Instagram is a very popular platform on the Internet and is used by many millions of users, especially since it was launched by Facebook was bought out. It is one of the most popular social media websites along with Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Therefore, Instagram marketing can bring you many new customers for your business.
What is special about Instagram
Instagram is there to share pictures and videos with other users. When they follow your account, the new pictures and videos you post will appear in your subscriber's news feed. It's a saying: pictures say more than a thousand words and instantly trigger feelings in the viewer. The difference to other social media channels is that the Instagram algorithm does not filter the content completely, but only determines the order of the content. So the algorithm selects and displays photos and videos that might be important and interesting for you. Another special feature is that the images can not only be found on Instagram via hashtag, but can also be found in the Google image search and often among the first hits. So you do not even need an Instagram account yourself to view the images on Google. This increases your reach enormously thanks to Instagram Marketing.
How does Instagram benefit your business?
Instagram now has over 500 million users and this number will continue to grow in the future. It is available all over the world and therefore has a wide reach. On Instagram the hashtag function is used extensively, so you have the possibility to reach users who are not following you. An advantage on Instagram is that there is no need for you to have professional recordings. It's all about posting snapshots of everyday life.
Nevertheless, you should make sure that the photos and videos are not blurred. You can give your customers and followers an insight that they would otherwise not get. You can present your products or your company in a more vivid way so that users feel addressed and want to learn more about your company.
What photos and videos belong on Instagram?
There are no limits in the selection of photos and videos. You can show your employees, everyday life in the company, photos of trips, events, products and promotions. You can mark your employees and visitors and network with them. However, you should always make sure that nothing is posted that could embarrass an employee or damage the reputation of your company.
What belongs on the profile?
For a business, the profile should be set to public so that all posts are visible to all users, increasing the reach. The profile picture represents the company. The profile picture is comparable to a logo. It should have a high recognition value for users. In the short description, you should write interesting and short sentences about your company. It should make the users curious, it is best to address the users directly. In the contact feature, you can put all the contact details about your business. In the profile description you should also include a link to your website. Users thus have a direct route to your company and thus also to further information.
Tips for successful Instagram Marketing
You should make sure that you only use relevant hashtags, so that you do not deter users with 20 or more hashtags. To use more hashtags, you can post them as comments below the image, they will only be visible when the user opens them.
But the pictures are still found using these hashtags. The hashtags should still have a thematic reference. Have a look at which hashtags your competitors use to find the right ones and reach your target group.
In order to stand out from the competition, it is important to create an individual hashtag and use it. Especially when you launch a new product or start a new campaign, you should create a hashtag that is not yet occupied. You can use the search function to find out if your hashtag already exists. You can also get a higher reach by likening and commenting on other images. Because by actively using Instagram, you get more attention.
When posting photos and videos you should not forget to mark the location. That way, users can find you via the location or learn more about the place. Because your amounts are not only found by hashtags, but also by the location.
In order not to lose followers and get more, it is important to post photos and videos regularly. You shouldn't post any pictures randomly, but find your own style. Fun, creativity, familiar faces and provocation are especially important.
To post the recordings, you should test different times for your target group to find the right one. At the beginning you should test different times as often as possible.
There are four different types of successful posts. These include storytelling, pictures that take a look behind the scenes, pictures with brand-oriented content and motivating and inspiring quotes. You should ask yourself with each post if it fits with the rest. For example, the pictures can be used to tell an ongoing story or to keep rituals.
For example, if you have posted a Friday evening picture on Friday evening for two weeks in a row, you can make a ritual out of it and post one every Friday.
When choosing pictures you should also pay attention to emotions. Post not only pictures of serious events, but also pictures from everyday life at work, for example from the lunch break or the anniversary celebration. In this way, you give your company a face and show that you enjoy your work. Ask your subscribers questions in the posts, so they feel addressed and you build a connection to them. You can also post up to 60 seconds of video to entertain your followers. With a personal message you can reach your subscribers directly. So they get in direct contact with you, which leads to a stronger customer loyalty. But you should not only answer personal messages, it is also important to answer questions under your own posts.
Another tip to build a wide reach is to spread the Instagram account everywhere. Include it on your website, flyers, business letters, product packaging and other advertising, newsletters, emails and other social media sites.
You can also use a hashtag competition to attract new subscribers. You can offer an attractive price for the competition. The users should try to create a unique hashtag on your contest topic. When choosing the winner you should make sure that this user follows you. You can also organize other competitions, such as a photo contest.
Conclusion
With Instagram, companies can increase brand awareness, generate more website traffic, manage campaigns or maintain their image. Through Instagram, your company will become better known and you will gain many new customers. You can show your company from a completely different perspective and offer a look behind the scenes.
Hashtags are very important on Instagram and should definitely be used for a higher range. With Instagram you are closer to your customers and customer loyalty is strengthened.
However, you should also remember that Instagram Marketing also means that you will have to spend a significant amount of time to keep your account active.
