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Have you ever felt like you just can’t crack the code when it comes to Instagram? With constant algorithm changes and the pressure to create viral content, it’s no wonder this platform remains a challenge to so many business owners. Not Michelle Gifford though! Michelle is an Instagram growth strategist who has demystified the platform and provided a strategic approach to building and growing your Instagram account with intention. As a matter of fact, she grew her own account from 18,000 to 236,000 followers in just 18 months, not by luck, but by applying specific strategies that can work for anyone.
Today, we’re breaking down Michelle’s key strategies, including actionable steps you can take to grow your Instagram account, nurture your audience, and ultimately convert followers into customers. Let’s dive in!
Leveraging the Power of Strategy on Instagram
“You have to be known for one thing before you can be known for all the things.”
Most entrepreneurs make the mistake of approaching Instagram without a clear strategy. They treat it merely as a social platform rather than a powerful tool for business growth! That’s why it’s important to be strategic with your content, focusing on what you want to be known for. By niching down and becoming an expert in one area, you make it easier for your audience to understand your brand, talk about you, and eventually purchase your products and services.
Actionable Step: Identify your niche and focus on becoming known for one thing. This clarity will guide your content creation and help you grow a dedicated following.
Creating a Content Funnel on Instagram
“You can actually have a strategy that makes sense... It makes content creation easier, and it makes your life less stressful.”
One of the most impactful strategies you can implement is applying content marketing principles to Instagram. By setting up your content in a way that imitates a traditional marketing funnel, you’re able to create different types of content with specific purposes: attracting new followers, nurturing existing ones, and selling to your audience.
Actionable Step: Implement the "3-2-1 Method" for your content. Post three pieces of attraction content, two pieces of nurture content, and one piece of sales content each week. This balance ensures that you're continuously growing your audience, building trust, and driving conversions.
Attraction Content: Drawing in Your Ideal Audience
“You have to create content that attracts people in... If you don’t have that, then you’re stagnant and you’re not growing.”
Attraction content is all about creating posts that bring new people to your account. It should take the form of bite-sized, highly shareable content that solves a specific problem for your target audience. For example, one of Michelle’s students saw significant growth by sharing short, actionable cleaning tips, which were easy for followers to save and share.
Actionable Step: Analyze the popular content in your niche and create your own version that is quick, actionable, and shareable. This could be tips, hacks, or memes that resonate with your ideal audience.
Nurture Content: Building Trust and Connection
“You’re in a relationship with a follower and also with a customer... You want to build trust, you want to build authority.”
Nurture content is about deepening the relationship with your existing followers. This type of content should provide value, share your story, and demonstrate your expertise. Carousels and talking head videos are highly-effective formats for nurture content because they allow you to dive deeper into specific topics and connect on a more personal level.
Actionable Step: Share personal stories, behind-the-scenes content, or in-depth explanations that build trust with your audience. Remember, the goal is to prepare them for a purchase by showing them why they should trust you.
Sales Content: Converting Followers into Customers
"[Instagram] Stories are the most valuable place on the internet... No other platform has been able to duplicate the value of Stories and the closeness and the community that you can build with them."
Sales content is where you directly ask your audience to take action, whether it's purchasing a product, signing up for a service, or joining a webinar. Instagram Stories is an optimal platform for selling, as it allows for more personal, direct communication with your audience.
Actionable Step: Create engaging, story-driven sales content that speaks directly to the needs of your audience. The use of hooks and storytelling will make your sales content more compelling, and ultimately, more effective on Instagram Stories.
Start Where You Are and Keep Going
“We need your voice. We need your message... And you just have to start.”
The most important takeaway from Michelle's interview is the encouragement to start where you are. You don't have to be perfect at content creation; you just have to start and keep improving. Instagram is a powerful tool that, when used strategically, can help you grow your business and reach your ideal audience.
Actionable Step: Audit your Instagram account using Michelle's Instagram Audit Checklist to identify areas for improvement and start implementing the strategies discussed today. To get the Instagram Audit Checklist, go to Michelle’s Instagram account and DM “millionaire.”
…Class Dismissed!
Instagram doesn't have to feel overwhelming or be a source of frustration. By applying Michelle’s strategies, you can take control of your Instagram growth and turn your account into a powerful tool for your business. Remember to be strategic, focus on your niche, and create content that attracts, nurtures, and converts your audience. Start implementing these strategies today, and watch your Instagram presence grow! Want to hear the full interview with Michelle? Click here!
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