How to Invite Collaborators on Instagram After Publishing: A Comprehensive Guide

Instagram has become a powerful platform for creators, businesses, and individuals alike. One of the most effective ways to expand your reach and engage a wider audience is through collaborations. While the option to invite collaborators during the initial posting process is well-known, many users are unaware that you can also add collaborators to existing posts, even after they’ve been published. This feature is a game-changer, allowing you to retroactively tag partners and co-create content, maximizing visibility and engagement. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of inviting collaborators to your Instagram posts after publication, offering step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to ensure a smooth and successful collaboration.

Why Invite Collaborators Post-Publication?

Before we dive into the “how,” let’s explore the “why.” There are several compelling reasons to invite collaborators to your posts after they’ve been published:

• Missed Opportunity: Perhaps you initially forgot to tag a collaborator or didn’t realize someone else’s contribution was significant enough to warrant a collaboration. Adding them post-publication rectifies this oversight.
• Spontaneous Collaboration: Sometimes collaborations arise organically after a post is already live. If a comment thread leads to a partnership, you can easily formalize it through the collaborator feature.
• Increased Reach: When a post has been live for a while, it might experience a dip in visibility. Adding a collaborator can re-introduce it to a fresh audience from their network, boosting engagement and reach.
• Cross-Promotion: By adding a collaborator, your post appears on their profile as well, exposing your content to their followers and vice versa. This cross-promotion is crucial for growth.
• Professionalism: Properly tagging collaborators demonstrates professionalism and acknowledgment of shared work, especially in the context of sponsored or partnered content.
• Flexibility: Being able to add collaborators post-publication provides flexibility and allows you to adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities.

Step-by-Step Guide: Inviting Collaborators After Publication

Now that you understand the benefits, let’s get to the practical part. Here’s a detailed guide on how to invite collaborators to your Instagram posts after they have been published:

Step 1: Access the Post You Want to Edit

First, navigate to your Instagram profile. Find the specific post you want to add a collaborator to. This could be a photo, a video, or a carousel post. Remember, this process works for all these formats. Open the post so you see it in full screen.

Step 2: Tap the Three Dots (More Options)

Once you have the post displayed, locate the three vertical dots (the ellipsis icon) in the upper right corner of the post. Tap on these three dots. This will open a menu of options related to that specific post.

Step 3: Select “Edit”

From the options menu that appears after tapping the three dots, you’ll see several choices. Look for the “Edit” option and tap on it. This will allow you to make changes to your post, including adding collaborators.

Step 4: Tap “Tag People”

After tapping the “Edit” button, your post will enter editing mode. In this mode, you’ll see options to edit the caption, location, and other settings. Look for the option “Tag People.” This is typically located below the post itself or in the edit options. Tap “Tag People”.

Step 5: Select the Area in Your Post to Tag

After you’ve tapped “Tag People,” your post will appear with a crosshair icon. This is where you can choose where to place the tag. You don’t need to actually tap on a specific person’s face in the photo; simply tap anywhere on the post. This is because you are not just tagging a person for recognition in the image but inviting a collaborator to co-own the content.

Step 6: Search for Your Collaborator

After you select the area in the image you want to tag, a search bar will appear. Now, enter the username of the person you wish to invite as a collaborator. As you type, Instagram will suggest profiles that match your search. Scroll through the options until you find the correct username. Note: You must type the exact username of the person you want to collaborate with in order to invite them to be tagged as a collaborator. If you just tag them with the usual tagging method, they will not be a collaborator.

Step 7: Select “Invite as Collaborator”

Once you’ve found the correct profile, you will see the option to either tag the person as a normal tag or as a collaborator. Choose “Invite as Collaborator.” This is crucial. Simply tagging a user in a post will not grant them collaborator status, and you will not see the “Shared post” label on your collaborator’s profile.

Step 8: Tap the Checkmark (Done)

After you’ve selected the “Invite as Collaborator” option for each collaborator you want to add, tap the checkmark icon (usually in the top right corner) to confirm your changes and return to the edit screen.

Step 9: Tap the Checkmark Again (Done) to Save Your Changes

You will now see your invited collaborators displayed below the tagged people in the editing mode. Now, you will have to tap the checkmark icon again to save all your changes. This final checkmark will finalize the process, and your post will be updated with the new collaborators.

Step 10: Wait for Your Collaborator to Accept

The collaboration isn’t fully complete just yet. After you’ve saved your changes, your chosen collaborator will receive a notification stating that you have invited them to collaborate on your post. They will need to accept this invitation for the collaboration to go live. Once they accept, the post will appear on both of your profiles with the “Shared post” label.

Important Considerations and Tips

While the process is relatively straightforward, here are some important points to consider:

• Collaborator Limits: You can invite up to 20 collaborators on a single post. However, try to keep collaborations authentic and relevant.
• Notification Management: Encourage your collaborators to accept the invitation promptly, as an unaccepted invitation won’t lead to any increased visibility.
• Communicate with Your Collaborators: It’s always good practice to reach out to your collaborators before inviting them. This ensures they are happy with the idea and aware of the pending request. A quick message or DM can go a long way in building positive collaborations.
• Content Alignment: Make sure that your content aligns with the brand and message of the person you are inviting as a collaborator. Incompatible collaborations can dilute the impact of the post.
• Post Visibility: Once a collaborator accepts, their profile followers will see the post, which may impact the reach of your post. Keep this in mind when choosing collaborators.
• Editing After Collaboration Acceptance: Once a collaborator accepts the invitation, you can still edit the post further (add a location, edit the caption). However, it’s best practice to keep the initial post edits to a minimum once a collaboration has been accepted.
• Post Removal: If a collaborator removes themselves from a shared post, the post will disappear from their profile, but it will remain on the original poster’s profile.
• Public vs. Private Profiles: You can invite collaborators from both public and private profiles, but the post visibility is still determined by the settings of the original poster and collaborators. If a collaborator has a private profile and their followers do not follow the original poster, their followers will not see the post.
• Troubleshooting: If you are having problems adding a collaborator, make sure you have the most recent version of Instagram installed. Sometimes, outdated app versions may have bugs or not include the most recent features.
• Use the Feature Responsibly: Don’t overdo collaborations on all your posts. Use them strategically to maximize their impact and engagement. Authenticity is key to long-term success.
• Collaborations on Reels: The process described above also works for inviting collaborators on Instagram Reels, however, with slight differences in the interface. The essence of the process remains the same.
• Monitor Engagement: Pay attention to the engagement rates of your collaborated posts. This will help you understand what types of collaborations work best for your audience.
• Content Quality: Even with collaboration, prioritize posting high-quality content that is valuable and engaging for your audience. Collaborations work best when used in tandem with great content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some commonly asked questions related to inviting collaborators on Instagram after publishing:

Q: Can I invite collaborators to old posts?
A: Yes, you can invite collaborators to any post, regardless of when it was published, provided you follow the steps outlined above.

Q: Can I remove a collaborator after they’ve accepted?
A: Yes, you can remove a collaborator. This is done through the edit option. However, once removed, the shared post will no longer appear on their profile, but will remain on yours.

Q: What happens if my collaborator declines the invitation?
A: If a collaborator declines, the post will not be shown on their profile or shared with their followers as a collaborative post.

Q: Can I invite more than one collaborator at once?
A: Yes, you can invite multiple collaborators on the same post, up to a limit of 20.

Q: Will adding a collaborator change the post’s engagement?
A: Yes, adding a collaborator can increase the reach and engagement of your post, as it will be visible to the collaborator’s audience. However, the increase in visibility and engagement is not guaranteed and may depend on various factors, including the collaborator’s engagement level and how well the content resonates with their audience.

Q: Can I see who has accepted my collaboration invite?
A: Yes, after the invited person accepts, you will see their user name tagged in your post as a collaborator along with the ‘Shared post’ label.

Q: Is there a difference between tagging a person and inviting them as a collaborator?
A: Yes, there is a crucial difference. Tagging someone only labels them in the post; inviting them as a collaborator gives them ownership of the post, and it appears on both of your profiles. The “Shared Post” label also appears on your post to confirm it is a collaborative effort.

Conclusion

Inviting collaborators on Instagram after publication is a valuable feature that can significantly boost your reach and engagement. It offers flexibility and allows for organic partnerships to flourish. By following the step-by-step guide and keeping the important considerations in mind, you can effectively leverage this feature to grow your presence on Instagram. Remember to communicate openly with your collaborators, create high-quality content, and always prioritize authentic partnerships. Now that you’ve mastered inviting collaborators after publishing, it’s time to start building even stronger connections and expanding your reach on Instagram!