I think most of us can agree that writing Instagram captions can me the most daunting part about posting on the platform. While some of us are more skilled in writing than others, everyone struggles to come up with that perfect, witty, 2200 character or less caption to complement our picture perfectly – which is probably why we often settle for the always reliable quote-of-the-day or song lyric to pull through for us. After all, it’s always easier when you didn’t write it!
Unfortunately, when we settle for these pre-packaged, and probably overused, captions we are missing a golden opportunity to connect with our followers. Your captions are just as important as the pictures themselves because they could be the key to having your posts seen by more people. Instagram’s new algorithm favors posts with high engagement, meaning that more likes and comments on a post signal to Instagram that the content is high-quality and increases the likelihood that it will be shown to more people.
While Googling “Instagram caption ideas” might have worked in the past, your followers deserve your creative best. Just like any other business practice, perfecting your Instagram captions is going to require you to invest intentional time and energy into experimenting, learning, and growing as you put these tips into practice.
Create Connections
Think about the way that you engage with people in real life. You get to know them, find common interests, talk about topics that are relatable, and create connections that ultimately turn into friendships. The same should be true about your social media. Your captions should connect with your followers on a deeper level than just throwing your products or services at them.
Tell a Story
Hook your followers in by telling them the story behind the photo or make them laugh with your embarrassing moment of the week – because we all need a little laughter in our lives. Storytelling gives your followers an inside look at the person behind the profile and makes them feel like they are connecting with a real person. And when your follows feel a connection to you, they will be more likely to engage with your content.
Use a Call-to-Action
The simple step of including a call-to-action in your Instagram caption can go a long way it when it comes to increasing engagement on your posts. Invite your audience to comment or engage with phrases like “Double tap if you agree!” or “Tell me what your favorite ice cream flavor is!” The goal is to get your followers liking, commenting, and engaging with your post and profile. Some other engagement boosters you can use are: “Tag 3 three friends who would appreciate this,” “Tell me, how do you start each morning?,” or “What’s something you’re celebrating today?”
In addition to engagement boosters, calls to action are great for directing your followers to that link in your profile or anything outside of the post itself. You can encourage them to follow an account that you are collaborating with, ask them to sign up for your email list, or point them to your blog to read more!
Keep in mind that creating the perfect Instagram caption takes practice. Invest the time, learn what your audience likes most, and let your creative juices flow!
