There’s nothing quite like spending 30 minutes crafting the perfect Reel, only for it to get… two likes. 😒 I mean, seriously, what gives? The truth is, Instagram engagement is a vicious cycle. You want more engagement so your content reaches more people, but to reach more people, Instagram wants to see more engagement. It’s like, “Ugh, as if!”
But don’t stress—upping your IG game isn’t just luck of the draw. It’s strategy. And I’m here to give your content the Cher Horowitz makeover it deserves.
To boost your engagement, you need people sticking around on your profile. The longer they hang out on your page, the more likely they are to like, comment, share, or slide into your DMs. Instagram takes notice of that and, in turn, shows your content to even more people. It’s all about playing the long game, darling.
HOW TO GET MORE ORGANIC INSTAGRAM ENGAGEMENT
Let’s break it down. In the digital age, getting someone to stay on your page for more than a few seconds is a win, and a minute? That’s gold. Here’s how to make the most of that precious time:
#1 REELS: MAXIMIZE YOUR REACH
We all know Instagram is pushing Reels like a BFF encouraging you to try on a new outfit (it’s gonna look good, trust me). But here’s the thing—you don’t have to spend hours making them.
Simple works. Think short, 7-15 second Reels that are bingeable, or seamless looping Reels that keep your audience watching without them even realizing. Here’s a few ideas to up that watch time:
- Quick tips or tricks that solve a problem in 15 seconds.
- Reels with text that prompts a rewatch (but like, not in an annoying way).
- Educational Reels your audience can save for later.
Pro tip: Post consistently and follow trends, but put your unique spin on them. Engaging with your viewers in the first 30 minutes of posting can also help boost your Reel in the algorithm. Respond to comments quickly, use popular audio, and don’t be afraid to experiment!
#2 STATIC POSTS ARE STILL ALIVE & KICKING
Despite what you may have heard, posts are not totally out. Your audience still wants to see static posts, but the kind of content that drives engagement has evolved. Forget stock photos—give them something real.
- Carousels with bite-sized info (because nobody’s here for essays).
- Relatable, comment-provoking content.
- Graphics that draw the eye—think circles, flowcharts, or anything that screams “Ooh, what’s this?”
- Memes—especially if they’re industry-specific (and a little spicy).
Organic tip: While hashtags aren’t as powerful as they once were, they still play a role in discovery. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags to make sure you’re being seen by the right people. And always pair carousels with strong captions for a double whammy!
#3 CAPTIONS: INVITE YOUR AUDIENCE IN
Gone are the days when Instagram was just a photo-sharing app. Your captions? Yeah, they matter. Let’s stop cramming your graphics with text—Cher wouldn’t stand for that. Overloaded visuals are like trying to squeeze into last season’s jeans. Just no.
Instead, write captions that get your audience to hit “read more” and actually want to engage:
- Long-form captions that pull readers in and keep them scrolling.
- Unpopular opinions that make people feel compelled to weigh in.
- Relatable stories that connect on a personal level.
- Clear calls to action like “Drop a comment” or “DM me your thoughts.”
And don’t be afraid to get chatty in the comments section. The more conversation happening there, the better your engagement.
Additional tip: Consider using storytelling in your captions. People love to hear behind-the-scenes moments or personal stories, which makes them feel more connected to your brand.
EXTRA ORGANIC ENGAGEMENT TIPS FOR 2025:
- Leverage Instagram Stories: Stories are an amazing way to build relationships with your audience. Use interactive stickers like polls, quizzes, and question boxes to spark engagement. Don’t forget to post a mix of behind-the-scenes content, real-time updates, and user-generated content to keep things personal and engaging.
- Collaborations & Shoutouts: Partner with other creators, brands, or influencers in your niche for shoutouts or collaborations. Cross-promotion is an organic way to tap into new audiences that are likely interested in your content.
- Consistency is Key: Posting consistently matters. Instagram loves an active profile, and so does your audience. Try posting to your feed at least 3 times a week and using Stories every day to stay top of mind.
- Engage with Your Audience: Don’t wait for people to comment first. Go out and interact with your community—like and comment on posts in your niche, reply to DMs, and be genuine. It’s called social media for a reason.
- Run Giveaways (Smartly): Hosting a well-planned giveaway can skyrocket your engagement. Partner with another account and make sure the entry rules encourage comments, likes, and follows in a way that doesn’t seem spammy.
- Keep Your Aesthetic Clean but Authentic: People love pretty feeds, but they also love realness. Find a balance between curated aesthetics and showing your authentic self or brand voice. Think Cher’s closet, but IRL: organized, but still showing off you.
- Ditch the bots and inactive users and leave them for good. I know it feels scary to delete followers–but remember, it’s just a number. It does not hold value to you and your brand. You can have thousands of followers but if they don’t engage with you or
THE MORAL OF THE STORY?
If you want to boost engagement, focus on making your content binge-worthy. The longer people stay on your page, the better your odds of getting those likes, comments, and shares. Keep it fresh, keep it fun, and always leave them wanting more—just like Cher would with a killer outfit reveal.
Feeling stuck on creating your IG content calendar? Need a little push to up your engagement? Book a 1:1 strategy call, and let me work my social media magic. We’ll chat strategy, hashtags, content creation, and more—think of it as your very own social media makeover.
