While Facebook might have the most overall users, Instagram is dominating the market in terms of engagement. Instagram's brand to customer engagement rate is the highest among all social media outlets, 15 times higher compared to Facebook, and 20 times higher than Twitter (Our Social Times). Therefore, Instagram is a crucial platform your business should be utilizing to generate leads. 

If your Instagram account isn't generating consistent sales and revenue, then it's time to up your game! Here’s How:⠀⠀⠀⠀

1. Optimize your profile for search

Similarly to how you optimize your website, you should be optimizing your Instagram so that people can find your account easily. Start with your name (not your username, but the area under your profile picture where you list your full name). Use this space to add searchable keywords so that when users search for businesses like yours, you show up! Then, make sure you are using relevant hashtags, and don’t forget to add them to your posts and your bio! ⠀

2. Be consistent

Putting out high-quality content on a consistent basis is crucial in order to gain traction and revenue on Instagram. I know this one sounds cliche, but it is really important! On average, it takes 5-8 points of contact before someone decides to actually make a purchase. So be patient, and focus on cultivating long-run relationships with your followers. ⠀

3. Set realistic expectations

It is easy to get carried away with the endless editing and enhancing tools on Instagram. However, you want to make sure that you are accurately depicting your business. There is nothing worse than a disappointed customer. And the best way to avoid this is to set realistic expectations. 

4. Avoid automation and third-party apps 

We know how tempting it is to automate your social media efforts in order to save time and resources. But don’t get sucked into this trap! Users can tell when brands are using automation. It undermines previously established trust and decreases genuine engagement. People want to follow real people, not robots. That requires a human touch!

What tips and tricks do you use to generate revenue on Instagram? We would love to hear from you, drop them in the comments below!

Written By: Kassidy Aweida, AMR Digital Marketing, Influencer/ Community Manager