In the ever-evolving world of social media, Instagram remains a powerful platform for connecting with your audience and building a vibrant community. However, many creators struggle to get their work seen.
Having a strategy to follow is extremely beneficial to help you show up consistently and manage your presence efficiently. The ACCEL Framework has proved to be a manageable and effective strategy to reap in rewards without Instagram consuming all your time.
The ACCEL Framework
A = Audience
The first letter in Accel, A, stands for Audience.
Just like you find your ideal customer, you need to identify your ideal follower. Tailor your posts to meet their interests and needs. Look at what similar accounts in your niche are doing and who they are engaging with. Pay attention to the questions in their comments, and address those in your posts to build your audience. Always remember: create content for your audience, not for yourself.
C = Content
This letter is the most important in the strategy. Instagram offers various content formats: Reels, carousels, single images, and more. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Reels: Ideal for new accounts to maximize reach. Reels are highly shareable, making them great for audience growth. Develop a solid video strategy to get comfortable with creating Reels.
Carousels: Only content that can be shown to your audience twice, increasing engagement chances. Use the first two slides to grab attention and end with a call to action.
Single Images: Great for infographics. Focus on high-quality, easy-to-create content that resonates with your audience.
To avoid burnout, or missing out on trends, create your content weekly following these phases:
1. Content Idea Phase: Brainstorm and jot down all ideas. Save posts from other creators that resonate with you in Instagram folders.
2. Writing Mode: Write any scripts, captions, or on-screen text that you will need for your posts.
3. Content Creation: Create graphic designs, or record reels without editing.
4. Editing: Edit your reels, and polish your graphic designs.
5. Scheduling: Plan and schedule your posts.
C = Consistency
Find a posting model that works for you and will prevent burnout. Typically, 3-5 posts per week work well. If following the five-post format, have at least three posts in your best format, one as a promotion, and the last as showing behind-the-scenes content to humanize your brand.
E = Engagement
Engagement is crucial for getting your content seen. Try to designate one hour every day for these engagement activities:
1. Post Engagement: Right after posting, engage with commenters’ on your previous post.
2. Reply to Stories: This personal interaction gets you into people’s DMs.
3. Explore Page Interaction: Engage with new content and people may visit your page.
4. Save Inspiring Posts: For future content ideas.
5. Comment on Large Accounts: Start conversations in the comments to increase your visibility.
L = Lift Off
The last letter, L, stands for framework. Utilize all Instagram features like Stories, Instagram Live, and the Collaboration feature to have your content shown on multiple feeds. Ensure you have a clear call to action in your bio, directing followers to your website, LinkedIn, or DMs.
This comprehensive approach will help you navigate Instagram’s dynamic environment, ensuring your content reaches and resonates with your audience. By following the Accel framework, you can build a robust Instagram presence that not only grows your audience but also keeps them engaged.
