First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on taking the first step towards growing your Instagram community! 🥂
It's a brave move and I applaud you for putting yourself out there.
I know firsthand that building a following on Instagram can feel overwhelming, especially in the beginning.
With countless algorithms and ever-changing trends, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle. 😵💫
Set aside those worries because in this blog, we break down the process into five manageable steps!
1️⃣ Set clear, SMART goals.
The first step to building a thriving Instagram presence and community is to define your goals.
What do you want to achieve on this platform as a mental health professional?
Are you aiming to increase brand awareness as a therapist, generate new clients by attracting your dream audience, or build a community?
To ensure your efforts are focused, use the SMART goal method: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
For example, instead of a vague goal like "grow my community to 1K this month from 100"
Do this instead:
Grow my Instagram followers between 300-500 in the next three months (assuming you're currently at 150-200)
To do this, I'll aim to post 2-3x weekly using a combination of Reels and photo posts (single + carousels) and post to stories at least 3x weekly.
If you need more guidance in creating your Instagram SMART goals, check out this post -> Want to grow your therapy practice on Instagram but not sure where to start?
✅ Having clear goals will serve as your roadmap, guiding your content creation and driving your social media strategies.
Remember, Instagram is more than just pretty pictures; it's a platform for building relationships and connecting with your audience.
2️⃣ Find your inspiration
Inspiration can come from unexpected places.
One effective way to find your footing on Instagram as a therapist or mental health professional is to analyze accounts that resonate with you.
Identify three accounts in your niche that inspire you and answer these questions:
✅ What about this account and the person behind it that encouraged me to follow them?
✅ How does this account make me feel? Inspired? Motivated? Seen?
✅ What format works best for them? Do they primarily use photos, videos, or a mix?
By studying accounts you admire, you can gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn't.
You'll develop a clearer understanding of your style and voice as a therapist on Instagram.
3️⃣ Make it a habit to be consistent
Once you've set your goals and found your inspiration, consistency is crucial.
But what does this really mean?
✅ Consistency means that if you set a goal to post 2x-3x weekly, then you commit to it.
✅ Regular posting keeps your audience engaged and helps you build momentum. PLUS, you train the algorithm that you are an active account, not a spammer or a bot who is active only when they like it.
Experiment with different types of content to see what your audience best relates to.
Be open to slowly step outside your comfort zone and try new things.
Whether it's creating Reels, going live, or hosting Q&A sessions, diversifying your content can help you reach a wider audience.
4️⃣ Engage with your community
Building a community goes beyond posting great content about your specialization or overall wellness in general.
Engaging with your audience is important for building connections that'll last you throughout your Instagram journey.
✅Respond to comments, messages, and questions within a day or two.
✅Show genuine interest in your community by reciprocating the engagement OR initiating it first!
By building relationships with your cmmunity, you'll create a loyal following that will also support your growth. 💖
5️⃣ Measure your success
You can't improve what you don't know.
This means you can't just wing it because you know that having a sustainable Instagram presence and private practice will never be a guesswork.
✅ To track your progress, use Instagram Insights to analyze your performance.
Pay attention to metrics like accounts reach, accounts engaged, your audience's demographics, and community growth.
These insights can help you identify what's working and what's not, allowing you to refine your strategy accordingly.
While, numbers are not everything, using these metrics will guide you towards your next goal. 😉
Just a few reminders!
Building a strong Instagram presence takes time and effort (plus some discouragement and endless back-and-forth in between).
It's an ongoing process, not the ultimate destination. ✨
There will be a lot of ups and downs, but staying consistent and focused on your goals will pay off in the long run.
😉 Embrace the learning curve, experiment with different approaches, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
By nurturing your online community, you'll create a space where you can thrive and make a positive impact. 💖
Looking for more support? HERE'S HOW I CAN HELP YOU 👇
◾ Instagram DIY Kit - you can get started using my FREE guide so you'll be familiar with the basics and start practicing and applying them.
◾ 30 Days of Content - spending hours overthinking what to post? Unlock your content creation potential with this FREE guide and put an end to writer's block.
◾ Instagram Management - you're starting to grow and you want additional help! Sign up for this monthly service and get dedicated support for the next 6 months.
◾ Virtual Assistance - do you have specific needs related to operations, tech, marketing or even launching? Explore this service instead!
Cheering you on,
MJ 💕
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