Instagram may be one of the new kids on the block when it comes to social media, but it has quickly grown in popularity. As of today, there are 200 million monthly active users on Instagram, and an average of 60 million photos are shared each day. That’s a lot of photos competing for your renters’ attention!

Looking for ideas to reach more renters and increase engagement on Instagram? Here's a three minute guide.

Use Hashtags
Using hashtags can be a great way to get more people to see your photos. Do you manage an apartment community in the Windy City? Use the hashtag #Chicago to show up in city searches. Or, include popular hashtags in your posts if it fits the photo you’re posting. For example, post a photo of your community before it was renovated and include the hashtag #tbt (throwback Thursday) so your photo appears when people search for that hashtag. 

Here’s a list of the top 5 Instagram hashtags, according to Webstagram:

• #love
• #instagood
• #me
• #tbt
• #follow

Check out the full list here.

Hold a Contest
Increase engagement among your residents by holding an Instagram contest. For example, invite residents to upload photos of their pets using a branded hashtag like #PetsofRiverPlaza. The winner gets a gift card to a local restaurant or store. And don’t forget to repost the winning photo to your own account.

Mix it Up
If you only post photos of your property, folks will quickly lose interest and may even stop following you. Instead, post different types of photos to keep your audience engaged. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing:

• Photos from recent resident events (just be sure to get your residents’ permission)
• Pets in your community
• Your staff
• Local landmarks

Engage with Your Followers
Social media is a two-way conversation. If someone comments on one of your photos, respond to their comment. And, if it makes sense, like or comment on your followers’ photos, too.

Be Consistent
If you don’t regularly post photos, your audience will quickly lose interest…and may even stop following you. What's the best time to post? According to TrackMaven, people post the most on Thursdays, but see what works best for you. Do some testing by posting on different days of the week and different times of day to see when you get the most engagement.

Do you have an Instagram account for your property? What are you doing to increase engagement?