About 3.5 billion people are active on social media. That’s a crazy number, if you think about it. And because of that, over 90% of marketers use social media to boost exposure for their brands online. A few eye-catching images and witty captions aren’t enough for a strong Instagram marketing strategy, though. So with that, here are 10 tips that can help you learn how to market on Instagram. With these Instagram marketing strategies, you can reach more customers online. You can build a following, engage your audience, and potentially generate fresh leads.
Ready to set your brand up for success online? Get started with these 10 easy Instagram marketing tips today! Let’s roll.
1. Research Your Audience
Before anything else, take the time to gather research. Research can help you make more informed decisions with your Instagram marketing strategy. Otherwise, the assumptions you make could waste valuable time and energy in the long run. First, take the time to learn as much as you can about your target audience.
If you’re targeting a broad audience, segment your customers into distinct personas. You can distinguish each group based on demographics and psychographics. For example, you might segment customers based on:
- Age
- Education
- Language
- Gender
- Household income
- Marital status
- Interests
- Buying behaviors
- Hobbies
- Pain points
Think of each persona as a real person. What content are they searching for while online? Understanding your target audience can help you better appeal to their interests. In fact, over 70% of people get annoyed when content has nothing to do with their interests. Over 50% of consumers will switch brands if companies don’t use personalized messaging. Personalizing your content with distinct customer groups in mind could boost your ROI. In fact, 80% of people are more likely to make purchases from companies that personalize communications. Personalization can boost your ROI by eight times, too.
As you use the rest of these Instagram marketing strategies, keep your customers in mind. Speak their language to draw them in.
2. Check Out the Competition
As you gather information about your target audience, don’t forget to consider your competitors. You develop a strong Instagram marketing strategy based on the mistakes your competitors are making. You can learn from their successes and failures.
Look at the posts your competitors share on their Instagram accounts. Create a spreadsheet that outlines the:
- Types of posts your competitors create (still images, videos, IGTV, Reels, Stories, Shoppable posts, etc.)
- Day and time each post goes up
- Their most popular posts
- The hashtags they use
- How often they post
As you review their posts, check out the engagement. Which posts get the most likes and comments? Which posts tend to fall flat? Don’t copy what your competitors are doing. Instead, look for ways to improve on their Instagram marketing strategies. For example, you can learn which post formats are most popular with your target audience.
3. Update Your Profile
Optimizing your Instagram profile can help more potential followers and customers find you online. First, make sure you’re using a business account. Instagram’s business accounts offer additional features and tools. For example, you can review your Instagram Insights to learn more about your followers. When updating your profile, try to add as much helpful information as you can. Make sure your business name is clear. Use a handle that’s easy to remember and associate with your brand. Make sure to include your website, too. Use a hashtag that’s relevant to your business within your description as well. These tips could help you use Instagram as part of your search engine optimization (SEO) strategy, too.
4. Create Engaging Content
Engaging, branded content is key for a successful Instagram marketing strategy. Make sure your content is unique and helpful. Focus on providing your customers with entertaining or helpful content. Try to avoid hard sales tactics. After all, most people aren’t on Instagram to shop. Instead, help them learn more about your business. For example, you can create product demos or tutorials. You post helpful tips and tricks or schedule live Q&A sessions. Experiment with different forms of content to see what engages your audience.
5. Schedule Ahead of Time
Once you start developing your content, try to schedule your posts ahead of time. Scheduling your posts can help you remain efficient and organized. Once you start posting, look at your data. What day and time help you generate the most engagement? Schedule your posts at the right time to reach your audience.
6. Partner With Influencers
Instagram influencer marketing can help expand your reach. You can boost brand awareness and build your online credibility. Look for influencers your target audience already loves. Then, ask if they’re willing to promote your brand. You can leverage the influencer’s existing brand trust and loyalty to draw more people to your business.
7. Gather Your Hashtags
Create a branded hashtag for your posts. Encourage people to use your branded hashtag when they discuss your business. Then, share their user-generated content to boost brand trust and loyalty. Avoid using oversaturated hashtags like “#love.” Instead, focus on hashtags that appeal to your target audience. Make sure the hashtags you use are appropriate to the post, too.
8. Keep the Conversation Going
As people begin commenting on your Instagram posts, comment back! Create a two-way conversation. Respond to questions and let your followers know you’re there to help. Look for ways to boost engagement, too. For example, you can create polls and quizzes in your Stories. Consider hosting a contest as well.
9. Track Trends
Keep up with the latest trends to ensure you never fall behind. Otherwise, followers might think your business is outdated. Choose trends that suit your industry and business. In the meantime, make sure to avoid these eight social media marketing mistakes.
10. Analyze and Optimize
As you develop your Instagram marketing strategy, make sure to review your data. Reviewing your data can help you learn from your mistakes. You can also recognize the strategies that are helping you engage your target audience. Continue optimizing your Instagram marketing plans to gather more followers and leads in the future.
Like a Lot: 10 Instagram Marketing Tips for Beginners
A strong Instagram marketing strategy can put your business on the map. You can reach more people online and start building a loyal following. Develop your Instagram plans with these 10 easy tips today.
And of course, if you need help developing your digital marketing strategy, we’re always here to lend a hand! Contact our team today to get started.