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Instagram’s ad revenue is predicted to reach a whopping $50.58 billion in 2023. It’s one of the undisputed kings of social media, so every business should be marketing on Instagram if they want their share of this pie. However, if you want your business to perform well, you need to devise a top Instagram marketing strategy.
There are numerous ways to market on the app, including Instagram ads and organic content, so pulling together a cohesive Instagram strategy can feel overwhelming. Here are eight key tips to remember when planning your marketing strategy.
Key Takeaways
- There are many ways to market on Instagram, from ads and feed posts to Instagram shopping tools and user-generated content.
- The first step is to define your Instagram marketing goals so that you can accurately measure your progress and adjust your marketing strategy as needed.
- A great profile can help you attract customers and increase conversions.
- A clear strategy is vital if you want to grow. Make sure you have a content calendar that speaks to your strategy, and always create content with your brand voice in mind.
- Instagram is moving away from hashtags and toward SEO, so make sure you nail your captions.
- Utilize all of Instagram’s features, including feed posts, reels, live video, and stories.
- Post content consistently to keep your posts at the top of the algorithm and reach your target audience.
- Remember to check your analytics frequently to hone your marketing strategy.
1. Define Your Goals
Brands use Instagram marketing for different reasons. The first step is setting attainable goals that dictate your Instagram marketing strategy.
You may want to grow brand awareness and increase your following, grow a community and boost engagement with your brand, or increase sales by generating leads via Instagram.
Your goals will determine your overall strategy. For example, if sales are the aim, you can leverage Instagram shopping tools, focusing each post on your products. Meanwhile, if community is the goal, you can create trending content, memes, and interesting carousels that drive engagement.
2. Nail Your Profile
Your brand’s profile is crucial when increasing your following. Other Instagram users will look at your profile before choosing to follow you, so you have one chance to capture their attention.
First, switch to an Instagram business account. This gives you access to a range of Instagram marketing tools, including Instagram ads, analytics, and more. Make sure you select the best category that applies to your brand; it will appear on your profile and give users an idea of your products or services.
Next, set a profile picture that’s relevant to your brand, like a logo. Then, you need to create an Instagram bio that clearly explains who you are and what your business does. An Instagram bio is short, so make it count. Try to convey your brand voice, summarize what you sell, and include a call to action if possible. If you have a branded hashtag, you can use it here.
An Instagram business profile gives you the ability to add contact details, too. Make sure it’s easy for prospective customers to get in touch with you, or you will never get any conversions. You can even link it to a Facebook business page to keep your digital marketing cohesive across multiple channels.
3. Devise a Clear Instagram Content Strategy
Your Instagram marketing strategy should be at the heart of everything you do. Devise an Instagram marketing tactic that suits your marketing budget but also makes steps toward your goal.
At its heart, the Instagram app is a visual platform. As a result, your Instagram marketing should include creative direction about the visual aspects of your content. Although you don’t need to be too hung up on the aesthetics of your Instagram content, it’s best to have some cohesion on your Instagram feed if you want to attract other users.
Devise a content calendar that allows you to post content frequently. Everything you post should add value for your users, so think about what your users want to see, then create an Instagram post that makes them want to like, follow, and share.
4. Have a Distinctive Voice
Social media is saturated with users. The Instagram app currently has over 2.35 billion users, all of whom are constantly seeing and posting content. You need your Instagram ads and posts to stand out, which is why good Instagram marketing is so essential.
Your brand voice comes out in everything you post, from Instagram captions and videos to your bio and on-screen text in images and videos. It’s not just what you say, but how you say it. Consider what personality you want your brand to have, and create brand guidelines to help these traits shine through.
5. Don't Forget SEO
Social media sites, including Instagram, are moving away from hashtags and toward SEO. The Instagram Creators account has advised creators to post only three hashtags per post, which is very limiting. Instead, it wants Instagram users to search for relevant content using keywords.
You can optimize your Instagram posts for search by including keywords in the caption, on-screen text, and video subtitles. Writing killer captions is an art, but good copy is essential if you want to grow your Instagram account and drive sales.
6. Use All the Features
The best Instagram marketing strategy makes use of all the app’s features. There’s a lot to account for, including:
- Instagram feed posts
- Instagram stories
- Instagram reels
- Live video
- Carousel posts
- Shopping tags
Instagram is pushing reels and video content above all else, so video should be your primary Instagram marketing tactic, if possible. However, there is still plenty of value for your followers in static posts and carousels.
Not all of your target audience will enjoy the same Instagram content, so you will gain more followers by mixing it up. Make variation a part of your Instagram marketing, using a variety of content to convey your messages.
Plus, you can run Instagram ads in several formats. With a business account, you can promote static posts, turn reels into video ads, and even create ads that pop up when a user is viewing Instagram stories. Again, this is a great way to boost brand awareness.
7. Publish Consistently
Consistency is key in Instagram marketing. If a user sees one of your ads and clicks on your Instagram account but sees that you haven’t posted in two weeks, they are more likely to scroll away again.
Even in terms of building brand loyalty, you need to post content consistently to keep your Instagram account at the forefront of your followers’ minds. Your Instagram marketing calendar should account for frequent posting, with the Creators account currently suggesting that daily posting is favored by the algorithm.
Even if you cannot commit to posting content daily, try to publish to your Instagram feed a couple of times a week. Instagram stories are a great way to create content more frequently, with users loving behind-the-scenes peeks into small businesses and Instagram content that’s less polished than what makes it onto the grid.
8. Leverage Analytics
Instagram marketing is like any other form of social media marketing strategy in that you need to adapt as you go. Flexibility is a mantra you should live by because social media is ever-changing, and so is your audience.
A professional account will give you access to Instagram analytics. Here, you can see your audience demographics, the best times of day to post, and more. You can also get key insights into how each post performs and how much traffic you are generating.
Adapting your Instagram marketing strategy as you go, according to the insights you see, is vital. So, if you see that Instagram reels perform significantly better than carousel posts, you know where to invest more of your Instagram marketing budget.
Improving Your Strategy Today
Is it time to level up your Instagram strategy. The experts at Bough Digital can help you by devising a strong social media strategy with optimized scheduling, targeted content, and data-driven outcomes.
Find out how we can take your Instagram marketing to the next level.
FAQs
1. What's a good Instagram marketing strategy?
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to Instagram marketing. Instead, your approach depends on your business and unique goals. As a general rule of thumb, you should be consistent and let your brand voice shine through if you want to nail your Instagram marketing strategy.
2. How do I attract new followers on Instagram?
Engagement is one thing, but to make content that converts, you need to think about what your audience wants to see. Providing value is the best way to entice followers to your Instagram account, so make sure you deliver content that gives users a reason to follow you. Address your Instagram followers’ pain points, answer their questions, and interact with them to encourage them to keep following.
3. How do I convert Instagram traffic to sales?
Instagram marketing has tons of options for creating sales. For example, you can add shopping links to your posts, add website links to your Instagram profile, and more. Utilize features such as adding clickable links in your Instagram stories, turning popular Instagram posts into ads, and posting reminders about any sales in your Instagram feed. Above all else, make great content that will drive website traffic by enticing your Instagram followers to learn more.