Why Marketers Shouldn’t Ignore Instagram Anymore?

Towards a successful online marketing, steps are made simple!

Because Instagram is the fastest growing social media channel globally with over 300 million users.

To begin with, Instagram was launched in October 2012. The service is an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking that enables its users to take pictures and videos, and share them on a variety of social networking platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr.

Instagram is a great platform for marketers too. Many brands (B2B and B2C) are finding surprising levels of success when branding their products through Instagram.

But how to get the marketing ball of Instagram rolling?

instagram-marketing-beirutIf you are considering dedicating some marketing efforts over Instagram, here’s a list of ideas you need to consider.

1- Setup Your Complete Profile

Just like any other social media, you need to create a complete profile that includes a profile photo to describes your business or brand. In this case, I would suggest you create a brand new profile and not to use your current Facebook details since this account will be associated with your brand’s presence on Instagram. However it is a must that you connect your Instagram account with your Facebook page and profile to share and get more engagement from Facebook. (After all, they’re both the same company, right?)

2- Create a Specific Brand-Strategy 

When dealing with Instagram, you should create a brand strategy dedicated to the look, feel, and habits of your brands and keep it focused on that. Make sure your strategy delivers the content your audience will be expecting from your brand.

3- Use Hashtags (#)

Twitter was the first to originate hashtags, which became quickly used by all social media. At this point, Instagram hashtag density tends to be much greater than Twitter’s because companies realise that the success of their Instagram marketing depends on proper hashtagging, and also the concept of hashtaging on this network is still somehow new. Take an example of #Beirut #Online #Marketing and compare its results over Twitter. You will find a big difference!

Unlike other sites (such as Twitter), hashtags play an important role on Instagram and whereas you are not limited by character count. Include a few tags (but not too many – because that will show you desperate) in your posts to get connected. Follow the trendiest hashtags (of course relevant ones) and include them in your posts. It would be worth it to include your business name in some of your post hashtags. Also, use unique tags for particular marketing campaigns you run.

A modern marketing blend marketers are using on Instagram is Hashtags Contest which allows your fans and followers to upload photos under certain hashtags. This will increase your hashtag visibility to your targeted audience.

Last but not least monitor your posts and respond to the comments received just like you do with any other social media. It pays back.

4- Socialize with your followers

Your followers are your bread and butter. Make sure you pamper them properly and value their engagements. Share their photos, comment and like their posts, mention your customers on posts related to your products. Show them that they are appreciated in all their related comments. This will build a healthy relation with your customers that you can rely on.

5- Be Creative 

Remember, Instagram is a photo/video sharing social media. Meaning that all your marketing efforts are centered to a photo or a video you share. Make the most out of this post through using photo/video enhancement tools to show off your product/brand in a creative manner. Whatever you do just don’t be boring. A cool way to show off your brand/product is giving your followers a “behind the scenes” look at your company through posting fun photos and videos of your employees including your CEO and senior management. Incase you get fired for doing so, just don’t say you read it at MarketingBlends!

If you have exclusive content, it would be a good idea to share it with your Instagram followers first and then distribute it to your other channels. This way you will first give importance to your account first, and second bring in new followers on Instagram from other channels.

Many successful tactics are available to build a strong Instagram account, but the most important one you should consider is to keep your human touch in your communication and understand that your followers are humans that follow you to get entertained and informed. Make it work this way.

If you are interested to receive a detailed plan on what you can do over Instagram, contact us now, we’re ready to help!