As of June 2018, Instagram hit the 1 billion user milestone, proving not only its popularity but its power as a marketing tool.
Instagram was once believed to be the network reserved mostly for industries like retail and hospitality. However, Instagram has proven that any business from any niche can leverage it to reach a wider audience. If Instagram isn’t included in your social media marketing strategy, you’re missing out. Here are eight reasons why:
1. Humanize Your Brand
Because Instagram is a highly visual platform, you can use it to post photos that will help you connect with your audience. Post more than just images of your products; show them in action as people would enjoy them. Give your team a human face to relate to by introducing the members of your team via Instagram Stories or videos.
2. Reach a Wider Audience
As mentioned, Instagram now boasts 1 billion users. Dismissing Instagram as a useful marketing tool means missing out on the Instagram’s audience of mostly Millennials, otherwise known as the most significant demographic segment of consumers. A whopping 80% of accounts follow at least one business on Instagram.
3. Boost Your Sales
Instagram is an excellent platform for you to promote your products and services. Leverage Stories to provide your followers with a sneak peek, or run a promotional campaign to create awareness for your brand.
4. Hashtags to Increase Your Visibility
Hashtags help you get found. And because hashtags are prevalent on Instagram, use popular hashtags to get discovered and create a vanity hashtag for your campaigns. You should also create a hashtag unique to your brand, to help your followers identify and track your content.
5. Enhance Your Brand Identity
Use Instagram to show your company’s personality through photos, videos, and messaging. A positive brand identity resonates with your audience, allowing you to develop a connection that converts them from leads to customers. Leverage Instagram to reaffirm your brand through consistent messaging, consistent visuals, and even consistent timing.
6. Partner with Influencers
Influencer marketing helps your brand build consumer trust, target audiences accurately, and boost SEO. Influencers have highly-engaged followers, and when you partner with an influencer, you gain access to their following.
7. Engage Your Audience
Your goal is to stay connected to your customers and prospects. Engage your followers by posting quality images and video content that keep your audience interested in your brand. Invite them to comment by using your captions to ask engaging questions.
8. Get Found
According to Instagram, 60% of people said they discover new products through the network and 75% take action once they’ve learned about a product or service. When it comes to choosing products, consumers are highly visual shoppers. And they know that Instagram is the platform where they can see images or videos of products presented creatively. It illustrates further why your business should not only post regularly on Instagram but make yourself discoverable by using hashtags.
Instagram is for all businesses regardless of size or industry. Not only is the platform another channel where you can strengthen your online presence, but it’s an effective way to keep your audience engaged and on their radar.
