Thriving on Instagram: Understanding and Optimizing Social Media Algorithms
A Limited Series on Mastering Social Media Algorithms for Independent Artists and Small Businesses
In today's digital landscape, artists and small businesses have unprecedented opportunities to reach and engage with their audiences.
If you can learn to understand how your social media platforms work, youcan maximize your visibility and impact.
Today, we will explore how Instagram's algorithm works and how you can make it work for you.
What Makes The Machine Happy
Do you remember Furbies? The kind-of-creepy early 2000s toy? When I think of social media algorithms, I like to imagine them as a Furby.
You could feed your furby, play with it, tickle it, and it would all illicit some sort of response.
You could also do things that would make your furby mad and become evil.
In the most basic sense, a social media platform is really quite similar to a furby. To make a social media platform work for you, you have to learn what makes it happy.
Algorithm Overview:
Instagram's algorithm prioritizes content based on user interactions, timeliness, and relationships. Posts that receive higher engagement—likes, comments, shares—are more likely to appear prominently in users' feeds.
Optimization Strategies:
High-Quality Visuals:
Post aesthetically pleasing and relevant images or videos. High-quality visuals attract attention and encourage engagement.Consistent Posting:
Maintain a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged. Consistency helps build a loyal following and keeps your content fresh in users' minds.Utilize Features:
Leverage stories, reels, and live sessions to increase visibility. These features are favored by the algorithm and can help you reach a broader audience.Engage with Followers:
Respond to comments and messages to foster community. Engagement signals to the algorithm that your content is valuable and worth promoting.Hashtags:
Use relevant hashtags to reach a broader audience. Hashtags categorize your content and make it discoverable to users interested in those topics.
What art|Works Can Do For You
We specialize in helping artists and small businesses build a strong brand presence, both online and offline.
From crafting effective social media strategies to creating engaging content and fostering audience interaction, our mission is to ensure your work reaches the right people in a way that is authentic and true to your vision. If your goal is to be seen by as many potential customers as possible, we have the tools and expertise to make that happen.
We are dedicated to supporting you in doing what you do best, including enhancing your social media presence. If you have any questions or need assistance, you can find us at The Longview Gallery every Friday for "Work from the Office Fridays" or stop by any Wednesday during Office Hours with our IT team. We're always ready to help troubleshoot and answer any questions you may have.
Let's work together to maximize your visibility and impact in today's digital landscape!