If you’re a business owner, it’s important to have a social media strategy. But with so many platforms out there, and new ones popping up all the time, how do you know which one is right for your brand?
While each platform has its unique benefits, some can be universally beneficial for any business including Instagram. With more than 1 billion users in total and 500 million daily active users (not to mention an impressive high engagement rate).
Instagram has proven itself as a powerful platform that every business needs to master if they want to build their customer base and increase sales.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Social media strategy is crucial for |
| business growth on Instagram. |
| 2. Having a clear strategy helps drive |
| brand awareness and engagement. |
| 3. Consistent posting enhances visibility |
| and maintains audience interest. |
| 4. Utilizing a variety of content types |
| maximizes engagement opportunities. |
| 5. Tracking and analyzing results allows |
| for refining and optimizing strategies. |
Instagram Is A Juggernaut And It Isn’t Slowing Down
You might be wondering why you should care about Instagram. After all, it seems like a platform that’s only for people who enjoy taking selfies and posting them online.
While this is mostly true, Instagram has become a juggernaut in the marketing world over the last few years. It’s one of Facebook’s most popular platforms with over 1 billion users worldwide and 300 million daily active users (DAUs).
According to Statista, in 2017 alone the number of monthly active users on Instagram grew by 36% from 2016!
That growth rate has stayed consistent as well: according to Business Insider Intelligence data cited by TechCrunch in 2019, “the average user spends more than 50 minutes per day on mobile apps.”
That means there are plenty of opportunities for your business to get involved with Instagram either by using it yourself or partnering up with other brands that have developed strong presences there (and we’ll talk about ways to do both later).
Navigating the world of Instagram marketing can be complex, but mastering the ins and outs of this platform can lead to substantial growth. Learn essential strategies and tips from our comprehensive guide on The Ins and Outs of Instagram Marketing to make your social media efforts truly shine.
It’s Easy To Get Started On Instagram
Getting started on Instagram is easy. You can sign up for an account by following the link to the official website, which is at https://instagram.com/.
Once you’ve clicked through and signed up, you’ll be able to create a profile page that has information about your company including its name, mission statement, and other details you want to share with potential customers.
You can also create a cover photo that will serve as the image that appears when people click on your username from any other social media site (like Twitter or Facebook).
The same goes for putting together a profile description and bio both of which are also visible in this drop-down menu area where users go to find more info about each user before deciding whether or not they want to follow them back (or follow at all).
You Can Go Viral (No Really, You Can!)
Going viral on Instagram is not just a myth. There are many ways to go viral, and you can use hashtags, post at the right time, and more.
Use hashtags in your caption or photo. Instagram has a lot of users and there are plenty of people who share similar interests as yours so using hashtags will help attract more followers this way.
Post at the right time of day is essential because it determines how many people will see your post (and thus whether or not they’d want to follow you).
This may sound counterintuitive but it’s true: posts with the highest engagement rates tend to be posted around 4 pm EST that’s when users show up after work and school!
Harnessing the power of Instagram for your business requires a solid strategy. Discover how to effectively reach your audience and foster growth by exploring our guide on How to Use Instagram Marketing to Grow Your Business, and take your online presence to the next level.
Instagram Gives You Valuable Customer Insights
Instagram can help you learn about your customers, too. One of the best benefits of Instagram is that it provides valuable customer insights such as what your customers are interested in and what they like.
Because Instagram is a visual platform, it’s easy to use it to share photos and videos of your product or service offerings. You can also use Instagram data to understand how well certain hashtags work for getting users interested in your company and its offerings.
Your Customers Are Already Using It
Instagram is a very visual platform and has a broad user base. Your customers are already using it, so you should be there too. Instagram is used by people of all ages, from all over the world, and across many different professions.
41% of Instagram’s 1 billion users are under 35 years old so if your target market isn’t young adults or millennials (or both), then maybe you shouldn’t be on Instagram yet?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re an early-stage startup or a Fortune 500 company:
You need to be present on social media platforms where your customers are spending time to build awareness for your business and engage with them as they search for solutions to their problems.
And More Than Likely Your Competitors Have A Presence On The Platform, So You Should Too
It’s also a good reason to have a presence on the platform. Your competitors are likely already on Instagram and you should be too, so you can keep track of what they’re doing and learn from their mistakes.
You may find them doing something smart that you could copy for your own business, or maybe they’ve made mistakes that you can avoid making yourself.
Brand Awareness Is A Primary Benefit Of Using Instagram For Business, But It’s Not The Only One — Sales Matter Too!
Instagram is a great way to build brand awareness, loyalty, authority, and trust. You can also use Instagram to increase sales. If you’re not sure how your business could benefit from using Instagram for business, here are some of the ways it can help:
Brand awareness: If people see that you’re on Instagram and like what they see there, they might want to check out your website or visit your brick-and-mortar store location as well.
The more people who see your company in their feeds, the more likely they’ll be aware of its existence — after all, social media works because everyone sees everything!
You must post frequently enough so that visitors don’t miss any updates when they come back later; this means posting at least once per day (preferably much more often).
Personal branding is essential in the digital age, and Instagram offers a unique platform to showcase your identity. Elevate your personal brand with insights from our guide on How to Use Instagram for Personal Branding, and establish a compelling online presence that resonates with your audience.
People Shop With Their Eyes — And Instagram Is The Perfect Place To Show Off Your Products In An Engaging Way
Instagram is a visual platform, so it’s a great place to show off your products in an engaging way.
Because Instagram is all about images, you can use the platform to highlight some of your best-looking products and nail down exactly what it is that makes them so visually appealing.
You can also use pictures of your customers enjoying their purchases or wearing them in different situations (e.g., at work or on vacation).
This helps create a sense of community around your brand, which will help encourage others to buy from you as well.
Diving into Instagram marketing? Look no further than our comprehensive guide, Instagram Marketing: The Ultimate Guide, which provides a wealth of knowledge and actionable strategies to help you navigate the intricacies of this powerful platform and achieve marketing success.
Instagram Is A Great Tool For Businesses To Use In All Phases Of Their Marketing Strategy
Instagram is a great tool to use in all phases of your marketing strategy.
Instagram is an excellent way to build brand awareness and loyalty. By posting high-quality content regularly, you can develop a following of people who are interested in what you have to offer. This will help you find new customers and keep existing ones coming back for more!
Instagram can be used as a sales or lead generation tool. You can use it to drive users from your blog or website directly into the purchasing process, which means you won’t lose any potential customers along the way!
Creating a successful Instagram marketing strategy requires a deep understanding of the platform’s dynamics. Discover 21 innovative tips and tactics in our guide, 21 Tips and Tactics for Using Instagram for Business, that can revolutionize your approach and pave the way for effective engagement and growth.
Conclusion
Instagram is a great tool for businesses to use in all phases of their marketing strategy. It can be used for brand awareness and customer acquisition, but it can also drive sales by showcasing products in an engaging way that builds trust with potential customers.
It’s easy to get started on Instagram, so there’s no reason not to spend some time exploring how this platform could work for your business!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to further enhance your understanding of Instagram marketing and social media strategy:
Instagram Marketing Strategy: A Comprehensive Guide Learn the nuances of crafting a successful Instagram marketing strategy, covering aspects from content creation to audience engagement.
Social Media Marketing: The Ultimate Guide Delve into the world of social media marketing with this ultimate guide that provides insights into various platforms, including Instagram, and effective strategies to engage your audience.
10 Reasons to Use Instagram for Business Discover the key reasons why Instagram is a valuable platform for businesses and how it can contribute to your brand’s growth and success.
FAQs
How can I create an effective Instagram marketing strategy?
Crafting a successful Instagram marketing strategy involves defining your target audience, setting clear goals, curating engaging content, utilizing hashtags strategically, and maintaining consistent interaction with your followers.
What are some best practices for engaging with my Instagram audience?
Engagement on Instagram can be improved by responding promptly to comments, using interactive features like polls and quizzes in Stories, showcasing user-generated content, and incorporating storytelling elements into your posts.
How can Instagram Stories contribute to my marketing efforts?
Instagram Stories offer a dynamic way to connect with your audience through ephemeral content. Use Stories to share behind-the-scenes glimpses, exclusive offers, product launches, and engaging interactive content that encourages direct interaction with your brand.
Is Instagram advertising worth the investment?
Yes, Instagram advertising can be highly effective when executed strategically. Utilize Instagram’s various ad formats, such as photo ads, video ads, and carousel ads, to target your audience with compelling visuals and concise messaging.
What role do hashtags play in Instagram marketing?
Hashtags serve as a powerful tool for discoverability. By using relevant and trending hashtags, you can increase the visibility of your posts to a wider audience beyond your immediate followers, expanding your reach and engagement.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.