Increasing Engagement Rate
The Shift from Pretty Pictures to Powerful Content
My feed was full of beautiful, perfectly edited photos. They got likes, but my comments section was a ghost town. It was like having a beautiful art gallery with no one talking. Frustrated, I tried something different. I created a simple carousel post that taught my audience how to solve one specific problem. The response was electric. The comments were flooded with questions and thank-yous. I realized people weren’t just looking for pretty pictures; they were craving valuable content. My engagement rate tripled when I started serving my audience, not just showing off to them.
The Vanity of Likes vs. The Value of Conversation
I was obsessed with my like count. I would celebrate hitting 500 likes on a post, even though it led to zero sales or client inquiries. One day, I shared a raw, behind-the-scenes story that only got 80 likes, but it received 20 thoughtful comments and 10 DMs. Three of those DMs turned into paying clients. That was my lightbulb moment. Likes are a fleeting vanity metric. Meaningful engagementācomments, shares, saves, and DMsāis the real currency of a healthy business. I stopped chasing applause and started chasing conversations.
Fostering a Two-Way Conversation
In my early days, I would reply to comments with a simple heart emoji or a “Thanks!” It was a dead end, a conversation killer. My comment section was a series of monologues. I made one small change: I started replying to every single comment with another question. If someone said, “Great tip!” I’d reply, “Thanks so much! What’s the biggest challenge you face with this?” Suddenly, my comment section transformed from a bulletin board into a lively coffee shop, buzzing with real conversations. Engagement isn’t just about getting comments; it’s about keeping them going.
The #1 Secret to Getting More Comments
The number one secret to getting more comments is painfully simple: you have to explicitly ask for them, and you have to be specific. I used to end my captions with vague statements, hoping for a response. Crickets. I changed my strategy to end every single post with a direct, open-ended question. Not “Do you agree?” but “What’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self?” This shift from a passive hope to an active invitation turned my silent followers into active participants. It gave them a reason and a direction to respond.
The Biggest Lie About the Engagement Rate
The biggest lie about the engagement rate is that a high rate is the goal. We chase it, thinking it’s the key to success. The reality is, a high engagement rate is not the goal; it is the result. It’s a lagging indicator of a strong, healthy community. When I stopped obsessing over the percentage and started focusing on serving my people, building relationships, and creating valuable content, my engagement rate soared as a natural byproduct. Chase the connection, not the metric, and the metric will take care of itself.
The Revelation That Revived My Engagement
My engagement rate was at an all-time low, and I was blaming the algorithm. I felt invisible. The truth I wish I knew then was that my content had become all about me. It was a feed of my wins, my work, my thoughts. I made a critical shift to make my content about themāmy audience. I started addressing their pain points, answering their questions, and celebrating their stories. The moment I turned the camera around, my engagement came roaring back to life. People engage with content that makes them feel seen.
Engagement Is a Lagging Indicator
I’m just going to say it: engagement is a lagging indicator of a strong community. For months, I tried every trick in the book to “hack” my engagement. Nothing worked. Then I gave up on the hacks and focused on one thing: building a real community. I learned people’s names, I celebrated their wins in my Stories, I replied to every DM thoughtfully. The engagement rate didn’t budge for a while, but the feeling changed. Then, slowly but surely, the numbers followed. The engagement was a reflection of the trust I had built.
The Mistake That’s Killing Your Engagement
The mistake that 99% of people make that is killing their engagement is that they are being boring. They are playing it safe. They are posting generic quotes and sterile, professional advice. People don’t engage with boring content. The moment I started sharing my real, unfiltered opinionsāeven the slightly controversial onesāmy engagement exploded. People started debating in the comments, sharing my posts, and DMing me their thoughts. Don’t be afraid to have a personality. The opposite of engaging isn’t bad content; it’s boring content.
The Habit That Will Change Your Engagement Forever
This one small change in my posting habits transformed my engagement rate: I started replying to comments as soon as they came in. In the first hour after I post, I stay on the app and treat my comments section like a live chat. This immediate feedback loop does two things: it makes the commenter feel seen and encourages more conversation, and it signals to the algorithm that my post is generating a lot of early buzz. This “golden hour” of engagement can make or break a post’s reach.
The Two-Way Street of Engagement
The reason your engagement is low is because you’re treating Instagram like a stage instead of a party. You post your content and then you walk away, expecting applause. It doesn’t work like that. For a week, I spent more time engaging on other people’s accounts than I did creating my own content. I left thoughtful comments, replied to stories, and was genuinely social. The result? My own engagement skyrocketed. People started returning the favor. Engagement is a two-way street. You have to give it to get it.
Building a Strong Community
From Content Consumption to Shared Experiences
My followers used to just consume my content. They would like it, maybe leave a comment, and move on. It felt transactional. I started to create shared experiences to build a real community. I hosted a 5-day challenge where we all worked towards a common goal. I ran a collaborative Live where we shared our stories. Suddenly, we weren’t just a creator and an audience; we were a group of people connected by a shared journey. Community isn’t built on what people watch; it’s built on what they do together.
The Shift from “At” to “With”
I used to talk at my audience. My content was a series of lectures and announcements. It was a monologue. The change happened when I started talking with them. I began asking for their opinions, featuring their stories, and bringing them into the conversation. I used polls, quizzes, and question stickers to make my content a dialogue. The “we” in my language became more important than the “I.” A community is not an audience you speak to; it is a circle of people you speak with.
The Power of Showing Your Face
My brand used to be a faceless logo. My feed was polished and professional, but it was also cold. I was afraid to show my face and be the person behind the brand. The day I finally posted a simple video of me talking to the camera was terrifying, but it changed everything. My DMs were flooded with messages from people who felt like they finally “met” me. Humanizing your account is the fastest way to build connection. People don’t connect with logos; they connect with people.
The Secret to a Family-Like Community
The secret to building a community that feels like a family is to care about the small details. It’s remembering someone’s name from a previous DM. It’s noticing when a regular commenter has been quiet for a while and checking in on them. It’s celebrating their personal wins, not just their engagement with your content. It’s the hundreds of tiny, personal gestures that show you see them as individuals, not just as numbers. That’s how you turn followers into family.
The Biggest Lie About Community Building
The biggest lie about community building is that you need a Facebook group or some other platform to make it happen. I used to think I needed a separate space. The truth is, your community is right where your audience is. You can build an incredibly strong community right in your Instagram comments and DMs. It’s not about the platform; it’s about the intention. A strong community is a feeling of belonging, and you can create that anywhere.
What I Wish I Knew About Community
When I was chasing a higher follower count, I wish I knew that having 1,000 followers who feel like strangers is lonely, but having 100 followers who feel like friends is a powerful, joyful thing. I was so focused on the quantity of my followers that I neglected the quality of my relationships with them. The real asset is not the size of your audience, but the strength of your community. A strong community will carry you and your business further than any number ever will.
Your Community Is Your Biggest Asset
I’m just going to say it: your community is your biggest asset. It’s more valuable than your products, your website, or your marketing budget. Your community is your source of feedback, your best marketing team, your most loyal customers, and your support system. When you invest in building a strong community, you are building a moat around your business that no competitor can cross. The relationship with your community is the one thing that cannot be easily replicated.
The Mistake 99% of Creators Make
The biggest mistake 99% of creators make when trying to build a community is that they make it all about them. They celebrate their own milestones, they talk about their own successes, and they ask for feedback on their own ideas. A true community leader turns the spotlight onto their members. Celebrate your followers’ wins. Feature their content. Make them the heroes of the story. A community is not a fan club; it’s a collective.
The 10-Minute Daily Practice
This one small daily practice will change the strength of your community forever: spend the first 10 minutes of your workday doing nothing but pouring into your community. Don’t post, don’t scroll. Just go into your DMs and comments and have genuine conversations. Thank people for their support. Ask them how they’re doing. This small, consistent deposit into your relationship bank will compound over time and build a foundation of trust and loyalty that is unbreakable.
The Power of Being Seen and Heard
The reason you don’t have a strong community is because you’re not making your followers feel seen and heard. You might be posting great content, but are you truly listening? When someone takes the time to comment or DM you, they are giving you a gift. How you respond to that gift matters. A thoughtful, personalized reply makes them feel valued. A generic reply or no reply at all makes them feel invisible. The foundation of any strong community is the simple human need to be acknowledged.
Responding to Comments and DMs
The Magic of a Personalized Response
I used to use a generic, one-size-fits-all reply for all my comments. “Thanks for your comment!” It was efficient, but it was also cold and robotic. I made a change to personalize every single reply, even if it was just by using the person’s name. “Thanks, Sarah! So glad you found this helpful.” The difference was incredible. People would reply back, surprised and delighted. It turned a simple interaction into a memorable moment of human connection. Personalization shows you care.
The Untapped Goldmine in Your DMs
I used to dread the notification bubble on my DMs. It felt like another chore. Now, I see it as a goldmine. I stopped ignoring my DMs and started treating every message as an opportunity. An opportunity to answer a question, to solve a problem, to build a relationship, and yes, to close a sale. Some of my most loyal customers and biggest clients started with a simple conversation in the DMs. Don’t ignore them; embrace them.
The Art of the Follow-Up Question
My early DM conversations were short and awkward. A follower would ask a question, and I’d give a one-word answer. End of conversation. I learned to keep the dialogue flowing by always responding with a follow-up question. If they asked about my services, I wouldn’t just send my prices. I’d reply, “Great question! To make sure I give you the right info, can you tell me a bit more about what you’re working on?” This turns a simple inquiry into a valuable consultation.
The Secret to Managing Your DMs
The secret to managing your DMs without feeling overwhelmed is to create a system. I use a combination of saved replies and text shortcuts for my frequently asked questions. This allows me to answer common inquiries quickly and efficiently. This, in turn, frees up my mental energy to have more in-depth, personalized conversations with my warmest leads. It’s not about automating the relationship; it’s about automating the repetition so you can focus on the connection.
The Biggest Lie About Responding to Every Comment
The biggest lie about responding to every comment is that you have to do it forever, no matter how big you get. As your account grows, it becomes impossible. The real principle is to do what doesn’t scale for as long as you can. In the beginning, you absolutely should respond to every comment. It’s how you build your core community. As you grow, you can transition to other ways of engaging, like dedicated Q&A sessions or responding to the first 20 comments. But never forget the power of that early one-on-one engagement.
What I Wish I Knew When I Was Starting Out
When I was just starting out, I wish I knew that the speed of my reply mattered. I would let comments and DMs sit for days. I didn’t realize that a quick, thoughtful response can create a “wow” moment for a follower. It shows them that you are attentive and that you value their time. Now, I try to respond to all inquiries within a few hours. This simple act of timeliness has dramatically improved my relationships and my sales.
The Fortune Is in the Follow-Up
I’m just going to say it: the fortune is in the follow-up (in the DMs). So many sales are lost because there is no follow-up. A potential client DMs you with a question, you answer it, and then… nothing. You’re leaving it up to them to take the next step. A week later, a simple, non-pushy follow-up message like, “Hey, just wanted to check in and see if you had any other questions about X?” can be the gentle nudge that turns a prospect into a client.
The Mistake 99% of People Make
The biggest mistake 99% of people make when replying to comments is that they don’t look at the person’s profile first. It takes two seconds to tap on their name and see who they are. This small bit of context can transform your reply. You can mention their business, a recent post they shared, or a common interest. This shows that you see them as a person, not just a username, and it turns a generic reply into a powerful moment of personalized connection.
The DM Opener That Gets a Reply
This one small change in my DM opening line dramatically changed my response rate: I stopped starting with “Hi.” Instead, I start with something personal and specific that shows I’ve done my research. “Hey Sarah, I just saw your post about launching your new website – congrats! It looks amazing.” This proves that it’s not a generic, copy-and-pasted message. It’s a genuine, personalized compliment, and it almost always gets a warm reply.
The Real Reason People Aren’t Responding
The reason people aren’t responding to your DMs is because you’re being too salesy, too soon. You’re sliding into their DMs with a cold pitch, asking for their time or their money before you’ve provided any value or built any rapport. A good DM strategy is like making a new friend. You wouldn’t ask a stranger for a huge favor. You’d start with a compliment, a shared interest, or a helpful suggestion. Give first, then ask.
Using Instagram Stories for Engagement
The Power of Interactive Stickers
My Stories used to be a passive viewing experience. I’d post a photo, and people would just tap through. The game changed when I started using interactive stickers on every single Story. I used polls to ask for opinions, quizzes to test their knowledge, and question stickers to invite their inquiries. It turned my Stories from a broadcast into a conversation. My engagement skyrocketed because I was finally giving my audience a simple, fun way to participate.
Adding Value, Not Just Noise
I used to be guilty of just hitting the “share to story” button on my latest feed post. It was lazy, and it added no new value. I learned that if you’re going to reshare your post, you need to add context. I started covering up part of the image and using the Story to tell the “story behind the story.” I’d share a key insight, a behind-the-scenes secret, or a follow-up question. This gives people a reason to watch the Story and click through to the post.
The Cure for Boring Stories
Stop creating boring Stories. If your Stories are just a series of static images, you’re missing the point. The key to dynamic and engaging Stories is to mix up your formats. Use video, use Boomerangs, use text-only slides, use graphics, use a mix of your face and your surroundings. Think of your Stories as a mini TV channel. You want to keep the viewer entertained and curious about what’s coming next. Variety is the spice of Stories.
The Secret to Getting More Poll Votes
The secret to getting more people to vote in your polls is to make them about your audience, not about you. Instead of asking, “What color should I make my next product?” which is a question about your business, ask, “Which of these two colors would you be more likely to wear?” which is a question about their preference. People are inherently more interested in sharing their own opinions and tastes. Frame your polls around them, and your participation rate will soar.
The Biggest Lie About Instagram Story Views
The biggest lie about Instagram Story views is that the total number of views is the most important metric. It’s not. The most important metric is the completion rateāthe percentage of people who watch your Stories all the way from the first slide to the last. A high completion rate tells the algorithm that your content is engaging, and it will show your future Stories to more people. It’s better to have 100 people watch all your Stories than 1,000 people watch the first one and then swipe away.
What I Wish I Knew About Story Engagement
When I was getting no interaction on my Stories, I wish I knew that I wasn’t giving people a compelling reason to engage. I was just posting about my day. I learned that every Story needs a purpose. Is it to educate, to entertain, or to engage? If the goal is engagement, you have to be intentional. Add a sticker. Ask a direct question. Create a cliffhanger that makes people want to DM you. You have to design your Stories for interaction.
Stories Are More Important Than Your Feed
I’m just going to say it: for building a deep, loyal community, your Stories are more important than your feed posts. Your feed is your polished portfolio, designed to attract new followers. Your Stories are your intimate, behind-the-scenes coffee chat, designed to nurture your existing community. It’s in the daily, unedited, interactive space of your Stories that people really get to know, like, and trust you. That’s where the real relationship is built.
The Mistake 99% Make With the Quiz Sticker
The biggest mistake 99% of people make when using the quiz sticker is that they make the questions too hard or the topic too obscure. A quiz should be a fun, lighthearted way for your audience to engage, not a stressful test. The goal is to make them feel smart and successful. Use your quiz to reinforce simple concepts you’ve already taught them or to share fun facts about your industry. The goal is participation, not a final exam.
The Question That Changes Everything
This one small change in the questions you ask in your Stories will change your engagement forever: stop asking questions that require a long, thoughtful answer and start asking questions that can be answered with a simple tap or a single word. Instead of “What are your biggest goals for this quarter?” ask “What’s the #1 thing on your to-do list today?” Simple, low-friction questions will always get a higher response rate.
The Real Reason Your Story Engagement Is Low
The reason your Story engagement is low is because you’re not giving people a reason to interact. You’re just posting a photo of your lunch. There’s nothing for them to do. Every Story should have a subtle (or not-so-subtle) invitation to engage. A poll, a quiz, a question sticker, a slider. You have to train your audience that when they watch your Stories, there will be opportunities for them to participate. Make interaction the default, not the exception.
Running Polls and Quizzes
From Fun and Games to Market Research
I used to think polls were just a fun, silly way to get engagement. “Coffee or Tea?” The real power was unlocked when I started using polls as a free market research tool. I started asking my audience direct questions about their preferences and pain points. “Which of these topics would you like me to create a video about next?” The poll results became a roadmap for my content strategy. I stopped guessing what my audience wanted and started creating what they explicitly asked for.
The Art of the Fun and Challenging Quiz
My first quizzes were boring. They were just multiple-choice questions about my business. No one participated. I learned that a good quiz needs to be fun and just challenging enough to be interesting. I started creating quizzes like “Can you spot the common marketing mistake?” or “What’s your brand’s personality type?” These were more engaging, and they still allowed me to educate my audience in a playful way. A quiz should feel like a game, not a test.
The Power of Closing the Loop
I used to run a poll and then completely forget about it. I was leaving my audience hanging. I learned the importance of “closing the loop.” The day after I run a poll, I always share the results in my Stories. I’ll add my own commentary or a follow-up thought. This does two things: it satisfies the curiosity of those who voted, and it shows my audience that their participation matters and has an impact. It’s a simple act that encourages more people to vote next time.
The Secret to High Participation Rates
The secret to creating polls and quizzes that get high participation rates is to make them about the user. People are infinitely more interested in themselves than they are in you or your brand. A poll titled “Which logo do you like better?” will get some votes. A poll titled “Which of these logos best represents your personal style?” will get far more. Frame your questions in a way that allows your audience to express their own identity, opinions, and preferences.
The Biggest Lie About Polls and Quizzes
The biggest lie about polls and quizzes is that they are just for fun and don’t have a real business purpose. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Polls are a powerful tool for audience research, feedback, and segmentation. Quizzes can be a fantastic way to educate your audience about your products or services in an interactive way. They are not just toys; they are powerful, top-of-funnel engagement tools that can be used strategically to grow your business.
What I Wish I Knew When I Was Getting No Votes
When I was getting no votes on my polls, I wish I knew that my questions were too complicated. I was asking my audience to make complex decisions or to weigh in on topics they didn’t care about. I learned that the best polls are simple, quick, and easy to answer. A simple “This or That?” poll will almost always get more engagement than a nuanced, multi-faceted question. Reduce the friction, and you will increase the participation.
The Simpler, the Better
I’m just going to say it: with polls, the simpler the better. A two-option poll will always outperform a four-option poll. A question that can be understood in a split second will always get more votes than one that requires a lot of thought. Respect your audience’s time and attention. Make it so easy and irresistible to tap that they do it without even thinking. Simplicity is the key to high participation.
The Mistake 99% Make When Designing a Quiz
The biggest mistake 99% of people make when designing a quiz is that the payoff isn’t worth the effort. You’re asking your audience to spend a minute of their time answering questions, but what do they get in return? Just a simple “You got 3 out of 4 correct!” The best quizzes offer a valuable or entertaining result at the end, like “Your brand personality is The Hero” with a short description. The result is the reward. Make it a good one.
The Framing That Changes Everything
This one small change in the way you frame your poll options will change your results forever: use images or emojis instead of just text. Our brains process visuals much faster than words. A poll asking “Beach or Mountains?” with beautiful photos of each will get far more engagement than a poll that just uses the words. It’s more visually appealing, more emotionally resonant, and easier to answer with a quick tap.
The Real Reason Your Polls Aren’t Working
The reason your polls and quizzes aren’t working is because they are not relevant to your audience and your niche. If you are a business coach, a poll asking “Pizza or Tacos?” is a fun but useless distraction. A poll asking “Do you struggle more with time management or lead generation?” is a highly relevant, strategic question that will get engagement from the right people. Your polls should be an extension of your content strategy, not a random interruption.
Hosting Q&As and AMAs
The Power of a Specific Theme
My first “Ask Me Anything” was a disaster. The questions were all over the place, and I felt scattered. The game changed when I started hosting Q&As with a specific theme. Instead of a general AMA, I would host a Q&A on “How to Write High-Converting Captions” or “My Best Tips for Time Management.” This attracted higher-quality, more focused questions. It also positioned me as an expert on that specific topic. A theme gives your Q&A a purpose and a direction.
The Pre-Population Trick
The biggest fear when hosting a Q&A is that no one will ask any questions. That awkward silence is terrifying. My secret weapon is to pre-populate the Q&A with a few of my own questions. I use the question sticker in my Stories and submit the first 3-4 questions myself. These are usually the frequently asked questions that I know my audience has. This breaks the ice and makes other people feel more comfortable jumping in with their own questions.
The Video Response Advantage
Stop answering your Q&A questions with just a block of text. It’s boring and impersonal. I started answering every question with a short, 15-second video of me talking to the camera. It was a game-changer. It allowed my audience to see my face, hear my voice, and connect with my personality. It made the Q&A feel like a personal conversation, not a sterile FAQ page. A video response is always more engaging and memorable than a text response.
The #1 Secret to a Successful Q&A
The number one secret to hosting a successful Q&A on Instagram is to promote it beforehand. You can’t just slap a question sticker on your Story and expect an avalanche of inquiries. You need to warm up your audience. The day before, I’ll post a Story saying, “Tomorrow I’m hosting a Q&A on [topic]. Start thinking of your questions!” This builds anticipation and gives people time to formulate their thoughts. A little promotion goes a long way.
The Biggest Lie About AMAs
The biggest lie about “Ask Me Anything” sessions is that you actually have to answer anything. You are in complete control. You do not have to answer questions that are too personal, irrelevant, or that you simply don’t want to answer. You can just ignore them and no one will know. It’s your platform and your Q&A. You get to set the boundaries. Don’t let the fear of an inappropriate question stop you from hosting a valuable session for your community.
What I Wish I Knew About Hosting Q&As
When I was afraid no one would ask any questions, I wish I knew that a Q&A is a powerful content creation tool, even if the questions are just from me. I can use the Q&A format to address common misconceptions, answer questions I wish people would ask, and teach my audience about my offers in a non-salesy way. Even if my audience is silent, I can still create a series of valuable, engaging Stories that can be saved to a Highlight for future followers.
It’s Okay to Not Know the Answer
I’m just going to say it: it’s perfectly okay to not know the answer to every question. In fact, saying “I don’t know, but I will find out for you” or “That’s a great question, I’m not the best person to answer that, but here’s someone who is” can actually build more trust than pretending to be a know-it-all. It shows humility and honesty. Your audience doesn’t expect you to be a walking encyclopedia; they expect you to be a genuine and helpful human.
The Mistake 99% Make When Promoting a Q&A
The biggest mistake 99% of people make when promoting their Q&A is that they don’t explain the “why.” They just say “I’m hosting a Q&A!” Why should your audience care? Why should they take the time to ask a question? A much better approach is to say, “For the next hour, I’m offering free, personalized advice on [topic]. This is your chance to get my expert opinion on your biggest challenge.” You have to sell the value of the Q&A.
The Answer That Changes Everything
This one small change in how you answer questions will change how your audience perceives you forever: don’t just give the answer; tell the story behind the answer. If someone asks for your favorite business book, don’t just give them the title. Tell them the story of how that book changed your business or your life. Storytelling makes your answers more memorable, more personal, and more impactful. It elevates you from a simple resource to a trusted guide.
The Real Reason Your Q&As Aren’t Engaging
The reason your Q&As are not engaging is because you’re not showing your personality. You’re giving dry, textbook answers. A Q&A is a chance for your audience to connect with the real person behind the brand. Be funny, be passionate, be a little weird. Let your personality shine through. People can get factual answers from Google. They come to your Q&A to get your unique perspective, your energy, and your personality. Don’t be afraid to be you.
Creating Shareable Content
The Power of a Relatable Quote
My most shared pieces of content are almost never my beautifully shot photos. They are almost always a simple, text-based graphic with a relatable quote. Something that makes people stop and say, “That is so true.” I learned that people don’t share content to make me look good; they share content to express their own identity, beliefs, and feelings. A relatable quote is a shortcut for them to say, “This is who I am and what I believe.”
It’s Not About You, It’s About Them
I used to create content that was all about my achievements and my expertise. It was a portfolio of my success. It rarely got shared. The shift happened when I made my content about my audience. Instead of “Here’s how I succeeded,” I started creating content that said, “Here’s how you can succeed.” The moment I made my audience the hero of the content, they started sharing it with others who were on the same journey. Create content that serves your audience, not your ego.
The Simple Act of Asking
I was creating what I thought was great, shareable content, but my share count was still low. I was missing one simple, crucial step: I wasn’t asking for the share. I started adding a simple call-to-action at the end of my captions: “If you found this helpful, share it to your Stories so others can benefit too.” This simple suggestion planted the seed in my audience’s mind and gave them a gentle nudge. My shares immediately increased. Sometimes, you just have to ask.
The Secret to Hundreds of Shares
The number one secret to creating content that gets shared hundreds of times is to tap into a strong, specific emotion. Whether it’s humor, inspiration, outrage, or a deep sense of validation, emotional content is what moves people to act. A post that makes someone laugh out loud is a post they will immediately send to a friend. A post that makes them feel deeply understood is a post they will share to their Stories. Logic makes people think; emotion makes people share.
The Biggest Lie About Shareable Content
The biggest lie about what makes content shareable is that it has to be a complex, beautifully designed infographic or a viral video. The truth is, some of the most shareable content in the world is incredibly simple. Think of the power of a single, impactful sentence on a plain background. Don’t overthink it. The power of shareable content is in the message, not in the medium. A powerful idea, simply expressed, will always be more shareable than a weak idea, beautifully designed.
What I Wish I Knew About Getting Shares
When I was getting no shares, I wish I knew that my content was too “in the middle.” It was good, but it wasn’t great. It was agreeable, but it wasn’t provocative. Shareable content often lives at the extremes. It’s either extremely funny, extremely useful, or extremely relatable. “Good enough” content gets likes. “Extreme” content gets shares. I wish I had been brave enough to be more polarizing and to have a stronger point of view from the beginning.
The Simplest Content Is the Most Shareable
I’m just going to say it: the most shareable content is often the simplest. It’s the one-line tweet that perfectly captures a universal feeling. It’s the simple meme that makes everyone in your industry laugh. It’s the checklist that helps people solve a common problem. We often try to overcomplicate things, thinking that more complex content is more valuable. But when it comes to sharing, people want content that is easy to understand and easy to pass on.
The Mistake 99% Make When Trying to Be Shareable
The biggest mistake 99% of people make when trying to create shareable content is that they are trying to appeal to everyone. They create generic, watered-down content because they’re afraid of offending or excluding someone. This “vanilla” content is a recipe for being ignored. The most shareable content is often highly specific and niche. It’s created for a specific person with a specific worldview. When you try to be for everyone, you end up being for no one.
The Headline That Changes Everything
This one small change in your content’s headline will change its shareability forever: make it more specific and outcome-oriented. Instead of a headline like “Tips for Better Sleep,” try “The 3-Minute Evening Routine That Will Help You Fall Asleep Faster Tonight.” The second headline is more specific, it promises a clear benefit, and it creates a sense of urgency. A great headline is the single most important factor in whether your content gets read and shared.
The Real Reason Your Content Isn’t Being Shared
The reason your content isn’t being shared is because it’s not making people feel anything. It’s informative, but it’s not emotionally resonant. Does your content make your audience feel smart, seen, inspired, motivated, or entertained? If your content is just a dry recitation of facts, there is no emotional fuel to propel the share. Before you post, ask yourself: “How do I want my audience to feel after consuming this?” That’s the key to creating shareable work.
Encouraging Saves and Shares
The Educational Carousel Advantage
I noticed that my single-image posts got likes, but my educational carousels got saves. It was a clear signal from my audience. A pretty picture is a fleeting pleasure, but a well-designed carousel that teaches a valuable skill is a resource worth keeping. I started turning all my best tips into multi-slide carousels. My save rate went through the roof. People don’t save content that is just beautiful; they save content that is useful.
Creating Content That People Want to Keep
Stop creating disposable, “in-the-moment” content. If you want more saves, you need to start creating content with a longer shelf life. Think of it as creating a reference library for your audience. Checklists, tutorials, step-by-step guides, resource lists, and framework breakdowns are all types of content that people will want to come back to again and again. Before you post, ask yourself: “Is this something my audience will want to find again next week?”
The Power of a Direct Ask
I used to hope that my audience would just know to save or share my content if they liked it. It was a passive strategy that yielded passive results. I started adding a direct, clear call-to-action to my most valuable posts. “Save this post for later so you don’t forget these tips!” or “Share this with a friend who needs to hear this today.” This simple act of telling people what I wanted them to do dramatically increased my saves and shares. Don’t be afraid to ask for the engagement you want.
The Secret to More Saves Than Likes
The secret to creating content that gets more saves than likes is to prioritize utility over aesthetics. A like is a simple nod of approval. A save is a declaration that “this is so valuable, I need to keep it.” To get more saves, your content needs to be practical, actionable, and solve a real problem for your audience. Think of yourself as a teacher or a guide. The more useful you are, the more saves you will get.
The Biggest Lie About the Importance of Saves
The biggest lie about the importance of saves is that they are just another vanity metric. The truth is, the Instagram algorithm pays very close attention to saves. A save is one of the most powerful signals you can send to the algorithm that your content is high-quality and valuable. It tells the algorithm that this is a piece of content worth showing to more people. Saves are not just good for your ego; they are a critical driver of your organic reach.
What I Wish I Knew About Saves and Shares
When I was obsessed with likes and comments, I wish I knew that saves and shares were the true indicators of my content’s value. Likes and comments are about me (“I like your content”). Saves and shares are about my audience (“This content is useful for me” or “This content would be useful for my friends”). When I shifted my focus from creating “likeable” content to creating “saveable” and “shareable” content, the quality and the impact of my work improved dramatically.
Saves Are the New Super Like
I’m just going to say it: saves are the new super like. A like is cheap. It’s a quick, thoughtless double-tap. A save is an intentional act. It requires more effort and it signals a much deeper level of engagement. It means your content has resonated so much that the person wants to build it into their personal library. If you want to understand what your audience truly values, stop looking at your likes and start looking at your saves.
The Mistake 99% Make When Asking for Saves
The biggest mistake 99% of people make when asking for saves is that they do it on every single post. This dilutes the power of the ask. You should only add a “save this post” call-to-action on your most valuable, high-utility pieces of content. If you ask for a save on a simple selfie, your audience will start to ignore your CTAs. Reserve the ask for your best, most helpful content, and it will be much more effective.
The Value Proposition That Changes Everything
This one small change in the value you provide will change the number of saves and shares you get forever: package your information in a way that makes it easy to implement. Don’t just share a general idea; share a specific framework, a step-by-step process, or a copy-and-paste script. The more you can do the heavy lifting for your audience, the more valuable your content becomes. Make it so useful that they would be foolish not to save it.
The Real Reason Your Content Isn’t Getting Saved
The reason your content isn’t getting saved or shared is because it’s not useful enough. It might be interesting or pretty, but is it useful? Does it help your audience solve a problem, learn a skill, or save time? Utility is the driving force behind saves and shares. If you want to increase these metrics, you have to increase the practical, real-world value of your content. Be relentlessly helpful, and your audience will reward you.
Dealing with Negative Comments
The Power of an Empathetic Response
My first instinct when I got a negative comment was to get defensive. I wanted to argue and prove them wrong. This always made things worse. I learned that the most powerful response is empathy. I started replying with, “I’m so sorry you had that experience. I can understand why you would feel that way.” This simple act of validation immediately de-escalated the situation. It showed that I was listening, and it turned an adversary into a conversation.
The Transparency of a Public Response
I used to be so embarrassed by negative comments that I would just delete them immediately. I thought I was protecting my brand. In reality, I was just hiding. I learned that addressing a negative comment publicly (when appropriate) can actually build more trust. It shows that you are not afraid of feedback, that you are transparent, and that you are committed to resolving issues. Other customers see this and it gives them more confidence in your brand.
Don’t Feed the Trolls
It’s crucial to learn the difference between a legitimate customer complaint and a troll who is just trying to get a reaction. A customer deserves a thoughtful, empathetic response. A troll deserves nothing. Engaging with a troll just gives them the attention they are craving. I learned to identify them, block them, and move on with my day. Do not waste your precious time and energy on people who are committed to misunderstanding you.
The Secret to Turning a Negative into a Positive
The number one secret to turning a negative comment into a positive customer service experience is to take the conversation offline. My go-to public reply is: “I’m so sorry to hear this. I’m sending you a DM right now so we can get this sorted out for you.” This shows everyone that you are taking action, but it allows you to handle the specific details of the issue in a private, one-on-one setting. You can often turn a frustrated customer into a loyal fan with this approach.
The Biggest Lie About Negative Comments
The biggest lie about negative comments is that they are a sign of failure. We see them as a black mark on our perfect brand image. The truth is, if you are in business long enough, you will get negative comments. It’s an inevitable part of the process. The absence of negative comments doesn’t mean you are perfect; it often means you’re not big enough or bold enough to have made an impact yet.
What I Wish I Knew When I Got My First One
When I received my first negative comment, it felt like a punch to the gut. It ruined my whole day. I wish I knew then that the comment was not a reflection of my self-worth. It was just one person’s opinion, on one day, about one specific thing. I wish I had been able to separate the feedback from my identity. The comment was about my business, not about me as a person. This separation is the key to handling criticism with grace.
Negative Comments Are a Valuable Resource
I’m just going to say it: negative comments can be an incredibly valuable source of free market research and feedback. A negative comment can shine a light on a flaw in your product, a gap in your communication, or a problem in your customer service process. If you can look past the emotional sting, you can often find a nugget of truth that will help you improve your business. Your biggest critics can sometimes be your best teachers.
The Mistake 99% of People Make
The biggest mistake 99% of people make when they get a negative comment is that they reply immediately, while they are still angry or defensive. This emotional response almost always makes the situation worse. The best thing you can do is to walk away from your phone for ten minutes. Take a deep breath. Then, come back and craft a calm, rational, and empathetic response. Never reply when you’re emotionally triggered.
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
This one small mindset shift will change the way you view negative comments forever: assume the commenter has a positive intent, even if their delivery is poor. Assume they are trying to help you improve or that they are just having a bad day. When you approach the comment with curiosity (“What can I learn from this?”) instead of defensiveness (“How dare they!”), it completely changes your emotional response and allows you to handle the situation with professionalism and class.
The Real Reason Negative Comments Are Affecting You
The reason negative comments are affecting you so much is because you are taking them personally. You are seeing the comment as an attack on your character, your intelligence, or your worth. You need to build a professional shield between yourself and your business. The comment is about the business, the product, or the service. It is not about you. When you can create that healthy emotional distance, the comments lose their power to ruin your day.
The Power of DMs
From Selling to Relationship Building
I used to think of my DMs as a sales channel. I was wrong. The primary purpose of your DMs is relationship building. I stopped trying to sell and started trying to help. I used the DMs to have genuine conversations, to answer questions, and to provide value, with no expectation of a sale. Ironically, this approach led to more sales than ever before. People buy from those they know, like, and trust, and the DMs are the best place on Instagram to build that trust.
The Art of the Warm-Up
Stop sending cold, spammy DMs to people who have never heard of you. It’s the digital equivalent of a cold call, and it doesn’t work. Before you ever slide into someone’s DMs, you need to warm them up. Engage with their content for a week or two. Leave thoughtful comments. Reply to their Stories. Let them see your name and get familiar with you. Then, when you do send a DM, it’s not from a stranger; it’s from a familiar face.
The Case Against DM Automation
Stop trying to automate your DMs. People can spot a robotic, copy-and-pasted message from a mile away. It’s a complete turn-off. The power of the DM is in the personal, human connection. It’s your chance to have a real, one-on-one conversation. If you automate that, you destroy the very thing that makes it so effective. It’s better to have ten genuine conversations than to send one thousand automated, soulless messages.
The Secret to Starting a Non-Awkward Conversation
The secret to starting a conversation in the DMs that doesn’t feel awkward or salesy is to lead with a genuine, specific compliment or a relevant question about their content. “Hey, that Reel you posted yesterday was hilarious!” or “I loved your post about [topic]. I had a quick question about X…” This shows that you are paying attention and that you are interested in them as a person, not just as a potential customer.
The Biggest Lie About DM Marketing
The biggest lie about DM marketing is that it’s all about a clever script or a perfect pitch. The truth is, the most effective DM marketing is just about being a good listener. It’s about asking thoughtful questions, understanding someone’s problems, and then, only if it’s appropriate, offering a solution. It’s not a monologue; it’s a dialogue. The person who listens the most is the person who wins in the DMs.
What I Wish I Knew About the Power of DMs
When I was just starting my business, I wish I knew that my Instagram DMs were the single most powerful tool I had. I saw them as a distraction. I wish I had known that they were a direct line to my ideal clients, my future collaborators, and my most loyal community members. I would have invested so much more time and energy into having real conversations from day one. I was sitting on a goldmine and I didn’t even know it.
The Real Magic Happens in the DMs
I’m just going to say it: the real magic happens in the DMs. Your feed is where you attract your audience. Your Stories are where you engage them. But your DMs are where you convert them. It’s where you can have the private, in-depth conversations that build the trust required for a high-ticket sale or a long-term client relationship. If you’re not spending time in your DMs every single day, you are leaving an incredible amount of money and opportunity on the table.
The Mistake 99% Make When They Slide In
The biggest mistake 99% of people make when they slide into someone’s DMs is that they immediately ask for something. “Hey, can you check out my profile?” or “Can I tell you about my services?” This is incredibly selfish. You need to lead with value. The first message should always be about them, not about you. A compliment, a helpful resource, a thoughtful question. Give before you ever think about asking.
The DM Strategy That Will Change Your Business
This one small change in your DM strategy will change your business forever: start every day by sending five genuine, non-salesy DMs to people you admire, potential clients, or engaged followers. Don’t ask for anything. Just send a compliment, a word of encouragement, or a helpful thought. This simple habit of proactive, generous outreach will plant so many seeds of goodwill that your network and your business will inevitably grow.
The Real Reason Your DMs Aren’t Converting
The reason your DMs aren’t converting is because you’re not listening. You’re so eager to pitch your offer that you’re not taking the time to truly understand the other person’s needs. A successful DM conversation is 80% listening and 20% talking. Ask questions. Be curious. Dig deeper. When you deeply understand their problem, you can position your offer as the perfect solution. But you can’t solve a problem you don’t understand.