The social network of photo and video sharing is now a real business opportunity. And many companies have understood this well. But still it is necessary to know the subtleties of this social media …
Instagram, what is it? What are the benefits for my company?
When determining the best social networks for your business , did you take Instagram into consideration? Because today it is a formidable communication tool for your business. Instagram is the social network of the image par excellence. It is now one of the most popular platforms. Its principle could not be simpler: share photos and short videos with its community, put “likes” and comments on content that we like, and exchange by private messages. But behind the simplicity are the indisputable advantages of Instagram for your business.
Let’s start with a bit of history. Instagram was created in October 2010 by two American engineers. Originally designed as a photo-sharing app with filters, the platform quickly became a hit. So much so that in April 2012, Facebook decided to buy it, against the trash of a billion dollars. A turning point in the history of the application, which then continued to grow. And today, just a few numbers to realize the enormous weight of Instagram. According to the latest statistics, the social media has 1 billion active users per month, and 500 million daily!
Every day, 95 million photos and videos are posted, and 4.2 billion likes are recorded. What give a small overview of the audience that your company can touch on this platform. Especially since it has a real specificity. Indeed, more than three quarters of the users are under 34 years old, and 65% of the registered ones are women. Figures that help to target his messages.
Why use Instagram rather than another social media?
You have not been convinced by the impressive figures of Instagram? Or by the possibility of reaching a particularly young audience? You may think that other social networks can do just as well … But the platform has not said its last word! First, the network is experiencing incomparable growth. For example, the number of active monthly users has doubled in just two years. It’s no coincidence that companies are making it their new playground.
Instagram has more than 2 million active advertisers per month. This means that your competitors have certainly not waited for you to get started … Then, another interest of Instagram for companies lies in its very essence: the cult of the image. The platform is the ideal tool to highlight your products and build your reputation around your brand.
Finally, the most important asset comes from the commitment rate. As a reminder, on social networks, commitment measures user interactions with publications (likes, comments …). On Facebook, the organic reach (that is to say the number of people affected by your publications) is very low, so it is necessary to advertise to reach users and therefore create commitment. Not on Instagram! Indeed, this metric would exceed 5% on Instagram, which is 80 times higher than Facebook! Businesses can gain high visibility from users without spending money.
How to take advantage of Instagram for businesses?
Reaching your targets on Instagram is therefore easier than on some other social networks. What’s more, this platform has a wide range of possibilities to highlight your products or services … But be careful not to scatter, otherwise your identity will be scrambled! That’s why it’s essential to start by establishing an Instagram marketing strategy, including the image you want to convey.
Then, to give it life, you have the choice of ingredients, and the most delicious recipe will be to use them in a balanced way. You can start with the publications, consisting of a photo or a short video (1 minute max), accompanied by a text. You can also indicate your location at the time of posting, which is particularly useful in the case of a local activity. The other major tool of the application is the story. It is a short and ephemeral format, which disappears after 24 hours.
His interest ? Build a story (as the name implies) around several photos and videos. The story also allows for a more spontaneous exchange: it can be used, for example, to share the scenes of an event, which creates an effect of proximity with its community. Finally, this format is very popular because it usually has a greater reach than a post classic. In addition, Instagram offers a “live” feature, that is to say the broadcasting of a live video. An ideal format to bring your community together and foster interactions.
Finally, one of The other major tool of the application is the story. It is a short and ephemeral format, which disappears after 24 hours. His interest ? Build a story (as the name implies) around several photos and videos. The story also allows for a more spontaneous exchange: it can be used, for example, to share the scenes of an event, which creates an effect of proximity with its community.
How to stand out in his communication on Instagram?
If Instagram offers a myriad of tools, they should be used appropriately to make the most of them. Because the social network has its own codes. First, as we have seen, Instagram highlights images. It is therefore particularly important to look after the quality of your photos. Do not forget to take them thinking “mobile” (rather in portrait format) and do not hesitate to go through the box “editing”.
The images you publish will reflect the image of your company. But it is also essential not to neglect the accompanying text. To be impactful, it must contribute to your storytelling and immerse your community in your world. Similarly, hashtags are valuable on Instagram and will serve to give visibility to your publications. So choose them carefully, among those corresponding to your universe.
Finally, keep in mind that Instagram, like all social networks, is a place of exchange. It is in your interest to encourage your community to interact with you, but also within it. And if you receive solicitations, be attentive and reactive: your subscribers will know how to return it!
Conclusion
As a reference social media, especially for young audiences, Instagram offers many benefits for businesses , and many tools to develop their brand image. Nevertheless, the platform has its specificities and requires some expertise to get the right messages. To achieve this, why not choose to outsource the management of your social networks ? This is a good solution to make Instagram the social network of your image.
