Instagram came to light in 2010 as just another social network, but it currently has millions of users around the world and has various tools to increase visibility. For this reason, companies are committed to this social network and include it in their digital marketing strategy as an essential part.
In this article I will tell you the advantages of using Instagram for businesses, the keys to success and how to start your digital marketing strategy on Instagram . Let’s get started!
Where to Start Your Digital Marketing Strategy on Instagram?
The first steps to start a digital marketing strategy is to have an account, update it, provide the necessary information and start browsing each of the available tools.
It is also necessary to know the formats offered by this social network so that they can be adapted to the content that you want to publish. The Instagram formats that you should know yes or yes are:
Photos and videos
Instagram is the social network with audiovisual content par excellence. The photo and the video are key in any feed, although the video is the format that today drives more interaction and visibility
InstagramTV (IGTV)
This format is in trend in 2021, since it allows you to generate more dynamic, attractive and longer-lasting content . The video you upload must last at least 60 seconds and a maximum of 15 minutes if you do it from the mobile application, although if you do it from the web platform, allow a maximum of 60 minutes.
Instagram Stories
The jackpot in terms of views goes to Instagram Stories . This format is characterized by its visibility in vertical mode and for having a maximum duration of 24 hours . The content published there can be in version:
- Photo.
- Video.
- Boomerang.
- Rewind.
Instagram Stories are ideal so that, as a company, you can inform about your news or offers, but also to generate greater interaction with users through questions, to mention a few examples. This is one of the great benefits of Instagram for business: great interaction.
Direct on Instagram
The direct ones on Instagram allow the company to have real-time communication with its public. The advantage is that they are stored for 24 hours , as if it were a Storie.
Reels
Reels are small videos with a maximum duration of 60 seconds that are intended to generate dynamic content. One of the benefits of using Instagram for business is that the options with reels are limitless. You can add filters or effects, add music, include augmented reality elements, create transitions…
Photo Carousel
Has it happened to you that you have so many photos on your mobile that you would like to upload many in a single publication? The photo carousel format on Instagram makes it possible. In this option you can add a maximum of 10 photos . For example, for companies it is useful to highlight the various benefits or properties of some of their products or to make infographics .
Benefits of having a digital marketing strategy on Instagram
Instagram has the possibility of promoting and taking your brand to another level, but there is still more… Now I will tell you some benefits of Instagram for companies and how to include this social network in your digital marketing strategy.
1. Brand creation and promotion
One of the positive aspects of Instagram is that it allows brands to define their identity and reinforce their corporate values . For example, if a company makes a publication with photos accompanied by its corporate colors and elements, its audience will feel more attracted and will identify with what they are looking at, that is, they will feel familiar.
It is important that, as a company, you take advantage of the tools of this social network to give your audience valuable content : attractive, dynamic and of interest.
2. Increased traffic to the business website
As we mentioned at the beginning, Instagram has more than 1,000 million active users , a number that is increasing due to the benefits of using Instagram for companies. In this sense, it allows companies to redirect users to their website, blog or your online store, and thus increase traffic . Although Instagram does not allow direct clicking on links, so it will be necessary to add the URL of your web page in the biography of your Instagram profile, in the location or in a stories.
3. Wide spread
Instagram has the option to link to other social networks, such as Facebook , Twitter or Tumblr. By performing this action , it allows the content to reach more people and the coverage is greater.
4. Interaction and feedback
Through Instagram, companies can interact with their audience in real time, understand their concerns and receive feedback to improve. Hashtags are the strong point, since users can share their experiences through brand hashtags. In addition, you will be able to get to know your customers better, an added value for any business.
5. Accessibility
By having a mobile version and a desktop or web version , Instagram turns out to be accessible to any user. The benefit? That the content reaches more people.
6. Geolocation
But, without a doubt, the strong point of Instagram is geolocation. I recommend that each photo you upload is accompanied by its location. Thus, your company will appear on the photo map and increase its visibility.
7. Instagram ads
Instagram Ads allows you to create visual ads that will allow you to humanize your brand and reach new audiences. Thanks to it, companies ensure visits to the profile and the objectives of the strategy they have established, segmenting the public they want to reach.
8. Advanced segmentation
Closely related to the previous point, Instagram has very advanced segmentation options when it comes to creating an audience that it impacts with Instagram Ads. If you’ve ever worked with Facebook Ads, you know what we’re talking about.
9. Shopping from Instagram
Did you know that approximately a third of Instagram users use the social network to shop ? This platform will allow you to promote your products through tags on the photos and direct the user directly to the purchase.
10. Track ROI
When a client or potential client clicks on an ad on Instagram, we will be able to track their behavior and therefore have very precise information about the return on our investment.
11. Special features for professional profiles
Did you know that if you have a company account you can add a call to action button on your profile? This is one of the many features that are unlocked when you have a professional account.
12. Instagram users follow brands
90% of Instagram users follow at least one brand , you don’t want to miss this organic engagement with the followers of this social network, right ?
13. Visual-focused platform
One of the great advantages of Instagram is that it allows you to create visually attractive content that engages your followers. Do not forget that we have a great visual memory, so this impact is key.
14. Promotion of already published posts
One benefit of running paid campaigns on Instagram is that you can promote already published posts, which means that they will look the same as a regular post. This will generate higher click-through rate.
15. Analytical tools
With Instagram you will be able to access the analytical tool of your account, where you will be able to know the characteristics of your followers, impressions, gained and lost followers… among others.
16. Insights about your customers
Closely related to point 15, the analytical tool will allow you to discover a lot of information about age, gender, location, digital consumption habits. And all of this will help you improve your marketing campaigns, both on and off social media.
17. “Swipe up”
If you have more than 10,000 followers, you can count on “Swipe up”, a useful feature that allows you to add links to your stories.
18. Mention your brand address and attract visitors
In your professional profile you can add a postal address, in this way you can attract visitors to your physical store.
19. Brand Ambassadors
In this social network you will find many users willing to be free ambassadors of your brand if they are satisfied, take advantage of them! Users rely a lot on the opinion of other customers.
20. Intuitive tool
If you have already started moving around Instagram, you will have noticed that it is an intuitive and easy-to-use tool. You’ll set up your account in quick steps and be ready to get the most out of it
21. Reuse of resources
You can share your instagram profile and your posts on your website to take advantage of efforts and even gain followers who visit your website.
If you want to start creating your digital marketing strategy on Instagram, here I share with you some useful templates. Get the most out of them!
Surely right now you see Instagram as a great tool that can grow your results in your digital plan.
I hope this article has been the boost you were looking for. Anyway, I’d love to hear your thoughts on this: are you using Instagram to grow your company’s community? Do you use it to sell?
