Back To Social Media School: The Top 9 Instagram Mistakes We All Make (and How to Fix Them)

Learn how to become an influencer and how to make money on YouTube & Instagram on the new MagicLinks YouTube channel!

Instagram, like other social media networks, is a key component of any influencer’s overall brand & portfolio. It’s easy to dismiss Instagram strategies as unnecessary and just say, “I’ll post what I want to, when I feel like it”, then wonder why you’re not getting anywhere. Read on for 9 of the Instagram mistakes almost all ‘grammers make occasionally – and how to fix them!

1. Buying Followers

Sure, you can pay $250 for 50,000 followers, or $100 for 30 days of bots commenting, following, & liking your posts. Don’t do it. It’s NOT hard for fans & brands to tell when someone has fake followers & commenters, and it drags down your brand, big-time.

2. Bad Photos

Humans are visual creatures, and the point of Instagram is to share & discover beautiful, interesting, compelling images. Here’s how to get yours to stand out:

Choose natural light whenever possible
Edit your images using an editing program or lighting presets
Take your photos with your phone’s camera or a good digital camera, not the Instagram in-app camera (it’s not high quality)
Take multiple shots so you can choose the best ones
Be consistent in your style, filters, and color palette to create a cohesive aesthetic on your page

MagicLinks creators @emmamacdonald and @alliyahsface have consistent, eye-catching, well-curated Instagram pages that fit with their overall aesthetic perfectly!

3. Ignoring Your Analytics

Upgrading your account to an Instagram Business account is a must-do for any influencer. It gives you concrete data on what posts are resonating with your audience, which you can’t afford to ignore. Even if you’re not a “numbers person”, you need analytics, okay? Don’t make the mistake of relying too heavily on your analytics to drive the content you create, though: Never lose sight of the content YOU love to create. Your fans can tell when your heart isn’t in what you’re posting.

4. Following TOO Many People

Sounds weird, we know, but Instagram’s algorithm gives your account MORE value if you follow few people than follow you. Trust.

5. Ignoring Captions

A picture’s worth 1,000 words – but the words clinch the deal. Take the time to craft an intentional caption that:

Includes keywords your fans search for
Isn’t overly long
Prompts a conversation in the comments
Is true to your overall brand
Tells a story

MagicLinks creators @sometimesglam, @thenotoriouskia, and @jujhavens demonstrate captions that engage, tell a story, and encourage brand discovery.

6. Not Engaging With Fans & Other Creators

Relying on your amazing content to sell itself only gets you so far. Boost your Instagram engagement rate by replying to fans’ comments and liking & commenting on others’ photos.

7. Re-posted, Not Unique Content

We all love an occasional repost of a great meme, but if that’s ALL you’re posting, no one will stick around. People want to see your unique personality! Plus: Reposting content without permission? Not cool. Totally not cool.

8. #TooManyHashtags

Have you ever searched for a hashtag in the Instagram Discovery page, only to be inundated with thousands of photos that have NOTHING to do with what you’re looking for? It instantly turns off potential fans. Limit yourself to 5-10 relevant hashtags per post, placed in the caption or first comment on your post so they’re not buried and/or cluttering up the caption of your post.

9. Not Posting Regularly

We’ve said it before: An editorial calendar matters. Strive to post on the same days/times each week, and don’t neglect any of your channels for too long. Maintaining a high ranking in the Instagram search algorithm starts with posting regularly!