Hands up who can relate to overthinking your Instagram caption – is it witty enough? Will people get it? Should I use hashtags? To emoji or not to emoji?
It can all be a bit much. Sometimes it’s easier just to overlook it and pull together something on the whim and hit upload. But if you want to be successful on Instagram, your caption should be more than just an afterthought.
The new algorithm
We recently talked about the new Instagram algorithm update, which ranks engagement above all else. This means the more likes, comments and shares your post gets, the more likely it is to gain visibility in your followers’ feeds.
With this in mind, nothing about your Instagram posts should be disregarded – the photo, brand tags, location, hashtags and yes, caption, should all be thought out.
A good caption should inspire users to engage with your post.
What makes a good caption?
According to Instagram scheduling platform Later, an effective caption will provide context, add personality and inspire your followers to take action.
Size isn’t everything…
A caption can generate engagement whether it’s short and sweet or a bit more in-depth. However, the golden rule (and most common mistake people make) is: don’t save the best for last AKA the call-to-action.
As we know scrolling through our feed, we are exposed to A LOT of content, so it’s easy to miss key messaging. Frontload your caption with the important information. If you’re doing a lengthier post and hold out on the key message till the end, it’s also likely your followers won’t see it as Instagram shortens these – your users will need to click to expand the caption.
Example: NEW BEAUTY UNBOXING VLOG NOW LIVE! Want to see my thoughts on the latest natural makeup range to hit NZ? Hit the the link in my bio. TIP: A pointing hand emoji is always a good idea before ‘link in bio’ to further drive people to the link.
Spelling and grammar!
Way too often we see Instagram captions riddled with spelling and grammar errors and chances are, if we are seeing it, potential brand partners are too! Never rush your captions and always, always, always proofread.
Don’t rush
On the above, the main reason people fail at captions is because they do it in a rush – while out with friends, driving (don’t worry we won’t tell!) or at an event. We recommend doing the post when your focus isn’t elsewhere. It’s also a good idea to use a scheduling platform like Later or Hoot Suite, as this will force you to really think about your captions.
