Is your Instagram growth a bit slower than you would like it to be? Are you working really hard with posting often, but it’s not paying off? I may have the answer for you. Let’s talk about the 3 reasons why you’re not growing on Instagram. 

 

 

I’ve been talking about Instagram all month long due to some of the changes it has made to better serve its users. If you haven’t heard, Instagram’s CEO, Adam Mosseri, told us the details on Instagram’s algorithm and I explained how we can use it to our advantage. You can learn more about that here. 

In my Money Maker’s coaching group, we did a test to see if our Instagram followers and engagement would grow if we focused only on one topic for the next few weeks. (Mine was Instagram and I finally landed 15k followers!) I also saw several of my Money Maker’s accounts grow an insane amount. (Shoutout to my Money Maker @weithelizabetho who is all about motherhood and mental health for surpassing her followers and engagement mark!) Maybe you could try talking about just one thing too and see what happens! 

If you want business tips like this and solid moral support from women who get it, join Money Makers. It’s opening back up on August 4! I’ve added some new content that will make your life even better for your business. If you’re interested or want to know more about it, text “money maker” to 951-309-7885.

 

3 Reasons Why You’re Not Growing on Instagram

Are you ready to jump into the 3 reasons you’re not growing on Instagram? Hopefully, you’ll find what you’re missing. I can promise if you apply these principles you will get the results you’ll love!

 

 

Reason #1: You’re not listening to your audience.

Who is your audience? How specific is that audience you are trying to reach? You have to really hone in on your niche because when you’re talking to everyone you’re talking to no one. You also don’t have to put every single element of yourself and your entire business on Instagram at all times. Take one piece of your business and create content focused on that. Make sure that content is valuable to one specific type of person within your target audience. 

But, how do you know which content will be most valuable? Look at past posts and reels and see which ones did well. Look at the amount of engagement it received from likes, comments, and shares. You could even see who saved your post. Those are the posts your audience is more interested in. 

Don’t only pay attention to the numbers. Read the comments your people are making and you’ll pick up on things like what words they use to describe their problems or how you can expand on that post. Your audience will tell you what is valuable to them, it just may not be in a direct or intentional way. If you notice how they speak and gain a better understanding of who your audience is, you’ll know what is valuable to them. 

 

 

Reason #2: You don’t understand the algorithm.

I know sometimes Instagram’s algorithm can be frustrating or it may seem like Instagram is making it harder for you to succeed in your business. If you feel like this, you’re not using the algorithm to your advantage. Maybe there’s a small tweak you can make in your content strategy and then you’ll see amazing things start to happen. 

The whole reason there is an algorithm is to show users what they want to see. The algorithm is trying to figure out who you are so they know who to put your content in front of. That’s why being really specific in your content is such a benefit. It makes it easier for the algorithm to put your content in front of the people who would care about it. 

A warning I must include here is to stop being too spammy. Maybe you are trying to be more forceful with getting people to follow you (cough, cough…buying followers…cough, cough), but that doesn’t present a good rep for you. Besides, it’s much more meaningful to have a thousand people follow you because they love your content vs. having 10 thousand followers who have no connection to your content. 

 

 

Reason #3: You don’t have a strategy. 

Where does Instagram fit in your overall strategy? I like to picture Instagram as the door, not the finish line. Instagram is where you introduce a lot of your business and content, and then it should lead them to other platforms like your podcast or blog site for more information. 

What is the journey you are taking your customer’s on? How are you changing them from being sad with a problem to someone who is happy with a solution? Getting them to be more committed to you–past Instagram–will help take them on that journey. Make sure you know where you want your audience to end up and then plan out how you will get them there. (If you want more guidance on the customer journey map, click here.)

 

 

So, did you resonate with any of the 3 reasons you’re not growing on Instagram? I hope you will find where you can shift your strategy a bit and then see the success you’re wanting! I know Instagram can be tricky sometimes, but it really is such a blessing that so many people can follow you and find value in what you say and it all be at your fingertips. 

If you could take one step to niche down on your content and lead with value, what would it be? Let me know over on Instagram! You can follow me @iammichellegifford. Please reach out and say hi! I love getting to know my people and we have a lot of fun over there in our little community.