Want to collab?
Instagram collab posts are a handy feature that lets you co-author your posts with other Instagram users.
Let’s dive into what they are, how to create one, and the benefits of using Instagram collab posts.
TLDR; everything to know now
What are Instagram collab posts?
Instagram collab posts are co-authored and shared on two or more users’ Instagram feeds and grids.
An Instagram user must first invite another user to collaborate, and if they accept, both account handles will be shown on the post.
Each user’s followers can like and comment on this post despite them possibly not following every account in the collab.
Below’s an example of a collab between food influencer Perth Munchkin and the West Australian food labelling program Buy West Eat Best.
What kind of posts can be turned into collaborations?
Reels, carousels, and feed posts can all be turned into Instagram collab posts. Currently, three collaborators can be invited per post.
What if my Instagram account is private?
Private accounts can still participate in collaborative posts. Just keep in mind that once you accept the collaboration request, the post will appear in all feeds, not just your private feed.
If you are a private account wanting to initiate Instagram collab posts, ensure all the other users follow you first. Otherwise, they won’t be able to see or accept the request.
How do I create a collab post?
The process of creating an Instagram collab post is easy!
Once you’ve uploaded your post, written your caption, and the post is ready to share, click the “tag people” button.
Click “invite collaborators” and type in the username(s).
Once you’ve shared the post, the users will receive a notification in their direct messages that you’ve invited them. They can accept or ignore the request; if they accept, the post will show up in their feeds immediately.
How do you accept collab requests?
The Instagram collab post will appear in your DMs with a “view request” button. Click here to accept or decline the invitation.
I forgot to add a collaborator to my post. Can I add them after it’s published?
Currently, you can’t add collaborators after you’ve published your post. If you forget to invite another user, you have to delete and reupload the post with the collab request. Annoying, we know!
Hopefully, Meta updates this soon so we can add collaborators after posting, just like tagging.
I’ve changed my mind and no longer want to be a collaborator. Can I remove myself from the post?
Yes, removing yourself from the post is easy. Just click on the three dots on the top right-hand corner of the post to see more settings options. Here, click on “stop sharing”.
It’s important to note that while you can remove yourself, you can’t delete the post unless you were the original creator.
Can I remove others from my post?
Yes, you can remove collaborators from posts you’ve created. Click on the three dots on the top right-hand corner of the post, then click “edit” and “tag people”. Tap the X button next to the user’s name to remove them.
What are the benefits of Instagram collab posts?
You reach more audiences.
As we’ve covered, collab posts reach all users’ feeds.
This reaches a much wider audience and means new people are discovering your brand or offering for the first time.
It drives up engagement.
These new people finding your content can like, comment, share, and save the collab post, boosting your engagement rate.
The more feeds the collab post appears, the more people will engage with your content.
It can boost your brand’s credibility.
If you collaborate with a respected brand, this can boost your own brand’s credibility.
If people love a brand and see it collaborating with a new brand, they may automatically consider this new brand worthy and credible by association.
Fun ways to utilise collab posts
There are lots of fun and creative ways to use collab posts. Here are a few ideas.
Work with influencers
Brands and influencers working together can collaborate on content, reaching wider audiences. This also makes it clear that the post is a paid partnership, which is essential.
Below is an example of a fashion rental company, Pickle, who collaborated with an NYC-based fashion and lifestyle influencer. While Pickle only has 12K followers, the collaboration post means the post is going into the feeds of influencer Danielle’s 268K followers, too.
Host a giveaway
If you host a giveaway or competition with another brand, collaborate on the post to reach both audiences. Hosting a giveaway with a well-known or respected brand is also an excellent way to give credibility to your brand.
Below is an example from an art supplies store running a giveaway with an artist hub and resource called Dark Yellow Dot.
Highlight local events
If you are a tourism or hospitality brand, you could support local events or lesser-known businesses with a collab post. This would foster a sense of community and provide value to your customers.
If you are a cafe, restaurant or accommodation provider, you could highlight events happening in the local area that would draw people to your business.
In the below example, Tourism Western Australia collaborated with the annual Sculptures by the Sea event in Perth.
This post would also work for cafes set up right by the Sculptures by the Sea event.
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