What is the purpose of having a large community of followers if they do not see or engage with your content? The higher your Instagram engagement rate, the easier it is to convert your followers, and the more the networkâs algorithm values you.
Your restaurantâs Instagram page should not only reflect your brand image but also convert your followers into customers. Your Instagram engagement rate reflects the effectiveness of your page! To make the most of this social network and turn it into a customer acquisition tool, you need to not only post high-quality content regularly but also engage your community.
What is the Instagram engagement rate? A key performance indicator! It measures the impact of your content on your community. A high engagement rate indicates that the content is interesting and engaging to users, which can result in increased visibility, notoriety, and influence for your Instagram account. It is a percentage that represents the number of actions taken by users (comments, likes, shares, saves, etc.) relative to the number of people who have seen the content.
So, are you ready to skyrocket your Instagram pageâs engagement rate? In this article, we provide you with 15 daily tips to incorporate into your marketing strategy. And to never forget them, you can download a handy summary to keep at your fingertips!
1. Publish content in the most popular formats preferred by users: essential for a better Instagram engagement rate
The most popular content types on Instagram are carousels and Reels, as they offer more substance in a short amount of time than a single photo and encourage creativity. Moreover, due to their âlongerâ format, these types of content can increase your engagement rate as users spend more time on your post.
2. Create captivating carousels and Reels
Your goal is to hold the userâs attention for as long as possible on your post. To achieve this, be clever! Create carousels that start with an attractive photo, encouraging the user to view the rest. For example, a cake slice that continues throughout the posts. Similarly, for Reels, make it clear from the beginning that the video becomes more captivating as it progresses.
3. Following trends helps increase the Instagram engagement rate
There are waves of trends on social media. Following them helps you retain your audienceâs attention on a type of content they already know and appreciate, and it can make your content go viral. Trends can revolve around various aspects, such as music or the content itself. For example, currently, there are many videos where the restaurateur picks different ingredient papers for the cook or barista to create a random recipe.
4. Utilize the provided Reels features
To help you create Reels that align with current trends, Instagram offers various features. You can see the usage rate of each song and whether they are gaining popularity. Instagram also encourages you to use templates to guide you in creating a video similar to those that are already popular.
5. Vary between different formats and types of content published
For diverse and engaging content on social media, alternate between different formats such as Reels, carousels, photos, and videos. Also, donât focus solely on one type of content, such as your dishes; showcase all aspects of your restaurant: drinks, the team, suppliers, the location, etc. This encourages users to spend more time on your page as each post tells a new story.
6. Capture attention with a compelling caption for better Instagram engagement
A lengthy caption? Subscribers may not read it. Opt for a short caption of around 125 characters that piques curiosity from the very first sentence. An attention-grabbing opener that entices the user to delve into your post.
7. Encourage followers to interact with the post
The more you interact with your followers, the higher your engagement rate. So donât hesitate to invite your followers to engage in dialogue by including an invitation in your caption. Address the user directly and ask them to comment on their favorite dish among your carousel or suggest a new addition to the menu. Your followers should feel involved in your post.
8. Publish content worth saving
Some types of content are worth saving for later, leading to more saves on Instagram. Therefore, consider sharing inspiration, recipes, tips, or any other elements that could be useful and interesting to save from time to time.
9. Increase post reach with hashtags
Using hashtags expands the audience reached by your post and also your engagement rate. Why? Because if your hashtags are relevant to your post, you reach an audience actively seeking that type of content and, therefore, interested. So, use about ten hashtags related to your post!
10. Create a brand hashtag
On each of your posts, start your hashtags with one specific to your restaurant, such as its name, like Mama Nissa with #mamanissa. This practice encourages your customers to use this hashtag when they mention your restaurant in their posts or stories, which promotes your establishment and engages your community.
11. Tag relevant users
Tagging relevant users increases brand visibility and engagement on Instagram. However, donât overdo it. Tagging two users per post is ideal for getting more likes and comments.
12. Post at the best times: essential for improving the Instagram engagement rate
The more your post reaches a large portion of your followers, the more likely you are to increase your engagement rate on Instagram. Therefore, it is best to post during the times when the majority of your community is active on the platform, as many posts scroll by every day. To determine the best posting times according to your audience, go to your settings!
13. Encourage interaction with stickers
Instagram has developed features that allow you to interact with your audience. Regularly launch polls, quizzes, a series of open questions, etc., in stories! Your followers will participate, and your Instagram engagement rate will increase.
14. Host a contest for more interactivity: effective for improving the Instagram engagement rate
Contests are the most effective and quickest way to encourage users to like or comment. Simply offer a meal for two or another prize using a simple participation mechanic: like, comment, or share the post. Everyone wins: you increase your Instagram engagement rate, and subscribers get a chance to win a great prize!
15. Respond to all interactions
A subscriber who interacts with your content or reaches out through messages is already halfway to conversion. To seize every opportunity, respond to all interactions promptly. Responding to all interactions will help the customer conversion process and boost your visibility on Instagram.
