Humans are highly visual creatures, and that’s a fact. But it doesn’t mean that visual content is the only thing that matters in content marketing. When you create content for Instagram, you should combine high-quality images and videos with well-written Instagram text. It’s essential for boosting efforts and increasing reach and engagement.

On Instagram, the picture works as a tool for drawing users’ attention to the product, while text works as a tool for convincing users to buy the product. Do you need help with writing a winning caption? Here is a quick step-by-step guide for you.

Step #1 – Come up with a catchy first line in your Instagram text

Do you want your Instagram text to be read? Make sure to start the caption with an attention-grabbing word or phrase. 

When users scroll through the feed, they see only the first 125 characters of the Instagram text. It means that the first line is always the most important one. If you don’t want users to skip your post, you should find words that will spark interest and evoke curiosity. 

Source: Instagram

Step #2 – Help users make an informed buying decision 

If you want to sell on Instagram, you should avoid using overly salesy messages. Instead, you should write content that helps users choose the right product for them. 

Try to think like a customer. What questions may you have regarding the product? What information may influence your “to-buy-or-not-to-buy” decision? Answer those questions and guide customers to the right purchasing decision. For instance, if you offer a wide range of products, assist users with comparing the products and picking the best product for their needs. This is what Instagram text should be all about.

Source: Instagram

Step #3 – Share your story that’s behind the product

Your product is something more than just a set of features. It has a story behind it. Tell your Instagram followers about how your product was created. For example, if you sell jewelry, you can write about what inspired the designer to create a new collection. Instagram posts with such texts will help you build emotional connections with your followers and make them more loyal to your brand.

Source: Instagram

Step #4 – Choose the proper wording for your caption

The language of your writing and wording are as important as the message of your Instagram text. The language of your captions should match the concept of your brand as well as your target audience. For instance, if you target Generation Z and position your brand as a teen brand, you should use abbreviations, slang, and shortenings. But if you sell luxury products, you should use more sophisticated language to engage your audience. 

Source: Instagram

Step #5 – Keep the Instagram text consistent 

When it comes to branding, consistency plays a crucial role. If you want to market your brand effectively, you should keep your Instagram text consistent in terms of language, length, structure, and punctuation. 

Take a look at the following Instagram posts published by Swarovski. Both posts have the same text structure and follow the same tags/hashtags usage pattern. That’s a perfect example of “content consistency” that empowers the brand. 

Source: Instagram

Source: Instagram

Do you need help with polishing your texts? Consider hiring professional writers and editors with vast experience in Instagram content marketing and your industry. Experts will complete any writing assignment upon your request – you can ask them to proofread your Instagram caption, or come up with an engaging opening sentence. 

Step #6 –  Use accurate hashtags for your post

Hashtags are an integral element of social media content, especially if it comes to Instagram posts. If you want to make your content visible on Instagram, you need to use a few types of hashtags:

• Hashtags relevant to the picture or video (e.g., #hairlove, #hairoftheday, #instahair)
• Branded hashtags that contain the name of your brand (e.g., #WellaColor, WellaEducation)
• Promotional hashtags relevant for your ad/promo campaign (e.g., #AskForWella)
• Other relatable hashtags (e.g., #MakeChange)

Source: Instagram

Depending on the niche you operate in, the optimal number of hashtags per post may vary. Instagram allows adding up to 30 hashtags per caption. However, it’s now recommended to use only 3-5 hashtags per post. 

If you want to embed more than seven hashtags, put them at the end of the Instagram caption or in the first comment. It will make your posts look neater and more appealing.

Step #7 – Tag creators and contributors

Another great thing about Instagram is that it provides you with an opportunity to humanize your brand. You can tell your followers more about your brand and increase long-term loyalty.

When you present a new product on Instagram, make sure to tag people who worked on the product/content creation. Introduce your team to a broad audience and say “thank you” to all professionals who contributed to your brand development. 

Modern customers have positive attitudes toward companies that value their stakeholders (employees, business partners, collaborators, customers). So here is a piece of advice for you: mention in your Instagram text that the success of your brand/product is a result of team efforts. In such a way, you will present your brand in a more favorable light.

Source: Instagram

Step #8 – Add a captivating call to action

Instagram is not just a marketplace. It’s a place where you can communicate with your target audience. It’s a perfect platform for building customer relationships and strengthening ties.

To succeed on Instagram, you should use every opportunity to engage your audience. You should add a call to action to every Instagram text. Here are a few ideas of how you can achieve different marketing objectives using a call to action:

• Increase on-page engagement: caption this picture, guess what product we will release next, like this post to participate in a giveaway
• Increase traffic to your website: check the link in bio, visit our website today, register to get a discount
• Collect feedback: share your opinion about X product, name your favorite product, write in a comment what product you want to get for free

You will build a higher engagement if you find the words that perfectly appeal to the target audience. Below there is an example of how you can turn a standard call-to-action phrase into an inviting, friendly message:

• Standard phrase: “Tag a friend who would love this mirror.” 
• More personalized, inviting message: “Mention someone who would love to take selfies in this mirror.”

Basically, both statements encourage the same action in users. But the second statement better resonates with Instagram users.

Source: Instagram

Step #9 – Analyze the results

Every brand is unique. So there is no one universal template for an Instagram text that fits everyone. You should find your own approach to writing to win your Instagram followers over.

Sotrender offers you advanced analytical tools that go far beyond the metrics provided by Instagram insights. Using Sotrender, you can analyze posts that perform the best and find a way to improve your content strategy. With in-depth analytics, you will find out what call to action works for your brand and define whether you should write short or lengthy Instagram texts. Take advantage of Sotrender today, and get one step ahead of the competition.  

Wrapping up

Take these nine steps, and you will write a perfect Instagram text. With our tips, you will engage your target audience and attain your marketing goals. 

Just keep in mind that the preferences and behavior of your target audience may change over time. Keep watching the changes, and adjust your content strategy in a timely manner. Such an approach will ensure the long-term success of your brand.