I hear you.
You have an instagram presence, you’re proud of your top notch professional feed. You have a regular posting schedule.
You’ve even built up a sizeable followers list.
But you can see from your stats that your followers aren’t engaging. No likes, comments or shares.
While you know that followers can be restless, time-strapped or easily bored you begin to question how on earth you’re going to grab their attention and keep them glued to your feed.
Could the design of your posts switch off your followers?
Connection with your Followers
Design alone won’t entice your crowd.
Without any substance or creative ideas behind each post, your engagement is likely to be flat.
Instagram is social. And that means human connection is key.
You can connect your followers with photo and carousel posts that empathise, inspire and relate. And it’s how you visually execute these ideas that captivates your followers.
Want me to show you some tips and examples?
1. Inspirational Quotes – Text over Graphics
We’ve all seen them and you could even say they are over used. But when you touch your followers hearts with quotes that inspire and improve their mood you’re already on their side.
If inspirational quotes are a bit too woo woo for your audience then swap them with inspirational business quotes.
Example #Calm:
Calm have used an aspirational travellers image combined with a soft serif font quote against the blue sky.
When using quotes, remember to choose a photograph with a background where the font can be easily read.
2. Mini “how-to” guides – Graphics and text as carousel slides
Want to illustrate how to use your product or inform your audience how your service works? You can squeeze heaps of information bundled into several easy to swipe slides.
These mini guides are a great way of offering practical advice and you can combine both powerful imagery with content.
Example #Secret London:
Secret London shows a collection of inspiring ideas over several slides about what to do in London on a bank holiday.
Combining high quality images with text can captivate an audience while giving them inspiration of what to do in London.
The images do the talking in these posts. Don’t cram too much text in each slide.
3. The Promo – Shouty Graphics
If you’re promoting your product or service then graphics that pop are a must. Discounts, Events or new Services need to stand out from the noise.
Promo graphics can be busy with a lot to say in a small space. High quality images, branded fonts, and shouty graphics can pack a punch and engage your followers
Example #Bring your own laptop:
Bring your own Laptop are promoting Adobe certified training courses with certificates.
Their promo post is tongue-in-cheek, with a call-to-action and an image of Daniel Scott pointing. Obvious, brash and shouty.
This kind of design is great for retail or small businesses that don’t take themselves too seriously.
4. The Minimal Look – Seriousness and Inclusivity
Strong statements, inclusivity and sensitive topics can be illustrated with a minimal look.
The words can do the talking combined with a 1 colour background. With strong statements, less is more.
Example #Sweaty Betty:
A crisp clean font against a black background with oodles of surrounding space can encourage followers to read on. Again you’re connecting with your followers’ humanity while boasting your company values.
Use your brand font and be careful with your spacing. Allow your statements to breath.
5. The Play on Words Look – Clever Graphics
Combine puns or clever use of fonts to encourage followers to take notice.
Connecting with your followers playful side can amuse and keep them engaged with your posts.
Example #Sainsbury’s:
A clever play on words using their corporate font and a huge beetroot.
This post is bold, amusing and memorable.
Using large playful text and bold cut out imagery gives this post some oomph.
6. Testimonials – Trustworthy Graphics
Real customers have a voice. Customer testimonials are a great way to show your followers that you’re worth buying from.
Adding trust signals like Trust Pilot is a great way of showing you’re trustworthy and shows your brand authenticity.
Example #Superdrug Mobile:
Bold, branded, eyecatching. Trustpilot graphics combined with a customer review is an ideal way to illustrate a brand’s authentiity.
Reviews can engage with followers and make them trust the brand more.
Use bold imagery and enough space to add your quote. Keep it simple.
7. Campaign Graphics
When you’re running a campaign it’s all about keeping a consistent look and feel across all graphics. A campaign can break the monotony of your usual IG posts.
Branded graphics have the same type of photography, fonts, colours and tone of voice. Keeping everything consistent allows your audience to identify with the campaign and it’s message.
Example #Tesco Veg Power Campaign:
The Veg Power campaign highlights the importance of getting more veg into children’s diets.
These graphics are bold, engaging and fun.
Try using an entirely different typeface that suits your campaign objective.
Engaging your instagram followers can be a struggle. With so much online noise it’s a wonder why anyone stops by to take note.
Shout, empathise, inspire and move your fans through the power of visual communication.
Quotes, Testimonials and Promo graphics can all be visually interpreted to suit your brand and tantalise your followers.
And waking them up will get you more clicks, shares and comments.
Whether you’re a Canva pro or you use a designer, the examples in this blog post are an ideal starting point to enhance your IG presence while getting more engagement.