Finding and connecting with the right audience is one of the most important factors to growing your Instagram account. These people are interested in what you have to say, interact with your posts and become your loyal customers or members of your community.
How do you find your ideal Instagram audience? Let’s take a look at it.
Why Finding the right audience is important
Let’s first discuss why it is important to find the right audience. If your followers are not interested in your content they will not engage with your posts. A low engagement rate can make it harder for users to find your content.
Focus on your ideal audience – people who are truly interested in what you offer. You will see increased engagement, deeper connections and growth. If you are a business owner, your ideal audience will also be more likely to become paying customers.
Step 1: Define Your Niche
To find your ideal audience, you must first define your niche. What’s the purpose of your Instagram account? What are your goals? The more specific your description is, the easier you will find the right people.
Here are a few questions to help you identify your niche:
- What are your regular topics of discussion?
- What is your passion?
- Whom do you wish to inspire or help with your content?
- What are the problems you solve for your audience in
If you are a fitness trainer, for example, your niche could be “helping moms to stay healthy and fit.” This has a much more targeted niche than “fitness.”
Step 2 – Use Hashtags strategically
Hashtags can be a great way to get your followers’ attention. You should not use any hashtags, but rather hashtags relevant to your niche or your target audience.
How to use hashtags in a strategic way:
- Search for niche-specific hashtags: Instead of using general hashtags such as #fitness, search for specific ones such as #momfitness and #fitmoms. You will be able to reach those who are specifically interested in what you have to offer.
- Mix Popular and Niche hashtags: Combine popular hashtags that have a large search volume with niche hashtags that are more specific and smaller. You will increase your chances to be discovered by the right people.
- Check Out What Your Competitors Use: Take a look at what hashtags are being used by your competitors and similar accounts. You can get some ideas of new hashtags by looking at what your competitors are using.
You don’t have to use the full 30 hashtags. Use 10-15 hashtags that are highly relevant to your niche.
Step 4: Engage Your Audience
Engaging directly with your audience is the best way to discover who they are. Do not wait for people find you. Go out and find them.
Here’s a list of ways you can do it:
- Comment on popular posts in Your Niche: You can find these by using hashtags. Leave thoughtful comments. This will help you get your name out and show that you are active in the community.
- Follow People who Engage With Similar Content: There’s a high chance that someone will be interested in your content if you see them consistently engaging with similar content. Follow them and engage in their content.
- React to comments and DMs: When someone leaves a comment or sends you a DM on your post, be sure to reply. To grow a loyal following, you need to build relationships with your followers.
Engagement is a mutual process. The more you interact with others, they will be more likely to do the same with you.
Step 4: Collaborate With Other Accounts in your Niche
Collaborations can be a great tool to reach out to new audiences that are interested in your niche. By collaborating with someone else who has an audience similar to yours, you can both gain exposure among the followers of each other.
Here is a list of collaboration ideas:
- Shoutouts: Partner up with someone who is in your niche to get a shoutout from both of you. Both of you introduce the other to your audience, which could result in new fans.
- Guest Posts: Create a guest blog or offer to take over another account within your niche. You will be exposed to their audience, and it helps you build credibility.
- Instagram Lives: Join a live stream with another brand or creator in your niche. This real-time interaction allows your audience to interact with you both directly.
Finding partners with similar audiences but slightly different content is the key to a successful collaboration. By doing this, you both add value to the world without being in competition with each other.
Step 6: Target your ideal audience with Instagram ads
Instagram ads can be a great way to reach the audience you want. Instagram’s targeting features allow you to narrow down your target audience by age, gender and location. You can also choose based on interests and behaviors.
How to create a successful ad campaign
- What is your goal: Are you looking to increase the number of followers on social media, drive more traffic to your website, or promote a particular product? Define your goal so that you can create a campaign that is aligned with it.
- Target Based On Interests : Use Instagram’s targeting features to reach out to people who are interested in your niche.
- Create Visuals That Engage: Your advertisement needs to grab attention fast. Use images or videos of high quality that reflect your brand, and include a clear message.
Instagram Ads allow you to reach those who may not have found you organically. They’re an excellent for accelerating growth.
Final Thoughts
It takes some time to find your ideal Instagram audience, but the effort is worth it. By using Instagram ads and Instagram ads to engage your audience and grow your following, you can build a loyal and engaged following.
Quality over quantity is the key. It is better to have 1,000 followers who are engaged than 10,000 who do not care about your content. Focus on delivering value to your target audience and growth will naturally occur.
