How to Create a Killer Instagram Feed from Scratch - Carney

How to Create a Killer Instagram Feed from Scratch

Instagram for businesses is no longer an option — it’s a necessity. So, how to make it work?

500 million users. 58 times more engagement than Facebook. Over 120 times more engagement than Twitter, with product featured in over 65% of Instagram’s top-performing posts.

Noticing a pattern here? Instagram for businesses is no longer an option — it’s a necessity. So, how to make it work?

Let the pros take the photos.

Your 9 most recent Instagram posts say a lot about your brand, and fast. It takes a mere two-tenths of a second for modern audiences to form an opinion of your online brand presence.

When Instagram users click through to your profile, do you really want their first impressions to be based on cell phone photos with less-than-ideal office lighting?

Instagram is filled with talented DIY photographers hungry for larger audiences. This is even more reason to curate, aggregate, and collaborate in order to build an effective feed. Choose bright photos, sharp image quality, and lifestyle shots featuring product or relevant surroundings.

Luckily for businesses, the majority of Instagrammers are happy to have their content repurposed if it’s properly credited.

A comment or direct message can go a long way when asking for permission to repost. It shows respect while sparking a personal relationship with a brand who might have never seen your account otherwise.

Creating connections with other accounts not only benefits your feed’s appearance — it grows your audience. We know this firsthand based on continued work for our client, Franklin West.

franklin west instagram

With real estate properties concentrated in the Shadyside neighborhoods of Pittsburgh, it was important to establish Franklin West as an integral part of the community. How did we do it?

We began by promoting, reposting, and crediting content from Shadyside businesses, simultaneously sparking connections while establishing Franklin West as a knowledgeable authority of their rental territory.

It was a win-win. Trust was gained between Franklin West and fellow businesses, and audiences took note. Franklin West grew from zero to 500 followers in just two weeks. This leads us to another essential Instagram tip.

Consistency is key.

Collaborations work. Hashtags work. But you will only see the full extent of their advantages if you employ them daily. Franklin West reached new audiences in Pittsburgh every day with fresh Shadyside-related content and consistent, branded hashtags.

No need to overwhelm your followers with more than two posts a day, especially when first gaining traction on Instagram. A daily reminder of your dedicated and knowledgable presence is enough to keep audiences engaged, strengthen trust, and curate an engaging feed.

Once you’ve built a solid feed and a steady stream of elevated content, the next important task is strengthening your tribe.

Carnage

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