Previously, we shared how you can start an Instagram page for your radio station. If you've just created an account for your radio station and are wondering what to do next, you've come to the right place. We're about to share with you some tips and tricks for how to manage your Instagram page...and possibly boost that follower count of yours.
Like with Facebook and other social media sites, an Instagram page is a great tool for broadcasters because it is a free place to market your station. You can use Instagram to interact with your current radio audience, as well as find new people who might be interested in checking out your station.
All you have to do to successfully manage your radio station's Instagram page is put yourself out there! Here are four ways to do it.
Post Regularly
It's an Instagram faux pas to make an account but not upload any pictures! Get started by posting photos and updates specific to your radio station, and doing so regularly. These can include station logos, behind-the-scenes photos...even videos with talk segments from your station!
Not only can you use standard posts that show up on your Instagram page, you also have access to an Instagram Story. Stories are vertical photos or videos, up to 15 seconds long, that disappear 24 hours after posting. Instead of being displayed in the feed, they're displayed at the top of an active user's app when they're logged in, and are tapped through to view.
For users, Instagram Stories can be just as preferable as standard posts. Therefore, it's wise to update your page's story as well! You can create brand new story posts or take the standard posts you created and share them to your story. The cool thing about stories is that you can see who's viewed them after they're posted. Take advantage of stories if you want to know who is an active viewer of your page!
Utilize Tagging
Hashtags and Instagram account handles are your best friends if your goal is to encourage more unique viewers to visit your page. Instagram users can search for content with specific tags...meaning they could discover your post out of the blue!
When creating a new post or story, make sure to include relevant hashtags in your captions (for example: #radiostation or #newbroadcast). Make sure to include a good amount of hashtags, but don't overdo it so as to distract viewers from your content.
If you're talking about a specific person in your post or if your picture features someone who has an Instagram account, tag them! You can do so by typing in "@" and then entering in the username of their Instagram account. Instagram also allows you to tag people when you're uploading a photo, on the same page where you can type in a caption.
From a marketing perspective, tagging people can be just as beneficial as using hashtags. Not only does it show that you are familiar with a specific person, but every time you tag someone in a photo, your post appears on their profile page under the 'tagged photos' section. Someone familiar with your tagee can stumble upon your post! And who knows...maybe they'll follow your radio station's page.
Encourage Interaction
If your audience feels involved with your account in some way, they will be more likely to stick around. There are several ways to encourage listener interaction on Instagram, but we'll talk about three common ways: using stories, using posts, and using your bio link.
Using Stories
Stories are a wonderful tool to learn more about your audience and their preferences because the app features four little games you can stick onto your stories. These games are "Questions," "Poll," "Quiz," and an "Emoji Slider."
Questions is exactly what it sounds like - it allows you to ask your audience a question they can respond to. You can see their specific responses when you check to see your story viewer count, and then repost their responses as new stories! Alternatively, you can tell your followers to ask you questions, then create a new story with their question and your answer. Perfect for Q&As!
Polls allow story viewers to vote between two choices. Similarly, the Emoji Slider lets users move a bar back and forth to show how much they like or dislike something. The Quiz game gives viewers a multiple choice question they must choose the right answer to. You can make all these games relevant to your radio station, music, or broadcasting in some way!
Using Posts
Of course, having something noteworthy in your post will automatically make viewers like and comment on it. But if your goal is to encourage even more interaction, it can be helpful to include a question for your viewers to answer in a caption. For example, you can post an update about new songs from a specific band you are adding to your station, then ask your followers in the caption, "what's your favorite song by this band? Comment below!" See their responses, and reply if you wish.
There are other games you can play with your audience too. You can post a funny photo and ask viewers to "caption this post" in the comments, or you can ask them to describe your post using only emojis. Get creative!
Using the Link in Your Bio
If you read our previous guide on how to make an Instagram account for your radio station, you know how important it is to include your station's link in your profile bio. Doing so can allow curious viewers to find your radio station with a simple tap of their phone screen.
If your radio station's link is in your bio, take advantage of it. Every time something new happens on your radio station, create a post or story to update viewers and include the phrase "link in bio!" That way, Instagram users can get excited about your update and immediately head over to your profile, where they'll tap the link and see your station. It's all about making it easy to access your station and holding their attention.
Follow, Like, and Comment
Unlike other social media platforms, the rules about following, liking, and commenting on pages/posts are much more lax on Instagram. Unlike Facebook where it's preferable to know the person before accepting their friend request, it's not uncommon for people on Instagram to follow users they don't know personally (such as celebrities, brands, influencers, etc.).
This is good news for you, because it means you can attract new listeners just by following their page, liking a few of their posts, or leaving a polite comment about one of their photos. Users on Instagram are notified every time someone engages with their posts, so if you take the time to appreciate their content, they may get curious and check out your page.
Of course, don't forget to show some love to your loyal listeners on Instagram as well! Make sure to like and reply to comments on your posts and follow people who respond to your content often. And of course, like and comment on their stuff too. Be an active member of the Instagram community, and you'll get activity back!
With these tips, we hope you feel comfortable managing your station's Instagram page. The most important rule is to have fun. Happy posting (and broadcasting)!
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Article Image: Person holding smartphone with Instagram open. (Solen Feyissa via Unsplash.)
