It is clear that Instagram is no longer just for personal use. It has transformed into a global platform that allows brands to humanize their content, recruit new talent, showcase products and inspire their audiences. Instagram has become one of the most rapidly developing social media platforms to date, as it allows for users, including businesses, to promote what they’re all about via a visual story. In this way, it is no surprise that this has been a huge success with the visually orientated group of consumers we have become.
According to Hootsuite (2020), there are over an estimated 500 million active users on Instagram across the globe monthly, with 63% of those logging onto Instagram at least once daily. In this same way, approximately 200 million users visit at least one business account daily. These statistics are an indication that Instagram is not only an incredibly popular and versatile social media platform, but that it is imperative that your business utilizes the marketing power of this platform to your benefit. It is for this reason that we discuss several marketing tips to help you grow your business on Instagram.
Understanding Instagram
You have to learn to walk before you can run. Familiarise yourself with Instagram – its tools, features and settings. When setting up your business Instagram account, you want to ensure you have fully optimised your account by generating the right Instagram bio, profile pictures, keywords, hashtags and posts. After all, your Instagram profile is a first impression for many of your potential consumers. Familiarise yourself with the various types of posts as well as their marketing tools. This will allow you to generate a sound, seamless marketing strategy that you can integrate into all aspects of your digital marketing efforts.
Take advantage of free Instagram tools
Similar to Facebook, Instagram has recently implemented business profiles, allowing for a ‘contact’ call to action button, allowing users to call, e-mail or text your business. Alongside the contact option, business profiles also have access to business analytics. These insights give business owners access to the impressions, engagements and reactions they are receiving from consumers. Having insight into this data is incredibly advantageous, and the more you understand about how your users are interacting with your content and your brand, the better you can adjust and make improvements to your marketing efforts.
Cross promote your Instagram Posts
Having multiple social media platforms can only increase engagements, and promote conversions. Promoting your Instagram page on LinkedIn and Twitter (and visa versa) for example will expand your audience reach drastically. Users found on your other social media platforms are already following your business, and are obviously interested in what you have to offer. So give them another way to socially connect with your brand. It is important not to simply assume all your posts are reaching every user that is connected to your brand via social media. Some people are less active than others, while some only use specific networking platforms. Ensuring your followers are connected from every angle possible will help you grow your consumer interest and engagement.
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Interact with your followers
It is not sufficient to simply post business-related content. You need to examine what your consumers are most interested in. Explore fresh ideas and new approaches to generating content that your users want to see. Use creativity to appeal to your users wants, needs and desires, and you are more likely to receive meaningful engagements from your consumers, promoting brand trustworthiness and reliability. In this same way, if someone is taking the time to leave a comment on your post, put the effort into replying. That simple engagement can create a loyal customer as well as a raving promoter of your brand.
Use Hashtags to Boost Awareness
To generate regular new interest in your business, you need to use hashtags. After all, they are the way that users search for photos of a specific type of relating to concepts of interest. So, if one of your posts catches a user’s eye during their search, they are more than likely to take the time to explore your account further, and even follow you. Ensure that the majority of your hashtags are relevant to your industry, audience-specific and trending online!
As with any goal, it’s necessary to have a plan. Otherwise, you’ll struggle to reach your marketing goals. You have a valuable marketing tool at your fingertips – don’t let it go to waste.
