Since it’s launch in 2010, Instagram has grown to be one of the most successful social media platforms of all time. What makes Instagram stand out amongst the rest is how it enables it’s users to be creative and to tell a story through images. Whether you are a major brand or a small business, having a presence on Instgarm is crucial to strengthening your success and putting a face to your brand. According to a Q3 2014 Instagram study, 86 percent of the top brands in the world are active on the network, and 73 percent post at least one photo a week. Some of the top brands such as Louie Vuitton and Gucci have over a million followers and their posts have reached over 100,000 likes! Which strategies are these brands employing to drive Instagram engagement and follower growth? First of all, it is important to understand that most small businesses, especially those new to Instagram, are not going to reach a million followers over night. But, it is crucial for any business to foll
ow the same tactics that the big brands use to heighten their success on Instagram.
Campaigns/Contest
The two main aspects of Instagram that people are most concerned about are followers and likes. But if you’re a small business who just set up their Instagram account, how can you engage with a wider audience and gain more followers? A great tactic that has been used by many successful businesses is using a friend and family themed campaign, asking your audience to tag a friend for a chance to win a reward. This could also be done through a photo contest, which are hugely popular on Instagram. Doing this will get your already existing audience to spread brand awareness to their friends and family.
Caption Content
Although Instagram mainly revolves around a creative image and grasping your audience’s eye, that doesn’t mean the content in your caption is less important. The caption under the photo is your place to hashtag, tag people, and lead consumers to your blog. The newest Instagram app update makes it easy for people to search for specific things that they are looking for, which makes the use of hashtags crucial for expanding your reach and gaining more followers. Also, you should not be limited to only getting loyal followers on Instagram, but leading them to your website will ensure that your time on Instagram is being put to good use. Without a link to your site, followers are just liking your photos and not digging deeper to see what else your business offers
Regram
Regramming is a tactic that people often underestimate. If your consumers post a photo with your product, or mention your business in their caption, regramming is like giving them a big “thank you”. Not only does this help you get more exposure, but it also strengthens the bond between you and your audience, and is more likely to lead to loyal followers.
Conclusion
The tactics mentioned above are ones to always keep in mind when marketing your business through Instagram. It is more than just showing off products and posting pretty photos, it is about putting a face to your brand and connecting with your audience. Instagram is continuously growing to be more popular, and the sooner you hop on board, the sooner your business will attract more consumers and overall have more success.
