Instagram is a social presence platform that has a ton of options for connecting with your followers or target audience. There are many ways to get your information out there using this visual social media platform - and every type of post can be uniquely beneficial. So where do you start? Let's go over the basics of how Instagram can get your information out first.
Figuring out the type of content you post on Instagram will be a key part of your social media marketing plan. In recent times, Instagram Stories and Instagram Live have taken over as a social media strategy, and with good reason. The majority of Instagram users view stories on a regular basis, while the social media network boasts nearly 400 million users as a whole.
Instagram Stories
Instagram stories have become the most popular feature, giving your potential customers a 15-second 24-hour attention-grabbing video or picture. Not only is it helpful for short attention spans, but it also has a few interactive engaging features like questions, polls, or tap for more.
Instagram stories is a great place to run short-term promotions, give news updates, and give snapshots of your daily work life with your target audience. We definitely recommend implementing the use of Instagram stories into your social media marketing strategy so that you can plan content in advance.
Instagram Feed
Your Instagram feed is the same thing as your Facebook feed. It is the place where posted images and videos directly from your profile are placed for your follower to see, as well as highlights from your stories and Instagram Live sessions. Active users can see your posts if you use popular hashtags as part of your social strategy, and with a few high-quality photos and compelling captions, you'll build a community around quality content in no time.
So what do you want your followers to associate with your brand? How do you want them to feel about your business? This is the type of information you should consider when setting up social media posts for your social platforms and online business profiles.
Instagram Live
Now that you know the basics of interacting and engaging with your Instagram followers and audience, what is the next step in creating your Instagram social media marketing strategy? You need to determine what your audience and followers want to see when they visit your social media profiles.
You can review what posts have done well in the past; you can ask your audience what they want to know or check out what your competitors are doing. Any of these options are a great place to start, and then eventually, you want to be doing all three. The use of options like a branded hashtag or Instagram analytics tools can help you to narrow down what is working and what isn't.
Once you have determined what types of content your followers want to see, you need to ensure that you are consistent in your posts and information. Consistency is a crucial part of social media marketing, and with Instagram, it's even more important. You need to use the right relevant hashtags, product photos that are consistent with your branding and commit to other social media activities like community engagement in order to get the most out of your social media platform.
Getting The Most Out Of Instagram As A Social Platform
Take a look at Instagram to see when your followers are on the app and most active. You also want to work on expanding your reach into your social media marketing strategy for your business profiles. You want to make sure that you use hashtags, tags, and mentions to increase the number of “locations” your posts show up within the platform. Then it's simply a matter of using a similar approach across the rest of your social channels.
Now that you have an outline of what Instagram offers and how to use it, have some fun connecting and engaging with your audience. With a bit of work, you might even begin to get user-generated content in the form of tags on social networks and online reviews. This kind of content not only helps you to reach a wider audience but also to get closer to your overall business goals.
Need help setting up and creating a social media marketing strategy or building up your social presence online? Touch base with us, we would be happy to help.
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Instagram As Social Media Marketing FAQ
How do I use Instagram for my marketing strategy?
You should use your Instagram strategy to grow your following and establish a connection between you and your consumers online. Find out what they like, when they're online, and what kind of content they respond most strongly to.
Why is Instagram good for social media marketing?
Instagram has a high engagement rate on average, which means your ads and posts will get more attention. The platform offers a huge potential audience and advertising through Instagram is relatively affordable.
How can I improve my social media marketing strategy on Instagram?
Firstly, you'll need to ensure that you are using a business account so that you are able to access insights about your audience. If you're creating compelling visual content, remember that your captions also need to have a call to action. Lastly, you need to make use of boosted ads in order to maximize your audience.