The Digital Strategist

Instagram marketing is another kind of social media marketing that involves raising awareness and the promotion of a brand, company or service on Instagram.
Instagram is an app that was mainly for uploading media (photos and videos), hashtags and geographical tags – it was mainly a ground for aesthetics but today, it has numerous functions as you can now have an online business, increase your brand awareness, boost sales and connect with a large audience on it, all thanks to its new features.

Instagram is the ideal platform for reaching a massive audience of over 1 billion monthly active users. Instagram users spend an average of 53 minutes per day on the platform, making it the second most popular social media network after Facebook.
Keeping in touch with clients and prospects has never been easier. On Instagram, users enjoy connecting with brands and businesses, with 90% of users following at least one brand.

One factor to consider is the ability of Instagram to accelerate sales. According to a Facebook poll conducted in 2019, 65 percent of those who saw a brand on Instagram visited its website or app. 46 percent of those polled purchased a brand, whether online or in person.
Accessibility to a large audience that engages with companies and decides to buy from them is an essential part of Instagram marketing.

Benefits of Instagram marketing

1. Increases sales
2. Builds and increases brand awareness
3. Grows audience
4. Brand strengthening
5. Boosts content marketing
6. Understanding the Interests of Your Target Customers
7. Platforms for telling your brand’s story
8. Encourages customer loyalty
9. Assists in delivering responsive customer service
10. Assists You in Gathering Information About Your Audience

Dos and Don’ts of Instagram Marketing

Dos of Instagram Marketing

1. Create a business account on Instagram

Create a business account on Instagram.
To determine what your brand is, all of the parts of your Instagram profile must fit together. Maintain your recognizability.

Your Instagram account’s single clickable link is in the Bio area, just under your name. Make it a habit to update the link on a regular basis. Consider more than simply connecting to your site. You may also urge them to register for events, download apps, or make purchases. To spark followers’ interest, change the landing page.

Note that your bio could be changed to advertise any launching, project, or sale. The recipe for creating a bio is to convey succinctly what you do and who you are…while still displaying a touch of your style and uniqueness.

Instagram is a visual platform. You must have a distinct brand image. What your factory produces, what your shop sells, or an insight into what your restaurant is are obvious possibilities are what you could showcase

Customer testimonials and behind-the-scenes peeks into your office and employees are also useful, especially if your commodity offers service other than selling a tangible item. 

2. Tell your brand’s story

Stock photographs have no place on Instagram. Your photographs must be visually beautiful but also real, unique, and relatable in order to successfully express your message.
You should try sharing your account’s login details with your employees so that they may share images when something noteworthy occurs (but be sure to establish limits for what can and cannot be shared on your brand’s page).

Engaging your audience with a tale such as this will keep customers coming back every day by giving their relationship with your brand a more personal touch. They would like to know not only about your brand but also about the people that work there.

3. Use hashtags relevant to your brand

Hashtags are utilized for searching, giving you the option to reach out to new people. Consider how people could search for your content subject when choosing the hashtags for your articles, posts and contents. Taking into account how popular a hashtag is – setting a target is the best approach.

Instagram limits are 30 hashtags per post, so make the most of them.
The rapidly moving Instagram feed can easily bury your material. Using hashtags is the best way to extend the life of your postings. The hashtags organize your posts and contents into communities that are linked by keywords and remain searchable.

People can not only find your articles more simply by Googling the hashtag, but it can also become a terrific method to stay involved (and promote involvement) with your audience if you design a customized hashtag that could help boost and represent your brand.
Keep your hashtag short but memorable. elicit a feeling Ensure this hashtag matches your brand’s personality, voice, and character, as well as any other marketing you’ve done, especially on Instagram.

4. Don’t forget about captions

Instagram’s being a visual platform means you can make excellent use of written material. Captions are the narratives that accompany the photographs. Create captions that allow your audience to engage with you. Cheer them up and ponder it. 
Make your captions dynamic and inviting. Instead of repeating the image, emphasize it. When your audience views the photo, they go on to the caption. If they find a new angle, they’ll return to the photo and examine it more closely. 

A caption could also be a terrific approach to pique people’s interest in any episodic material you’re producing (as we discussed before).
Make what you say fascinating and tease what’s to come by explaining something from the post that viewers may have not noticed at first sight. This will also get them glued to your page and keep them in expectation of other compelling content.

5. Direct people to your bio

Your bio is valuable real estate for directing users to what they should do and where they should go. Make a powerful call-to-action with those limited 150 characters and direct consumers’ next action to take on your business.
Instagram differs from other social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn in that it does not accept links in the comment section or captions. So, the link you put in your bio is the first opportunity to entice them to visit your website.

Use your Instagram photos and videos to tease an offer, then redirect them to your bio link to complete the transaction.
Make it a habit to advise users on how to sign up or buy anything by following the link in the bio.

Make it a habit to advise them how to sign up for something or buy anything by clicking the link in your bio. This URL is routinely changed by brands when they show a picture with a new deal.

The Don’ts of Instagram marketing

1. Don’t use Instagram solely for the promotion

You should never overpromote on any social media platform, but Instagram requires special caution.

It may be tempted to publish a wide range of product photographs or ads that you’d normally see on a website’s sidebar, but resist.

Instagram users are searching for stunning, eye-catching photographs, not business pitches.

If you’re planning on using Instagram Ads (the platform’s official sponsored advertisements), make sure your content is relevant to your target demographic while remaining genuine.

Post photographs and videos that others will want to interact with.

2. Don’t buy followers

It isn’t worthwhile. You won’t gain any meaningful Instagram engagement, and you risk ruining your reputation.
It’s pointless to have 10,000 followers if you only get a small number of likes and comments. Even if you do have certain spikes in engagement, they will almost surely have an impact on your reputation. Naturally, negatively. The generic tone of the remarks from the fake followers on social media is rather obvious and quite off-putting.

Instead, take the natural path. Fewer followers that actually like and react to your work are far more beneficial. The alternative—a large but dormant following—serves nothing but your vanity.

3. Don’t use stock or generic photos.

Don’t use stock or generic photos.
On Instagram, you want your business to have some individuality and uniqueness. Don’t publish generic photos that appear to have been faked (that is, formal headshots). Show a bit of your crazy side.
Take photos that reflect your company’s style and culture. The most popular account owners and influencers achieve this by posting content that is true and authentic. You would not want to come across as a knucklehead on Instagram.

4. Don’t act like a robot

Don’t act like a robot.
There’s a thin line between taking your Instagram strategy seriously and taking actual execution too seriously. Let’s not get them mixed up.
The tone you use on Instagram is one of the most significant lessons in how to attract clients to the network.
While considerable planning is required, when it concerns your general attitude and the structure of your Instagram material, you can experiment and let your imagination run wild.

Instagram is not the platform to project a corporate or formal tone, regardless of your profession. Don’t be scared to exhibit your human side whenever possible. Instagram is where people go to get some inspiration and have some fun away from their work-life or stress, so it’s best to provide them with what they need.

The basis is to keep in mind that Instagram’s social character helps to boost the subjective parts of marketing. You aim to increase consumer loyalty, brand image, and user customer satisfaction. Instagram is a platform for promoting a company’s identity.

I hope these tips can provide you with the information you need on Instagram marketing and its dos and don’t.

Read also: What’s New in 2022 on Instagram: New Features and Updates