Not so long ago, brands on Instagram used to measure a post’s performance by the number of likes. But today, the norms have changed. Total engagement, follower growth, reach, most engaged hashtags, referral traffic and even story metrics are a part of the performance tracking.
So, how do you increase brand awareness through Instagram? What are some Instagram marketing strategies every brand should know?
This Instagram marketing strategy cheat sheet will help you with the answers.
Instagram Marketing Tips
1. Revamp your Bio
Your bio is the first glimpse of your account. This is precisely why your bio must be valuable, interesting, and engaging.
You may use your bio to provide the essential information on your offerings, the type of content your audience can expect, brand hashtags, and lots more. Better yet, also incorporate a trackable URL to which you want to lead people – for example, a link to your website. Ensure to track this link to know the amount of traffic it generates.
Once you write your bio, remember to update it regularly. Reviewing your bio constantly and introducing any important updates is a good practice.
You can see how FableSquare uses its bio space effectively, with a brand hashtag, the brand offering, industry hashtags, and a link to our website. It is one of the most fundamental but important Instagram marketing strategies.
2. Add more Instagram Stories
After Instagram Stories started in August 2016, they became prevalent among the public. Today, it’s a game-changer for most brands. According to Business of Apps, 500 million Instagram users use Stories.
A powerful strategy for Instagram stories is essential to get the full benefit of this feature. You may use Instagram Stories in many ways. For example, to engage with your audience with a poll, tell a story with a series of images, share tips, and much more.
Taking complete advantage of the functionalities like stickers, AR filters, etc., can favour the engagement with the audience. If your follower count is over 10000, you can explore the Instagram Swipe Up feature. This feature allows you to include links in stories instead of repeatedly switching between your bio links to align with your promotions.
3. Create an Identity
Since Instagram is all about visuals, the appearance of your profile is important. Your visitors should instantly connect your profile with your brand. You can achieve this by aligning your brand style with your profile – for example, colour palette, font styles, imagery, etc.
A profile with pleasing aesthetics and consistency is appealing and drives people to follow your brand as they connect with your brand.
4. Find out the perfect time for you
What is the optimal time to post on Instagram?
As for reaching your people, the very objective lies in learning when your target market spends time on Instagram. Instagram Insights provides a clear picture of the time your followers are active. With access to your business account on Instagram, you can learn the ideal time to post by analysing your Instagram insights.
If you do not have over 100 followers, you can look at your competitors to predict what works for you.
5. Embrace Influencer Marketing
The quickest method to reach your target market is with Instagram influencers.
The existing follower base of the influencers can help increase your brand awareness. To deploy this technique, the initial step is to find an influencer that’s the right fit for your brand.
A significant advantage of influencer marketing is the ease to build brand trust in the audience. Every brand must consider investing in influencer marketing today as it is the most remarkable part of Instagram marketing strategy.
FableSquare offers Influencer marketing as a service for brands. Contact us to get started.
6. Draw attention to User Generated Content
User-generated content on Instagram is a grand prize for brands. It’s an opportunity to include your followers in brand promotions while lowering your marketing spend.
The most significant benefit of user-generated content is that your followers act as your brand advocates by choice.
7. Go Live
Data shows, Instagram Live views have grown by over 60% in India throughout 2020.
The charm the live videos carry lies in that direct connection drawn with your audience. It’s the quickest and easiest way to announce your product launch, educate your audience on how to use your product or service, host Q&A and whatnot!
Another advantage of going live is the push notification that Instagram sends to your followers to tell them you are live.
8. Be deliberate with the Hashtags
A hashtag is an excellent tool for increasing exposure and engaging with your audience.
The only way to excel at hashtags is by being strategic.
Creating a branded hashtag is a way to go about it. It needs to be captivating and incorporate your brand name in a certain way.
A branded hashtag’s advantages are to help your audience find out more about your product or service. You can also create hashtags for your campaigns and contests as a part of the user-generated content strategy.
9. Publish ‘Save’ worthy Content
Like we mentioned earlier, the metrics of success on Instagram today are comments, shares and saves. So, the most effective way to improve your Instagram marketing performance is to create and publish content that drives your followers towards the bookmark symbol.
If your posts are in your audience’s ‘Saved Posts’ section, they will view your content multiple times. So, create content that your audience will find value in. It could be an infographic on using a product, tips and tricks, etc.
Is Instagram marketing profitable in 2021?
Marketing experts say Instagram marketing is here to stay, and more and more brands will enter the game this year. Here are some predictions that may come in useful for brands to get ready with a plan.
1. Reels are likely to grow
Instagram Reels permits users to produce 15 to 30 second short videos. Within a year of its launch, Reels has become TikTok’s rival.
This shows that the audience is leaning towards bite-sized content. Watch how @fablesquare_india uses Reels to bond with our audience.
2. The rise of Instagram SEO
Experts predict Instagram SEO to be one of the major trends for 2021. Keyword search in Instagram offers users an additional path to explore content on the platform.
At present, keyword search outputs only accounts, tags, and places, but all forms of content may appear in the results in the future.
3. Physical retailers may move to Instagram
As we turn more and more towards the digital space, brick and mortar stores need to secure their business. With Instagram’s in-app purchasing features, the actions a user needs to take to convert into a customer are very minimal.
To benefit from this, your business should:
- Study your market’s requirements on a digital platform
- Explore and test different forms of content
- Create retargeting ads, and
- Prioritise user experience
Instagram shopping seems like a continually evolving platform. The sooner the businesses enter this space, the better they will be prepared for the changes in future.
FableSquare helps businesses with Instagram marketing strategy and execution.
Closing Comments
It is undeniable that Instagram is a competitive platform, but there are many ways to enhance your marketing performance. Instagram is all about ever-evolving features. Try to follow these tips as a part of your Instagram marketing strategy to see better results.
Let us know your questions and thoughts through the comment section of this article. We will answer them at the earliest.
FableSquare helps brands save time by handling their Instagram marketing alongside other social media channels.
Get Started Now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best practices for marketing through Instagram?
- A consistent content schedule
- Instagram Stories
- Live videos
- Appropriate hashtags
How do I market my website through Instagram?
- Include your website URL in your business’s Instagram bio
- Host a contest as a part of which people need to visit your website
- Include links in IGTV posts
- Collaborate with influencers
- Add links in stories and highlight them in your profile
What are some tips for using Instagram ads?
- Understand your audience
- Stay in line with the advertising guidelines
- Target the right audience
- Incorporate humanised content
What are 5 tips for marketing a restaurant on Instagram?
- Create a hashtag that your customers can use when they post photos at your restaurant
- Post visually rich photographs that evoke hunger
- Write thoughtful captions that speak to your audience and connect with them
- Interact with your followers regularly
- Always use geotags
Instagram marketing tips for an EDM producer?
- Provide accurate details on your name, band name and your production house
- Cross-promote with your teammates’ social handles
- Submit your tracks to the ‘Music’ sticker on Instagram Stories
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