4 captivating copywriting tips for Instagram
Everyone wants to know the secret to writing the perfect Instagram caption. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all formula, but we do have game-changing copywriting tips for Instagram that are sure to help boost your engagement.
Brand storytelling is a big factor in social media success. Even if a picture is worth a thousand words, the right captionwill take your brand’s story to the next level. And it seems like the longer the caption, the better the engagement.
Sorry to break it to you, but you can’t just throw a ✌️ into the caption and call it a day.
Take it from one of Instagram’s favorite (Canadian!) influencers, @thebirdspapaya:
“Once I started to put value in the written word, I began to see a huge return. I’d put up a post with a short, snappy caption and then put up a similar post with a long-form caption. I saw so much more engagement and shares on the long-form post.”
If your Instagram caption strategy needs an overhaul, here’s how to get started.
4 copywriting tips for Instagram:
Don’t forget the headline
Consider the first line of your Instagram caption your headline. You’ve got one sentence to hook your audience, so make it count.
Headline writing is definitely an art form. According to Alex Cattoni, copywriter extraordinaire, headline writing is all about:
- Grabbing your audience’s attention
- Opening a loop – and leaving it open
- Speaking to your target audience
If you can do all that in one well-crafted sentence, you’re good to go!
Add value
Give your audience something to hit that Bookmark button over. The more valuable your content is to your audience, the more they’ll engage with it.
So how the heck do you add value to an Instagram caption? Try:
- Providing instructions and how-tos
- Passing along helpful tips (that your audience can’t afford to forget)
- Sharing your favourite tools and resources
- Including great quotes
- Hosting giveaways
Ultimately, your captions should be more than just “fluff”. If your captions can inspire your audience or make their lives easier, you’re on the right track.
Make a list
Humans love lists – they’re clear, skimmable and visually appealing. And Instagram is a visual platform, after all.
And let’s be honest – we’re all impatient AF.
If you want to get right to the point, try laying out your next caption in a list format.
Use emojis as “bullet points”, and ensure your list is both informative and succinct. Huge, wordy captions can overwhelm your followers. Luckily, lists (and lots of line breaks) can add white space and make your copy more reader friendly!
Include a call to action
Every Instagram post should play into your brand’s overall content strategy. Before scheduling your next post, determine what you want that post to achieve.
Maybe you want people to tap the link in your bio, or maybe you want them to leave a comment. The options are endless – just don’t leave your audience guessing. Be clear, and give them incentive to actually answer your call to action.
We hope these copywriting tips for Instagram revolutionize the way you connect with your target audience. And if you ever need help managing your social media strategy, give us a call!
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