Imagine you're hosting a dinner party.
You spend hours planning the perfect menu, setting a beautiful table, arranging flowers, lighting candles - the whole works. Your guests arrive, you serve this incredible meal you've been preparing all day, everyone's having a wonderful time...
Then you immediately disappear into the kitchen, lock the door, and leave your guests sitting there wondering if you're coming back.
No checking if they enjoyed the food.
No asking if they'd like more wine.
No engaging in the conversations you were hoping to have. Just... gone.
Your guests would think you'd either had some kind of emergency or were just really, really weird.
This is the same as posting content on Instagram and then immediately disappearing.
You spend time crafting the perfect post, choosing the right photo, writing what you think is a valuable caption, hitting share... then immediately move on to check if those ever-so slow guests have checked-out yet.
Meanwhile, your "guests" (your followers) are sitting there wanting to connect, ask questions, share their thoughts - but you've essentially locked yourself in the kitchen.
The magic of a dinner party happens in the conversations AFTER you serve the food.
The same is true for Instagram - the real connection happens in the engagement AFTER you post the content.
I used to be that host who disappeared into the kitchen.
Post and vanish faster than a guest who's just discovered your 'rustic charm' doesn't include reliable WiFi.
Here's what most people forget: Instagram isn't a social media platform. It's an advertising agency… pure and simple.
They make money by selling ads, so they need people glued to the platform like guests glued to your WiFi password instructions.
The more engaging you and your content is, the longer people stay scrolling, the more ads they can show, the more money they make.
That's why engagement isn't nice to have. It's literally what the platform rewards. Like tipping a bell-boy - not mandatory, but you'll get better service each and every time you see them.
Instagram's algorithms look for connections between accounts. These connections are created through genuine engagement.
When you engage meaningfully, you're telling Instagram "these accounts are connected" which increases your reach to similar people.
Every meaningful interaction signals that your content matters to real people.
The algorithm then says "show this host's content to more people like them."
So what you do before and after you post determines whether your content reaches more of the the right people.
1. Create anticipation with Stories
30 minutes before your main post, share a Story teasing what's coming.
"About to share the guest question I get every week..."
Early engagement signals quality to the algorithms. Like arriving early to a restaurant - you get the best table.
2. Share to Stories (but make it worth the tap)
Don't repost naked.
Add commentary: "This happens more than you'd think - tap if you think that might be you."
3. Actually engage
Reply meaningfully and ask open-ended questions back.
Someone comments "Beautiful space!" Don't just say "Thanks!"
Try: "What draws you to this style? Planning something similar?"
Open the door for more conversation, more engagement, more reach.
It's like being a good host - you don't just say hello and walk away.
Ninja tip: When you reply to a comment, resist the natural urge to tap the heart button alongside…. wait.
Before your next post goes live, tap the heart on old comments. This sends a notification and often brings them back.
Like a gentle reminder that you still exist.
4. Be strategic with your engagement
15 minutes on your feed. But engage with accounts your Perfect Potential Guests might follow.
Business travellers? Engage with co-working spaces and local networking accounts.
Families? Engage with family travel and local attractions.
5. Welcome new followers
Thank them and invite conversation: "What brought you here? Planning a trip to [location]?"
Transform passive follows into active conversations. Like actually greeting guests at your door instead of leaving them to find their own way in.
Most hosts treat Instagram like a billboard. Your Perfect Potential Guests want to connect with a real person, not just view property photos.
You'll be amazed how surprised people are when you do engage (especially when you welcome new Followers). Why? Because too few people on Instagram do reach out to create a direct connection.
This starts to create an experience that makes guests think "This host actually cares."
Your competition is playing Instagram roulette.
You're building relationships that convert browsers into lookers and lookers into bookers.
Did you know I offer FREE 20 minute Instagram consultations for Hosts, Property Managers and Short Term Accommodation Businesses?
Drop me a line using the Contact Us Form - let’s talk