Instagram is more than just the leading repository of latte art. It has more than one billion monthly active users – yes, billion with a “b. And while the majority of users are in the U.S. It has a massive presence globally, with big user bases in India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Russia. Instagram also skews young and hip, with the under-30 crowd making up about 60 per cent of the platform. And teenagers are drawn to it in growing numbers.
Although Instagram is beloved by people all over the world, many marketers aren’t as familiar with it as Facebook, Twitter, or even LinkedIn. That can lead to a bit of culture shock as you figure out an Instagram marketing strategy that works for you. Of course, followers – active, attentive, real followers – are the cornerstone of success.
Here’s how you can get more Instagram followers for your business:
Promote Your Instagram on Your Other Networks.
Most users are on several different social platforms, so you can always start by letting followers know about your new Instagram account. If they like your content, they’ll probably add you – and that gives you two (or more) ways for your message to reach them.
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An Instagram business account also must be linked to Facebook, so you can always share your Instagram posts on your Facebook page, giving your Facebook users a sneak peek of what they can expect on your new Insta feed.
Use Popular Hashtags
Instagram is hashtag-driven, just like Twitter, and using the right hashtags at the right time can make your posts much more discoverable. Naturally, you should always double-check a tag’s meaning before you use it, and be sure you only use tags that suit your brand identity.
Monitor Hashtags
Instagram is even more centred around commenting than other platforms. If you want followers to engage with you, it’s a good idea to take the first step. Keep an eye on hashtags in your niche, even if they don’t lead to a lot of daily traffic, and respond to matching images to build a rapport. If you have a local business, be sure the hashtags you choose are geo-targeted to your area.
Spice Things Up With Video Content
Video content is tremendously important on Facebook and Twitter. You shouldn’t overlook it on Instagram, either!
Over on Instagram, engagement is growing faster for videos than for images. The truth is, people just can’t get enough of quirky, compelling, short-form videos. Just check out how Bluleadz incorporated video into our feed.
Optimize Your Brand Page
Your Instagram brand page is your company’s public face – and there’s a lot to do here. Your brand page is your opportunity to introduce yourself to the Insta-world and get some traffic to your site. This is one of the rare cases where linking right to your homepage is the way to go, but a landing page especially for Instagram users can be even more effective.
To round out your brand page, you’ll need a branded username, complete bio, profile image, and captions for your images. You should also add important contact options like “call,” “email,” and “directions.” These will show up as clickable buttons on your profile.
