One billion monthly active users. Last year Instagram continued its meteoric rise by surpassing that number and cementing its status as the current shining star of the social media universe. Which begs the question: Are you using Instagram’s growing momentum to help your business shoot for the moon? If you’re sitting around watching other companies gather leads through Instagram and are wondering how you can do the same, here are a few tips for utilizing social media’s fastest growing platform.
Optimize Your Bio
Before jumping in and amassing followers, you need to make sure you’re set up for success. Since Instagram doesn’t allow clickable links in posts or comments like most social media platforms and relegates this function to just your bio, nailing this part of your profile is of utmost importance. To make sure you get the most out of this small space, you’ll want to highlight your most attractive differentiators and end on a compelling call to action that grabs potential clients from the get-go.
Engage Your Audience
Unlike in the past, where people passively watched commercials and let advertisers do the talking, social media allows for a very direct and personal back and forth with users. Having a responsive and focused team that engages any questions, concerns, or excited emoji-filled replies is the best way to ensure your company is truly being “social”. Otherwise, you risk portraying yourself as that opportunistic networker at the house party trying to fake smile their way to the top.
Give to Get
One of the best ways to engage with your audience on social media is to give them something they want for free. After all, who doesn’t love a good giveaway? Contests give you a better chance of going viral, attract intrigued viewers, and generate a ton of excitement around your brand for minimal cost. Just make sure the giveaway is relevant to your business, easy to enter, and gives away something people really want. Finally, when you announce the winner, use this extra attention to hook your audience with some special one-time offers.
Tell Your Story
One of the most compelling features Instagram has introduced is the story function. Because Instagram stories disappear within 24 hours, they have a built-in sense of urgency that, if harnessed correctly, can be a massive advantage for advertisers. Takeovers by other influencers can help cross-promote your brand, so it gets discovered by relevant audiences. Using the swipe function, you can send customers to customized landing pages and gather email opt-ins. Also, posting interesting stories can help your brand feel lively, leading to more interaction with your brand.
Don’t Fall Down the Rabbit Hole
As essential as Instagram is nowadays, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype and start chasing followers while losing sight of your bottom line. With all the new ways people can find your company, the tried and true method of picking up the phone and calling prospects still leads the way. That’s why partnering with Osprey Strategic Research gives you the ultimate leg up. We’ll help you target the best ways to grow, regardless of platform, and develop a marketing strategy that combines social media strategy with Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google remarketing, email automation, and all of the most potent marketing initiatives. Contact us today to find out all the ways we can boost your brand awareness and help accomplish your marketing mission.