With Instagram becoming one of the fastest growing, and most widely engaged social media channels out there, more and more businesses are wanting a piece of the pie. Instagram marketing is one of the most exciting social platforms to have developed over the last 5 years. It would seem the world and his dog (quite literally) has an account, and over 60 million images are uploaded daily. However it’s not quite as straightforward as just simply posting a picture, there are certain steps you can take to ensure your efforts are successful in your companies marketing work.
Post often
If you are posting great shots your followers will want you to post often. Unlike other social media channels there is no danger in posting multiple times a day so long as your content is what your audience is looking for. Users engage with Instagram multiple times a day and fresh new content will keep them coming back to your page time and again.
Variety is the spice of life
Mix up what you post whilst keeping it relevant to your brand. If your business is product based, highlight products you have just released, teases of new products in development, to keep people curious, your office (an inside sneak peak, showcase fans, lifestyle shots, articles and blog posts).
Pick you filters
Most successful Instagram accounts have a colour theme running throughout. Earlybird, Mayfair and Amaro are amongst the most popular filters. Pick 2 and stick with them for the majority of your posts in order to maintain a consistent look and feel.
(image: https://www.superdream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/maybird.png alt: )
(image: https://www.superdream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Earlybird.png alt: )
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(image: https://www.superdream.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Amaro.png alt: )
Utilise the video feature
Not only is it a great idea to utilise the video feature on Instagram, but why not also try using Instagram’s Hyperlapse app to upload videos which are a little more interesting to the viewer. They are also a great way to engage with users who have fleeting attention spans. Instagram last week introduced the loop feature similar to Vine so your video is often viewed multiple times by the same user, always a bonus.
Maintain a consistent page theme
You may have one product but be imaginative, pick the type of images you are going to post, think carefully about this, and stick to it. There are some great examples below, Chobani for instance posts lifestyle shots of their products, which will appeal to their followers, but then they don’t switch it up with product development shots as this would not fit with the page theme.
Don’t over think things
If you see something and instantly think your followers would lap up a photo of that then chances are you’re probably right. Grab your phone, point and shoot. Instagram photos do not require hours of prep like a professional photo shoot. You’ll be surprised at how great some off the cuff Instagramming turns out. Essentially go with your instinct.
Choose your #tag
Hastags are what make it easier for people to find your content. They are used across a multitude of social platform so keep this consistent with your brand across all channels, while thinking about how likely people are to interact with your hashtag. For example if you were to post about your agency you could chose hashtags relevant to the industry such as #Marketing #Socialmedia etc.
Top tip: Keep you hashtags relevant and short, #willpeoplereallysearchforthis
Share content
Use your Instagram feed across your digital marketing channels. Place your feed on your website and encourage customers to follow it by adding a link and pinning buttons to other media.
Great examples of brands who are nailing their Instagram marketing are (link: http://instagram.com/chobani text: Chobani popup: true title: Chobani instagram), (link: http://instagram.com/tacobell text: Taco Bell), (link: http://instagram.com/sharpie text: Sharpie)