Depending on who you ask, Instagram has around 400 to 700 million new users every month. Regardless of the count, that’s a lot of users. That is why it isn’t surprising why the app produces around 80 million photos on a daily basis. The online platform is only six years old, but it has already captured the attention of many marketers.
It offers a great avenue where brands could get engagement from their followers. In fact, Instagram was considered better than Facebook or Twitter. Unfortunately, expect things to change. Recently, Instagram announced changes in its algorithm. In the next weeks or months, expect Instagram feed to appear differently. Instead of seeing posts according to when the photo or video was posted, you only get popular posts curated by the Instagram algorithm.
Given the current state of Instagram, what are strategies that you need to do in order to still use the platform as an effective marketing tool?
1. Combine story telling with your images
You may wonder what makes Humans of New York so popular on Facebook and Instagram? If you’ll look at their posts, it’s the combination of stunning visuals and storytelling that made Humans of New York what it is today.
Their posts are inspiring, sometimes heartbreaking. But the point is, it moves a person’s emotion. From there, Humans of New York was able to publish a book that has become a New York Best Seller.
2. Build Your Content Theme
Successful Instagram accounts make use of a theme. If you will look at brands such as Adidas or Lululemon, they only post photos with specific filters and colors.
In determining your theme, you have to understand who your market is. Next, you also have to make sure that you refrain from using poorly taken photos. In most scenarios, you get brands that invest on professionally taken photos. Though there are some instances that you could get away with iPhone photography, it makes a huge difference when the photo was taken by a professional camera.
3. Use hashtags
You may feel that hashtags can be a bit irritating. It can in fact, backfire when used in large volumes. On the other hand, it can also be used in order to attract users who are searching the web for products that you could be offering.
Hashtags also allow the brands to be part of the community. Here, you can even curate user-generated content. Using a repost app, you can interact with the community this way.
4. Be consistent
Consistency is key in order to increase your Instagram engagement and following. From your post schedules to the voice that you use on your Instagram account, these are things that could make a huge difference on your social media marketing campaign in general.
It is important to have a schedule when to post photos on Instagram. Regardless if you post once or even three times a week, it is crucial that you give followers an idea when to expect your posts on Instagram.
Next, you also have to choose a voice. Do you plan on having a serious voice or perhaps something casual? It is important to know which voice to use depending on your overall branding.
5. Optimize the bio link
Though Instagram bio only allows you to have 150 characters, it allows you to mention the most important things about your company. Including hashtags and a link could make a huge difference on how you approach your overall social media marketing strategy.
Conclusion
Visual content is becoming more and more important in today’s time. Despite Instagram’s changing approach in its algorithm, it is undeniable how it can still come in handy especially among marketers.
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