Instagram has been leading the social media race, with hundreds of millions of users actively using the platform. It is used extensively for a variety of purposes. From celebrities to athletes, influencers to content creators, brands to marketers, everyone is trying to establish their presence on the social media platform.
When it comes to sharable content on Instagram, images, and videos are by far the most effective, outperforming text, emojis, and GIFs. They are engrossing, as well as entertaining and exciting. Social media images and videos give viewers a window into the creator’s world, allowing both to create a personal connection.
However, using social media isn’t just about posting whatever you want. Every social network has its own set of technical and cultural limits. The same goes for the images and videos you upload on Instagram. You might be uploading lots of content but without any results or engagement.
But worry not. If you are someone who is struggling to get their head around the whole Instagram strategy or how to get the best results, here is how you can enhance your reach on the platform by using images and videos in the best possible way.
- Make The Content Platform-Friendly
All social media networks now have their own distinct design, ratios, video size, and duration requirements. So it is important to post images and videos keeping all of those considerations in mind–whether the image should be portrait or landscape, the length of the video, aspect ratio, etc.
Nobody likes to see a photo or video with a weird aspect ratio. So, make sure you follow the guidelines for a better user experience and engagement.
- Upload Your Best Images and Videos
Take a peek at the Instagram users you follow. You’re probably following them because you like their content unless, of course, they are friends, celebrities, etc. Put yourself in the shoes of your followers. One approach to get recognised on Instagram is to follow their lead and only post images or videos that they enjoy.
When people visit your Instagram account, you want them to be impressed by your feed and the talent you’re showcasing. This is not going to happen unless you upload your best photos and videos.
- Edit The Images and Videos before Uploading
Every photo or video you capture or create will not be perfect and upload-ready. So, edit that image or video you have decided to upload on Instagram before posting. For images, you can use Instagram’s in-built editor to crop, add filters, brightness, contrast, etc. For videos, you can use any instagram video editor to trim, add transitions, add music, use special effects, etc.
- Use Instagram Stories
Instagram Story is an interesting type of content format on the platform. The images and videos you post here vanish after 24 hours. It has many features. You can add filters, stickers, GIFs, music, text, hashtags, geotags, and even draw free-hand. From images to videos, the creative possibilities are endless.
You can use Instagram Stories to:
- Promote your posts
- Tell a story
- Share snippets of your everyday life
- Make an announcement
- Announce upcoming content
The dimensions for Instagram stories are 1,080 x 1,920 pixels and videos can be anywhere from 1-15 seconds long. You can use editing tools to create amazing designs varying from images to videos for your next Instagram story.
- Use Different Video Formats
Apart from images, Instagram allows and features various different formats for video content. You can explore and utilize these different formats to create and share videos according to their purpose. You can upload a video as a Reel, Story, IGTV, or you can also go live on the platform.
On Instagram stories, you can merge and upload many videos and present them as a series of stories. IGTV, on the other hand, allows you to upload videos with a length of up to one hour. Or, you can go live with your followers as the audience. You can host Q&A sessions, host online workshops, concerts, etc.
Instagram Reel is the leading video format on Instagram these days. Reels are trending and have helped many creators find popularity and followers in millions. You can upload a video of maximum one-minute duration. It can be synced with trending or viral music to get the most engagement and views.
- Post Multiple Images at Once
If you took many images during a shoot, you should consider publishing them as a multi-image post rather than as a series of separate posts. Multi-image posts can have up to 10 photographs. The post could include showcasing behind-the-scenes glimpses to your main shot, as well as multiple views of a single location or subject.
- Use Appropriate Tags
One of the easiest methods to attract more people to view your photographs and videos is to utilize hashtags. Instagram restricts the number of hashtags you can use in each post to 30. When deciding which hashtags to use, stay away from the most popular ones. You’ll simply get lost in the crowd.
You can tag numerous Instagram accounts in each post, whether you’re publishing a photo or video. If your media includes a photograph or video from a specific region, you might want to add a location tag to your post. When someone searches for posts in that precise location, yours will surface.
Conclusion
You may maximize the potential of your Instagram channel by following these suggestions for posting images and videos. Regardless of how the platform evolves, you can boost Instagram engagement and keep those likes, shares, and comments flowing.
