Instagram is one of the best ways to grow your personal brand or business online. With millions engaging every day, the strategies you implement will get you in front of your target audience faster.

Draw more views and likes to your content and grow true influence. And not just likes, but the more people that engage with your Reels will also mean more followers, more customers, and ultimately influence.

If you leverage evidence-based methods, you can set yourself up for better results and easier growth on Instagram.  In this post we will show you the key strategies to get attention, stand out and convert views into true engagement.

8 Incredible Strategies to Create Instagram Marketing

Gaining more attention starts long before you click publish on your first Reel. Your Instagram profile “whole” is the way you present to the world and everything you present – right down to the nitty-gritty details – influences how people will relate to your content.  These strategies will show you how to make your Instagram “whole” into an attraction for engagements/magnets for engagement – so your Reels reach more eyes and get more likes.

1.Be Consistent with Branding

Consistency is key! When people land on your profile page, they should absolutely recognize what you stand for. Use the same color palette, fonts and style in all your posts and stories. You want your followers to instantly recognize your content, regardless of where it happens to pop up in their feed. 

• Pick 2-3 main colors andSelect one or two fonts for your graphics (that are in line with your brand).
• Show your logo, but don’t let it take center stage.

Good consistent branding doesn’t just make you look good, it builds trust and recalls your presence. When your branding is strong, it allows followers to recognize your posts instantly, which can then give you countless likes on your Reels overtime.

2.Build Strong Visuals

Instagram is a visual platform and every detail needs to be deliberate. Dedicated crisp, clean and high-definition images and videos will be recognized. Dark, blurry, chaotic images may be quickly scrolled past.

• Make your images bright and clear by shooting in natural light.
• Use clear and clean backgrounds that are not distracting.
• Edit them to look like a cohesive piece to your intended aesthetic.

An Inviting and well-considered feed enhances credibility, and likely makes your followers want to check your Reels out. Good visuals work like a storefront, and invites the viewer to check out what you’re displaying.

3.Post Interactive Stories and Polls

Stories deliver close to direct, personal, one-to-one conversations with your followers. If you leverage Stories well, you bring your followers into your world, engage them, and create a shift from a passive viewer to a powered fan.

Use the interactive elements below to drive engagement:

• Polls. Simple yes/no, or multi-option polls are an awesome way to gather some opinions (from favorite products to a hot take). The simplistic nature of polls enables even the shyest follower to interact!
• Questions. The “Ask me anything” sticker is an open channel for direct conversation. You can use the responses to create more Story content or showcase your audience.
• Quizzes. Share a fun, quick trivia question that feels people enjoy flexing knowledge, and quizzes invest them in the outcome.
• Emoji sliders. Allow your followers to let you know how much they like something by giving it a swipe! These are visual, quick to use, and engaging.

Highlight important Stories in the Highlights area of your profile. These can keep highly viewed or evergreen stories available, such as FAQ sessions, product launches or anything that you might want to keep up after that original Story expires. Highlighted stories, if orderly, can act as mini-landing pages that lead new visitors to your most engaging content (and, more importantly, for more Reels likes, views and comments).

Be intentional when posting Stories and make sure to be intentional when breaking them up – add in video, photos and interactive tools. For example, you could upload a behind-the-scenes clip, add a product tip, or even tease a new Reel so that your followers are ready to engage with it once dropped. Every touchpoint established creates a connection and increases the desire for your followers to support your posts.

Stories and Reels are not in opposition to one another- there is a relationship between them. You can leverage the use of Stories to tease upcoming Reels before posting, and, within minutes of a Reel dropping, leverage Stories for your followers to tell you what they want to see next by using polls. Blending the two conceptually creates a drip of engagement that extends Reels to more viewers and collects those likes.

4.Make Engaging Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels have evolved into the place for energetic, snackable videos that capture attention. You don’t need complex equipment or a studio to make amazing Reels; you just need to share a clear message and appealing visuals and let your creative juices flow. 

To experience greater Reels likes and views, you should focus on:

• Having good looks in the first few seconds. Draw viewers in immediately… you can use strong visuals, bold captions, and songs that enhance the mood of the video.
• Using trendy audio tracks. Select music or audio tracks that are popular NOW. Because Instagram’s algorithm prefers their trending sounds, creating a Reel will likely be pushed out more readily.
• With Rapid cuts and clean edits. Employ Instagram’s editing features to eliminate clips, add transitions, and keep the energy up. Don’t let a vision become a drag or leave it in dead air!
• Text overlays. Whether that means putting an emphasis on tips, adding closed captions, or reinsuring your main message, the text makes your Reels accessible, including when the sound is off.
• Creative effects. Test out a filter, try an AR effect, and add stickers. Just don’t go overboard! Ensure every element is aligned to support your message and never distract from it.

Always post Reels that align with your brand. This consistency will make it easier for your fans to remember your style, and that memory will create familiarity and help them recognize your content in their feed. Post consistently, and stay on your followers’ radars. Remember that quality will trump quantity!

Provide value to your audience – make them laugh, teach them something new, or provide information that can’t be found anywhere else. The more clear the benefit of your Reels, the more likely you will get the double-taps.

5.Do Not Choose Quantity Over Quality

We are all creators that want to create content frequently. That’s a mistake, as it lacks integrity. Quality before quantity is far better. Be intentional and take the time to create, plan, shoot and edit your reels so all your Reels are distinguishable by themselves.

• Plan your content calendar so that each post has a purposeful intent.
• Review image composition and lighting before you share.
• Edit video for pacing and clarity.

One fantastic Reel could receive more likes and views and shares than several mediocre posts.

6.Develop Calls To Action

Have CTAs to your caption and on your graphics. Simple and direct invitations that get people tapping, sharing, and liking your posts.

Successful CTAs are:

• “Double tap if you agree!”
• “Save for later inspiration.”
• “Share this Reel with a friend.”

When you open the floor for discussion, you are not only building more relationships, but you are also getting more engagement and likes on each Reel.

7. Understand the Best Times to Post

Timing could make or break your post. The Instagram algorithm rewards posts that get quick action. Therefore, if your Reel appears in your followers’ feeds at the optimum time, the chance of your post receiving further likes, comments, or shares is much higher – indicating to the algorithm to push your content to more and more people.

To take advantage of the best times:

• Check Instagram Insights: With your account’s analytics, you can see what time your followers are most active. Try to focus on the times or days your audience engages the most.
• Test and track: Post content at different times and keep track of which posts got the most Reels likes,views and comments. You can save this easily in basic spreadsheets or planning tools that highlight trends and best practices.
• Take into account time zones: If your followers are in several locations, you have to post when most followers can see your content—not just when it is convenient for you during the workday. Follow general trends: Most research suggests that mornings (8-10 AM) and evenings (7-9 PM) in your followers’ time zones generally work best. Sundays and mid-week days, including Wednesday and Thursday, also generally produce high engagement.

8. Review And Edit Regularly

Observe and track your analytics to see which posts will give you the most Reels likes and comments. Use this information to plan future pieces.

What to do:

1. Check to see which Reels receive the most likes, Shares, and Saves.Pay attention to the time of day when your audience is most engaged. 
2. Experimenting with various styles and formats will let you determine your audience’s preferences.
3. Consistent changes will allow your Instagram to look fresh, compelling, and optimized to provide better results.

Use these methods to tweak your Instagram feed into a consistent, polished style while also turning every Reel into double-tap bait. When your branding and visuals work harmoniously, Reels likes occur naturally. 

Conclusion

Getting more engagement on Instagram really comes down to cohesive clarity in brand posting, consistently showing up consistently, and authentic audience interaction. All of the tactics you can apply and utilize, from great color-blocking imagery to creatively embedding the many features Instagram offers, are paths that will lead to creating a profile people trust and engage with.

Results take time. Consistent effort, analysis, and authentic connection will always lead to growth. Stay sharp with your content, show up authentically, and your Reels likes and views will mirror the value you provide.

Guest Author: Olivia Josie who handles marketing strategies and content writing for uptopsocial.com. After working in SEO and branding for more than three years, she regularly delivers insights on leading social media outlets.