When was the last time you refined your Instagram strategy?

 

Time for a Pivot?

 

I’ll never forget the first time I watched that scene in Friends where Rachel and Ross (and kinda Chandler but not really) are taking the couch up the stairs, and Ross is screaming, “PIVOT!”

 

Next time your insights are telling you something you don’t want to see, you can just think of them as Ross (very eloquently) telling you it’s time to PIVOT your Instagram strategy.

 

Oftentimes, when I am told I need to change something, I don’t like it. It reminds me of these lyrics:

 

“I miss the old ways

You didn’t have to change

But I guess I don’t have a say

Now that we don’t talk”

 

Yes, that is yet another Tswift song stuck in my head, plus a bit of nostalgia for the old ways of IG and the fact we have zero say in all the ways it constantly evolves.

  

 

IG is Constantly Updating… Flexibility is a Must

 

Just like with life, Instagram is constantly changing. So, let’s talk about how we can shift and embrace that change as gracefully as Tay herself.

 

Because here’s the thing… sometimes change is good (unless you’re Harry Styles pulling a fast one on Taylor).

 

Change is especially good when it means creating an Instagram strategy that removes stress, increases connection with your community, and frees up your time for more important things (You know, like reading, writing, and spending time with the people and fur babies you love so much).

  

So, if your growth and engagement feel a bit stuck at the moment, you are not alone and there are things you can try out to get unstuck.

 

 

Embrace Instagram Insights

 

Your insights keep you up to date with the overall trends across your followers and your content’s performance with your audience. Insights are your friend as long as you know how to interpret them (if not, they don’t always feel very friendly).

 

Learning to interpret your insights is a tool that will help you pivot your Instagram strategy in order to reach your goals. I’ve boiled it down to the top insights that matter and why to make it easy for you.

 

 

Top Insights That Matter and Why

 

Next time you open up your insights, (first, take a deep breath, then) ask yourself these questions:

  

What are my follows per post? This metric allows you to see what content is going beyond drawing eyes and converting those viewers into followers.

  

How many website clicks and/or profile visits did my content inspire? If you want to measure how effective your CTAs are, this is a great place to start.

  

What is my non-follower reach? Reaching your followers is important because you want to connect with and serve your existing community. But your content should also reach non-followers because this is how you grow that lovely community.

  

How many shares did my content get? Shares are a huge signal for the IG algorithm to push your content to more people. Basically, shares are free advertisement, a free boost, and ultimately, a KEY to getting more eyes on your content.

  

How many story replies did my story get? Replies on stories are a great way to tell that your stories are doing their job (connecting with and engaging your followers and building relationships).

 

What was my average reel watch time? The longer someone spends on your reel, the more it signals to the algorithms to push it out. If you have a 9-second reel, and the average watch time is only 3 seconds, it means you’ll need to work on the hook. If the average watch time was 18 seconds, that’s great because it means people watched it through twice (aka, your hook was chef’s kiss all the way until the end).

 

 

Check Your Insights Regularly, But Not Obsessively

 

I know it can be easy to fall into either avoiding insights or checking them multiple times per day. But we are all about sustainability on social media over here. (Are you with me?)

 

Remember, social media exists to serve you, not the other way around.

  

Here’s another cool thing about insights that can be easy to overlook. Your insights not only tell you what you can improve upon, but they also give you info on where and why you are winning. (Celebrate those wins, baby!)

 

Take a Look at Your Top-Performing Content

 

Ask yourself:

 

• What CTA did I use?
• What time did I post?
• What was the topic?
• What hook did I use?
• How long was the content? (reel seconds)
• What value was shared?
• What content pillar did it fall under?
• What was I qotd?

 

The answers to these questions hold pieces of the map to future higher-performing content.

 

Is it time to do an insight audit? Just remember, your insights are there to help you. If you love what you see, figure out what’s working and keep doing it. If you don’t love what you see, dig into what is not working and PIVOT.

 

You can learn more about insights, Instagram strategy, and all things bookstagram in the Bookstagram 101 membership. Join hundreds of other bookish creators, authors and book businesses and start putting Instagram to work building your dream life!

 

 

TLDR

 

If you’re feeling stuck with your IG, insights give you information on what is working and not working in your content. When you know what to look for and how to read your insights, you’ll know how you need to pivot your strategy accordingly. 

 

I love connecting with you, and I’m always just an email or DM away, so don’t hesitate to reach out!