Instagram isn’t just about taking images, as you would assume. Instagram’s primary selling point is undeniably its stunning photo-sharing feature. However, a caption is included with almost all posts. You can’t just have an average caption if you want your post to become viral.
Due to Instagram’s social nature, users are eager to interact with you. While they’re there, they’d like to interact with the site’s community by commenting on and sharing their favourite posts with others. As a result, people adore it when you provide background information and emotional nuggets alongside your photographs.
Captioning Should Reflect Your Objectives
Goals are more common among companies and influencers than they are among regular Instagram users. Frequently, their posts will be a part of a larger campaign. Therefore, it is crucial that the images they use and the accompanying captions correspond to the aims of their campaign.
Consider these three examples of Instagram marketing goals:
- First, you should launch a brand visibility campaign.
- To advertise something in preparation for a sale or a new release
- Third, have your brand’s Instagram hashtags scoured for user-generated content (UGC).
Captions for posts should be tailored to the specific objective at hand. If you’re trying to raise visibility, you should probably include your brand name and any branded hashtags. If you want to increase sales, you must pay close attention to the product at hand, and while seeking user-generated content, you must not forget to include the appropriate hashtag.
Take Caption Length into Account
Opinions on how long a caption should be vary. Famous people, on the one hand, can get away with minimal subtitles consisting of simply an emoji.
According to Sprout Social, the optimal length for a caption is between 138 and 150 characters. They point out that Facebook advises keeping Instagram captions to a maximum of 125 characters to prevent content from being cut off on mobile devices.
Be Reflective Before Starting to Write
The opening phrase of your caption is the most important, regardless matter whether you employ the inverted pyramid format or not. Here’s where you hook the reader—or boring them to the point where they just skim, glance at the image, and go on. Therefore, your opening sentence should be captivating and cause the reader to pause and reflect.
Separate Long Captions Into Multiple Paragraphs
If you’re not cautious, longer captions might wind up seeming like a wall of text. There isn’t much you can do in terms of formatting on Instagram. If your captions are too long or appear like too much work to read, no one will bother with them.
Captions should be broken up into brief, easily skimmable paragraphs. Long paragraphs are unnecessary in today’s writing. Check out the majority of the articles posted in this Influencer Marketing Hub blog.
Make sure the captions you use on Instagram are helpful
Give the individuals who see your posts an incentive to read the captions you write for them. Make sure they are relevant and helpful whenever you share a photo or video. People are more likely to read your captions and interact with you if they include useful information.
Naturally, you want every part of your post to be helpful. Some people make posts just for the heck of it, like showing off their breakfast in a photo. However, if you do share such a photo, make sure to provide some background information in the caption. Whether the photo you’re posting is of something exciting or mundane, give your audience a reason to engage with it.
Use Captions to Tell a Story
Having extra room to convey a story is a big reason why longer Instagram captions are so popular. Your caption has the potential to draw readers in just as much, if not more, than the image itself.
Annette White, a participant in the Bucket list adventure, explains why she chose to take a break by hiking the Earthquake Trail in her caption.
Put in a plea for participation or a call to action
Instagram captions, like the rest of your online content, should end with a call to action and encourage interaction. Take note of how Annette White attempts to pull the reader further into the tale by asking them questions like “How do you reset after a hard week?” Within half an hour of your house, what exciting new opportunity presents itself to you?
No query is necessary. You may simply request that they “like,” “share,” “comment,” or “tag” the post and one of their friends.
Feel Free to Get Intimate With Your Captions
If you like sharing your photos and videos on Instagram with your pals, you probably won’t mind including some heartfelt notes. However, you may be concerned that this will make you look unprofessional if you are posting on behalf of a company.
However, as we’ve already established, the best Instagram posts have a narrative. And this usually involves showing off a snapshot from your personal life or presenting a funny story from the office.
Put Correct Hashtags To Use
Simply Measured discovered that content using at least one hashtag had 12.6% greater interaction, suggesting that hashtags are a useful tool for reaching a wider audience.
Even though Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should use that many. Using unhelpful hashtags will not help your cause. However, you should include numerous useful hashtags to assist your fellow Instagram users.