We all know Instagram as an image-sharing app, but there is another aspect to it as well. Here are some facts and figures that might draw your attention. Around 200 million Instagram users visit at least one business profile daily, and 81% of people use Instagram to research products and services. So while people look at it as just numbers, marketers view them as opportunities.
So if you are thinking about using Instagram as part of your marketing strategy, you are going on the right path. And to cope with the ever-growing competition on the platform, we have listed a few smart strategies. These tips might help you to get some edge over your competitors and boost the reach of your business.
So without any further ado, let’s get into it.
Smart Instagram Marketing strategies for Businesses
As we already know, Instagram provides great opportunities for individuals to showcase their creativity and express themselves. Whereas, for the businesses, it provides a great platform to market their brand and products and, at the same time, gather more audience to enhance their recognition. And as Instagram has such a huge user base, it helps businesses to reach the audience beyond their geographical boundaries. So, here are some smart tips that you can apply to market your brand/product on this social media giant.
1. Optimize Your Profile
You can consider this as one of the major and initial steps of Instagram marketing. Unfortunately, businesses often make the mistake of making an Instagram account, not working on it, and hoping for the best. Avoid doing that.
Firstly make sure you have modified your Instagram account into a business account. Business accounts have many benefits like – you have access to the analytics, which helps you to analyze the working of your posts. You can provide contact details that help your followers and customers connect with you directly.
And as you have converted your Instagram account into a business account, try to optimize it. By optimizing means,
- Use your logo as your display picture as it provides individuality to your account.
- Try to create an easy-to-remember Instagram handle.
- Provide your website link in your bio.
- And as we are talking about writing a bio, you need to pay extra attention to writing it. Try to provide great details about your brand and explain how your products can change their lives. Make it catchy, informative, and to the point.
2. Stay Active
Sometimes, the Instagram algorithm might not work in our favor. And due to that, you might fail to reach your target audience. But the best remedy to counter this is by staying active on the profile.
Instagram algorithm likely supports the handles that increase engagement. So, make sure you stay active and provide ample content to reach people and get support from the Instagram algorithm.
But keep in mind that you don’t overwhelm your followers by continuous postings. It might irritate them, and they might unfollow you. Using the analytics, schedule your posts and plan them accordingly.
By staying active not only means posting content, it means, stays active on the platform by reverting to the messages, replying to the comments, commenting on the posts from your users, using Instagram features like Instagram live sessions, Instagram stories, and more. All these measures help you to connect with your audience and at the same time, keeps your account active on the platform.
3. Use Hashtags
One of the best ways to reach your target audience on Instagram is by using hashtags for your posts. Hashtags help you to categorize your posts under one umbrella. Many Instagram users often use hashtags to search for the posts or business products they are looking for.
So make sure you use appropriate hashtags for your posts. How to find appropriate hashtags? – Explore the platform, examine your competitors and look in their posts what hashtags they are using. But here is one additional tip : Keep in mind that you don’t overuse hashtags. Try to use 2 hashtags for a post, as it helps your posts to reach your target audience.
4. Embed Instagram Feeds on website
Website integration is one the most important parts of any marketing strategy. While optimizing your Instagram profile, make sure that you provide your website link, and you can work vice versa to create a link between your website and the Instagram handle.
By embedding an Instagram feed on the website, you can link your visitors to your Instagram handle. Also, your visitors will know about your Instagram presence, and as they will have the option to follow your handle, it will strengthen your Instagram followers lists.
5. Collaborate with Social Media Influencers
Social Media Influencers are people that have huge followings on the platform. Collaborating with them can greatly benefit your Instagram marketing, as it provides a face to your brand and humanizes it. Moreover, these influencers bring a good number of followers with them and hence it helps enhance your brand recognition.
You can make them your brand ambassadors or organize a live session with them. This measure helps you in attaining more audience and eventually increases the reach of your brand.
Summing It Up
Instagram is an influential social media network that provides a great platform for users to express themselves. At the same time, it helps businesses attain more audience and market their brand creatively. It is known for visually-based content, and for a long time, images, videos, and other visual content have helped businesses attract more customers. You can use the tips mentioned above to accumulate more audiences for your brand and eventually reach your desired goals.
Also read about: Secret Yet Unique Ways To Get Noticed By Brands On Instagram
