5 Instagram tactics to charm your ideal audience and generate more leads

5 Instagram tactics to charm your ideal audience and generate more leads

Ah, Instagram. The social network where visuals meet verve, and businesses bloom. Well, for some people anyway. 

Navigating IG can sometimes feel like trying to control a room full of cats - while they're all on catnip. It's a vibrant, chaotic world where every business, big or small, is vying for that coveted double-tap of approval. 

But here's the kicker: you're not just looking for followers; you're on the hunt for the right followers. Those dream clients who resonate with your message, vibe with your values, and are eager for the solutions only you can offer.

Yep - you're after the cream of the crop, the crème de la crème, those who will not just follow but engage, advocate, and happily part with their hard-earned cash for what you do.

It sounds like a tall order, right? If you're nodding along, thinking, “yes, Melissa, that's all well and good - but how do I actually do that?!” then you're in the right place. The path to Instagram glory doesn't have to be littered with the tears of failed posts and ghost followers. 

With a pinch of strategy, a large sprinkle of personality, and a healthy dollop of consistency, you can turn your Instagram account from a ghost town into the life of the party.

We're about to dive into five effective tactics that will help you cut through the noise, attract your ideal followers, and maybe, just maybe, have a bit of fun along the way - even if you're just starting out and your only follower is your mum.

1. Optimise your bio like it's your shop front

Imagine your Instagram bio as the window display of your virtual shop. You want passers-by to stop, stare, and decide they need to come in for a closer look. Hey - they might even buy something!

• Profile picture: Choose a clear, friendly photo of you. Your logo might be stunning, but faces are much more likely to generate engagement.
• Name and username: Keep it simple, sweetheart. Your name + what you do = intrigue. 
• Bio: Lay out who you help, how you help them, and the glittering results they can expect. Use this template if you're stuck: I help [who you help] to [what you help with] so you can [result].
• Call to action: Direct them where to go next with a link to your lead magnet or a mobile-friendly page with a handful of curated links.

Not sure where to start? Here are a couple of before and after examples of fictional IG bios to give you a nudge:

Confidence coach:

BEFORE: Helping you feel better about yourself 😊 #Confidence #SelfLove

AFTER: ✨Confidence Coach | I empower women to unleash their inner strength & embrace self-love | 📚Free Confidence-Boosting Workbook ⬇️ | Transform your life today!

Business strategist: 

BEFORE: I help businesses grow. Entrepreneur. Lover of all things business.

AFTER: 💸 Business Growth Strategist | Helping entrepreneurs skyrocket their revenue & achieve financial freedom | 📈 Grab my FREE '5 Strategies for Business Growth' eBook below!

Graphic designer: 

BEFORE: Freelance graphic designer. DM me for enquiries.

AFTER: 🎨 Graphic Designer | Crafting memorable brands for passionate entrepreneurs | 🔗 Portfolio & booking link below 👇 | Bringing your vision to life from just £99!

2. Use the highlights, pinned posts, and carousel features 

Think of the ‘highlights’ section on your profile page as chapters in your storybook, each one offering a peek into who you are and how you can help improve their lives, businesses, or whatever else it is you do.

‘About Me’ and ‘Work with Me’ highlights

This is your chance to introduce yourself. Use a mix of personal and professional insights. Talk about your journey, why you do what you do, and what makes you different i.e. your USP. Make sure to keep it engaging with a combination of talking videos, images, and testimonials that give a holistic view of your personality and brand. Remember to turn on the ‘captions’ feature for accessibility and inclusivity.

Top 3 Pinned Posts

These are your chances to make a super strong first impression. Think of them as the front page of your profile, showcasing what you're all about and what new visitors can expect. Here’s what you can do to make the most of this section:

Pinned Post 1: Welcome Post

Create a post that warmly welcomes visitors to your profile. This could be a photo or a short video clip of you introducing yourself and what you offer. Stuck for words? Consider using something along the lines of, “Welcome to our page! Dive deeper into what we do by checking out the link in our bio. Let us know you're new here by dropping a wave emoji below! 👋”

Pinned Post 2: Highlighted Offer or Service Post

Share a post detailing one of your key services or offers. Use eye-catching visuals and concise text to explain the value you provide. A good call to action example is: “Want to learn more about how we can help you? Say ‘interested’ in the comments for an exclusive offer!” (Of course, don’t forget to follow up!)

Pinned Post 3: Engagement Driven Post

Create a post designed to spark engagement, such as a poll, a thought-provoking question, or a fun fact related to your industry. Not sure what to include in this? Start utilising polls on your IG stories, and see which ones get a good response. This will give you an insight into what your audience is interested in talking about. 

Carousel Posts

Carousels allow you to convey a narrative or present a collection of ideas, products, offers and services in a single, swipeable post. They're perfect for education, storytelling, or highlighting multiple aspects of your work. 

Example Strategy for an Engaging Carousel

• Title slide: Start with an engaging title slide that hooks your audience, such as “top tips you need to know” or “our journey in photos”.
• Content slides: Use each slide to present a single idea, tip, or photo. Ensure each slide is visually cohesive and consistent, and text is minimal but impactful.
• Final slide: End with a strong call to action. Encourage viewers to take a specific action, such as downloading a guide, signing up for a freebie, or visiting a webpage for more information.
• CTA in caption: “Swipe left to unlock invaluable insights! Ready to take the next step? Click the link in our bio to explore more and get exclusive access to our resources.”

3. Stories are your daily dose of engagement

Your stories are the daily bread that feeds your relationship with your followers. Don’t starve them! But, equally, too much bread leads to uncomfortable fullness. So let’s aim for a happy medium. 

• Anchor posts: Begin and end your day with something consistent, like a task list or a behind-the-scenes peek.
• Engage and share: Share your posts, use stickers to encourage reading, and always include at least one offer and lead magnet.
• Be personal: Sharing snippets of your life, like a sushi lunch with a sneaky glass of fizz, can spark conversations. Also, a 60-second tip or thought can engage your audience and prompt interaction.

4. Content is king - but variety is queen

Posting 3-5 times a week keeps your profile lively without overwhelming your followers. Mix up your post types to keep things interesting.

• Carousel posts: These are gold for engagement. Also, repurpose your top-performing content across different formats to maximise reach.
• Focus, focus, focus: Zero in on Instagram. Cross-posting can dilute your message as what works on one platform might not on another.

5. Engage with your audience for the ultimate royal courtship

Building relationships on Instagram is akin to a royal courtship. Show genuine interest in your followers. Don’t ignore them! They’re not a number, they’re a human being. Treat them like one.

• Conversations: Respond to comments and DMs. And don’t forget to actually start conversations by showing interest in your followers' content.
• Engagement: Like their posts and stories. It’s the equivalent of a friendly nod across the room and can help them feel encouraged to post more.

Remember: relationships really are key

Attracting your ideal audience on Instagram isn’t just about dazzling them with your content and spamming them with stories left, right, and centre; it’s about building lasting relationships. 

Engage sincerely, share generously, and always, always listen. Your Instagram can become not just a platform, but a community where every follower feels seen and valued - which is exactly what you want when you’re building an audience. 

Ready to transform your newly-optimised Instagram profile into a lead-generating powerhouse? Dive into my Lead Magnet Visibility Checklist to ensure you're attracting, engaging, and converting your ideal audience. Click here to start making meaningful connections right now!