We all need to take a break sometimes. A break from emails, a break from work, a break from the routine, and even a break from Instagram.
We know this last one is the most shocking ‘break’ since Ross and Rachel circa Friends season 3, but we’ve all been there. Whether unintentional or planned, a break from social media can give you the space for much-needed content inspiration.
However, it can also make us pretty nervous. After all, what happens when you stop posting on a platform like Instagram, then decide to ‘come back’? Crickets, that’s what! Instagram engagement doesn’t keep going if you’re not around. But there’s no need to worry – here are 5 tips to ease back into the platform.
1 | Come back guns blazing!
OK, we know we said ‘ease back in’. However, we mean that in terms of mindset (don’t stress!), not action. This is no time for half-measures or tentatively posting something every couple of days. If you’re not ready to come back, if you still don’t have the time or inspiration, it will show. And that’s not fair on your clients.
Don’t be shy about how much you post, either. Instagram has confirmed that it doesn’t penalize frequent posters, so share often. We have to emphasize, as always, that it isn’t about quantity over quality but especially after a break it’s a good idea to share quite a bit of content to show that you’re back in action and give your audience plenty to engage with.
Returning with a strong portfolio of content isn’t only for your amazing clients, of course – it’s also for the Instagram algorithm. We know it rewards good quality posts with high engagement, so that’s what you’ve got to provide.
2 | Realign on your return
Our second tip is somewhat linked to our first and extremely important to highlight. Part of your strong comeback has to be a great strategy. Use your break and subsequent return as an opportunity to restate your purpose and ensure content is true to your business.
Think about your audience and why they follow you. They want to see engaging, high-quality posts. So, when you return to the platform, give them that! Combine visually appealing images with informative captions. You want to show your very best side and make people realize how much they’ve missed you.
When you’re developing your social media comeback strategy, remember the three guiding principles of Instagram for business: reach, impressions, and engagement. Your social media marketing relies on these three pillars, so keep working towards them with everything you post.
When you’re developing your social media comeback strategy, remember the three guiding principles of Instagram for business: reach, impressions, and engagement.Click To Tweet3 | Start with some Stories
What we dubbed the ‘secret sauce’ of Instagram, your Stories are the best and most interactive place to start your comeback. Why? Well, for starters, it seems like Stories aren’t as affected by the algorithm, so you won’t get pushed to the end of anyone’s watch loop.
It’s not only this, though. Stories are the most popular type of Instagram content with over 500 million people watching them every day, so consistent use of Stories is one of the best places to boost your social media engagement. They also have so many great features to encourage engagement, from question, quiz and countdown stickers, to fun filters and shares.
While they’re less obviously promotional than posts on your main feed, Stories are integral to your social media marketing because they keep your business front-and-center to your followers, which is exactly what you need after you’ve disappeared for a bit!
4 | Engage with them, they’ll engage with you
This tip is key to boosting your engagement at all times, but especially after a break. Don’t simply post stuff and then walk away from the platform. You’ve got to put in the effort to get anything back.
So, after a break from Instagram, schedule in some time to interact with others. Comment on posts from people you’re following, respond to any old comments you might have missed, check out the hashtag feeds that are popular with your audience. Seeing your presence in their comments will nudge people to go and check out your profile, where they’ll be drawn in by your awesome content!
5 | Come back with a giveaway
Now, being honest, this is a tip that we’d advise you use sparingly. Contests and giveaways can be a great boon for Instagram for businesses, with lots of brands noticing that these posts are their most popular. However, they can also seem a bit overtly ‘sales-y’ and you have to be sure you understand the legality of contests on social media.
Make sure you have a clear goal in mind, which will help you determine what type of contest you run. You also need to know your audience really well in order to set up a giveaway or contest that will appeal to them. If you do these things right, a well-targeted competition is one of the best ways to boost Instagram engagement after a break from the platform. More exposure, buzz around your brand, a surge in interaction – what’s not to love?
So, next time you take a social media break, there’s no need to be worried about coming back. With a solid strategy and some quality comeback, your account will soon be back in action and soon you’ll forget you were ever away!