1. Instagram Best Practices
1
Madeline Hait | 2016
General Guidelines
 Keep content consistent
o Posts should alignwith the brand – any changes to your style shouldbe gradual
 Use the right hashtags
o Add relevant hashtags(including branded ones) – take a cue from popularaccounts
 Learn the basics of photography
o Pay attentionto composition,perspective,lighting,angles, colour, etc.
 Look at yourdata
o Learn from your past posts and analyze your audience using an online tool
(Good optionsincludeSimplyMeasured, Iconosquare, FollowersPlus)
ContentCreation &Curation
 Define your aesthetic / voice, write it out, then use it as a guide for all posts
o Try to stick to similar colours, filters, style and tone in all your posts(consistency is key)
 Spend the time & effort to get the perfect shot
o It’s okayto rearrange thingsor pose peopleto get thea beautiful, “effortless” photo
o Compositionis key: learn tips& tricks in thishelpful video
o Take lotsof photos,thenpickyour favoriteto post (don’t deletetheothersright away)
 Edit your posts!
o Always edit your postswithin theapp – playwith contrast, structure, saturation
o When it comes to filters, never use them at more than 50% strength (it will lookfake)
o Consider using external apps(Over, Aviary) to edit pics or create graphicsusing Canva
 Keep a bank of images
o When taking photos,takemultipleshots & repurpose unused ones later(e.g. events)
o Uploadimagesto a shared space the wholeteam has access to (e.g. Dropboxfolder)
 Use free stock images (as needed)
o If you need a free, high-res imagequickly, search on sites like Pexels or StockSnap
 Fill in the gaps with sourcedcontent
o Share images from followers, clients, influencers & brands that complement your own
(always give credit to the originalsource, eitherin the captionor tagging thephoto)
WritingCaptions

2. Instagram Best Practices
2
Madeline Hait | 2016
 Define your voice (Professional or playful?Funny or informative?)
o Your posts shouldsound like theyare written by a real person – be consistent!
 Keep it relatively short(1 paragraph, max 2)
o Most peopleare on Instagram for the visuals, don’t expect them to read at length
 Tag other accounts in yourcaption when applicable
o They’llnoticeyour post & might comment/share (you shouldalso tag them in thepic)
 Step upyour hashtag game
o Include multiple(10+) relevant hashtagsas the first comment afteryou post (see below)
InstagramStories –postdaily photo / videoupdates (similar to SnapChat)
 Share what you’re up to more frequently & informally by postingto your story (guide)
o Going to an event? Something funny / coolhappenat work? Post it to your story!
 Aimto have at least 1 photo / video in your storyat all times
GrowYour Audience –howto increaseyour postreach / following
 Steal your competitor’saudience

3. Instagram Best Practices
3
Madeline Hait | 2016
o Check who recentlyfollowed them, then like/comment on postsfrom targeted followers– they
may then engagewith your content and follow you
 Curate user generated content
o See what your followers / partners are posting and share theircontent on your channels
 Use @ mentions in your captions
o Tagging otheraccounts (especiallypopularones) is a great way to increase post reach
 Be persistent
o Believein your message and experiment with thedetails - it takes time to get results!
InspirationalAccounts –take cues from accounts that are killingiton Instagram
^ Accounttype: business (B2C) - wearable consumer products
Strengths: featuring real people(staff,bloggers,fans), variety of lifestyleimages, bright & fun

4. Instagram Best Practices
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Madeline Hait | 2016
^ Accounttype: business (B2C) - consumer lifestyle products
Strengths: featuring user-generated content (sourced via brand hashtag),lifestyle images (+brand)
^ Accounttype: promotional/ blogger- main purpose it to feature other accounts/businesses
Strengths: Beautiful,high-qualityimages;content is relevant/helpful to followers (high engagement)

5. Instagram Best Practices
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Madeline Hait | 2016
^ Accounttype: services (B2B)– advertising agency
Strengths: Giving a fun, behind-the-scenes lookat what they’reup to (makes you want to hire them)
^ Accounttype: retailer / small business (B2C) – local,independent fashion store
Strengths: Consistent visuals & branding; great at engaging with followers; sharing updates