[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]With over 500 million daily active usersβa number that steadily growingβInstagram is a place your business (most likely) needs to be. In order to get the most out of your time (and money) spent on this addictive platform, itβs imperative your business has a strong and consistent Instagram advertising strategy in place.
Social media advertising and Instagram advertising is an area weβve spent a lot of time in. So, we decided to share a few of the most effective tactics that you can use on your Instagram marketing and ad strategy![/vc_column_text][fildisi_empty_space][vc_column_text]
1. Be a User
(As in User-Generated Content, of course)
[/vc_column_text][fildisi_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]One of the best parts about having a loyal following is that your customers become your advertisers. When they organically post about your business on their page, itβs seen as a digital endorsement. Donβt let this valuable user-generated content (UGC) slip by and donβt miss the opportunity to get fresh content without any of the heavy lifting (ie professional or on-the-fly photo shoots). Lastly, customers love to see their images shared on other profiles. Theyβre one step closer to Insta-fam. Just donβt forget to give them credit with an @!
*This works for both your Instagram feed and on Instagram Stories.
For a great UGC example, check out Crayola https://www.instagram.com/p/BsQeTTMg0m2/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][fildisi_single_image image=”4299″ retina_image=”4299″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][fildisi_empty_space][vc_column_text]
2. Create the Content YOUR Users Love
Balance content to portray your brand and reflect your followers.
[/vc_column_text][fildisi_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Sounds simply enough, but you would be surprised by how many brands miss the mark. One of the most important strategies for Instagram is to create and share content that your fans care about. If your business, for example, is in the health industry then itβs pretty safe to assume your fans are into health-related topics. Topics found on your feed should probably be a nice balance of promoting your businessβ products/services plus eating tips, fitness posts, mental wellness etc. Stay true to who you are and what youβre about and create content around that. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][fildisi_empty_space][vc_column_text]
3. Turn Customers Into Insta-Models
Make your customers and followers your digital advocates.
[/vc_column_text][fildisi_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Similar to what we said about user generated content, we love to take customers and turn them into Insta-models. Real people, really using your product is an incredibly powerful tool on this social platform. Photos + captions and video testimonials are just two ways to utilize your real customers in a social content strategy. And letβs be honest here, people LOVE to talk about themselves. So…give the people what they want
Here is a great example done by Nike https://www.instagram.com/p/Bntg5pxBcwU/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][fildisi_single_image image=”4303″ retina_image=”4303″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][fildisi_empty_space][vc_column_text]
4. #Hashtag The Right Way
Avoid the shadowban while improving visibility.
[/vc_column_text][fildisi_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]If your brand isnβt using hashtags (and using them right), your photoβs overall impressions will be hindered. According to Simply Measured, Instagram posts with at least one hashtag average 12.6% more engagement than those with no hashtags.
We donβt just think itβs important to vary your choices and balance micro- and macro-hashtags, Instagram thinks so too. Have you heard of the Instagram Shadowban? Shadowban intentionally blocks an accountβs post from being featured in hashtag searches when users deliberately use the same hashtags repeatedly. Itβs easy to avoid this by only using the hashtags that are most relevant to your post and switching up your tags regularly.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][fildisi_single_image image=”4305″ retina_image=”4305″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][fildisi_empty_space][vc_column_text]
5. Hop on the Carousel
Don’t skip out on Instagram’s Carousel feature.
[/vc_column_text][fildisi_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]If a pictureβs worth a thousand words, ten pictures are worth β¦ ummmm, mathβs not our strong suit π Instagramβs carousel feature is a super valuable tool for situations where one photo simply wonβt do. Itβs also idea for e-commerce brands who want to feature multiple angles of the same product, product bundles or new lines of products. Basically. Instagram carousel allows you to really show off your brand without oversaturating your feed with too much promotional content.
Adidas has some great examples of utilizing carousels. https://www.instagram.com/p/BmVTL67lCxZ/[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][fildisi_empty_space][vc_column_text]
6. Be Bossy!
Utilize Calls to Action (CTAβs)
[/vc_column_text][fildisi_empty_space][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]Itβs okay to tell your followers what to do. By that, we mean make sure that youβre using calls to action (CTAs) on your posts and stories. This can include telling viewers to like, tag, comment or check the βLink in Bio.β If your CTAβs are driving traffic to a third-party websiteβe-commerce brand promoting a productβmake sure the CTA button is Shop Now.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][fildisi_empty_space][vc_column_text]
Wrapping It Up
Now that you have a better idea of what Instagram marketing strategies are most effective, it is time to get to work! Just remember, the most important thing your brand can do is to connect with your audience on a meaningful level. Speak to them in a real way and theyβll start speaking back. Give it time and stay consistent!
If youβve got questions or need some personalized strategy assistance, feel free to hit us up! [email protected].[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
