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How to do collabs on instagram


How to Use Instagram Collab Post to Increase Reach

With an Instagram collab post, two users can share the same post in their own Feed or Reels.

This feature was launched as a test feature in select markets in June 2021. It was then released to the general public in October 2021.

You 🤝 Me

We’re launching Collabs, a new way to co-author Feed posts and Reels.
Invite an account to be a collaborator:

✅Both names will appear on header
✅Share to both sets of followers
✅Live on both profile grids
✅Share views, likes and comments pic.twitter.com/0pBYtb9aCK

— Instagram (@instagram) October 19, 2021

Collab posts are a powerful tool that everyone in social marketing should know about. They’re designed to reflect the ways creators and users actually interact with content.

This article will walk you through the what, why, and how of Collab posts. We’ll also provide you with examples of how to use Instagram Collabs in your social media strategy.

What is an Instagram Collab post?

Why use an Instagram Collab post?

How to create an Instagram Collab post

Tips for making Instagram Collab posts

Bonus: Download a free checklist that reveals the exact steps a fitness influencer used to grow from 0 to 600,000+ followers on Instagram with no budget and no expensive gear.

What is an Instagram Collab post?

Simply put, an Instagram Collab post is a single post that appears in two different users’ Feed or Reels. Collab posts appear in two places at once. They also share comments, likes, and number of shares.

One user creates the post and then invites the other to be listed as a collaborator. Once the collaborator accepts, the post appears under both users’ accounts.

Source: @allbirds and @jamesro__

For now, Collab posts are only available in the Feed and Reels sections. That means that you can’t tag a collaborator in an Instagram Story or Live stream.

You’re also limited to one collaborator per post. However, Collabs is still described as a test, so these features could change in the future.

Why use an Instagram Collab post?

Instagram already gives users the ability to tag other accounts in their posts. What makes Collabs different?

The main reasons are discoverability and engagement. When you create a Collabs post, you’re making it easier for users to find and interact with your content.

Collabs makes it easier for users to get from your collaborator’s post to your Instagram profile. When you tag someone in a Feed post, the user has to tap the photo once to see the tags. Then they have to tap again to get to the tagged user’s profile. With Collabs, the user only has to tap once on the profile name shown in the header.

Instagram is making changes to the way it organizes users’ feeds. Having your content appear under two profiles can help your brand stay relevant. One new feature allows users to create custom lists of posts from accounts they choose. With two accounts collaborating on a post, it’s more likely to end up in users’ custom feeds.

Instagram Collab posts reduce the amount of duplicate content promoting your brand. If your collaborators are reposting the same content as your account, you’re competing with yourself for views and likes. With a Collabs post, a view from one account benefits everyone.

How to create an Instagram Collab post

Making a Collabs post is easy to do. But the menu isn’t the easiest to find.

Here’s how to do a Collab post on Instagram:

  1. Create a Feed post or Reel as normal.
  2. Go to the Tag people menu.
  3. Invite a collaborator. Only one collaborator per post for now.

Once you post your content, your collaborator will get an invitation in their DMs. Until they accept, your post will be hidden. Then, once they do, it goes live.

Tips for making Instagram Collab posts

This section provides you with concrete examples of how to do Collab posts on Instagram. We’ll help you get the most out of Collabs for your brand.

Collaborate with influencers and content creators

Collabs posts are a great way to coordinate your brand’s Instagram presence with the influencers promoting you.

The share of social media marketers using influencer marketing has been rising steadily since 2019. Instagram Collab posts help highlight this important part of your marketing activities.

Source: eMarketer

Just remember that Instagram Collabs doesn’t take the place of a branded content label. If you have a creator account that uses the branded partners feature, you still need to label your spon-con to stay compliant with advertising regulations.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JENN LUEKE | REAL FOOD FOODIE (@jenneatsgoood)

The Collabs post between @jenneatsgooodand and @drinkculturepop uses the Collab tag to share the post. It also uses a paid partnership notice to disclose that it’s an ad.

Create Instagram Collab posts with other brands

Collaborations between brands are a natural fit for Instagram Collab posts.

Group promotions let two brands pool their resources. This way they have a greater reach than any individual marketing push.

Brand-on-brand collaborations can also make your prizes and giveaways more attractive. Combine your product with a complementary brand and watch your engagement take off.

Use Instagram Collabs to make sure you and your partner are maximally discoverable.

Bonus: Download a free checklist that reveals the exact steps a fitness influencer used to grow from 0 to 600,000+ followers on Instagram with no budget and no expensive gear.

Get the free guide right now!

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A post shared by adidas (@adidas)

You can also collaborate between different parts of your brand’s online presence. Adidas uses a Collab tag to coordinate posts between their main account and their basketball line.

Send shouts-out for user-created content

User-generated content is already an important part of social marketing. Collabs takes the advantages it brings to another level.

Earning your audience’s trust is critical for successful social marketing. And the appearance of authenticity that posting user-created content creates is an effective way of getting that trust.

Crediting your audience when they create content for you highlights its authenticity for other users. It also drives engagement. After all, who doesn’t want a shout-out from their favorite brand?

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A post shared by Bodega Cats (@bodegacatsofinstagram)

The @bodegacatsofinstagram account wouldn’t have content without user submissions. Collab tags would be a great fit to represent this relationship.

Tag contest winners with Collabs posts

Turn user engagement into content by highlighting Instagram contest winners in your Feed.

Show that real people are winning your contests and encourage engagement. Tag contest winners in a Collabs post to connect with the people who want your product.

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A post shared by Dick's Drive-In Restaurants (@dicksdrivein)

Dick’s Drive-In could use Collabs to show off participants in their Blank Bag Art Contest.

Keep Collabs targeted

Each Collab post can only have one other collaborator. They also have to be manually approved by the other party. This makes the feature best for close, intimate collaborations.

If you’re looking to get large numbers of people involved in a single post, it’s best to use a feature like user tags or hashtags.

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How to Use Instagram Collabs

Instagram Tips & Resources

By Alyssa Gagliardi

•

Updated on September 14, 2022

•

7 minute read

When two become one: spice up your social strategy with Instagram Collabs 🤝

Published October 20, 2021

Have you tried Instagram Collabs yet? 

The feature lets users co-author Instagram feed posts and Reels — opening up another way for creators and brands to reach new audiences.  

We’re breaking down how to use Instagram Collabs, their benefits, plus some inspo to get you started.

What Are Instagram Collabs?

With Instagram Collabs, you can invite someone to collaborate on a feed post or Reel.

Essentially, you can co-author content with a fellow Instagram user, and the post will show up on both of your profiles.

You’ll share views, likes, and comments — allowing you to leverage and engage with each other’s communities. 

FYI: You can plan, preview, and publish your Instagram posts with Later’s free Instagram Scheduler. Create an account today!

How to Make a Collabs Post on Instagram

Now that you know what Instagram Collabs are, it's time to create your own. Here's how:

  1. Send a Collabs Request

  2. Accept a Collabs Request

  3. Add a Collaborator After Posting on Instagram

How to Send a Collabs Request

After uploading your Reel or feed post, go to the share screen, and tap “Tag People. ” 

In the bottom right corner, you’ll see an option to “Invite Collaborator.” After tapping, search and choose the user you’d like to collaborate with.

After you’ve chosen your collaborator, share the post as usual, and the creator will receive a request in their DMs. The post will not appear until they’ve accepted your request.

NOTE: You can only collaborate with one person on a post.

How to Accept a Collabs Request

If someone has requested to collaborate on a feed post or Reel with you, you’ll receive their request in your DMs. 

Hit “Accept” for the content to be shared with both of your audiences — it’s that simple!

How to Add a Collaborator After Posting on Instagram

Unlike tagging, you can only add collaborators to your post before publishing. 

If you forget, you’ll have to delete the post, and re-publish it — this time with your collaborator added.

So, make sure to double-check before you hit publish!

For a full tutorial on how to send and accept Instagram Collabs, watch this 3-minute YouTube video:

3 Benefits of Using Instagram Collabs for Brands and Creators

There are many reasons why you should create an Instagram Collabs post, but here are the top three benefits:

  1. Expands Your Reach

  2. Increases Engagement

  3. Makes Collaborating Simpler 

Benefit #1: Expands Your Reach

Discoverability is a massive perk of the Instagram Collabs feature. With just one post, you can tap into an engaged audience and reach more eyes.

For brands, collaborating with a creator introduces your product to new potential customers — like Mac Cosmetics Canada partnering with Ella Mayo: 

For creators, collaborating with another creator in your niche allows you to engage with prospective followers. Check out this one between Jera Bean and Lissette Calveiro:

Plus, you'll get an engagement boost too (see benefit #2). It's a win-win.

Benefit #2: Increases Engagement

Sharing a post between two audiences increases your chances of getting more likes, comments, saves, and shares. 

Aka — all the good stuff that boosts your Instagram engagement rate. 

While gaining new followers is exciting, what’s most important is how engaged they are. 

A high engagement rate means you know your followers are enjoying your content. And when Instagram senses high engagement on your profile, the algorithm is more likely to reward you.  

Engagement is currency, and when they’re shared, all collaborators cash in. 

Benefit #3: Makes Collaborating Simpler

Shared engagement is a game-changer on Instagram. It’s also a passionate wave goodbye to duplicate content. 

Rather than sharing the same post across both profiles, you can streamline the process and post once — saving tons of time. 

The ability to track metrics from both ends also lets you know how your post is doing without requesting analytics from your collaborator. 

Plus, if any FAQs come in, they can be monitored all in one place.

Mutual control = simplicity. Simple as that.

TIP: Keep track of your Instagram post performance and monitor your weekly growth with Later’s Instagram Analytics features!

5 Ways to Use Instagram Collabs

Need some ideas to inspire your first Instagram Collabs post? Here are five to get you started:

  1. Promote Your Business

  2. Host a Giveaway

  3. Launch a Product

  4. Support a Cause

  5. Start a Challenge or Trend 

Idea #1: Promote Your Business

For brands, influencer marketing is key for racking up social proof — especially when 49% of consumers depend on influencer recommendations.   

To drive traffic to your site, try teaming up with a creator who fits your target demographic. 

For example, Ben and Jerry’s Canada collaborated with foodie creator Howard on National Ice Cream Day: 

If you’re a creator, you can promote your own business too! Take Vivian of @coffeebae97 who used an Instagram Collabs post to promote her coffee products: 

It’s the perfect subtle plug.

ICYMI: You can plan, schedule, and publish your Instagram posts in advance with Later. Create an account today:

Idea #2: Host a Giveaway

Giveaways are a great opportunity to collaborate with other brands or creators. 

They're fun, easy to participate in, and give you an engagement boost.

And if you’re looking to showcase the legitimacy of your product or service, partnering with an expert is the way to go.

Take this collaboration with neurologist Meredith Broderick and Helix Sleep as an example:

Simply put, double the audience = double the fun (and double the hype if there’s free stuff on the table!).

Idea #3: Launch a Product

If you're launching a product or even promoting an event, an Instagram Collabs post can help you spread the word.

You can collaborate with another creator, brand, or even cross-promote on a secondary Instagram profile. 

Creator Sean Brown created a Collabs post with his Curves by Sean Brown profile to share a new fall catalog: 

The result? Tons of engagement and excitement for the launch.

TIP: Pop the link to your launch or event website in your Instagram bio using Later’s Linkin.bio tool — an easier way to track and share your links. 

Idea #4: Support a Cause 

Supporting a cause on Instagram is a meaningful way to humanize your brand, communicate your values, and raise awareness.

And if it's an issue your audience cares about too — even better!

Use the Instagram Collabs feature to work with an expert, creator, or organization to bring more attention to the cause or topic you’re supporting.  

For example, creator and author Blair Imani teamed up with Tobi Green-Adenowo to talk about Disability Pride Month as part of her #SmarterInSeconds series:

Educational post? Check. Engaging two audiences? Check. Supporting a topic you care about? Checks across the board.

Idea #5: Start a Challenge or Trend

Starting a challenge or trend is a fun way to create buzz.

And with an Instagram Collabs post, you’ll reach even more people who can participate in the challenge and share with their friends. 

Fitness apparel brand Gymshark recently opened a barbershop to encourage men to open up with each other.  

In a collaboration Reel with creators Dose of Society, they challenged men to connect with their friends and show their appreciation: 

The feel-good collab brought in thousands of likes. Plus, there were several comments from viewers tagging their friends to tell them they love them.

And that’s that! 

Whether you co-host a giveaway or promote a new product, an Instagram Collabs post is bound to bring in double the engagement, enjoyment, and eyeballs.

So, wave hello to all the new faces. It’s your time to shine. 

FYI: Later's scheduling tools are trusted by 4M+ small businesses, marketers, and creators. Create an account (for free)!

About the Author

Alyssa Gagliardi

Alyssa is a Toronto-based creative writer and Content Marketer at Later. If you can’t reach her, she’s probably glueing gems to her face or thrifting. Keep up with her nonsense on Instagram – @alygeethnx.

Plan, schedule, and automatically publish your social media posts with Later.

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How to use the collaboration feature on Instagram

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  • Instagram is testing the collaboration feature: what it is for
  • How to publish collaborative posts 90 questions?
  • Hurry up to try collaborative posts on Instagram!

Instagram users recently got a reason to be happy! The new Collab feature (“collaboration”) allows you to publish joint posts even faster and without unnecessary troubles. The function is available to both regular bloggers and business account holders.

Posting a collaborative post to your feed or Reels is now just a few clicks away. This will add the names of both authors of the publication in the title, which will provide content creators and business owners with even more attention from Instagram visitors.

So, read how to start a collaboration on Instagram!

Instagram is testing the collaboration feature: what it is for

Collab, a new feature from Instagram, will soon change the way we approach collaborative posts. Previously, Reels posts, stories, texts, and videos mentioning your nickname could easily escape the attention of subscribers. How so? The thing is that users scroll through the feed and stories at the speed of a tsunami. On the other hand, these meek Instagram runs add up to more than 32 minutes a day. This is the average amount of time spent on the platform by people over the age of 25.

The introduction of collaboration will allow authors to be in the field of view of users more often and more effectively than traditional publications and stories.

The co-author's nickname will go right into the title, so you don't have to worry that someone forgot to tag someone in the text under the publication. The post itself or the Reels video will appear in the feeds of both authors and will be accompanied by general comments and a single counter of views and likes.

How to post collaborative posts on Instagram

If you already have access to the Collab feature, this guide will help you create a collaborative post on Instagram.

Step 1. Open Instagram and click on the icon +

First, launch the Instagram app. Click on the + icon in the upper right corner of the screen.

Step 2. Select an image or video

Click on one of the options - publication, story, Reel or broadcast . Select the image or video you want to post to Instagram and press "Next" . The editing options will appear on the screen. Correct the material before publication or, if you do not want to change anything, click "Next" .

Step 3. Tag other users

Click "Tag people" and select the option "Invite collaborator" .

Step 4. Invite a collaborator

Find the person you want on the tag screen. By accepting your co-post invitation, the collaborator will be able to post to their own Instagram followers. After that, he will be marked as one of the authors of the publication.

The list of collaborators is displayed under the tabs Add Label and Edit Collaborators . The co-author tag will automatically appear in the publishing center. To save your changes, press Done .

After the publication of the post, all users marked in it will receive an invitation to become its co-authors. The invitation can be accepted or declined.

Have questions?

Question 1. Does the collaboration give a summary counter of likes and comments?

Yes. The collaborator can post your video or image on their Instagram for their own followers. Both authors will receive the same comments, and the summary of the number of likes and submissions will also be the same.

Q2: Why doesn't the collaboration feature work?

The first step is to check if Collab is running in your country. If so, try updating the Instagram app from the App Store or Google Play. The collaboration is only available to those who have the latest version of Instagram installed.

Question 3. Am I correct in understanding that the collaboration feature covers both photo and video publications?

Yes. The new feature works with both images and videos. By the way, you can create a spectacular video for Instagram in just a few clicks in Clipchamp's free online video editor, and then publish it directly on your Instagram.

Hurry up to try collaborative posts on Instagram!

The Collab feature is a very handy gadget that will save you time in various situations, for example, if you want to promote a fashion tandem or a collab video on YouTube, or just confess your feelings to your favorite brand. If collaborating with brands isn't for you yet, try mixing Instagram Reels videos.

And don't forget: great videos for any Instagram projects can always be created with Clipchamp's free editor!

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Collaboration on Instagram - what it means and how it works

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Combining popularity can bring commercial success to famous people and big brands. Collaborations are often used among manufacturers and bloggers, artists, artists, scientists. On Instagram and other social networks, collaborations have become one of the successful marketing techniques that make it possible to increase the reach of the target audience and increase the company's profits.

What does collaboration mean?

Collaboration is a collaboration that allows you to increase the efficiency of doing business. Used to refer to the process of bringing people or companies together to achieve a common or similar goal.

Such cooperation has a number of benefits, and each party benefits. By combining information, personnel, financial resources, success can be achieved much faster and more economically.

Collaboration is used in many areas. In commercial activities, in science, art, music. For science, the association provides an opportunity to expand the scope of study and exchange discoveries, for musicians - to attract a new audience, to record new tracks. For brands and companies, collaboration provides an opportunity to increase brand and company loyalty, increase the number of new customers, and enter new markets.

Collaboration on Instagram

In the social network Instagram, you can see collaborations between famous bloggers and influencers, popular brands. This trend has become a new type of promotion in social networks for individuals, companies, groups and associations.

For example, a clothing or footwear company contracts with a well-known model or actress who has a large following on a social network. After that, the influencer posts photos of himself wearing clothes or shoes of this brand in his account, and all subscribers see this advertisement. In an effort to be like their idol, they begin to buy the advertised brand and sales of the brand grow.

The popularity of such alliances is due to the fact that loyalty to a popular person is transferred to the goods that she advertises. And at the same time, the brand of the promoted product is not always named, subscribers follow what their idol wears and consumes. The phenomenon of social proof works - when people see that someone uses the product and speaks well of it, their loyalty subconsciously increases. The same mechanism works with negative reactions.

Important!

To get a high effect from the association, the advertiser needs to choose a person whose audience will perceive their product. That is, it is better to entrust the promotion of natural juices or sportswear on Instagram to a fitness blogger, and jewelry to a well-known model.

A good example is the collaboration between the Adidas brand and rapper Kanye West. Kanye is at the height of his popularity and his casual style matches perfectly with the company's product.

Excellent results can be achieved through non-standard, seemingly incompatible alliances. For example, Lucasfilm's CoverGirl and Star Wars cosmetics are a good opportunity to reach a large audience and set themselves apart from their main competitor, Maybelline. Another interesting collaboration is the union of designer Virgil Abloh (streetwear brand Off White) and Markus Engman from IKEA. They created a series of original carpets. Both brands received an influx of new audiences.

What is the principle of uniting for commercial success

The main motive for collaboration is to expand the scope and market for goods or services. Therefore, when choosing a partner for association, you need to understand what benefits can be obtained from this. That is, whether the subscribers of this blogger or another influencer can become your target audience (whether they are suitable in terms of age, income level, interests and other factors for segmenting the target audience). In addition, you need to estimate the approximate number of subscribers who can become customers. You can study the parameters of the target audience selectively by their accounts.

For association, you can choose your own topic or related industries. For example, a building materials company may collaborate with a furniture factory or design studio. The target audience of a beauty studio may have something in common with the target audience of fitness centers, etc.

Types of collaboration on Instagram

The Instagram social network offers different types of advertising tools that are selected taking into account the strategic goals and budget of the advertiser company.

What forms of cooperation can be used to promote on Instagram?

  • Mutual PR of people who work in the same area or related activities. This option is often used by musicians or artists. They can do a joint project or promote each other's non-competitive projects. This is effective because the interests of their target audiences coincide.
  • Trademark connection. For example, an illustrator creates paintings that depict a popular brand. This is often done so that representatives of this brand contact them and offer cooperation. Some of them get famous this way. For example, Yigit Özçakmak drew celebrity sketches, tagging their profiles. In response, many of the popular personalities reposted to their multi-million audience.
  • Promotion through a blogger with a large number of followers. The company negotiates with the blogger for a certain amount, and can also offer big discounts on goods, mutual advertising, certificates for various services, and much more. As part of such a promotional campaign, a blogger can also give gift coupons, discounts and other preferences to his subscribers for the active dissemination of advertising information.
  • Auxiliary tools to improve the effectiveness of advertising. On Instagram, be sure to use hashtags, photo tags, mentions in Stories, free mailings.

Collaboration as a mutual PR

Combining to increase popularity and attract a new target audience is also called cross-promotion.

What tools can be used to do this on Instagram?

SFS

Sharing posts in stories or SFS (shoutout for shoutout - mention for mention). Using the story feature is very effective. These are short stories lasting 10 seconds, in the form of a small video or photo with a caption. Such a post is deleted after 24 hours and does not clog the feed. You can use it this way: by agreement with a blogger or media personality, publish a screenshot of his account or some post in your story. Add a caption like: “Great content from (nickname of who you are collaborating with)! Subscribe! Your partner will do the same in return.

To find partners for collaboration, you need to select a person or company whose account has approximately the same number of subscribers, similar topics of activity, the presence of real (not cheated) subscribers and likes. It is also necessary to speak in more detail with what inscriptions the posts will be published - so that later there will be no conflict situations and misunderstandings. When a link to a profile is placed, it must be in the clickable zone, otherwise the effectiveness of such an exchange will be very low.

Shared creativity

Another example of successful collaboration is the creation of shared creative products. For example, two artists or illustrators team up and draw one picture, which they then publish on their own account. The audience of each of them sees mutual creativity and, with a high probability, also begins to be interested in the work of a co-author. Musicians use the same techniques when recording joint tracks and posting them on their social media accounts. Commercial companies for association are looking for popular partners whose target audience may be interested in their product, and join forces to create a joint product.

Attracting big brands

Most often, collaboration occurs between people or companies that are different in terms of popularity and audience of subscribers. And how to attract a multi-million audience of a popular blogger, artist or brand, while not having the same fame?

Many people are starting to use references to big brands in their creative work or other promotional activities. For example, artists or designers draw portraits, sketches of famous actors, posting them in their account with a mention of the page. If the work is done successfully and has a response from the audience, famous people can publish it in their stories or in the feed. For commercial companies that do not work in the field of creativity, another option can be offered. For example, choose a large company, a leader in its industry, and publish useful interesting articles and news that casually mention a well-known brand as a positive example, etc. There is a difference with the previous tool, because not in every case it is possible to agree on mutual reference to each other. You have to act blindly and this does not always give a positive result. But it can help aspiring entrepreneurs and bloggers.

Creative content

Start-up entrepreneurs, companies or individuals need to constantly work on creating original useful content in order to attract attention. It can be interesting news from your field, useful articles, instructions, photos, videos, life hacks and much more. Most importantly, it should not be boring, useful and presented without complicated terminology. Bright non-standard solutions and "chips" become viral, subscribers begin to repost them on their pages, thus expanding the reach of the target audience.

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