Growing on Instagram requires different strategies and tactics. But first off, you need to find your target audience and then invest in it.
And part of your potential followers are following your competitors. All you do is identify, find, and attract them.
This seems simple but needs plans and strategies. If you’re wondering how to target competitors’ audience on Instagram, You’re in the right place.
Dive deep into all the steps you need to take toward your would-be followers!
How to target followers of an Instagram account?
Here, I’m going to walk you through the steps to target your competitors’ followers on Instagram.
#1. Researching Competitors And Identifying Target Accounts
If you’re looking to expand your presence and gain more followers on Instagram, it’s essential to start by understanding your competition.
By researching your competitors, you can gain valuable insights into what works in your niche and identify potential target accounts to focus on. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to research your competitors.
A. How To Identify Direct And Indirect Competitors On Instagram
When it comes to targeting competitors’ followers on Instagram, the first step is to identify both direct and indirect competitors.
Direct competitors are those accounts that offer similar products or services to yours, cater to the same target audience, and operate within the same industry or niche.
On the other hand, indirect competitors may not offer the same products or services, but they still attract a similar audience or share common interests.
For example, if you’re selling sports shoes on Instagram, other brands like Nike and Adidas could be your direct competitors.
A brand selling yoga mats is your indirect competitor. Because you both target a similar audience interested in wellness and fitness.
To Identify Direct Competitors On Instagram
Now that you have a clear picture of direct and indirect competitors, let’s find out how to identify them.
Keyword Research: Start by brainstorming relevant keywords related to your industry or niche. Look for popular hashtags, terms, and phrases that your potential audience might use to find products or content like yours.
Hashtag Research: Use those keywords to search for hashtags related to your niche, location, or even ingredients on Instagram.
Examine the top posts under these hashtags to find accounts that resonate with your niche. These accounts are likely to be your direct competitors.
Explore Similar Content: Explore content related to your own profile. Look for accounts that share similar themes, topics, or offerings. These accounts are also potential direct competitors.
To Identify Indirect Competitors On Instagram
1. Analyze Your Target Audience:
Understand what problems your product/service solves for your target audience and their broader interests.
For example, if you sell fitness planners, your target audience likely cares about overall health and well-being.
2. Explore Industry Hashtags:
Then, look for hashtags relevant to your audience’s broader interests, not just your specific product.
In the fitness planner example, explore hashtags like #healthylifestyle, #workoutmotivation, or #yogachallenge.
3. Monitor Suggested Accounts:
Instagram’s “Suggested For You” section often recommends accounts users with similar interests might follow.
Check these suggestions to see if there are accounts targeting your audience’s broader needs.
4. Analyze Your Existing Followers:
Who else do your followers follow? Look at the accounts your audience commonly follows to discover potential indirect competitors.
5. Look at Influencer Collaborations:
Another way is to see which influencers your direct competitors collaborate with.
These influencers might also partner with indirect competitors targeting your audience with different products/services.
B. Utilizing Social Media Listening Tools To Discover Competitor Accounts
Social media listening tools are invaluable when it comes to discovering competitor accounts efficiently.
These Instagram growth companies allow you to monitor and analyze conversations, mentions, and trends across social media platforms, including Instagram.
Here’s how to use social media listening tools to discover competitor accounts:
Choose the Right Tool: There are several social media listening tools available, so select one that suits your needs and budget. Some popular options include Sprout Social, Hootsuite, Mention, and Brandwatch.
Set Up Relevant Keywords: Configure the tool to track keywords related to your industry, products, and services. Include variations of your brand name, product names, and common industry terms.
Monitor Mentions and Tags: Use the tool to monitor mentions and tags of your brand on Instagram. Pay attention to accounts that frequently mention your competitors as well.
Identify Influencers: Social media listening tools can help you identify Instagram influencers who engage with your competitors. These influencers may have a significant following within your target audience.
C. Analyzing Competitor Accounts To Understand Their Follower Base
Once you’ve identified your competitors, it’s essential to analyze their accounts to gain insights into their follower base.
Understanding their audience demographics, interests, and behavior will inform your strategy for targeting their followers effectively.
#2. Analyzing Competitors’ Followers
One important step for targeting your competitors’ followers is to analyze them. Let’s explore how you should study those followers.
1. Explore Follower Demographics
Begin by examining the demographics of your competitors’ followers. Look for information about their age, gender, location, and language preferences.
This data can provide valuable clues about the primary segments of their target audience.
2. Identify Common Interests
Look for patterns in the types of content your competitors’ followers engage with the most. Identify common interests and themes across their posts.
This knowledge will help you align your content with topics that resonate well with the target audience.
3. Analyze Engagement Behavior:
Pay attention to how the followers interact with your competitors’ content. Observe the types of posts that generate the most likes, comments, and shares.
Understanding engagement behavior can guide you in creating engaging content of your own.
4. Discover Preferred Content Formats:
Analyze the content formats that perform well with your competitors’ followers. Do they prefer images, videos, carousels, or Stories?
Tailoring your content to match these preferences can enhance audience engagement.
5. Observe Posting Frequency And Timing:
Take note of when your competitors post their content and how frequently they do it. Identifying peak posting times can help you optimize your own posting schedule for maximum visibility.
6. Investigate Influencer Collaborations:
Examine any influencer collaborations your competitors may have. Identify the influencers who resonate with their audience.
Collaborating with similar influencers could help you tap into the same target audience.
7. Leverage Social Listening Tools
Utilize social listening tools to gain more in-depth insights into the conversations and sentiments of your competitors’ followers.
These tools can help you uncover trends and sentiments that can influence your content strategy.
8. Address Pain Points And Needs
Identify the pain points and needs of your competitors’ followers through comments and discussions.
Tailor your content to address these concerns and offer solutions, positioning yourself as a valuable resource.
9. Observe Competitor Engagement Tactics:
Analyze how your competitors engage with their followers. Look for strategies that foster authentic connections.
You can adapt these engagement tactics while adding your unique touch.
10. Stay Updated With Changes:
Keep monitoring your competitors’ follower base regularly. Social media trends and audience preferences evolve over time.
Staying updated will help you adapt your strategy to remain relevant.
#3. Engaging With Competitors’ Followers
By now, you must have learned how to create a target audience out of your competitors’ followers.
It’s time to engage with them and turn them into your followers.
1. Respond To Comments And Direct Messages
When followers of your competitors engage with your content or reach out to you through comments or direct messages, make it a priority to respond promptly and thoughtfully.
Personalized responses demonstrate that you care about your audience and value their input.
2. Initiate Conversations
Don’t wait for your competitors’ followers to come to you. Proactively seek out conversations by visiting their profiles, liking their posts, and leaving meaningful comments.
This genuine interest can pique their curiosity about your brand.
3. Respond to Instagram Stories And Polls
If a competitor’s story includes polls or Q&A stickers, participate genuinely. Your answers might pique the audience’s interest in your brand.
4. Host Live Sessions And Q&A Sessions
Live sessions allow for real-time interaction with your audience. Host Q&A sessions or live events to address their questions, concerns, and curiosities. This type of engagement helps build trust and authority within the community.
5. Collaborate With Influencers And Micro-Influencers
Engaging with influencers and micro-influencers in your niche can extend your reach to your competitors’ followers.
These influencers have established credibility with their audience, making them valuable partners for reaching a rich and interested audience.
6. Feature User-Generated Content (UGC)
Encourage your audience, including your competitors’ followers, to create and share content featuring your brand.
Reposting UGC not only celebrates your followers but also strengthens your bond with them.
7. Run Contests And Giveaways
Contests and giveaways are excellent tools for engaging with your competitors’ followers and attracting new ones.
Encourage participation by offering prizes that resonate with your target audience.
8. Monitor Competitor Engagement Tactics:
Observe how your competitors engage with their followers and identify successful strategies. Adapt and refine these tactics to suit your brand’s personality and voice.
9. Show Your Personality And Values:
Authenticity goes a long way in building rapport with your audience. Show your brand’s personality and values through your posts, stories, and interactions. This approach attracts like-minded individuals to your profile.
10. Measure Engagement Performance
Regularly track and measure your engagement efforts. Analyze what resonates most with your audience and make data-driven adjustments to continuously improve your engagement strategy.
#4. Creating Compelling And Relevant Content
To win over your competitors’ followers and attract a rich audience on Instagram, you need to create Instagram content that stands out and resonates with your target audience. Here’s how:
A. Developing A Consistent And Visually Appealing Instagram Feed
Define Your Visual Style: Establish a consistent visual style for your feed that aligns with your brand identity. This includes choosing a color palette, photo filters, and themes that create a cohesive and attractive look.
Create a professional profile: To make a first impression, create a professional-looking profile that showcases who you are and what you do.
Add a strong CTR and a link in your bio and organize your top content in highlights.
Plan Your Content: Use an Instagram content calendar to schedule your posts in advance. This approach ensures that your content remains relevant, timely, and aligned with your marketing goals.
Suggested post: How to schedule Instagram posts, stories, and Reels
Balance Promotion and Value: While promoting your products or services is essential, make sure to provide value to your audience through informative, entertaining, or inspirational content. Strike a balance between promotional posts and content that engages and benefits your followers.
Use High-Quality Visuals: High-quality images and videos capture attention and reflect the professionalism of your brand. Invest in photography or graphic design if needed to maintain a visually appealing feed.
B. Using Instagram Stories And Highlights To Showcase Your Brand’s Unique Offerings
Offer Sneak Peeks and Behind-the-Scenes: Use Instagram Stories to give your audience a sneak peek into your brand’s world. Share behind-the-scenes moments, product development, or the faces behind your company.
This personal touch fosters a deeper connection with your followers.
Utilize Polls and Q&A: Engage your audience through interactive elements like polls and Q&A sessions in Stories. It encourages participation and feedback, making your followers feel involved in your brand’s journey.
Create Highlights for Key Content: Use Instagram Highlights to curate and showcase your best Stories. Organize them into categories like products, tips, testimonials, or events, allowing new followers to explore your brand’s unique offerings easily.
Limited-Time Offers and Exclusive Content: Create a sense of urgency and exclusivity by offering time-sensitive promotions or access to exclusive content through your Stories.
This tactic encourages your competitors’ followers to follow you to avoid missing out.
C. Leveraging User-Generated Content To Build Trust And Credibility
Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC): Encourage your followers, including your competitors’ followers, to create and share content featuring your brand. Repost UGC regularly to showcase happy customers and build trust in your products or services.
Run UGC Campaigns: Host UGC campaigns or contests where participants can submit content related to your brand. This approach not only generates authentic content but also creates a sense of community around your brand.
Showcase Customer Testimonials: Share positive customer reviews and testimonials as part of your IG content plan. This social proof reinforces your credibility and can influence your competitors’ followers to trust your brand.
Engage and Reward UGC Creators: Interact with users who create UGC featuring your brand. Show appreciation by commenting, liking, or even offering small rewards. This engagement fosters loyalty and encourages more UGC submissions
#5. Hashtag Strategy For Targeting Competitors’ Followers
Hashtags play a crucial role in reaching more people on Instagram and attracting your competitors’ followers.
By strategically using relevant hashtags, you can increase the visibility of your content among users interested in your niche.
In this section, I’ll explore how to create an effective hashtag strategy that aligns with your competitors’ followers’ interests.
Research Relevant Hashtags
Conduct thorough research to identify popular and niche-specific hashtags that resonate with your target audience.
Look for hashtags related to your industry, products, services, locations, and the interests of your competitors’ followers.
Tools like Instagram’s search feature, keyword research tools, and social media analytics platforms can help you discover relevant hashtags.
Mix Branded And Community Hashtags
Incorporate a mix of branded and community hashtags in your posts. Branded hashtags are unique to your brand and can help create a sense of community among your followers.
Community hashtags, on the other hand, are widely used within your industry and can connect you with a broader audience interested in your niche.
Create Hashtags Specific To Your Campaigns
For special campaigns or promotions, consider creating custom hashtags that align with the theme or goal of the campaign.
Encourage your followers and your competitors’ followers to use these hashtags when participating in the campaign, increasing its visibility.
Monitor And Analyze Hashtag Performance
Regularly monitor the performance of your hashtags. Look for those that generate the most engagement and reach.
This analysis will help you identify which hashtags resonate well with your competitors’ followers and should be included in your ongoing hashtag strategy.
Stay Updated With Trending Hashtags
Keep an eye on trending hashtags within your industry or on Instagram as a whole. Jumping on relevant trends can expose your content to a larger audience and attract followers who are interested in those topics.
Be Mindful Of Hashtag Limits
Remember that Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post. However, bombarding your captions with too many hashtags may come across as spammy.
Aim for a balance (Around 5-10 hashtags) between a sufficient number of hashtags and maintaining a clean and engaging caption.
Don’t forget to stay away from banned Instagram hashtags that put your account at risk of being shadowbanned.
Engage With Hashtag Communities
Search for popular hashtags related to your competitors’ followers’ interests and engage with the content posted under those hashtags.
Like and comment on posts from users who align with your target audience. This engagement can attract their attention and prompt them to explore your profile.
Create Content Around Hashtags’ Themes
Craft content that aligns with the themes and topics represented by the hashtags you use. When users search for or click on these hashtags, they’ll find your content relevant, increasing the likelihood of attracting your competitors’ followers to your profile.
#6. Collaborations And Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing can be a powerful strategy to reach your competitors’ followers and attract a wider audience on Instagram.
By partnering with influencers who are followed by your competitors’ audience, you can tap into their existing fan base and gain exposure to a relevant and engaged community.
Let’s explore how to effectively utilize influencer marketing through partnerships, co-hosted Instagram Live sessions, and influencer takeovers.
A. Partnering With Influencers Followed By Your Competitors’ Audience
Identify Relevant Influencers: Look for influencers who share a similar target audience with your competitors. Pay attention to their engagement rates, authenticity, and the kind of content they create.
Reach Out with a Personalized Approach: When contacting influencers, tailor your pitch to highlight the value of collaborating with your brand. Emphasize how their audience could benefit from your products or services.
Sponsored Posts and Product Reviews: Collaborate with influencers on sponsored posts or product reviews. Ensure that the content aligns with their style and fits seamlessly into their feed to appear authentic and genuine.
Affiliate Marketing: Consider setting up affiliate marketing programs with influencers. This approach motivates them to actively promote your brand to their followers, and they earn a commission for every sale generated through their unique affiliate links.
B. Co-hosting Instagram Live Sessions Or Giveaways With Influencers
Plan Engaging Live Sessions: Partner with influencers to co-host Instagram Live sessions. Select topics of mutual interest to both your audiences and ensure the content provides value, entertainment, or useful insights.
Promote the Live Session: Announce the upcoming Live session well in advance on both your and the influencer’s profiles. Use Stories, posts, and DMs to generate excitement and encourage their followers to tune in.
Encourage Audience Interaction: During the Live session, actively engage with viewers and encourage them to ask questions, leave comments, or participate in polls. This interaction enhances the sense of community and keeps the audience engaged.
Collaborative Giveaways: Organize joint giveaways with influencers to create a buzz around your brand. To enter the giveaway, followers may have to follow both your account and the influencer’s account, ensuring cross-promotion and expanded reach.
C. Utilizing Influencer Takeovers To Reach A Wider Audience
Select Influencers with Similar Interests: Invite influencers who have similar interests or expertise to host Instagram Story takeovers on your account. This approach introduces their audience to your brand and vice versa.
Set Clear Guidelines: Provide influencers with guidelines for the takeover to ensure the content aligns with your brand’s values and objectives. However, allow them creative freedom to maintain authenticity.
Promote the Takeover: Announce the influencer takeover in advance through posts and Stories. Encourage your followers to tune in on the designated day to experience exciting content from the guest influencer.
Monitor and Engage: During the takeover, closely monitor the engagement and respond to comments and messages promptly. Engage with the influencer’s audience to foster a positive impression of your brand.
How To Target Competitors’ Followers On Instagram Ads
Instagram ads are a powerful tool for reaching a highly targeted audience, including your competitors’ followers.
Although it’s not directly possible within the app, there are workarounds to effectively target your competitors’ followers through Instagram ads:
Identify Your Competitors And Their Followers
Before setting up your Instagram ads, ensure you have a clear list of your main competitors and a good understanding of their follower base. (As we mentioned earlier).
Research their content, engagement patterns, and target demographics to refine your ad strategy.
Set Clear Objectives For Your Ads
Determine your advertising goals, such as increasing brand awareness, driving website traffic, or boosting conversions.
Clearly defining your objectives will guide you in creating compelling ad content that resonates with your target audience.
Use Instagram’s Audience Insights
Instagram’s Audience Insights feature allows you to gather valuable data about your competitors’ followers.
Leverage this tool to understand their demographics, interests, and behaviors, helping you refine your ad targeting.
Create Custom Audiences
Utilize the information gathered from Audience Insights to create custom audiences for your ads.
You can create a custom audience based on specific demographics, interests, or engagement with your competitors’ profiles or content.
Utilize Lookalike Audiences
Instagram’s Lookalike Audiences feature enables you to reach new users who share similarities with your competitors’ followers.
Here’s how it works: Upload a customer list or engage with your existing followers on Instagram.
Facebook (which owns Instagram Ads) will then analyze this data and create a “lookalike audience” with similar demographics, interests, and online behavior.
This audience is likely to include people who follow your competitors.
Craft Compelling Ad Content
Create visually appealing ad content that showcases your brand’s unique value proposition.
Use captivating images or videos and persuasive copy that speaks directly to your target audience’s interests and needs.
Highlight Your Differentiators
Emphasize what sets your brand apart from your competitors in your ad content.
Showcase your unique offerings, benefits, or any exclusive deals to entice your competitors’ followers to engage with your ads.
Use Relevant Hashtags And Captions
Incorporate relevant hashtags and compelling captions in your ad content to ensure it reaches your target audience.
By using hashtags that resonate with your competitors’ followers, your ads are more likely to appear in their feeds.
Test And Optimize Your Ads
Run A/B tests with different ad variations to identify which content, visuals, or targeting options perform best.
Regularly monitor the performance of your ads and optimize them based on the results to maximize your return on investment (ROI).
Run Retargeting Campaigns
Consider implementing retargeting campaigns to engage with users who have already interacted with your ads or website.
This tactic reinforces your brand message and encourages them to take further action.
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FAQs
Now let’s answer some questions on the topic “how to target competitors’ followers on instagram”.
Should you follow your competitors’ followers on Instagram?
It’s not necessary to follow your competitors’ followers individually. Instead, focus on engaging with them through valuable content, interactions, and targeted strategies.
How do you target lookalike audiences on Instagram?
To target lookalike audiences on Instagram, create a Custom Audience based on your existing customer data, and then use Instagram’s Lookalike Audience feature to reach users with similar characteristics and interests.
Can you target specific people on Instagram?
No, Instagram’s ad targeting options do not allow you to target specific individuals. However, you can use other methods like engaging with their content or collaborating with influencers to reach specific audiences.
How do you target a competitor audience?
To target a competitor audience on Instagram, conduct competitor research, identify their followers’ demographics and interests, and use Instagram’s advertising tools to create custom and lookalike audiences for your ad campaigns.
Conclusion
In the competitive world of Instagram, targeting your competitors’ followers can be a smart and effective strategy to grow your own audience.
By conducting thorough research, understanding your competitors’ followers, and creating compelling content, you can attract like-minded individuals who are already interested in your niche.
Leveraging collaborations with influencers, utilizing Instagram ads, and employing a well-planned hashtag strategy can further enhance your reach and engagement.
Remember, authenticity and consistency are key to building genuine connections and fostering trust.
With these tactics in your arsenal, you’re well on your way to expanding your presence on Instagram and reaching a wider, more engaged audience. Happy Instagramming!
