The quality of your Instagram captions is as important as the quality of images you’re posting on your feed. Your captions can make or break your post in terms of how many likes and comments you receive within a short amount of time after posting. The Instagram algorithm favors users that get a lot of engagement quickly and will prioritize such posts on peoples’ feeds. Engaging Instagram captions with effective call-to-action and high-quality images are the perfect recipe for enticing both followers and hashtag hunters to interact with your post.
The Ultimate 2019 Guide to Writing Engaging Instagram Captions
A strong Instagram caption provides context, adds character and motivates your followers to take action and interact with your post. If you must use a quote that everyone else and their mother has posted, put your own spin on it. Considering it’s estimated that around 95 million photos and videos are shared on Instagram every day now, it’s more critical than ever to stand out from the crowd with unique captions and imagery.
#1. Plan ahead.
Trying to summon your inner creative genius while running late to an important meeting isn’t ideal. Map out your next few images in an app like Preview to make sure your imagery flows and tells your brand story. Once you have an aesthetically pleasing feed, you can sit down and start adding a little creative magic to your captions in advance.
#2. Include a CTA (call-to-action)
Asking a question or inviting followers to tag a friend are two simple yet powerful examples of effective call-to-action posts. Be sure to use the CTA early on in a longer post as wordy captions are cut off after 3-4 lines of text. For giveaway posts, start your caption with GIVEAWAY in bold letters to command attention from users scrolling through the avalanche of new images in their news feed.
#3. Emojis are your BFF.
Emojis can visually get your point across in a way that words often can’t. Use the perfect emoji or not to highlight your main point of a post, or to give visual instructions to users.
#4. Seek inspiration.
Make a list of your favorite Instagram accounts that never fail to woo you with their catchy captions and feed. Never copy another brand. Authenticity is the Instagram buzzword of 2019. Seek inspiration from others and add your own magic.
#5. Hashtag etiquette.
Hashtags should be used for growth and visibility. Which hashtags are your target audience, competitors and industry leaders using? Use those. Use a mix of smaller, niche hashtags as well as bigger ones. Research trending hashtags of the day, mixed in with niche hashtags and your very own branded hashtag. Avoid spammy hashtags like #like4like and #follow4follow at all costs. They will bring spammy followers at best.
What tricks do you find engage your followers most? Tweet me @lorenridinger.
