It’s no secret that Instagram can be a powerhouse for marketing, but are you using the right Instagram tools to get the job done? It’s not enough to simply post valuable content, you’ve got to really capture your followers’ attention. On a platform of incredible competition, standing out from the crowd is nothing less than a necessity.
Whether you’re new to Instagram or you’ve been using the platform since its launch in 2010, these are the 6 best Instagram features for marketing that you need to know about. Keep reading to learn how they can help your brand grow its reputation, awareness, sales, and Instagram verification requirements.
Table of Contents
1. #Hashtags
That’s right, the number one marketing tool on Instagram is your hashtags. Why? Because they’re the life’s blood of Instagram. Hashtags are what tag your content so it can be found in searches, and so that you’re placed within relevant categories on the site. Not to mention, hashtags can be used to link your Instagram content to Facebook and other social media platforms.
If you’re not focusing on your hashtags, your marketing efforts need a serious upgrade. Creating better hashtags starts with knowing your brand and your niche. What products are you offering? It’s not enough to use simple hashtags like #CBDoil, or #beauty, or #love. These hashtags get used way too much, and they’re more likely to bury your content than get it noticed.
Focus on your hashtags and make them as specific as possible within your niche. They should be short and sweet, and you should be using a maximum of about ten per post. Any more than that, and they become distracting and obnoxious.
2. Stories
Stories are almost like a short preview of your brand/page. They can be pictures or videos, but the story is deleted after 24 hours, so make it count! This is the perfect opportunity to create a short story, demo, or how-to for your products, or just appeal to a new audience with information on your brand.
Don’t forget to include a logo or link to your website, so your viewers will recognize your brand within the story itself. A logo is a visual representation of your brand, and this is what people are more likely to remember; especially if they’re seeing your brand for the first time.
3. Tracking Metrics
Whether you buy Instagram followers to target a specific audience, or you’re growing your channel from one follower organically, you must track your metrics. They can tell you so much not only about your page and your content, but also about your followers and their likes and dislikes.
Metrics such as post engagement, follower growth rate, and more, are essential to getting a clearer picture of how your page performs. Use an Instagram business account for easy tracking!
4. Embed Your Feed
If you’re running a website, embedding your feed is a great way to link your site with your Instagram page and simultaneously drive traffic to both pages. Your website is an important landing spot for new and previous customers, so you’ll want to make sure it’s both polished and functional. The same goes for your Instagram page. If you expect people to click your links and engage with your content, make sure you’re posting high-quality content and keeping followers up to date with changes.
5. Shoppable Posts
That’s right, Instagram has shoppable posts, and you should be using them! You can link just about anything, from clothing lines to CBD to books or music and beyond. Followers can click the links on your posts, which will take them directly to your eCommerce site or wherever you sell your products.
This is an excellent marketing tool because it removes a few steps from the buying process. Instead of seeing a product on Instagram and liking it, then having to research it and find out where to buy it, followers can just click a link and they’re staring at a purchasable product. It’s that easy!
6. IGTV
Tired of the Instagram time limit on video content? No problem! With the addition of IGTV (which is actually a separate app linked to your Instagram account), you can now post up to one-hour long videos. If you’ve been dying to share a longer product demo with your customers or review a product, you’ve got your chance to do so.
Video content is the king of the online world, so ensuring you’re putting out awesome videos is part of taking your Instagram page to greater heights. Your followers will appreciate high-quality videos, and since video content is so easy to consume, there’s no hard work involved for them.
The Bottom Line
Social media is one of the most powerful marketing tools available today, and Instagram is at the top of the list. With hundreds of millions of monthly visitors, a business that doesn’t use Instagram is truly missing out on an opportunity to appeal to millions of new customers. These six features should be enough to get even the most stubborn business owners onboard!
