Instagram has approximately 1.16 billion users which makes it an ideal platform to advertise a brand and increase its reach. This number is only increasing with each passing day and the possible reach for the Instagram market has increased by leaps and bounds just over the last quarter. On this platform, everyone follows at least one business account.
Stories on Instagram are an effective way to directly communicate and get in touch with your audience. With the introduction of stickers, mentioning accounts, and many such new options it has become easier to advertise products as well.
One important reason why Instagram is an apt platform for marketing is that it eliminates the need for middlemen who are otherwise required to promote a brand’s products and services. The brand is directly in contact with their followers and is able to receive information first-hand. This gives a more accurate representation of what the customers are expecting of the business. This method of marketing also helps create a face for the brand.
- Optimization of profile
The Instagram bio is like the first impression that a person will have of your business when he visits the page. It has a limit of 150 words within which you need to create something that is striking and appealing to the audience. A bio should describe your brand in a concise yet perfect manner. It includes other options which can help showcase the image of your brand. These features make your page more visible on the platform.
The first feature is the brand’s name with a 30-character limit, then comes the username or the handle, both of which will appear on being searched. The link to your website can also be added to create more traffic. Contact info can also be added in the bio so that people are able to communicate over email or calls.
- Choosing the perfect profile picture
In most cases, the profile photo is the logo of the brand. This picture is like a visual representation of what the brand stands for. The dimensions of this photo are 320 by 320 pixels, which is then cropped to 110 by 110 pixels fit the small circle that is displayed all over Instagram.
A brand must be very careful in choosing the perfect display photo as it is how people will view or perceive the brand.
- Product in Action
More than just posting photo shoots of products people relate to the post more if they see someone using it. It makes the user connect more with the product and makes them think they can be the person in the picture. Doing this can also show many ways and situations in which your product can be used, which in turn increases the chances of people buying it.
- Using more than photos
It is advisable to use various ways to provide content on Instagram. Making use of the different options ensures maximum reach and engagement. One must use videos at times when a photo seems like it is not enough to attract enough people or even use the carousel feature to post stories in a series to repeatedly showcase a product. This is a more comprehensive way of telling a story or conveying the features of a product. The occasional video on the user’s feed is a welcome respite among the continuous flow of photographs. It makes the user want to stop and watch what the video has to convey.
- Make use of Instagram Live
As already mentioned, using different features breaks the monotony of a profile and its appearance. It also helps reach more accounts. Instagram live is an excellent way to get in touch with the audience. If you have a growing Instagram likes and followers then going live would definitely help you connect with them and invite more people to your page. Going live is a way in which the admin can have a two-way conversation and it is not just posting and commenting. This kind of promotional activity adds a personal touch.
- User-generated Content
Organizing contests or creating a branded hashtag helps you find every post made with that unique hashtag. The fans who post using this hashtag can be located easily. Now you can use this user-generated content- be it photos, videos or any other kind of content that is created by them.
Reposting these creations on your page helps form a good image in your followers’ minds about you. This type of content is authentic and genuine; it is not perfect or polished as the rest of the posts that are already existing on your page. That is the reason they are unique and attractive.
This gives a healthy balance between professionally curated posts and user-generated content. Giving the creators credit for their work also boosts their confidence. Being recognized by a brand like yours encourages them and creates goodwill.
- Use Instagram ads
Instagram ads also boost your product’s sales just by investing some money. Instagram targets specifically those audiences that are interested in such products and have an interest; this happens after minutely following and analyzing a user’s demographics and their areas of interest. This generates new customers and brings your products to potential customers.
These tips are sure to help Instagram marketer grow their brand online and create a strong online presence!