Instagram Best Practices: Captions
DATE: DECEMBER 21ST 2023
TIME: 3 MINUTE READ
SUBJECT: SOCIAL MEDIA
Hi y’all! Welcome to our new blog series, 'Instagram Best Practices'. Here, we'll explore the ‘BESTS’ in all things Instagram, covering topics like captions, photography, hashtags, reels, and engagement. We’ll share insights and proven strategies that have worked wonders for us and our clients. Let’s kick off with captions - often tricky but crucial for engagement!
AUTHENTIC + GENUINE
This might seem obvious, but authenticity is key. Your captions should reflect your brand's values and voice, resonating with both your brand identity and your target audience. Tip: Spend time defining your brand voice. Is it playful, professional, or inspirational? Let this voice shine through in every caption.
HOOK YOUR AUDIENCE
Remember the basics from your 6th-grade English class: hook your audience right from the start. A compelling opening line increases the likelihood of your audience reading the entire caption. Examples:
"The biggest sale of the year is happening now!"
"Can I share a secret?"
"I wasn’t going to share this, but…"
Remember: The longer your audience stays on your post, the better it is for your post's discoverability.
USE EMOJIS 😊
Emojis add color and emotion to your captions, acting as visual cues that complement your message. Think of them as a way to express tone, mood, or reactions that words alone might not fully convey. For instance, a smiley face can add warmth, while a clapping hands emoji can celebrate success. Tip: Use emojis relevant to your content. If you're posting about a success story, a trophy or star emoji can add emphasis. Just remember, less can be more – don't overdo it!
INCLUDE A CALL TO ACTION (CTA)
A CTA is not just about engagement; it's about guiding your audience on what to do next. It could be asking for opinions, encouraging shares, or directing followers to your bio for a link. Example CTAs:
"Love this look? Visit our website to see more!"
"Tell us your favorite memory related to this post!"
"Check our bio for the full story!"
CTAs can significantly increase interaction and lead your audience further into your brand's ecosystem.
USE RELEVANT HASHTAGS
Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing your content's reach and discoverability. When selecting hashtags, consider relevance, popularity, and specificity. Use a mix of popular hashtags and more niche ones that relate directly to your brand or post content. This can help you reach both broad audiences and more targeted groups interested in your specific niche.
Tip: Research trending hashtags in your industry, but also create a few unique to your brand to build a distinct presence. For instance, if you're in the fashion industry, alongside #Fashion, use something like #YourBrandStyle. Keep an eye on hashtag performance and adapt your strategy accordingly.
ADD VALUE
Adding value means providing content that enriches your followers' lives or experiences. This could be through educational content, inspirational posts, exclusive insights, or even entertaining content. Think about what unique perspective or expertise your brand can offer. Examples:
If you’re a cooking brand, share quick recipe tips or kitchen hacks.
For a fitness brand, post motivational quotes or quick workout videos.
A technology brand might share the latest tech news or simple how-to guides.
By consistently providing value, you'll build a loyal following that looks forward to your posts.
USE LINE BREAKS
Proper formatting is essential for readability, especially on platforms like Instagram where users tend to scroll quickly. Using line breaks to segment your captions into digestible chunks makes them more reader-friendly. It helps key points stand out and makes the caption more visually appealing.
Tip: Think of each paragraph as a mini headline or a complete thought. This not only makes it easier to read but also helps in conveying your message effectively. Use spacing to separate ideas, and consider using emojis or punctuation as visual breaks.
INVOKE EMOTION
Emotionally charged captions often lead to higher engagement. Think about the emotion you want to evoke – is it joy, surprise, curiosity, or motivation? Tailor your message to elicit these feelings. Tip: Sharing personal stories or behind-the-scenes anecdotes can make your brand more relatable and build a stronger community.
TEST AND LEARN
This is about understanding what resonates with your audience. Experiment with different tones, lengths, and formats. Pay attention to the captions that receive the most likes, comments, and shares. This data is invaluable in fine-tuning your strategy. You might find, for example, that questions lead to more comments, or that shorter captions get more likes. Use this feedback loop to refine your approach continuously.
Captions are more than just words; they are the voice of your brand, especially for small businesses. They complement your visuals and speak directly to your target audience. Don't let the art of copywriting intimidate you. With these 10 best practices, you're all set to master your Instagram captions as we move into the new year.
Next up, more on hashtags! Stay tuned.
