Since the arrival of social networks, new digital communication methods have been born. How do you manage the arrival of a new prospecting and promotion tool when you are a creative or cultural entrepreneur? Discover the advice of Bryan Coder, founder and director of Ouest Digital, who led a workshop focused on Instagram.?

Before you get started, there are a few essential tips to take into account to get off to a good start on Instagram:

Complete your profile before launching communication around your account:

• A well-informed profile
• An attractive biography (explanation of the type of content produced on the account)
• Link to your site (or a page that features your creations)
• Minimum nine photos published in your news feed (a preview is more attractive than an empty account)

Master the three types of Instagram accounts:

• Private account (the possibilities are restricted: you can only publish content and have access to messaging)
• Professional account (this allows you to use Instagram for content publication, messaging, statistics, advertising, creator studio, etc.)
• Creator account (substantially identical to the professional account; it just does not allow you to schedule external publications)

Know the importance of commitment:

Engagement is a measurable action someone takes with your content. For example, this can result in likes, comments, or even shares. It is the commitment of your community that demonstrates trust and genuine interest in you and your creations.

Once launched, here are Bryan Coder's seven tips to follow to engage your community on Instagram properly:

Tip #1: Focus on your content rather than technique:

When you get started, the objective is to produce relevant content that will interest your targets. Do not venture into exploiting all the features of Instagram, especially if you do not fully master them!

Tip #2: Publish regularly, with complementarity between your formats

Posting regularly has two advantages: remaining visible to subscribers and feeding the Instagram algorithm. A good rhythm is the equivalent of 1 publication per week (photo, video, carousel), accompanied by 2 to 3 stories per week click here.

To stick with it, here are three recommendations:

Use classic formats to avoid being scattered and inconsistent.

Create an editorial schedule to anticipate and prepare publications.

Consider "typical" publications (behind the scenes, work in progress, inspirations, etc.) to diversify your content.

Tips #3: Find the right balance between your creations… and yourself

Don't just focus on your creations! Your personality and your passions are essential to creating attachments for your subscribers.

For that :

Bring your subscribers into your daily life

Share your tips

This does not require you to display your private life!

Tips #4: Affirm your world and your creativity with a harmonious news feed

Your news feed must reflect your world with consistency in content, a harmonious feed, a solid visual identity, and dominant colors. These elements will allow subscribers to make you identifiable.

Tips #5: Maintain conversation and interactions with your subscribers

This is an excellent way to retain your subscribers and maintain a high engagement rate.

TIPS: ask questions in your publications, respond to comments and private messages, and use interactive stories (quizzes, questions, gauge).

Tips #6: Understand the main principles of the Instagram algorithm

It's not because you have 1,000 subscribers that these 1,000 people systematically see your publications. The algorithm chooses the place of your publication in the news feed, so it's up to you to follow its criteria to be visible:

A reasonable engagement rate on your publications

Your diligence in posting

The user's interaction history

Tip #7: Test new things when you are comfortable

The algorithm offers "a novelty premium." If you are the first to use a new feature, Instagram gives you significant visibility!

How to Create a Broadcast Channel on Instagram

What are broadcast channels on Instagram used for?

It's the trend of the moment! Instagram has just rolled out a new feature that allows content creators to open a distribution channel.

Concretely, this option offers creators a new way to communicate and share with their audience: they can send exclusive DMs directly to subscribers in the channel via messages, voicemails, photos, or even videos. As for subscribers, they can respond with emoji reactions or even participate in surveys. Distribution channels, therefore, allow creators to engage their most loyal subscribers and get them more involved!

How do you create your distribution channel?

To create a distribution channel, you must have an Instagram account in creator mode. If this is not the case, the process for changing account type is relatively simple:

To switch from a personal profile to a creator, go to Menu > Settings and privacy > Account type and tools > Switch to a professional account > Creator.

To switch from a professional profile to a creator profile, go to Menu > Settings and privacy > Professional tools and controls > Change account type > Switch to a Creator account.

Then, to create a broadcast channel, the procedure is identical on iPhone and Android smartphones:

From the Instagram application, access your messaging area by clicking on the symbol representing a paper plane at the top right of the screen,

Press the icon represented by a pencil and paper as if to write a new message,

Then click Create Broadcast Channel. In the new tab that appears, define the channel name, audience, and end date (optional), and choose whether or not to include a link to your distribution channel in your bio.

Then press the Create Broadcast channel button.

How do you invite your followers to join your channel?

Have you created your distribution channel and want to encourage your subscribers to join it? Please note that when you send your first message to the channel, all your subscribers will receive an invitation to join the broadcast channel. An option that should allow you to welcome your first followers! Then, adding the link to your distribution channel in your Instagram bio is recommended to show your subscribers that you have a channel.

Also, note that Instagram is rolling out new options to encourage users to join creators' distribution channels:

A new Channels tab in messaging, which allows users to find channels (currently being deployed) more efficiently,

The possibility of sharing the link of your distribution channel (or a message from it) in Story to obtain more visibility among followers who have not yet joined the channel.