Each year, my good friend and marketing guru, Amy Porterfield, hosts an event in San Diego called the Entrepreneur Experience. 

*Y’all it’s SO much fun… Amy knows how to party and I make great mixed drinks! ;)*

I was fortunate enough to take the stage at this event and speak to a room of budding entrepreneurs on how their Instagram account can help build their brand.

Read on to learn more about my Instagram critiques, and be sure to watch all three corresponding videos so you can get the full Experience! *See what I did there?!* 

How to Stop Someone Scrolling Past Your Posts

We all want to have real, authentic conversations on Instagram, so what’s stopping us?

Answer: our posts actually have to get seen and READ.

You may be worried about why people aren’t engaging with your posts, but the problem may be that they aren’t reaching the point of the post where you ask them to engage.

Solution: start each post with a hook.

>>A good copywriting hook at the beginning of your post gets followers to the call-to-action at the end.<<

Here are the top three hooks that will get readers to not only stop scrolling, but click “read more”:

• Identify a specific audience – readers that self-qualify are more likely to engage
• Juicy share – because EVERYONE wants to know your secrets
• Ask an engaging question – provide a quick, easy, and actionable way to start a conversation

The main takeaway is this: a good call-to-action is only as effective as the hook.

Check out the video below so you can see how small caption changes can make a HUGE difference.

What time should you post on IG + how often?

I’ve got good news and bad news, boo boo.

• The good news is that there is no wrong answer to this question.
• The bad news is that there isn’t really a one-size-fits-all answer, either.

However, I will say this:

>>Consistency leads to growth.<<

Because of the algorithm, engagement determines what is seen.

Studies have shown that only 4% of your audience is seeing your posts, but if you consistently get that audience to engage, your reach will continue to grow.

If you’re willing to put in the work and make the commitment to post every day, there is a higher likelihood that your posts will be seen.

Watch this video to learn the best posting times for YOU.

Instagram Power Punch Q+A

Hold on tight, Buttercup! I’m about to fly through some of the questions that were asked as I wrapped up my session at the Entrepreneur Experience. I hope these are helpful to you!

What are your thoughts on third party planning apps?

I love them for the planning component. However, I am not an advocate for automatic posting. I have found that when I use a third party app to post my content, I don’t get as much organic reach.

What’s your advice on posting on your feed vs stories?

Use both as much as possible! At the beginning of the month, have a plan mapped out so you don’t feel overwhelmed or pressured in the moment.

How can I begin helpful conversations in a direct message?

Lead with value. If your value exceeds the character limit of a direct message, go the extra step and create a shareable PDF or lead page. Be creative!

Tune into this video for more Q + A about the latest Instagram trends and engagement inspiration!

What did you think of this Instagram critique, friend? I’m all about serving you better, so hit me up on the ‘gram if you enjoyed this series and let me know if you want to see more!