Author Almu Corazon
Social media platforms keep changing without previous notice and many who depend on these online communities for business are caught off guard. The fact that algorithms, web interface, designs and user experience of social media platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram keep changing generates uncomfortable set-backs to digital business users.
Algorithm changes are driven mostly to generate advertising revenue and for a better “user experience,” forcing us to update our online strategy to become relevant on searches and more visible to our target audience. For example Instagram’s latest algorithm updates are a lot like its parent company (Facebook) of 2 years ago.
So how do you feel about having to pay sponsored ads to increase your visibility on Instagram?
Well my dear reader, if you prefer investing your money wisely, where there is a will, there is a way. Have you heard about “Boost Groups” or “comment pods”? They have become very famous on Instagram as a community effort to increase posts’ visibility and brand awareness without having to invest on ads. There are many other names used by online users, but I am sticking to Boost Groups as it is easier for my clients to identify its real goal – which is to boost our online efforts helped by a supportive community.
Here’s how it works:
I used to have multiple Boost Groups in Twitter and Instagram when I was regularly active. I even had boost buddies I’ve never met in person from all around the world. It was super fun! I am now about to start two in Facebook and Instagram among friends and business owners. If you want to belong to a Boost Group, let’s create one together or contact me to join mine!
Boost Groups won’t help in the long run if you’re not sharing quality content that’s always in alignment with your values or complementing your brand aesthetic. When used in conjunction with other best practices, Boost Groups are a lifesaver. Check out my Instagram accounts (@AlmuCorazon and @CurvySocial) and Facebook pages (Simple&Social and Spanish Flavor) to get an idea of who I am. Follow/Like me and subscribe to my SimpleandSocial membership to learn additional business tips. I host workshops for small business owners to learn how to harness the power of digital media to increase results while minimizing costs.
Algorithm changes are driven mostly to generate advertising revenue and for a better “user experience,” forcing us to update our online strategy to become relevant on searches and more visible to our target audience. For example Instagram’s latest algorithm updates are a lot like its parent company (Facebook) of 2 years ago.
- Now you have personal and business profiles, both with different capabilities. Posts no longer show chronologically on individual users’ feeds; and, product’s prices can be disclosed on the picture.
- Before, accounts had FREE access to incredible ROI per post. Pre-algorithm changes, the only investment one needed to make on Instagram was the time and nominal fee to create memorable visuals and copy for a caption.
So how do you feel about having to pay sponsored ads to increase your visibility on Instagram?
Well my dear reader, if you prefer investing your money wisely, where there is a will, there is a way. Have you heard about “Boost Groups” or “comment pods”? They have become very famous on Instagram as a community effort to increase posts’ visibility and brand awareness without having to invest on ads. There are many other names used by online users, but I am sticking to Boost Groups as it is easier for my clients to identify its real goal – which is to boost our online efforts helped by a supportive community.
Here’s how it works:
- Identify 5–10 people within your community, niche, network or tribe. Are you a small business owner, a lifestyle photographer, a jewelry maker, a Fashion blogger? Whatever you do for fun or for living you most likely have a group of business BFFs who already support you. Maybe they’re other solopreneurs aligned with your values or they complement your aesthetic who normally visit your profiles. Identify them and approach them to create a support group to assist each other on a daily basis to increase likes, shares and comments. This will boost your organic SEO and overall brand visibility.
- Direct Message them through the social media platform you choose them to work with you. Express your interest to form a Boost Group to organically help each other increase SEO and engagement on social media platforms. Sample message: “Hi there! I am creating a Boost Group with people in my network/tribe/community/niche to help each other organically increase our brand visibility, SEO and engagement. It consist on posting on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Snapchat/(pick one) on a daily/weekly basis, then go to my profile and like, share and leave a comment of at least three words. To keep track of our actions, come back to our group message and post a heart or happy face– which means your task is completed in your profile and in all the group members’ posts. It’s simple, it’s just a matter of having integrity and continuity; and, the benefits are incredible!” Another way to approach this could be in Instagram creating a group sending the following “Hey, y’all! This here is a boost group. Any time you post and need a like + comment, click the little heart in the lower right corner. No need to type a message or anything. That’s our boost signal for us to go to your page and give a little love. Do you want to join the group effort! It will help us all increase visibility and engagement without having to invest on ads! Who is in?!”
- Be polite. Check in with whoever you approach to join your Boost Group and see who’s interested in working together to beat the algorithm change before including them to your Boost Group. It’s not for everyone. If you agree to join or create a boost group, lead by example and follow your own suggestions with integrity. Post, like and comment periodically, so others will feel motivated and active. Don’t just power like. That’s ~fine~ but to truly boost a post, a comment and share are necessary.
- Tap the heart and watch the love roll in and give yourself the equivalent of a hug or high-five. You’ve just built a self-sustaining community!!
- Add people as you see fit. Encourage others to do the same. Consider making a second, more specific group. You can have as many Boost Groups as you want; and, in as many social media platforms as your brands are. Want a virtual TIP? participants with a higher amount of followers give you better ROI, because their likes, comments and shares will be visible to a broader audience, increasing your post’s SEO significantly more than users with low follow base.
I used to have multiple Boost Groups in Twitter and Instagram when I was regularly active. I even had boost buddies I’ve never met in person from all around the world. It was super fun! I am now about to start two in Facebook and Instagram among friends and business owners. If you want to belong to a Boost Group, let’s create one together or contact me to join mine!
Boost Groups won’t help in the long run if you’re not sharing quality content that’s always in alignment with your values or complementing your brand aesthetic. When used in conjunction with other best practices, Boost Groups are a lifesaver. Check out my Instagram accounts (@AlmuCorazon and @CurvySocial) and Facebook pages (Simple&Social and Spanish Flavor) to get an idea of who I am. Follow/Like me and subscribe to my SimpleandSocial membership to learn additional business tips. I host workshops for small business owners to learn how to harness the power of digital media to increase results while minimizing costs.
Bonus: Collaborations may result.
Check out my Instagram account and peep that engagement. At a mere 1,052 followers, I’m nowhere near influencer status in Instagram. Though one of my latest posts received 164 likes, which is close to 16% of my total follower amount. In social media land, that’s a heckuva lot. In any general marketing formula, that conversion rate is huge!
This article is written with the intention to help those of us who utilize Instagram for B2C or B2B goals. The latest algorithm updates are a boon that ensures the regular Instagram user sees posts that are likely of interest to you based on your mobile searches, as opposed to any shared post from the people you follow in your community.
What do you think about algorithm updates and about this article? Share your questions or comments about Boost Groups and I’ll be sure to respond. Thanks for reading!
Check out my Instagram account and peep that engagement. At a mere 1,052 followers, I’m nowhere near influencer status in Instagram. Though one of my latest posts received 164 likes, which is close to 16% of my total follower amount. In social media land, that’s a heckuva lot. In any general marketing formula, that conversion rate is huge!
This article is written with the intention to help those of us who utilize Instagram for B2C or B2B goals. The latest algorithm updates are a boon that ensures the regular Instagram user sees posts that are likely of interest to you based on your mobile searches, as opposed to any shared post from the people you follow in your community.
What do you think about algorithm updates and about this article? Share your questions or comments about Boost Groups and I’ll be sure to respond. Thanks for reading!
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