How often should you have CTA’s or Calls-To-Action in your posts? Some say that you should use CTA’s all of the time and others say that you shouldn’t put a CTA in every post. Who’s correct? Let’s find out-

CTA’s Matter

Your call-to-action matters. Without it, the thought often doesn’t even cross people’s minds.  You can ask people to respond to a question, to comment, to click on a link, or to tag their friends.  Even though CTA’s are extremely important, we need to learn how to use them wisely and avoid getting shadow-banned by Instagram and Facebook.

Algorithms Also Matter

The algorithm is what grants you that most valuable and sought-after resource: organic reach.  The algorithm has one main job: to keep people scrolling for hours so that they can profit and show them more ads. Anything that helps the algorithm do this will be rewarded with more organic reach, while content that works against the algorithm will be stunted and not even shown to 10 of your followers.  When you direct people to leave the platform or go do something else, you cause the algorithm great displeasure. That’s why it’s important to limit this type of CTA.

The Prime Combo for Algorithm Happiness and CTA’s

CTA’s and the algorithm can live in harmony. It is possible.  What you need to focus on is your placement of CTA’s and posting CTA’s that make the algorithm happy.

CTA’s You Should Place In Instagram Feed Posts:

• Tag someone who ____
• Have you ever ____? Comment below!
• Have you experienced something similar?
• If you found this helpful, save it to look back on later.
• If you found this helpful, share it with a friend.
• Share this with a friend who needs to hear it.
• Tag a friend who needs this today.
• Share this post if it inspired you. Maybe it will inspire someone else.
• Follow for more ____

CTA’s To Rarely/ Almost Never Place in Feed Posts:

• Check out the link in the bio.
• Click the link in the bio.
• Check out our website.
• Check the link in the story.
• Copy/paste this link

For CTA’s that involve taking someone off of Instagram, such as clicking a link, I like to put those CTA’s in the Story instead of in the post. No news yet on whether or not this affects your story reach, but it certainly helps the reach of your feed posts.

Example: You can share the feed post that you’ve just posted to your story and place your CTA above it in that story.

If you need help crafting CTA’s that will actually make your audience take action, contact me here with your questions.