Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms today. In April 2019, it reached 1 billion monthly active accounts. This platform holds a massive amount of data that businesses can leverage, making it an essential channel in communication campaigns.
Instagram offers specific features for businesses, facilitating effective marketing on the platform. These features are designed to engage a younger audience, with the majority of Instagram users aged 18-34 (64%). It’s no surprise that Instagram has over 25 million business accounts, with 44% of users utilizing the platform for brand research and development. Moreover, Instagram doesn’t charge for brand promotion.
1. Photo Filters
Instagram’s filters are a key factor in its success, allowing anyone to become a professional photographer. With 40 filters available, each offering a different aesthetic, brands can choose those that best suit their identity and visually shape their content.
2. Video Posts
Creating marketing videos has become simpler for marketers, requiring only a good camera and basic editing skills. In 2018, an estimated 81% of businesses incorporated video into their marketing campaigns. Moreover, video posts see a 53% increase in engagement.
Video marketing allows brands to convey deeper and more complex messages compared to images or Stories. Instagram’s extended video length (now 1 minute instead of the initial 15 seconds) enables businesses to create higher quality videos with greater engagement.
According to Hubspot, 64% of consumers make a purchase after watching a branded video. Using video for product demonstrations can increase ROI in Instagram marketing. However, ensure your videos are captivating from the first few seconds to grab viewers’ attention.
3. Instagram Stories
Introduced in 2016, Stories’ popularity skyrocketed by 2019, with over 500 million daily users. This feature enhances brand interaction and allows marketers to showcase new products, releases, and announce promotions.
4. Story Highlights
This feature complements Stories by allowing brands to permanently save selected Stories for their audience to view anytime. This provides a valuable opportunity to showcase key information, products, or events.
5. Instagram Story Video
Story videos are highly engaging, increasing brand interaction, awareness, and sales. With a 15-second limit, these videos need to be concise and captivating.
Tip: Create Story videos that reflect your brand’s personality through colors, fonts, and style. Utilize design tools specifically for Stories to enhance their visual appeal.
6. Instagram Live
Similar to Stories, Live offers additional benefits:
- Authenticity: Viewers perceive live streams as more trustworthy, as it’s difficult to hide any details in real-time.
- Interaction: Engage directly with your target audience and respond to their questions and comments instantly.
7. AR Filters (Camera Effects)
AR filters on Instagram are known for their fun facial effects. Kylie Cosmetics was one of the first businesses to utilize custom AR filters, allowing users to virtually try on different lipstick shades before purchasing. This demonstrates how brands can use AR filters for interactive marketing and product promotion. Access to these filters can be exclusive to the brand’s followers, further incentivizing engagement.
8. IGTV
This feature complements Instagram Stories and provides metrics like views, likes, and comments. Brands can use IGTV for long-form video content, offering in-depth product demonstrations, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or tutorials. Ensure your brand message is clear and engaging for potential customers.
9. Stickers and Questions
Instagram Stories offer a variety of stickers, including location tags, emojis, GIFs, and polls. These interactive elements encourage audience participation and engagement with your brand. The Quiz sticker allows you to create interactive quizzes related to your business, further boosting interaction. Remember to tag users who participate to increase the chance of them re-sharing your content.Reference: Influencer Marketing Hub