If you’re not using Instagram for business, you’re missing out. This powerful social media platform has become a key channel for marketing your brand, and it’s only going to become more critical in the years to come. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about marketing your brand on Instagram.
We’ll cover everything from setting up your account and creating compelling posts to using advanced features like analytics and shoppable posts. So don’t miss out on the power of Instagram marketing! Learn everything you need to know in this comprehensive guide.
What Is Instagram Marketing?
Instagram is a social media platform that allows users to post photos and videos with captions and share them with their followers. It was initially launched as an app for iPhone but has since expanded to include Android and Web versions.
Instagram is primarily used for sharing photos and videos, but businesses can also use it to create effective marketing campaigns. Instagram Marketing refers to using Instagram as a marketing channel to reach your target audience and achieve your business goals.
Why Use Instagram Marketing?
There are many reasons why you might want to use Instagram Marketing:
- Instagram has over 800 million active users.
- 60% of Instagram users are between the ages of 18 and 29.
- 71% of businesses use Instagram for marketing purposes.
- Posts with a location receive 79% more engagement than posts without one.
- Photos with faces get 38% more likes than photos without them.
- Videos on Instagram receive more than twice the amount of engagement as photos.
How Do I Start Instagram Marketing?
Follow these steps to start using Instagram for marketing:
Step #1 – Download the app and sign up for an account. You can also create an account online by visiting Instagram.com/username and choosing a username.
Step #2 – Choose an Instagram marketing strategy that suits your needs and goals, then begin posting content regularly.
Step #3 – Follow other businesses in your industry so they’ll follow you back (and vice versa). This will help build relationships with influencers who may be able to share your content with their followers.
Step #4 – Use hashtags to increase the reach of your posts and attract new followers.
Step #5 – Analyze your account regularly to determine how well your Instagram marketing strategy works and make changes as needed.
Step #6 – Use Instagram advertising tools to target specific audiences and reach new customers.
Step #7 – Create Instagram Stories to keep people updated on what’s happening at your business.
What Is an Instagram Business Account?
An Instagram Business account is a profile that allows businesses to connect with their customers, promote products or services, and share content related to the company. It also gives you access to several features that are not available to regular Instagram accounts, such as:
Insights: This provides you with detailed analytics about your account, including the number of followers you have, how many people viewed and engaged with your posts, etc.
Shoppable posts: You can add tags to your posts that allow customers to buy products directly from the center.
Contact button: This allows customers to get your business for more information quickly or make a purchase.
Instagram ads: These are paid advertisements that appear in users’ feeds and Stories. You can use them to promote products, services, or events by creating custom audiences based on demographics like age group and location.
How Do I Create an Instagram Business Account?
To create an Instagram business account, follow these steps:
Step #1 – Log into Instagram and go to the account creation page.
Step #2 – Fill out the required fields, including your name and email address. You’ll also need an image or video for your profile picture (this should be something that represents your brand).
Step #3 – Select a username that relates directly back to what your business does, like “@shopname” or “@mybusinessname.”
Step #4 – Tap the green checkmark icon at the top of the screen when you fill out all required fields. You can then choose whether to link your Instagram account with a Facebook page (if applicable) and follow up with additional questions about your business.
Step #5 – Instagram will review your account and, if it is approved, switch you over to a business account.
What Are the Different Types of Instagram Posts?
There are three types of posts that you can share on Instagram: photos, videos, and Stories.
Photos: Photos are images you upload to Instagram and share with your followers. You can use them to showcase products, advertise events or promotions, and build relationships with customers by sharing behind-the-scenes photos of the business.
Videos: Videos are short clips you upload onto Instagram and share with followers. They can be up to 60 seconds long (or up to 15 seconds for stories) and can be used to promote products, services, or events.
Stories: Stories are a post that allows you to share photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours. They are perfect for giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at your business or promoting short-term promotions or events.
Read more about Six Mind Numbing Facts About Instagram Marketing Metrics.
FAQ Questions and Answers
How Do I Upload Photos and Videos to Instagram?
To upload a photo or video to Instagram, follow these steps:
Step #1 – Launch the Instagram app and log in.
Step #2 – Tap the “+” icon at the bottom of the screen to create a new post.
Step #3 – Select an image or video from your camera roll by tapping on it once. You can also take a new photo using the Instagram app’s built-in camera feature.
Step #4 – Tap “Next” and tap “Share” to post your image or video to Instagram.
Can I Add Links to My Instagram Posts?
Yes! You can add links to your posts by tapping on the chain icon in the top right corner of your post.
This will open a window where you can enter any URL that you want people to visit when they click on the link in your Instagram post.
You can add links to photos and videos, but not Stories (unless you use an app like LinkinBio). You cannot add links to your Instagram bio; they need to be added manually as part of a post.
How Do I Create Instagram Stories?
To create an Instagram Story, follow these steps:
Step #1 – Tap the camera icon in the top left corner of your screen or swipe right from anywhere on the feed page to open the camera feature.
Step #2 – Take a photo or video using Instagram’s built-in camera feature.
Step #3 – Tap the arrow icon in the bottom right corner of your screen to add stickers, text, and more to your Story.
Step #4 – When you are finished creating your story, tap “Share” in the top left corner of your screen to post it.
How Do I Add Stickers and Text to Instagram Stories?
To add stickers and text to an Instagram Story, follow these steps:
Step #1 – Take a photo or video using Instagram’s built-in camera feature. If you want to use one from your camera roll, tap the “Library” icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.
Step #2 – Tap on the sticker, text, or drawing tool you want to use and drag it onto your story.
Step #3 – When you are finished adding stickers and text, tap “Done” in the top right corner of your screen.
How Do I Add Music to Instagram Stories?
To add music to an Instagram Story, follow these steps:
Step #1 – Take a photo or video using the Instagram app’s built-in camera feature. If you want to use one from your camera roll, tap the “Library” icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.
Step #2 – Tap the music icon at the top of your screen and then search for a song or tap on one from the list to listen to it. You can also tap “Playlist” in the bottom right corner of your screen if you want to use songs already saved to your device.
Step #3 – When you have found a song you want to use, drag the start and end sliders to select the part of the song you want to use in your story.
Step #4 – Tap “Done” in the top right corner of your screen when you are finished.
Can I Add My Instagram Stories to My Profile?
Yes! You can add your stories to your profile by following these steps:
Step #1 – Tap the camera icon in the top left corner of your screen or swipe right from anywhere on the feed page to open the camera feature.
Step #2 – Take a photo or video using Instagram’s built-in camera feature.
Step #3 – Tap the “Your Story” icon at the bottom of your screen to add it to your profile.
How Do I Share My Instagram Stories on Other Social Media Platforms?
To share an Instagram story on other social media platforms, follow these steps:
Step #1 – Take a photo or video using Instagram’s built-in camera feature. If you want to use one from your camera roll, tap the “Library” icon in the bottom left corner of your screen.
Step #2 – Tap on the story you want to share and then tap “Share” in the top right corner of your screen.
Step #3 – Select the social media platform you want to share it on, and then follow the instructions to post it.
How to Drive Traffic from Instagram?
There are several ways to drive traffic from Instagram.
Here are some of the most effective ones:
Link in Bio – The “link in bio” strategy involves adding a link to your Instagram profile that directs people to where you want them to go (e.g., sales page, lead magnet opt-in form, etc.). You can change the link in your bio as often as you want, making it a great way to promote new content or products.
Hashtags – Instagram hashtags are a great way to get your content seen by more people. When you use relevant hashtags in your posts, you make them searchable and, therefore, more likely to be seen by people interested in what you have to say.
Instagram Stories – Instagram Stories are a great way to drive traffic from Instagram because they are highly engaging and can be seen by many people. In addition, you can add links to your stories that direct people to the content that you want them to see.
Promote Instagram Posts – Promoting Instagram posts is another way to drive traffic from Instagram. You can create ads for your posts, which will then be shown at the top of people’s feeds and their stories.
Run a Giveaway or Contest – Running giveaways and contests on social media is a great way to generate leads and increase brand awareness. Instagram is a great platform for this type of promotion because it’s so visual and easy to use.
Conclusion
So, there you have it! A comprehensive guide to Instagram marketing. By following the tips in this guide, you can create an effective Instagram marketing strategy that will help you achieve your business goals. Thanks for reading!
