Adding collaborators to your Instagram posts can significantly boost your reach and engagement. While Instagram allows you to tag collaborators during the posting process, what happens if you've already published your content and realized you've missed someone crucial? Don't worry, there's a way to rectify this, although it's not a direct "add collaborator" function. This guide will walk you through a practical strategy for adding a collaborator to your Instagram post after it's live.
Understanding Instagram's Collaboration Features
Before diving into the workaround, let's clarify how Instagram's collaboration feature should work. Ideally, you would tag your collaborator during the creation and posting process. This allows for:
- Increased visibility: The post appears on both your and your collaborator's profiles.
- Streamlined engagement: Both accounts benefit from likes, comments, and shares.
- Simplified analytics: Tracking performance is easier when the collaboration is properly set up from the start.
However, if you missed this step, don't fret. Here’s how to deal with this situation.
The Workaround: Resharing and Tagging
Since you can't directly add a collaborator to an existing post, the most effective approach is to re-share the original post and tag the collaborator in the new post.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Take a Screenshot or Save the Original: This is crucial. You'll need a copy of your initial post.
- Create a New Post: Begin a new Instagram post.
- Upload Your Screenshot/Saved Image: Add the screenshot or saved image of your original post to this new Instagram post.
- Tag Your Collaborator: In the caption, clearly mention the collaboration and tag your collaborator's Instagram handle using the "@" symbol. Ensure their handle is correctly linked and not just mentioned in text.
- Write a Compelling Caption: Briefly mention that this is a reshare and highlight your collaboration. You might want to include relevant hashtags related to the post's content.
- Add Relevant Hashtags: Don't neglect hashtags! Research and use pertinent hashtags to increase discoverability.
- Post and Promote: Share your new post and encourage engagement from your followers and your collaborator's audience.
Optimizing Your Strategy
Here's how to maximize the effectiveness of this workaround:
Communicate with Your Collaborator: Let your collaborator know you're resharing the post to ensure they can also promote it on their account.
Consider the Content: If the original post is performing well, ensure your reshare doesn't cannibalize its original performance. Highlight what's different between the posts (e.g., new content, updated caption, etc.)
Regularly Review Your Processes: Establish a clear process for tagging collaborators before posting to avoid this situation in the future. Use a checklist or reminder system.
Leverage Instagram Stories: Consider creating an Instagram Story to announce the collaboration, driving traffic to both the original post (if it's still doing well) and the reshared post.
Conclusion: Proactive Collaboration is Key
While this workaround effectively addresses adding a collaborator after posting, the best approach is to always tag collaborators during the initial posting process. Remember, proactive collaboration planning is key to maximizing the benefits of your Instagram marketing efforts. By consistently following best practices and communicating clearly with your collaborators, you'll streamline your process and achieve greater success on Instagram.
