Instagram Overview
A network all about visual content
Posts show up on a profile, whereas stories are a post that disappears after 24 hours
Reels is a feature that allow you to make and edit videos up to 1 minute long
Can use up to 30 hashtags on posts to allow new people to see your content
Can only include one link in a profile bio, or use a Linktr.ee.
Can link on stories to other pages or websites.
Supported Media Types: Photos and Videos, with portrait orientation optimal for stories
Creating Content
Utilise canva.com to create graphics and posts
Designs don’t need to be perfect!
Don’t overdo graphics and only use them where absolutely necessary - images of people and fun things happening get far more engagement
The power of personality!
People are more likely to engage if they can relate to the content and see other people
More likely to attend if people can recognise someone or see who they should approach at an event
Use the caption to detail important info as concisely as possible
Limit text on any necessary graphics to an absolute minimum
Emulate other brands or influencers whose content you like
You can get inspiration from student groups at other universities, or other groups at York
Pick influencers in your ‘niche’ to emulate
Utilise reels - the algorithm loves these, so they’re more likely to show up to non-followers, increasing your immediate audience
Bear this in mind too: https://www.theverge.com/2022/5/3/23055496/instagram-full-screen-vertical-video-test-tiktok
Include a ‘call to action’ on each post - again, think about what each post is trying to achieve, and what you want followers to do
Make a Linktree, and keep it updated!
Use stories for content that is time relevant and specific
Utilise highlights! Keep track of your stories to show what your group has done previously - it’s nice for current members, as well as prospective members
Celebrate and showcase what your group does
Throwback posts
Competitions and giveaways
Solidify your brand. People want to know what they get when they come to your Instagram - post original content, have a Unique Selling Point (USP).
Remember, the ultimate goal is to boost engagement with both your physical and virtual activity - by raising virtual engagement, you’ll be raising physical engagement.
Reaching your Target Audience
Include your location in all your posts (University of York is best, but York is also good)
Tag relevant accounts in your posts (Sabbs, other societies, departments etc). @yorkunisu and @yorksuactivities
Encourage committee members to bookmark, like and share your posts
Sponsorships and takeovers- do a takeover with another society or organisation that sponsors you or has similar goals
Change your account to an ‘influencer’ or ‘business’ account, to better understand your current audience, reach, and the best time to post for engagement
Professional dashboard > See all insights > Total followers > Scroll down
Follow the followers of similar pages to find people who will be interested in your content and activities
Share content from other similar groups on your story, and ask them to do the same for you
Interact with other pages - Make sure you actually use the account, algorithim likes community! Your posts are more likely to show up to others, come up in searches and get more engagement if you’re regularly active on your account i.e. watching others stories, commenting, liking posts etc
If you’re holding an event in a YorkSU venue, tag the venue
Hashtags?
Hashtags are best used to solidify a campaign
For a term to trend, it doesn’t have to use a hashtag
As long as the wording is within the description or Tweet, it will appear in searches
Can use 3-5 relevant themed hashtags, over 10 is too many
Use specific hashtags that can be used to search your content e.g. #UoY #UniofYork #LoveYork
Questions?
Jasmine Pledger, Student Citizenship and Employability Development Coordinator - volunteering@yorksu.org