Instagram, an app with over two billion active users, has become and continues to be the most popular platform for influencers.
While there are countless successful Instagram influencers today, many are still struggling to get seen and recognized, despite being equally, or in some cases even more, talented than those enjoying the fame and popularity that come with being an influencer.
The truth is, being a successful influencer doesn’t happen by magic. It takes knowing and applying the right strategies to achieve the desired results.
So, how do you become a successful Instagram influencer? Let’s dive in.
Who Is an Instagram Influencer?
An Instagram influencer is someone who has built a community of followers that actively engage with their content and trust their recommendations and opinions. Simply put, an Instagram influencer is someone who influences their audience.
Being an influencer is both powerful and fragile because people may decide to act a certain way or change something about themselves based on what you say.
Take popular Nigerian influencer, Aproko Doctor as an example; he can influence what his followers eat or the types of fruits they consume because they trust his judgment. That’s what being an influencer truly means.
Also check out: How to Start a successful YouTube Channel in Nigeria
6 Steps to Excel as an Instagram Influencer
1. Make Sure You Like Instagram
This is a very important step that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you don’t enjoy the platform, growing on it will be difficult.
One key aspect of being an influencer is growth, and you’ll be spending a lot of time on the app. If you loathe Instagram, this won’t be sustainable.
For example, if you prefer Facebook and don’t particularly care for Instagram, it’s better to focus on building your community on Facebook.
2. Know Your Niche
There’s a common belief that finding a niche is hard, but it doesn’t have to be. To identify your niche, think about what you can do for hours on end without getting bored.
It could be cooking, reading books, traveling, painting, or even chatting with friends.
Whatever comes naturally to you is likely your niche.
3. Create Quality Content
This brings to mind the saying, “The way you dress is the way you are addressed.”
If the content you share is of low quality, people will assume your brand is low quality too. And no one wants to follow or be influenced by someone they perceive as subpar.
Instagram is a visually-driven platform. If your videos look like they were shot on a walkie-talkie, chances are, you won’t gain followers or engagement.
Invest in tools that improve the quality of your content. Create posts that provide immense value to your audience.
You can find content ideas on platforms like Pinterest, Quora, and Twitter, or by studying other creators in your niche.
4. Engage With Your Audience
Posting and ghosting won’t get you anywhere. People want to feel valued, as though their opinions matter.
If someone comments on your post and gets silence in return, they’re unlikely to engage with your content in the future.
Take the time to respond to comments genuinely and politely. This makes people feel appreciated and increases the likelihood of them becoming loyal followers.
5. Monitor the Algorithm
Stay updated on changes to Instagram’s algorithm that could impact your visibility or engagement.
What features are trending?
What content formats are being favoured?When is the best time to post?
Understanding these nuances will help you make informed decisions about what, when, and how to post to maximize your reach and keep your audience engaged.
6. Take Advantage of Hashtags
Posts with at least one hashtag receive 12.6% more engagement than those without. Using relevant hashtags can increase your reach by up to 36% if you have fewer than 5,000 followers.
However, hashtags can also backfire if misused. Choose hashtags carefully and ensure they’re relevant to your content.
Avoid overloading your posts with hashtags—stick to 3 to 5 per post. Too many hashtags can make your content appear spammy, which may reduce your reach.
Be Patient
Like everything worthwhile, succeeding as an Instagram influencer takes time, determination, and consistency. Keep applying the right strategies, and success will eventually follow.
