If you have been attempting to build your company’s brand on social media with minor successes, then you are using the wrong platform. You can’t use LinkedIn to sell cupcakes and using Twitter for promotion is problematic since it is basically a scrolling mini-blog, and your ad literally is only seen for seconds. Instagram, by comparison, has static posts that only move when the user wants to move them. Here are some additional reasons you should be using Instagram to build brand awareness.
Why Instagram?
Instagram has grown by leaps and bounds over the last few years. It now boasts over one billion users and counting. In the United States alone, there are over 120 million users. It also reaches a desirable demographic, with nearly 90% of its users under the age of thirty-five years old.
The platform’s success is for several reasons. First, it is user-friendly. Its uncomplicated format makes it both easy to use and easy to view. It works just as well on mobile devices as it does on a PC, which is one reason it is so appealing to people under thirty-five. The fact that it is image and video-driven makes it aesthetically appealing. It is an advantage it has over other websites such as its owner, Facebook. There are no moving ads on the sides of the screen with Instagram, and it does not spam its users. These reasons are why branding is so effective on Instagram.
Be on Brand
As with any marketing campaign, a company’s brand matters. Make sure you have a clear brand identity before you embark on an Instagram branding campaign. Inconsistencies in your brand identity will only serve to confuse those you are trying to reach. Be sure that you know who your company is, what’s its culture, and what it stands for to create a brand. Your brand should include approved colors and fonts not only on Instagram but on stationery and signage as well. Use approved language to convey your brand in your posts.
Most importantly, use high-quality pictures that reflect your brand and bring about a positive response in the viewer. Being on-brand does not mean being bland unless that is your brand. Use vibrant and interesting images in your post. Attention-grabbing posts will bring more followers to your company’s Instagram Account.
Trend On
Know what trends are happening in your local area and create hashtags on Instagram to take advantage of it. How do you know the local trends? Watch local news and read about events going on in your area. Make sure that the hashtags you create are relevant to your business. If your business is an accounting firm and you are using hashtags about a monster truck event in your area, there is not much relevance. If you are a clothing store, you can create hashtags about clothes related to the seasons — warm coats in winter, bikinis in summer. Holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas and New Years are excellent to use for hashtags.
Use Pictures and Video of Your Products
You should always include pictures of your products on Instagram and the reasons it can improve your customer’s life. Behind the scenes and demonstrative videos are always useful when building your brand and seeking conversions.
We Know Instagram
If you are not sure how to manage your Instagram account, we can manage it for you. Call us or take a moment to fill out our contact us form. A member of our staff will be in touch regarding how we can help you with Instagram.