Learning how to use Instagram for marketing is fast becoming critical to businesses of all sizes. But it seems to be more important to small businesses and direct sellers than big name brands. Perhaps it's because smaller businesses and direct sellers also fall into the realm of micro-influencers. Whatever the reason, it's becoming less of an optional platform and more of a critical platform for marketing your business.
And while there is no wrong way to use Instagram for marketing your business (well, except spam — spam is always wrong), there are several different things you can do while marketing on Instagram. Here are five of those things.
1. Create Brand Ambassadors
Customers are great for leaving reviews and making recommendations when their friends as them for something. But how about those customers who post about their love for a product or a brand without being asked? Leverage the power of your followers by making it easy and fun for them to spread the word about you. You can create a hashtag for your community, regram their photos, and engage with them when they regram your photos or tag you. The people already using your products love and follow you and will likely soak up everything you post. But by treating them more as brand ambassadors, you will elevate your relationship even further and they will continue to push your products out to their followers.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Leverage the power of your followers by making it easy and fun for them to spread the word about you.” quote=”Leverage the power of your followers by making it easy and fun for them to spread the word about you.” theme=”style1″]
2. Create Engagement with Contests
Secret word, secret phrases, hidden objects, best photos…whatever type of contest you decide to hold, you can use Instagram for marketing that contest as well as hosting that contest. Hashtags make it easy for your community to follow along and join in the fun. And because of the nature of Instagram, it's easy to expand your contest and draw new people to you who will want to see what all the fun is about.
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3. Customer Spotlights
No matter what company you're with, customers love it when you show them some public love through shoutouts and features. Share their photos and testimonials, show them some love, and you'll find more customers will all of a sudden begin posting photos and testimonials as well.
4. Go Behind the Scenes and Tell your Story
Instagram Stories are the perfect place to go behind the scenes for some storytelling. Use Instagram's tagging feature to create engagement with your audience, and create a fun experience through emojis and text.
[click_to_tweet tweet=”Instagram Stories are the perfect place to go behind the scenes for some storytelling.” quote=”Instagram Stories are the perfect place to go behind the scenes for some storytelling.” theme=”style1″]
5. Highlight Content from your Other Channels
Have a promo code that you want people to use for that sale you've got going on over in your Facebook group? Post it on Instagram!! Not only will you draw the attention of people who don't know you yet, but you'll also give the people in your Facebook group a reason to go follow you over on Instagram. Marketing on Instagram doesn't have to mean marketing solely on Instagram. You can use Instagram to highlight content from other channels, cross-promote information, and bring the two audiences together.
Instagram is a visual channel where creativity in graphics and photography can really shine. But the concept of marketing on Instagram, and the power Instagram can offer your marketing strategy, shouldn't be ignored.
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