We all want our Instagram profiles to grow. So, getting more followers for international education businesses is a topic we discuss often with our clients. The good news is that there are many strategies you can follow. These mainly include valuable content, engagement, and optimising your Instagram profile. Here are some of our tips to help increase your Instagram following:

Define your Target Audience

Decide which audience you want to reach. Is it prospective international students, parents, or educators/ agents? Remember you should tailor your content for different audiences!

Optimise your Instagram profile

Your Instagram bio is where you should start. Include relevant information, a short description, and a link to your website.

Consistent and Quality Content

Create and share high-quality, visually appealing content. Post photos, videos, or carousel posts that show study abroad experiences, cultural diversity, testimonials from students, tips for applying to universities abroad, or information about international scholarships.

Hashtags and Geotags

Use relevant hashtags and geotags in your posts so people can find you easily. Research popular hashtags within international education, and those specific to the countries or schools you're targeting.

Engage with your Audience

Reply to comments, direct messages, and mentions asap. Ask questions, encourage discussions, and provide helpful information. Show genuine interest and build a community around your content.

Collaborate with Influencers:

Find influencers or micro-influencers who have an audience interested in international education. Collaborate with them by featuring their content or partnering for campaigns, which can help you reach a wider audience and gain credibility within the niche.

Cross-Promote on other Platforms

Leverage your presence on other platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or YouTube to promote your Instagram account. Include links to your Instagram profile in your bio or description sections, and encourage your existing followers on other platforms to follow you on Instagram for exclusive content (if it is really exclusive, that is).

User-Generated Content

Encourage your followers to share their study abroad experiences, tag your account, or use a branded hashtag. Repost or feature their content, giving credit, as it adds authenticity and encourages engagement.

Instagram Stories and Live

Use Instagram Stories and Live features to share real-time updates, conduct Q&A sessions, provide behind-the-scenes glimpses of international education events, or host live interviews with students, educators, or alumni. These features help create a sense of immediacy and encourage even more engagement. (#FearofMissingOut)

Instagram Ads

Consider running targeted Instagram ads to reach a broader audience interested in international education. Use demographic and interest-based targeting to ensure your ads are shown to the right people.

Remember, building a large following takes time and consistent effort. Focus on providing value, building relationships, and engaging with your audience to foster a community around your international education content.