Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites of the present day, with over 500 million users all over the world. Half or more of Instagram’s user base is currently following at least one brand. Instagram’s high rate of user interaction sets it apart from other social media platforms. As a result, B2B and B2C communications have a lot of room to grow.
When used properly, Instagram can be a great place to gain exposure for your brand and expand your customer base. In any case, you’ll need more than just great photos if you want to use Instagram to build your brand. It’s important to develop a plan that fits in with the brand’s overall philosophy. The following seven steps will help you get going,
1. Put your goals first and work toward achieving them.
Setting brand-specific objectives is a crucial first step before launching any marketing initiatives. In order to gauge whether or not your business is profitable, setting measurable objectives is essential. In any case, knowing that you can adjust the strategy based on these objectives is invaluable.
Gaining a dedicated following, connecting with current and potential customers, and increasing brand recognition are all primary objectives on Instagram. Knowing your end goal in sharing user-generated content is essential, especially if you plan on posting product photos along with it. You can’t use analytics or measure performance after the fact until you figure out why you did what you did. You can showcase the visually appealing products and services you provide on this platform, which is ideal for generating substantial revenue.
2. Find Out Who You’re Trying to write For
One of the most common mistakes marketers can make is not knowing who they’re trying to reach. The most popular brands on Instagram have likely uncovered some key information about their core customer base. These companies know exactly what will interest and captivate their audience.
You need to identify your target demographic before you can create an effective marketing plan for your company. Keep your customers coming back by figuring out what they need and how often they need it. Finding out what your target demographic really wants will help you to tailor your content to them.
Using Instagram’s demographics feature can help you learn more about your target market. Tap the app’s Insights menu, then select Audience. That will give you an overview of the demographics of your followers, including their age, location, and sexual orientation. The timing of future Instagram ad campaigns can then be determined in light of this information in order to maximise exposure to your content’s potential audience.
3. Have a plan for your content.
The foundation of your content strategy should be your goals and your intended audience. How you choose to showcase your brand’s elements depends on the nature of your business and the objectives you hope to achieve. In addition to promoting your wares, your company blog can feature articles about the people who work there and the company’s ethos. You can share media such as photos, videos, and GIFs; collaborate on projects; and learn what kinds of content best engage readers and help you reach your objectives on this platform.
Don’t forget to ask them for content, either. Monitor your brand’s hashtags and mentions to find people willing to share their product experiences with you. When you share curated content on Instagram, it can help you gain more followers, get more likes without doing anything extra, boost your engagement rate, and get more people talking and sharing.
4. Use Relevant Hashtags
The # symbol introduces a string of characters, numbers, or emoji that together form a hashtag. It helps make content easier to find and is used to organise it. Instagram’s hashtags function much like search engine keywords, helping users find the brands and content they’re interested in. It increases the number of people who can see your posts, which can help you attract new customers. You can participate in a discussion by using hashtags that are currently popular.
You can use up to 30 hashtags in each Instagram post and comment, but you shouldn’t do so excessively or you risk being reported for spam. Make your own custom hashtags that reflect your brand’s values and can be used to increase exposure for your posts.
Now imagine that your target demographic employs a set of hashtags that are widely used. One of the best ways to expand your fan base and make meaningful connections with people who are interested in your product or service is to locate these preexisting groups.
Check out the hashtags that your most popular followers are using. Instagram’s search feature makes it easy to track down the hashtags your friends and family use. If you enter a hashtag into a search bar, you’ll see the profiles of your followers who also use that hashtag.