Social media tips & tricks: Instagram

You might have heard that Instagram is quickly becoming one of the most successful social media channels. But as a business, do you really need another online profile? Especially one that is, “just pictures of stuff”? Our digital marketing team are here to give their verdict…

What Is Instagram?

Instagram is a social media platform that can be used to reflect the visual side of your brand. It is an easy, user-friendly channel with pictures and videos at the heart of its offering. It can be a great way to draw attention to the services and products you offer. It essentially uses visual representations to convey descriptions.

You can also showcase your day-to-day activity or projects that you are working on. It can help to share a personal connection with customers and put a face to your brand.

Instagram Stories is a (fairly) new feature on the app. In a nutshell, you can create a ‘story’ which will disappear after 24 hours. But what’s the point in that, we hear you ask?

Well, this sort of digital marketing can create a sense of FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). In this golden age of social media, Generation Z is obsessed with not missing out. Whether it’s a new product launch, interview with a celebrity, or the announcement of a sale. This is a great way of connecting with your audience and keeping them interested in what is happening.

If you are able to successfully harness the power of Instagram, you can create a truly compelling picture of your business. Add to that the opportunity to create targeted, paid adverts, and suddenly you can reach out directly to your audience in an effective and measurable way.

Sharing posts on Instagram…

Sharing an Instagram post is easy. It only requires a couple of clicks. Here is a simple guide to achieving the perfect post:

• Download the app and create an account (if you haven’t already).
• Choose/take a photo that you want to post. Top Tip: Make sure it is a good quality image. No one wants to see a blurry picture.
• If required, add a filter and edit the post. Although you may wish to do this beforehand using Photoshop or another third party app.
• Come up with a caption relating to your post. Try not to be too wordy.
• Make sure you add some popular hashtags. This will allow for easy searching and will help define the topic of your post.
• Tag your location so that people can see where you are.
• Now share your creation for the world to see.

Social Media Is More Than Nice Pictures

You should aim to update your Instagram account a couple of times a week. Uploading often provides customers with regular content relevant to their interests. Top Tip: Make sure you figure out when your posts get the most engagement. Is it early in the morning, lunchtime or in the evening?

Remember, photos make it easy for people to understand what you have to offer at a quick glance. Make sure it is eye-catching and something your target audience will love.

Why is Instagram effective?

Like all social media channels, Instagram provides an easy way to stay connected with your customers. But it can also be used for research. Top Tip: Want to see what your competitors are doing? You’ll likely find them sharing updates and, more importantly, giving you an insight to any missed opportunities within your industry.

Anyone has access to Instagram and there are options to ‘like’, ‘comment’ and ‘share’ posts. By analysing the engagement you receive, you can narrow down your target market and highlight key factors that they are interested in.

Maintaining your Instagram…

So, your Instagram page is up and running – now what? Maintaining the appearance of your Instagram page is essential. It is a reflection of your business and can instantly create a good or bad impression. Top Tip: If you use the same filter on each post you will be able to create a consistent feel to your account. You could even consider experimenting with the layout if you are feeling creative.

Need Help With Your Social Media Strategy?

We understand that creating an effective social media strategy is vital to the success of your online activity. If you need support producing content or creating targeted online adverts to suit your demographic, speak to our digital marketing team today on 01743 366336.