Whether you are an e-merchant or not, Instagram can bring you great visibility and more conversions. Indeed, 80% of users follow at least one brand. So why not yours? Other interesting statistics show that 75% of internet users take action because of an active Instagram account. With a well-honed Instagram content strategy, you will be able to reach a larger audience and develop your online reputation.
Now that we've convinced you to use Instagram (at least we hope so), here are 10 tips to successfully carry out your Content marketing.
1. Plan a unique strategy for Instagram
Each social network differs in its audience, the way it operates with its own algorithms, and the different post formats. You therefore cannot duplicate your content strategy used on Twitter as on Instagram, it won't work.
To start, identify your target audience. Instagram users are fairly young, under 35. Deepen your knowledge of your personas to know precisely their demographic data, their location, their tastes, their activities, their lifestyles, etc.
Then determine your goals by taking Instagram’s features into account. For example, if you want to generate leads, remember that you can’t add clickable links to your posts. You are only allowed a single link in your bio. However, you can use Linktree to offer more links to your followers and thus increase visits to your site, views on your videos, and consequently your revenue.
You can then customize your posts based on that information. Here are the post formats available on Instagram:
- Photos in which you'll share behind-the-scenes of your company or an event, quotes, your routine in pictures…
- IGTV videos: a format that lets you post long-form videos — live or a tutorial.
- Reels: short, fun videos meant to be consumed quickly. The message delivered is clear.
- Guides are a new feature on Instagram. They offer the opportunity to present a new content marketing format to your audience and help boost engagement. This tool is perfect for promoting a shop.
- Stories: you can post a series of short photos and videos that will only be visible for 24 hours.
In your Instagram content strategy, don’t forget to consider the best times to post your photos or videos. These depend on your target audience.
Also read : Content marketing: 6 reasons to include stories in your content strategy
2. Use hashtags
Hashtags are essential to boost the visibility of your posts. Here’s how to proceed:
- Hashtags with your brand name: they help people who know your brand find you more easily. Don’t hesitate to create other hashtags using your campaign name or your event, for example.
- Community hashtags: they allow users to follow posts on a specific topic, for example #contentmarketing or #instagramstrategy.
Even if your brand is French-speaking, you’ll notice that most hashtags are in English. Use both languages. Check hashtag popularity and focus on those between 10k and 100k.
Final tips: make sure your hashtags are relevant to your post content and don’t overuse them. No more than 20 hashtags.
Also read : How to use hashtags on Instagram to boost your visibility?
3. Humanize your posts
You might be tempted to post only photos of your products, but on Instagram users like spontaneity and human elements.
So don’t hesitate to step in front of the camera by posting videos or photos from behind the scenes of your business or highlights from your daily life. Livestreaming is also highly appreciated. It can be a good way to:
- Make use of customer interviews;
- Capture a moment from your event;
- Film an afternoon outing with your colleagues;
- Show a private moment from your day.
Also read : 8 writing tips for your Instagram posts
4. Focus on your followers
You must focus on your community and your followers. You need to meet their expectations and needs and interact with them. But above all you must give them a reason to follow you:
- Fuel their creativity by encouraging your followers to generate content based on your products or the messages you want to convey;
- Create contests and encourage your community to share your posts;
- Offer specific discounts to your followers by setting up a promo code;
- Show them how your products can help or be useful to them;
- Get users involved in your stories and posts by asking questions.
Also read : Social Media: 6 mistakes not to make when communicating with your fans
5. Add interactivity
In content marketing, we distinguish three types of content: static, dynamic, and interactive content. It’s thanks to the latter that you can stand out on Instagram.
Interactivity is especially possible in stories thanks to the use of stickers. Codeur Mag even published an article on the subject highlighting all the options that you can use to engage your community.
But keep in mind that it is still possible to:
- Create a countdown: particularly useful before an event or a product launch;
- Add an emoji slider to gauge your community's opinion;
- Allow users to ask you questions that you'll answer later in a story;
- Allow users to choose music they can play as background to your post;
- Share posts from other accounts that resonate with you.
Also read : Social Media: 5 tips to generate traffic to your Instagram stories
6. Connect with influencers
It’s impossible to talk about Instagram without mentioning influencers. These web stars can be a springboard for your brand. So don’t neglect them in your content strategy, especially if you run an e-commerce business.
An influencer has a few thousand followers and is much more affordable budget-wise. Thanks to them, you can increase the visibility of your products with their community.
For this strategy to work, make sure to choose an influencer related to your industry who has a community similar to your target audience. There are online solutions to help you find relevant influencers for your brand.
To go further : The 6 keys to a successful UGC campaign!
7. Make the most of Stories
Instagram Stories have evolved a lot in recent years. They help engage your community more and get them involved. Algorithms favor this format: the more you post daily, the more visibility you’ll gain. Be natural and use all the tools at your fingertips:
- poll;
- quizzes;
- tagging;
- geolocation;
- questions;
- links, since you now have the ability to use URLs to send your follower to your website.
Although they only last 24 hours, you can create Highlights. Organized by theme, they act like the cover of your profile. First-time visitors love them.
8. Use sponsored ads
Instagram ads are everywhere. You have several options: in a Story or as a sponsored post that will appear in your target’s feed. Shopping posts are also a powerful content marketing tool for your strategyYou can tag a product directly on your photo and send the user to your sales page link. Note that you must be recognized as an approved seller by Facebook and have created your catalog to use this feature.
9. Refine your feed and develop your editorial line
First impressions always matter. You need to make your audience want to stay on your account and subscribe. The aesthetic of your feed is important because it determines your popularity. Your posts should be varied and users like to learn — alternate between personal photos and relevant information in your niche. Check design trends for feeds in your field.
10. Schedule your Instagram posts and blog articles
Even though Instagram users like spontaneity, opting for that strategy will take a lot of your time. That’s why it’s recommended to plan and schedule posts: photos, copy, hashtags…
Tools let you organize your content marketing strategy to avoid time lost to improvisation. Stories suit the moment, but you can also prepare some in advance. The blog has an important role in a content marketing strategy: it links to your Instagram topics and lets you expand on a post that has limited writing space. This way you provide high-value content for your audience.
Our tip for implementing a content marketing strategy on Instagram
Instagram should be the focus of a unique, well-honed content marketing strategy. After identifying your audience and objectives, you can create varied posts aimed at your followers. If this step takes you a long time, you can delegate writing to professionals, in order to save time and devote yourself to your core activity.
To stand out from your competitors, don’t hesitate to put yourself forward!
The article Instagram: 10 tips to successfully carry out your content marketing strategy first appeared on Redacteur.com.
