instagram. How To Get More Followers on Instagram Allison says, *It takes a lot of work to make the algorithm work, but starting when your following is small will streamline the process as your community grows *Your account may not be effected as strongly by Instagram's algorithm if you have a smaller following (less than 5,000) *There are not a lot of tools to help automate or streamline Allison's game plan, but she does recommend InstaReport and Iconosquare (links below) *One tactic she recommends is getting rid of ghost followers (people who follow you but never interact with your posts). *While you can use up to 30 hashtags for each post, Allison recommends coming up with 3-5 different sets of hashtags with 5-10 in each set. Mix up and use these sets with your posts. *Instagram likes engagement, especially right after you post. Spend some time engaging with other people's posts right after your goes live to increase the amount of engagement your posts receive. LINKS InstaReport (iOS app only): https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/followers-analytics-for-instagram-instareport/id1156192844?mt=8 Iconosquare: https://pro.iconosquare.com/ Connect with Allison Mayer on Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/allisonmayerwsa/ See Allison's work and beautiful photography; http://allisonmayer.com/