7 Steps to Write Instagram Captions That Sell

We’ve all heard how a picture is worth a thousand words, but have you ever considered promoting those words with, well, more words?  

With effective instagram captions, you can entice your followers to perform actions that you want. These actions include tapping a link, signing up for a newsletter, buying a product, or even greater things like joining a cause. A well-written caption is capable of inspiring your followers to do pretty much anything. 

A good essay writer is not necessarily a skilled caption writer, but excellent writing skills are essential in this matter. So, what is that secret ingredient to writing a caption that converts users to customers?

Keep reading to learn a few tricks that will offer you baby steps toward captions that sell on Instagram.

1. Give Your Brand a Voice  

A company’s brand voice represents its personality and the tone, using which the company communicates with its stakeholders. Using your brand voice, you can create an emotional connection with your audience.

To develop a unique brand voice, consistency is vital. You should strive to always demonstrate your authority and establish yourself as an expert in your area. 

For example, you might choose a funny or casual brand voice; or do exactly the opposite and go for a formal tone. Just remember to keep it consistent and avoid jumping from one tone to another. There’s no good in confusing your customers.

Your brand is more than just a logo or website. It’s the promise you make to your customers, and the personality you show the world. It’s how you make people feel, and what they say about you when you’re not in the room. In short, your brand is your identity. And like all identities, it needs a voice.

A brand voice is the way you communicate with your audience. It’s the tone, style, and personality of your message, and it should be consistent across all channels. Think of it this way: If your brand were a person, how would it speak?

Defining Your Brand's Voice

Your brand's voice is the personality that you want your brand to convey. It should be consistent across all of your marketing channels and touchpoints, from your website and social media posts to your email newsletter and print ads.

When defining your brand's voice, consider what kind of personality you want it to have. Is it friendly and approachable? Professional and authoritative? Humorous and irreverent? Once you've decided on the tone, use that as a guide for all of your communications.

Remember, your brand's voice should be consistent across all channels. That means if you typically use a more formal tone on your website, you shouldn't switch to a more casual tone on social media. Consistency will help create a cohesive brand identity that consumers can easily recognize and connect with.

Deciding Who Will Speak for Your Brand

When it comes to deciding who will speak for your brand, there are a few things to consider. First, consider what you want your brand to say. What are its core values? What message do you want to communicate? Once you have a clear understanding of your brand's voice, it will be easier to choose the right person or team to represent it.

Next, think about who your target audience is and what they would respond best to. If you're targeting young adults, for example, you might want someone who is relatable and down-to-earth. If you're targeting a more mature audience, you might want someone who is perceived as knowledgeable and trustworthy.

Finally, consider your budget and the resources you have available. If you have a limited budget, you might want to consider using social media influencers or working with a smaller team of ambassadors. Whatever route you choose, make sure that the people speaking on behalf of your brand are aligned with its values and message.

Building a Community Around Your Brand

The internet has given rise to a new breed of customer: the engaged, empowered individual who expects brands to not only meet their needs, but also to listen to and address their concerns. This means that in order to succeed in today's marketplace, businesses need to focus on building a community around their brand.

There are a number of ways to go about this, but some of the most effective include:

1. Creating engaging content: This could be anything from blog posts and articles to infographics and videos. The important thing is that it's interesting and informative, and that it speaks directly to your target audience.

2. Hosting events and webinars: Getting your customers involved in something interactive is a great way to foster a sense of community around your brand. It also gives you an opportunity to show off your expert knowledge!

3. Utilizing social media: Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn offer incredible opportunities for building relationships with potential and current customers. Use them wisely, and you'll soon see your community growing by leaps and bounds.

Giving Your Brand a Personality

Your brand is more than just your logo or your product. It's the sum of everything your company represents, from the way you answer the phone to the colors you use in your marketing materials. And just like any person, your brand has a personality.

This personality is made up of many different elements, including your values, your tone of voice, and even the way you treat your customers. All of these things come together to create an impression of your brand in the minds of your target audience.

So how do you ensure that your brand's personality is aligned with what you want it to be? Here are a few tips:

1. Define Your Values

What does your company stand for? What are its core values? Answering these questions is a good place to start when defining the personality of your brand. If you're not sure what your values are, take some time to brainstorm with your team. Once you have a good understanding of what makes your company tick, you can start to craft messaging and visuals that reflect those values.

2. Choose Your Tone Of Voice

The tone of voice you use in your marketing communications should be consistent with the overall personality of your brand. Are you friendly and approachable or more formal and professional? Do you want to be seen as fun and quirky or serious and trustworthy? Keep in mind that the tone of voice you use will be different across channels - for example, social media tends to be more casual than email marketing.

3. Be Consistent

Once you've defined the personality of your brand, it's important to be consistent in everything you do. This means using the same colors, fonts, and style in all of your marketing materials, as well as making sure that your messaging is always on point. It can be helpful to create brand guidelines that everyone in your company can reference when creating new content.

4. Monitor Your Reputation

Your brand's reputation is shaped by the way you interact with your customers and the way they perceive your company. Make sure you're monitoring what people are saying about you online and address any negative feedback quickly and professionally. You can also proactively build up your brand's reputation by publishing positive customer reviews and testimonials.

Having a strong brand voice is essential to any business, big or small. It's what sets you apart from your competitors and helps you build trust with your target audience. If you're not sure where to start, try these tips for giving your brand a voice that will resonate with your customers.

2. Write Multiple Candidate Versions of Your Captions 

The first caption you write for an Instagram post will probably be far from perfect. A persuasive caption has several requirements to meet. 

That’s why you should always write several draft captions before publishing the best one to your feed. This is similar to the way you would write my blog posts online.

Planning the content is one of those important requirements. Fortunately, there are various tools that help you manage the workload. For example, various Instagram scheduling tools let you plan, write, and draft your captions before automatically publishing them at a time of your choosing. 

Also read: Best Social Media Apps To Brand Your Products And Services

Why You Should Write Multiple Captions

When it comes to writing captions for your Instagram posts, one is not enough. Just like with any other form of marketing or advertising, you need to write multiple versions of your captions in order to see which one performs the best.

1. You'll be able to test different messaging and see what resonates most with your audience.

2. You can experiment with different calls to action and see which ones get the most engagement.

3. You'll be able to find the right balance between being informative and entertaining, so that your followers will keep coming back for more.

4. By writing multiple versions of your captions, you'll save yourself time in the long run as you won't have to keep coming up with new ideas on the fly.

5. And last but not least, by writing multiple captions you increase the chances that at least one of them will be a hit with your audience!

How to Write Multiple Captions

Assuming you have more than one image to share on Instagram, it's important to write multiple versions of your captions ahead of time. This will allow you to mix up your content and keep your followers engaged. 

When writing multiple versions of your caption, be sure to consider the following: 

• How does this image relate to my brand? 

• What is the overall message I'm trying to communicate? 

• What call-to-action can I include? 

Once you have a good understanding of what you want to say, start brainstorming different ways to say it. Keep in mind that your caption should be attention-grabbing, but also concise. You want to give your followers just enough information so that they're intrigued, but not overwhelmed. 

• Use emojis and/or hashtags to break up the text and add visual interest 

• Ask a question or include a fun fact 

• Share a personal story that relates to the image 

• Use strong verbs to create a sense of urgency 

By taking the time to write multiple versions of your caption, you'll be able to share compelling content that resonates with your audience and helps you achieve your business goals.

What to Write in Your Captions

When it comes to writing your Instagram captions, it's important to have multiple versions on hand. This way, you can easily switch things up and keep your feed fresh.

• Be engaging: Write something that will encourage your followers to comment or start a conversation.

• Use hashtags: Hashtags are a great way to get your content seen by more people. But be sure to use them sparingly and only use relevant ones.

• Make it personal: Share something about yourself or your day-to-day life that your followers can relate to.

• Keep it short: No one wants to read a novel in your caption. So keep it concise and to the point.

Examples of Good Instagram Captions

When it comes to creating good Instagram captions, the sky is the limit. However, if you’re stuck on what to write, here are some examples of great Instagram captions that you can use for inspiration:

• “The best way to spread happiness is by smiling.” 

• “I am grateful for everything that I have in life.” 

• “You can never have too much sparkle in your life!” 

• “Life is beautiful. Appreciate every moment.” 

• “Be kind to others and be true to yourself.”

It can be difficult to come up with the perfect caption for your Instagram posts, but it doesn't have to be. By writing multiple versions of your captions ahead of time, you can ensure that you always have a great caption ready to go. Not only will this save you time, but it will also help you increase engagement on your posts by giving your followers something interesting and worth reading. So next time you're stuck on what to write, try out one of these strategies and see how it goes!

3. Add a Call To Action (CTA) to Your Captions

A CTA is a short message that asks your audience to do something such as buying a product or visiting a landing page. 

Here are some examples of effective CTAs: 

• “Tap the link in our bio to join our community of experts.”
• “See this season’s collection. Link in the bio!”
• “Be part of the conversation. Write your opinion in the comments section.”

Your caption can be as long as 2,200 characters, but Instagram only shows the first three lines (or 125 characters) without modification. The remaining characters are hidden behind a “read more” link. So, if you don’t want viewers to miss out on your CTA, make sure it’s near the top of your caption. 

If you’re not using calls to action (CTAs) in your Instagram captions, then you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to engage with your followers and increase conversions. A CTA is simply an instruction or prompt that encourages your followers to take a specific action.

This could be anything from signing up for your email list to checking out your latest blog post. Adding a CTA to your Instagram caption is a great way to increase engagement and get more people involved in what you’re doing. In this blog post, we’ll show you how to add a CTA to your Instagram caption and give you some ideas for what kind of CTAs you can use.

How to Add a CTA to Your Instagram Captions

First, you need to make sure that your CTA is clear and concise. Second, you need to make sure that it's relevant to the content of your photo or video. And third, you need to make sure that it's placed in a spot where people will actually see it.

• Use strong verbs that inspire action. For example, instead of saying "check out our website," you could say "visit our website to learn more."

• Be clear about what you want your followers to do. Instead of simply saying "click the link in our bio," specify what they will find when they click the link, such as "our latest blog post" or "a coupon code for 10% off their purchase."

• Use hashtags and @ mentions sparingly in your CTA so as not to clutter it up and make it less effective.

With those three things in mind, let's take a look at how you can add a CTA to your Instagram captions.

1. Keep your CTA short

The last thing you want is for your CTA to be lost in a long, rambling caption. Keep it short and sweet so that people can easily read and understand it.

2. Make it relevant

Your CTA should be relevant to the content of your photo or video. If you're promoting a product, for example, make sure that your CTA is inviting people to learn more about that product.

3. Place it prominently

Make sure that your CTA is placed prominently in your caption so that people will actually see it. A good rule of thumb is to place it at the beginning or end of your caption so that it's not buried in the middle somewhere.

More Examples of Effective CTAs

Here are a few more examples of effective CTAs that you can use on Instagram:

• "Swipe up to shop this look!"

• "Double tap if you love this!"

• "Tag a friend who needs to see this!"

• "Check out our story for more info!"

Adding a CTA to your Instagram caption is an easy way to increase engagement and get more followers. By using keywords and phrases that encourage people to take action, you can turn your casual followers into raving fans.

4. Trigger Emotions

What we buy is based on what we feel (mostly fear, belonging, trust, and inspiration). You can increase your sales on Instagram if you embed emotional messages in your captions. Of course, you can also use other concepts like Contextual Marketing to increase customer engagement and customer base. 

Fear

People like to enjoy themselves and always have the best luxuries. Finding out that other people have more fun or better luxuries creates a form of social anxiety aptly named Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO). 

To activate FOMO, you can say that you have a limited number of products  in stock, and only those who act quickly have the chance to own them. This way, your customers will feel just the right amount of FOMO to click that buy link right away. 

Belonging

We humans are sociable creatures and love to be part of something. Speak to your followers like they’re part of your clique, family, club, tribe, or any other type of community. As a result, you can make your customers feel closer to your brand, which will help you sell your product.

Trust

Consumers often use online reviews to help other customers make a decision. So, instead of sending them to go look for those reviews by themselves, why not post them yourself? If you include customer testimonials in your captions you’re more likely to build trust and shorten the decision-making process. 

Reposting user-generated content is another good way to gain your followers’ trust by showing them the approval of similar ordinary users on Instagram. 

Inspiration

A problem with any online store is the intangibility of products. However, through descriptive captions that stimulate your user’s sense of imagination, you can overcome this problem. Use concise descriptions that paint a picture of how the product looks or feels up close.

For instance, if your product is a pair of sweatpants, write about their softness, practicality, and comfort.

5. Add Hashtags

With some carefully chosen hashtags, you can extend your reach across Instagram, get more potential customers to see your posts, and grow your fanbase. Once users know what product they want, your page is just one hashtag-search away. 

Instagram lets you insert up to 30 hashtags in your caption, but finding accurate hashtags that have enough search volume can be a challenge. There are tools like Tailwind’s Hashtag Finder that can make the process more efficient. Regardless of the tools you use, you should always have your customers’ intentions in mind when deciding which hashtags to use. 

How to use hashtags on Instagram

If you're new to Instagram, you may be wondering how to use hashtags. Hashtags are a great way to connect with other users and discover new content. Here's a quick guide on how to use hashtags on Instagram:

1. Find a relevant hashtag. Hashtags can be found by searching for keywords related to your content. For example, if you're posting a photo of your breakfast, you might search for #breakfast or #foodporn.
2. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags. Popular hashtags will help you reach a wider audience, while niche hashtags will help you connect with like-minded users. Try to use a mix of both in your posts.
3. Don't overdo it. Using too many hashtags can make your content look spammy and cluttered. Stick to 1-2 hashtags per post and focus on quality over quantity.
4. Use relevant caption tags. In addition to using hashtags in your caption, you can also tag other users in your photos (e.g., @username). This is a great way to get more eyes on your content and engage with other users.

What are the best hashtags to use on Instagram?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best hashtags to use on Instagram will vary depending on your specific niche, audience, and goals. However, there are some general tips that can help you choose the right hashtags for your brand.

Target Audience

First, consider your target audience and what keywords they are likely to search for on Instagram. Make a list of these keywords and then brainstorm any related terms or phrases that could be used as hashtags. For example, if you sell women's fashion, your list might include #fashion, #style, #ootd (outfit of the day), #wiwt (what I wore today), and so on.

Test Them Out

Once you have a good selection of potential hashtags, it's time to start testing them out. Use a mix of popular and niche hashtags on each post and see which ones generate the most engagement from your audience. Pay attention to which hashtags result in the most likes, comments, and new followers - these are the ones you should continue using in the future.

Check Feedback/Comments

As you experiment with different hashtags, also keep an eye on any negative feedback or spammy comments that might be associated with certain tags. If you notice that a particular hashtag is consistently attracting unwanted attention, it's best to avoid using it in the future.

By following these tips, you can quickly discover which hashtags work best for your brand on Instagram.

How many hashtags should you use on Instagram?

When it comes to using hashtags on Instagram, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. The number of hashtags you should use depends on a variety of factors, including the focus of your photo, the content of your caption, and the overall tone of your account.

That being said, a good rule of thumb is to use between 1 and 3 hashtags per photo. If you're posting a photo with a specific purpose or message (e.g., promoting a new product), then you'll want to use more targeted, relevant hashtags. On the other hand, if you're just sharing a casual snapshot or funny moment, then a few general hashtags will suffice.

Ultimately, the best way to figure out how many hashtags to use is to experiment and see what works best for you and your audience. So go ahead and start experimenting with different hashtag combinations - there's no wrong way to do it!

Hashtags are a great way to get your photos and videos seen by more people on Instagram. By using relevant hashtags, you can reach a wider audience and gain more followers. Now that you know how to add hashtags to your posts, go out and experiment with different ones to see which ones work best for you. And don't forget to have fun with it!

6. Don’t Forget Emojis

Emojis are fun to look at. They can help add a hint of any emotions that your caption is trying to deliver in text. 

The majority of users scroll down their Instagram feed at the speed of light! Once you seize their attention using a good photo on your post, you don’t want to lose it over an all-text boring and hard-to-understand caption.

Emojis can help make your caption more understandable and alive by turning a boring attempt to sell on Instagram into a fun experience.

7. Keep the Conversation Going

Stay tuned for comments, positive or negative, and questions in the comment section of your post. 

The more engaged your customers feel, the better their shopping experience will be. And a satisfying shopping experience for customers is a one-way ticket back to your page. 

Starting the Conversation

If you're like most people, you probably find it easier to talk to someone when you know a little bit about them. The same goes for starting a conversation on Instagram. When you take the time to learn about your potential customer, they will be more likely to want to talk to you.

To get started, take a look at their profile and see what kind of content they are posting. Is it mostly pictures or videos? What do the captions say? This will give you an idea of what topics they might be interested in.

Once you have an idea of what to talk about, reach out in the comments section of one of their posts. Start with something general like "Great pic!" or "I loved your video." Then, continue the conversation by asking a question or making a statement about something in their post.

For example, if they posted a picture of their new puppy, you could say "Aww, he's so cute! What's his name?" Or if they posted a video of themselves hiking, you could say "I love hiking too! Where was this?"

By starting the conversation with something personal, you're more likely to keep the conversation going and build a connection with your potential customer.

Keeping the Conversation Going

There are a few things you can do to keep the conversation going on Instagram.

1. Don't be afraid to like and comment on other people's posts. This shows that you're interested in what they have to say and that you value their opinion.

2. Use hashtags to find people who have similar interests as you. This will help you connect with others who might be interested in what you have to say.

3. Post interesting content that will spark conversation. Ask questions, start debates, and share your thoughts on current events. The more engaging your content is, the more likely others will be to comment on it.

4. Don't be afraid to reach out to other users directly. If you see someone whose posts interest you, send them a direct message and start a conversation!

Ending the Conversation

When you're ready to end the conversation, there are a few things you can do to make sure the other person knows you're no longer interested. First, you can stop responding to their messages. This will let them know that you're no longer interested in talking. Second, you can unfollow them on Instagram. This will prevent them from seeing your posts and commenting on them. Finally, you can block them on Instagram. This will prevent them from being able to contact you at all.

Tips for Keeping the Conversation Going

If you're looking to keep the conversation going on Instagram, here are a few tips to help you out:

• Respond to all of your comments, even if it's just a short answer. This shows that you're engaged with your followers and interested in what they have to say.

• Post new content regularly, and make sure to include some questions in your captions so that people can reply easily.

• Seek out conversations happening in other places on Instagram (in the comments of popular posts, in relevant hashtags, etc.) and join in!

• Make use of Instagram's direct messaging feature to have more personal conversations with people.

If you're looking for ways to keep the conversation going on Instagram, these tips should help. Remember that engagement is key, so don't be afraid to reach out and start a dialogue with someone. Also, try to post interesting and engaging content that will encourage people to comment and start a conversation with you. With a little effort, you should be able to keep the conversation going and build up a strong following on Instagram.

Bottom Line

Effective captions increase your sales on Instagram because they boost user engagement and create opportunities for vibrant conversations between your followers and your brand. To write compelling Instagram captions, try to rely on emotions such as fear, belonging, and trust. Add relevant hashtags and emojis to make your content more engaging. And always be consistent with your voice.