Instagram For Your Business, Part Deux

Instagram’s move to make its Stories feature more like Snapchat’s has drawn in quite a lot of viewers. With an increase of nearly 50 million users just these past 3 months, Instagram Stories is looking more promising as a way for your business, large or small to entice new followers to watch their content on this platform. I have done some posts in the past about Instagram just because I really have come to find this app as a very effective marketing tool. Being tied to Facebook helps as well. I thought I would re-post some of the great ways you can use Instagram!
#1 Use Your Product Or Service in Real Time
Images can only give so much information about how a product will perform. Instead of relying on photos and product descriptions to sell a product, featuring clips of that item in action can go a long way towards selling it. Some prominent sports clothing companies will feature athletes going through a workout wearing their gear. By featuring your products being used, your audience members have a better idea of what they’re getting into when purchasing from you. Be sure to use the short video feature as well to even further enhance your follower's experience!
#2 Blast Out Limited Promotions
When a product or giveaway is only available for a limited time, it creates a sense of urgency for your audience to act on. Limited-time promotions is an excellent way to get a small burst of activity and engagement with your company’s brand. If you have excess product or some swag like stickers or t-shirts, these are great products to use in a promotional giveaway. These promotions work well because your Instagram audience is already following you since they like what you do and they want to see more of your content.
#3 Use The Story Feature to Connect With Your Followers
Take Instagram Stories at face value and use it to tell a story your audience will share, Creative content works well. Find some stories that reflect your brand you know your followers will enjoy. This will help your viewers associate positive feelings with your company, which in turn prompts them to support your business. Note that if your content is funny, touching, or just simply creative, that content will be quickly shared by your followers and that is exactly what you want as sharing makes your brand go!
#4 Tell News That Is Relevant To your Business In Short Precise Clips
Your Instagram followers likely stick by you because they are interested in the industry you represent. Sharing industry-related news with your followers will help boost your company’s image as an expert in the field, and will show your audience that you care about the industry at large. Trying to promote your own company all the time can make followers feel like you don’t care about their interests. However, sharing relevant news makes your brand feel like part of the community. Keep In mind content needs to be short and precise. Today's Instagram users are typically mobile, young, and with very small attention spans. Get your news out in a 5 to 10 second read.
#5 Go Behind the Scenes
Content exclusivity is a great way to entice your audience to follow you on multiple social media channels. Instagram Stories makes it easy for you to show clips of behind-the-scenes moments during company events. Your followers will feel like they are getting access to something they can’t get anywhere else, and are more likely to follow you actively to make sure they are up-to-date with company happenings.
#6 Do Short Educational Pieces
Social media is a great platform to share educational resources and teaching moments. Travel blogs can use Instagram Stories to teach followers about cultural practices around the world, or host a quick geography lesson. Your brand can take this opportunity to teach your followers about manufacturing processes, or share some interesting facts about events and phenomenons related to your industry.
#7 Feature Calls to Action (CTAs)
Calls to action (CTAs) are a great way to prompt your audience to do something. Use Instagram Stories to prompt your followers to check out your main website or landing page. If you use CTA's typically your engagements will increase greatly!