Instagram has quickly become one of the favorite social networks for users all around the globe. The platform’s grid layout and the multitude of features offered on the app provide a fun and attractive space for everyday users and businesses alike. The site has proven beneficial in both B2C and B2B marketing strategies. In this article, we will be going over 3 Instagram tools to help garner exposure for your brand.
1. Stories
First seen on Snapchat, stories enable Instagram users to break free from the seemingly perfect and well curated content provided on the main feed of many accounts. While influencers and other brands are oftentimes encouraged and still seek to produce creative and high quality stories, these quickly disappearing snapshots allow users to see more organic, everyday, behind the scenes, typically raw and real content. Not to mention, users can choose their favorite stories to save as highlights on their main page above their grid, to help better give viewers an idea of what their account is about.
There are many awesome ways for a brand to take advantage of Instagram stories. After all, the platform tends to favor users who participate in the various features offered. For starters, Instagram stories can be used to promote a recent post, advertise a new product, or stir up consumer engagement. A multitude of stickers such as polls, countdowns, location tags, questions, hashtags, mentions, and much more, can be used to decorate stories and start conversation. Location tags, hashtags, and mention stickers are further beneficial because location tags and hashtags are more specific and searchable, and other accounts mentioned in a story can share to their own story, increasing awareness among their own followers.
2. IGTV
As stated previously, Instagram rewards users who utilize features native to the platform. Instagram more recently rolled out their IGTV, which allows for videos longer than a minute to be published to the site. These are commonly used by vloggers to promote videos posted to their YouTube channels, influencers to post product reviews, videographers/cinematographers to provide a glimpse of their work, and more. Users can search for IGTV videos in a separate tab on the discover page.
3. Shopping In Apps
A major social media trend highly beneficial for businesses, especially retail companies, is the ability to embed website links on the site and provide product shopping directly in the app. These posts can be promoted as paid advertisements, or left to be found by users in the shopping tab of the explore page in the app. Companies, however, should beware to maintain their presence on the platform as a way to further communicate with consumers as well as promoting their brand in order to ensure their page does not end up looking like one endless advertisement no one wants to engage with.
The More Social Business 