Is Instagram really only the land of selfies and images of people’s lunch? Well, not necessarily. Take a minute, put down the selfie stick, and checkout these five tips to give your organization a headstart on Instagram.

Instagram is the social media platform for everyone, with growth of user engagement in every demographic over the last year, while all other platforms, including Facebook, have seen declines in at least one group of users.

It’s a visuals-focused social media platform, so you can save yourself the writing because pictures are worth 1,000 words (that’s way more than 140 characters), but go easy on the filters. Below are five tips to get your organization started on Instagram.

1. Post often, but don’t over do it  

It is recommended to try and post at least once per day to engage your followers and stay on their minds! But don’t get carried away. Instagram’s “news feed” platform is very different from those of sites like Facebook or Twitter; most phones only allow you to see one picture at a time on your screen.

If you post many pictures, particularly in the same timeframe, it could be interpreted as spam by your followers. Save some pictures for your next #tbt! (See number 3).

2. Follow others in your community

Instagram, is of course a social platform, so it’s important not to be a passive content creator, but also a genuinely active member of the community. Take some time to like photos from similar organizations, supporters of your cause, and top influencers in your target audience.

For example, Oceana, the organization focused on protecting and restoring the oceans, follows many influencers like pop-artist Ariana Grande, National Geographic, and related organization The Nature Conservancy.

More importantly, knowing what others like and what is working for similar organizations will help inform you on your own content.

3. #Hashtags!

The most effective way to discover content you may be interested in on Instagram is through the hashtag search function. Take advantage of popular hashtags by using them in your posts! For example, #tbt meaning “Throwback Thursday” is used to post old pictures on Thursdays; use this to your advantage by reminiscing on your organization’s history or past successes. This is a great way to introduce new supporters to your work and remind longtime supporters why they care.

Once you have a larger follower base, start your own hashtag campaigns! Below is an example from the nonprofit charity:water and their hashtag #CWCampaignsWeLove, which highlights actions their supporters are taking and prompts followers to read more on their blog.
 

Bonus Tip: Keeping your hashtags on the shorter side is always preferable when doing a multi-platform campaign. Instagram isn’t a stickler for caption length, but if you’re cross-posting to Twitter, you’re going to want to save your precious characters!

Check out our previous blog on the importance of hashtag activism for a deeper look at the impact a hashtag can have.

4. Don’t be afraid to get personal or goofy

The best Instagram accounts are those that give followers a glimpse behind the scenes and put faces behind the name. Did something funny or interesting happen at the office today? Instagram it!

Here’s an excellent “behind-the-scenes” post from The Smithsonian:
 

5. Hosting an event or attending a conference? Bring your followers with you!

This is where the mobility of this app comes in handy! Instagram is an effective tool for live posting on an event your organization is hosting or even a relevant conference someone in your organization is attending. Don’t forget to add a caption and possibly a hashtag associated with the event!

This touching photo was posted by Dream Defenders during their #SquadUp14 Congress at the end of last year:
 

These tips will help get your organization’s Instagram off the ground floor, but feel free to contact our team at Fission if you want to know more or to show us your awesome Instagram!