4 Tips to Connect with Your Audience While Instagram has Hashtags Off

UH OH! Looks like IG has turned off hashtags ahead of the election to slow the spread of potential misinformation.

We all by now know the power of the right hashtags acting as keys to rooms where conversations about your brand, businesses, or organization are being held. So what do we do when we don’t have those keys?

Simple! We focus on the community we currently have!

Because Hashtags are more focused on bringing people who have not connected with your page yet, their absence is an opportunity to focus inwardly on the community you currently have. Here are 4 simple ways to connect to your community while hashtags are off:

1: Continue to be consistent: Don’t hide from your pages because you think your reach may suffer. Consistency in IG is the key. If you have plans to post, keep the party going.

2: Still Use Hashtags: It seems counterintuitive to use hashtags while they are off but here me out! They are only off for the duration of the election, afterwards, they will be activated once again. Meaning that IG users will be able to see your posts on hashtags they follow. So keep it up. Things will go back to normal soon.

3: IG Stories: Did you know that 80% of Instagram users log on to the app and head directly to stories? Having consistent stories up and running on your page is always a good idea, especially if they are connected to posts on your page with a cute Tap Here sticker, which will, TADA, lead them back to your page.

4: Engage, engage, engage: This is your chance to get to know who is following you. Head to your followers' pages and do some engaging. Pick a few of their posts (the more brand or aesthetic related, the better). By liking and leaving comments on your follower’s page, they not only see that your brand is backed by real people, but it also looks like your brand is interested in them. This will help build a relationship with them and add to the Know, Like, and Trust factor.

Want more tips on how to sustainably grow your Instagram? Follow Thriving Vine Social on Instagram!