Want more engagement and sales from Instagram? So what you need is to know how to use Instagram comments to turn people into customers.
WHY YOUR BUSINESS NEEDS AN INSTAGRAM COMMENTING STRATEGY
Instagram comments are more than just a vanity metric. Before we move on to strategy, let’s take a look at why it’s so helpful to encourage comments on Instagram content from businesses and customers.
Ideally, you want your organic social media content to reach and impact your target audience as much as possible. Engagement is one of the key factors that tell the Instagram algorithm to distribute your content more frequently.
In other words, the more people comment on your content, the more they will see your activity on Instagram. This gives you more opportunities to capture the interest of followers and turn them into customers.
Your brand could certainly use Instagram as a one-way communication channel to make announcements or share marketing materials. But this social channel offers much more value when businesses use it to grow relationships with followers.
Social media users typically appreciate when businesses look more humane and are more likely to approve or buy from businesses that look genuine. Engaging with comments is a great way to add authentic flair to your Instagram presence as you connect with your audience.
Knowing how customers see your brand is essential for continued success. Followers and likes might suggest that customers like your products, mission, or message, but comments can help you gather more detailed data.
If you ask the right questions, you can gather valuable feedback from follower comments. Then you can use this information to provide support, make improvements, better serve your customers, and even expand your audience.
In some cases, you can only achieve your Instagram marketing goals through organic content. But when your goals include generating more leads or more sales, paid campaigns are often needed.
Engaged Instagram followers can be a great foundation for your custom audience. In Meta Ads Manager, you can create custom audiences based on the people who interacted with your account. If you’ve DMed comments, you can also target people who have messaged directly to your company.
# 1: HOW TO GET INSTAGRAM COMMENTS FROM THE RIGHT PEOPLE
When you post a catchy image or beautifully edited Instagram reel, you might expect followers to comment without being prompted. Shouldn’t your audience naturally want to express their interest or tell you what they think?
In reality, you need to encourage followers to provide the engagement you want. Otherwise, followers are likely to double-click and keep scrolling, leaving you with far fewer comments than you want.
To get your audience to comment, be direct. Include calls to action (CTAs) in your captions, telling followers exactly how you’d like them to react to your content.
Not all commitment-focused CTAs have to be serious. Using a funny prompt can be just as effective for getting Instagram comments, starting a conversation, and increasing brand awareness at the same time. Not sure what to say?
Here are some ideas for attracting comments from your target audience.
ASK PEOPLE TO RESPOND TO ENTER YOUR INSTAGRAM CONTEST
Do you have something valuable to give to your audience? Instagram contests are great for giving away products and creating new interest in what your business is offering. Giveaways can also be incredibly useful for generating comments on Instagram, as you can ask people to reply to your post as a way to enter your contest.
To get as many comments on this type of content as possible, promote a prize that your audience wants. Create a low barrier to entry, with easy-to-understand rules and a simple process to participate.
# 2: HOW TO TURN INSTAGRAM COMMENTERS INTO CUSTOMERS
Ready to put your Instagram comments to work? Here’s the final piece of the Instagram comment strategy puzzle: turning engaged followers into paying customers.
The easiest way to leverage customer feedback is to engage with what your audience has to say. By responding to comments, your brand can appear responsive and engaged. Friendly jokes with followers may not lead to instant sales, but it’s an important step in building a community and attracting loyal customers.
With a strategy for responding to support-related comments, you can provide people with the information they need and turn interested followers into satisfied customers.
# 3: HOW TO CAPITALIZE ON MEANINGFUL INSTAGRAM COMMENTS
Getting lots of Instagram comments can be great for your business. Of course, the more comments you get, the more opportunities you have to connect with followers, attract customers, and build a community on Instagram. But when your posts and reels attract dozens or hundreds of comments, the most valuable engagement can get lost.
Fortunately, there’s an easy way to keep the best comments on top. You can add any comments to make sure it appears first. In the Instagram app, click and press any comment to view more options. Then click the pin icon to place the comment at the top.
When your content appears in the Instagram feed, people will see your added comment (and response) before any others. Since you can pin up to three comments, you can use this strategy to steer the conversation in a positive or helpful direction.
# 4: INTERACT WITH OTHER INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS
Remember that you can also generate meaningful engagement on content from other accounts. By leaving relevant and helpful comments on content from top customers, key influencers, and even other businesses, you can add value outside of your feed.
There is no need to make your comments overly commercial. Instead, focus on providing support or information by leveraging the opportunity for greater brand exposure and awareness.
CONCLUSION
Comments on Instagram don’t have to remain an engagement on a superficial level. With a thoughtful Instagram organic engagement strategy, you can encourage more meaningful comments that you can use to attract more customers and reach your marketing goals.
