 Ronn Torossian |
It goes without saying that a strong Instagram presence should be a central part of every firm’s marketing strategy, but after signing up for an account and filling out a profile, you may find yourself at a loss for knowing what’s next. You aren’t alone.
Producing a steady stream of content is no doubt a challenge many businesses face, especially given the advice that firms should post at least 1.5 times per day (or three times over two days).
Here are five ideas to get you started:
Product posts
Pictures and videos of your products are most likely the easiest place to get started with your Instagram feed. By sharing content showing off your product(s) in all their glory, you can jump straight into driving sales and promoting your business on the platform.
You may choose to focus on your products alone or feature them in a lifestyle photo shoot with complementary products.
Still, make sure to post these photos strategically so as to avoid coming across as spammy. Be sure to take the time to write captions with character, rather than a few basic hashtags. Treat each post like a product pitch.
Product tags
Product tags and stickers are unique formats for posts and stories that enable direct purchases via Instagram. Users can click on product tags to get more information about a product, like its name or price. Clicking again provides an opportunity to convert a user to a customer by taking them to a screen where they can purchase your product.
Product tags make it much easier and more convenient for users to purchase on mobile, and immediately. Consider using product tags in particular when you are running a sale or offering a discount.
User-generated content
User-generated content is a goldmine for firms with a loyal following, providing some of the most persuasive content that money can’t buy. Not only is this type of content persuasive, but it shows your firm is engaged with its online community, likely leading to even more user-generated content as you go.
Such content is easily shared to your page in a way that subtly promotes your brand, so encourage users to post what you want to see using a hashtag they can attach to their image. Be sure to ask permission first before sharing!
Seasonal posts
Customers love feeling the holiday spirit, be it Christmas, International Women’s Day or even National Pumpkin Day.
Take advantage of the festivities by creating seasonal posts that are timely and relevant. Summer vacations, winter weather and travel milestones all offer interesting starting points for a seasonal post. Be sure to include relevant hashtags to make sure your posts get picked up in the Instagram swell!
Inspirational quotes
Inspire your followers with a quote that rings of those cheesy films we love to indulge in. The online world can be a negative place, and firms that seem determined to stick with the positive will inevitably build a rapport with followers.
Make sure your quotes are visually appealing for Instagram. It is, after all, a photo and image-based platform.
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Ronn Torossian is CEO of leading PR agency 5WPR.
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