Instagram is a social media giant. For individuals and businesses alike, the image-sharing platform is a fantastic way to share your personal side. But to find success on Instagram, you have to be strategic. For businesses specifically, Instagram marketing is a great way to connect with your audience and attract new fans and followers.

However, Instagram success isn’t guaranteed. Whether you’re just starting out on the platform or you’ve had an account for a while, you may want to consider working with an Instagram influencer. Influencers are users who have established a loyal following and fanbase. They use their pull and power to “influence” people into making certain decisions. If they wear a cool shirt, people want to buy it. The same happens if they’re wearing your cool shirt, drinking your tea, or using your software.

Unlike the refinements of traditional marketing, working with influencers is a new frontier for brands. Influencer marketing can introduce your business to a whole new audience. It’s cost-effective, conducive to sponsored posts, and a way to bring new life to your brand. However, it’s important to make the most of it.

Proper Instagram strategies also include knowing when to post. By working with influencers and finding that “sweet spot” of time, you’ll attract more eyes to each post and see a greater return on your investment.

Understand the Algorithms

To know the best times to post on social media, learn how social media, in general, works. Though it may sometimes seem like it, people don’t spend every second of their days scrolling through Instagram. When they do, it might only be for a few minutes at a time. If they miss your post in that window, they might not see it again.

Increase your chances of getting seen by first understanding the algorithms. To optimize your reach, look at the data. Use analytics tools to determine when your audience is most active, and identify which past posts have seen the most interaction. When you start to see a pattern with posting times, leverage the Instagram algorithm in other ways like using hashtags, posting more content, using platform-friendly images and videos, and adding value with captions.

Keep in mind, unfortunately, the algorithm is working against you as a business. Instagram is more likely to show users photos, stories, and Reels shared by their friends and family before business content. Posting at the right times is essential to increase engagement since you’ll subsequently show up more frequently in the feeds of your target audience.

In addition to looking at algorithms and personal data, look at trends as well. They tend to show different “ideal” posting times based on the day of the week. Get creative with your Instagram stories, reels, and photo posts to leverage the algorithm as much as possible.

Improve Your Content

A good reason to work with an influencer who knows what they’re doing is to improve your Instagram content. As the old marketing slogan goes, “content is king.” Even if you already share photos and videos, pay attention to how your content comes across to your audience. Influencers think about the reaction of their followers.

Getting a lot of followers and regular interaction isn’t easy, but posting consistent content that engages people will help you get ahead of the competition. Consistency means having a “voice,” even if you work with an influencer. Understand what your brand is and what you represent, and the influencers you work with should be able to showcase those same values. People connect heavily with user-generated content and this is the perfect opportunity to create some.

There can be challenges with influencer marketing, but the key is to find the proper fit. An influencer in the right industry can promote your brand without having to say anything. Send them some merchandise to wear when they take photos or record videos. Some people will even search for laptop stickers seen on social media posts by tech influencers. Encourage them to use specific hashtags, and give them a good reason to talk about how your goods or services have made a difference in their lives.

Work With the Right Influencers

There are millions of influencers across the globe. While some primarily stick with platforms like YouTube or TikTok, plenty can be found on Instagram with thousands or millions of loyal followers.

However, that doesn’t mean every Instagram influencer is a good fit for your brand. Picking the wrong partner is a common influencer marketing mistake. If you’re trying to grow your business, choosing the right influencer(s) should be an integral part of your growth strategy. The plans for the future of your business should include:

• Current and projected stats
• Your target audience
• Your purpose and values
• Areas needing improvement
• Goals for the future.

Assess your purpose and your audience to get a better idea of the type of influencers with whom you should be working. Look at your current followers for ideas, and ask yourself:

• Who else are they following?
• What are they talking about?
• Whom do they trust?

Also, check your competition and their followers. Search for relevant topics on Google. It shouldn’t take long to find plenty of influencers to choose from. Then, go back to your initial “drawing board” to determine the best fit for your company.

Micro marketing can play a key role in helping your business scale. A good influencer won’t just work with you on content creation. They’ll be fully aware of the best times to post. They will work with you to have a better understanding of your audience’s behaviors and habits when it comes to social media interaction.

The best time to post on Instagram when you’re working with an influencer depends on a few things. Gauge interaction insights from their audience and your audience. Don’t be afraid to do your research, lean on the experience of influencers, and get comfortable with a bit of trial and error. Before long, you’ll have a strong idea of when your followers like to scroll, interact, and support your brand.