80% of Instagram users follow business accounts on the platform. If you haven't been using Instagram to promote your personal training services, then you're severely missing out.
Instagram heavily relies on images, which is perfect if you're trying to show what amazing results you can get for your personal training clients. So even though it's yet another social media account to take care of, it can pay off in the long run.
If you're in the process of starting an Instagram account, or want to improve your current one, read on. We'll give you 4 tips for a well-performing personal trainer Instagram page.
1. Have a Content Plan
Instagram may seem like a casual platform where you just post pictures whenever you feel like it, add random hashtags, and hope for the best. But while major brands' Instagram posts seem spontaneous, they're actually meticulously planned out.
My PT Website Instagram Schedule
Think about your purpose of posting: is it just to be heard (brand awareness), to show you know your stuff (thought leadership), or to directly rope in customers? What and how you post will depend on your answers to these questions.
Once you know what you want to convey, move onto a content plan. It should flow logically, with everything you share creating an overall story.
Do some research into when people are most active on Instagram and schedule your posts ahead of time so you don't have to do it manually. Through some trial and error, you can figure out when your audience best responds to your posts.
Having a content schedule will take away the pressure of having to be creative every day but feel free to deviate from your original plan when an opportunity comes up to post something spontaneously and fits in with the ultimate goal of your Instagram strategy.
2. Make Your Photos Pop
You might've just got done with a gruelling workout with a client and want to show off both of your hard work. You snap a photo, and because you have to rush to meet with another client, you instantly share the image on Instagram, without any editing.
While you may have had good composition and lighting for the photo, often, it's not enough. So don't be in a hurry to post images immediately. It's fine to take some time to edit them and post later.
While your phone has decent editing tools already installed (as does Instagram with their many filters), consider downloading other apps to take editing a step further. For instance, there's Vsco, Snapseed, Lightroom, and Canva.
Not only can you experiment with the different tools to take your photos from average to exceptional, but you can also take advantage of some graphic design features and add your branding.
Once you're ready to post these photos onto your personal trainer Instagram account, make sure you post carousel photos too. These let you embed several pictures into one post, ideal for showcasing transformations and exercise demonstrations.
While you may have had good composition and lighting for the photo, often, it's not enough. So don't be in a hurry to post images immediately. It's fine to take some time to edit them and post later.
While your phone has decent editing tools already installed (as does Instagram with their many filters), consider downloading other apps to take editing a step further. For instance, there's Vsco, Snapseed, Lightroom, and Canva.
Not only can you experiment with the different tools to take your photos from average to exceptional, but you can also take advantage of some graphic design features and add your branding.
Once you're ready to post these photos onto your personal trainer Instagram account, make sure you post carousel photos too. These let you embed several pictures into one post, ideal for showcasing transformations and exercise demonstrations.
3. Don't Overuse Hashtags
Hashtags are a feature where you type in a hash sign and follow up with a key phrase (without spaces). For example, you can insert a hashtag of "#fitnessgoals" for a picture featuring someone with six-pack abs or an athlete achieving a PR.
The idea behind this is when people search that specific keyword on Instagram, your post will pop up in their feed. Logically, most people use as many creative hashtags as possible on their posts for maximum exposure.
However, as with most things in life, moderation is key. Think about it from the client's perspective: if you see a post with an excessive amount of hashtags, doesn't it look spammy and a bit untrustworthy?
The idea behind this is when people search that specific keyword on Instagram, your post will pop up in their feed. Logically, most people use as many creative hashtags as possible on their posts for maximum exposure.
However, as with most things in life, moderation is key. Think about it from the client's perspective: if you see a post with an excessive amount of hashtags, doesn't it look spammy and a bit untrustworthy?
Instead of attracting clients, you'll alienate them. Plus, you might attract the wrong audience. Usually, people who follow accounts with a myriad of hashtags are only interested in getting likes back.
And the worst thing is Instagram will actually punish you for overusing hashtags and limit your exposure.
So take a step back and give your hashtags some thought. Be a bit pickier about which ones you use. You can even pick a specific one with every post that identifies your brand so you get better exposure.
4. Make Use of Your Instagram Stories
You can already post pictures and videos on your account that followers can view whenever they want. You can also make great us of Instagram stories for real instant messages you can broadcast for a limited time.
This works similar to Snapchat; you can post photos, videos, polls, and other things that are only available for 24 hours. You can reach both existing followers and potential leads, which means you'll get maximum exposure.
Instagram stories are a great way to drive engagement since you can ask questions and poll your followers. When others see you interacting through your stories, they'll be curious about who you are and what you do. Plus, they'll see that you care about your followers and make a genuine attempt to interact with them.
Also, use your Instagram stories to drive interest for your personal trainer website. They have this neat feature where you can add URLs, so pop your website on there. You can also partner with other companies and link them in your stories; both of you can benefit from overlapping audiences.
This works similar to Snapchat; you can post photos, videos, polls, and other things that are only available for 24 hours. You can reach both existing followers and potential leads, which means you'll get maximum exposure.
Instagram stories are a great way to drive engagement since you can ask questions and poll your followers. When others see you interacting through your stories, they'll be curious about who you are and what you do. Plus, they'll see that you care about your followers and make a genuine attempt to interact with them.
Also, use your Instagram stories to drive interest for your personal trainer website. They have this neat feature where you can add URLs, so pop your website on there. You can also partner with other companies and link them in your stories; both of you can benefit from overlapping audiences.
Make Your Personal Trainer Instagram Page Stand Out
Follow some or all these tips and you'll soon be on your way to making your personal trainer Instagram page stand out from the rest. A successful online media marketing strategy includes multiple platforms where your ideal clients hang out, Instagram can be just one of the channels you use besides Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter or even a well-designed fitness website.
