Is your company expanding it’s digital marketing campaign to platforms like Instagram? With over 800 million users, Instagram is growing more and more by the minute, so you’d be crazy not to consider it. The Fresh Ink Team has recently expanded our digital marketing efforts to include Instagram in a few of our campaigns, and already we are beginning to see its tremendous potential. We’ve also taken the time to learn a lot about the do’s and dont’s, as well as researched predictions to stay on top of 2018s trends. So if you’re new to Instagram advertising as well, read on! The Fresh Ink Team is here to share what we’ve learned!
Why Instagram?
As one of the most popular social media apps, Instagram is a social media marketing force to be reckoned with. Why not take advantage of the opportunity to expose your company or brand to its over 800 million users? Aside from its vast popularity, Instagrams users are also likely to follow you. In fact, 80% of Instagram users follow a business or brand on Instagram. Give them the opportunity to follow yours and start advertising on Instagram now!
Tell Your Story With Stories!
We all know and understand Instagram and its ability to post photos and short videos to the feed. However, many of us social media marketers may not always consider its Stories feature. Turns out, Instagram Stories are key, as they are vastly growing in popularity! In fact, most instagram users are using Stories when on the platform. Furthermore, 1 in 5 Stories leads to a direct message or inquiry, which is huge for your company or brand. Take advantage of the opportunity to directly connect with the consumer.
Make A Connection
As we look ahead to 2018, the focus is shifting away from pretty and perfect looking content. Rather, users are showing a greater interest in the authentic. People are gravitating towards more raw, honest, and unedited content. They want to see the people and the faces behind a brand name. It’s not just about the product or the service, but the story of how it came to be! With that being said, start to prioritize creating connections. Shift your goals away from just selling your product or service, and rather towards reaching out to your followers and inviting them in to form a deeper and more meaningful connection. Now, we aren’t saying you need to be BFF’s with your instagram followers, but we are saying you need to let them know you care! Respond to their DMs (direct messages). Interact with them in the comment section. And perhaps most importantly for this year, go live!
Bring Your Brand To Life Through Live!
Instagram live is expected to become the next big thing! More and more content creators are utilizing the ability to go live and directly connect with fans. Going live is a great opportunity to invite consumers to take a closer look. You can use it as an opportunity to answer questions or to provide a behind-the-scenes look. Perhaps you can give them an inside look into how your product or service is made or brought to life? Give them exposure to the process to help them develop a greater appreciation for what it is you have to offer. As we head further into 2018, the focus is becoming less on the feed and more on Instagram Stories and Instagram Live. Stay on top of the trends are start utilizing these tools now!
Take Action Now
If you make the move to Instagram, do it now and do it right. Take in mind the evolving trends of 2018 and apply them to your digital marketing campaign. Utilize Instagram Stories and Live and keep it authentic and personal. Connections with your consumers will prove key to your success. However, as you start to build your campaign, don’t get caught up in the numbers. In fact, the measurement for success on Instagram is less about the number of likes and followers and more about the comments and direct messages you receive. After all, these meaningful connections with consumers who care and take an interest in your brand are more important than those who would keep on scrolling past your post in the feed.
Make It Happen
Now that you know 2018s trends and predictions, it’s time to get to work. Whether you’re just launching an Instagram campaign right now, or perhaps you’ve been working at it all along, start making Stories and Live a priority. Try utilizing one, or both, at least 3 times a week. Remember, this is a great opportunity to both ask and answer questions of the consumer, to pull back the curtain on your company, and to start connecting and having conversations. Utilize direct messages and be sure to respond to your consumers. Even if you’re at the point where you’re receiving too many messages, at least commit to answer a handful each week. At the end of the day, it’s all about connecting and creating more of a relationship with your consumer. If they can connect with you and your brand, they’ll more likely be moved towards a purchase. Be sure to consider their goals first, even before your own, to ensure success and maximize ROI.
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