Instagram Turns 4: Are You Making the Most of the Popular Social Network?
Instagram has been around for four years! It's hard to believe that only four years ago, one of the first mobile-social networks swept the public's imagination. But today, the network has 200 million monthly users, and a share of the internet-using public that is roughly comparable to Twitter's.
But are you making the most of the potential of this incredibly popular social network? Read on for tips on raising your Instagram game.
If you're wondering what's so great about Instagram...the answer is definitely pictures of puppies, gelato, and sunsets, but for marketers, it's also that Instagram has represented a unique foothold on mobile marketing. As an increasing segment of the adult population owns smart phones, Instagram is a great way to get your message in front of people who might want to buy your product.
Tip: If you're not doing any mobile marketing now, Instagram could represent a great first step.
Want to know which brands are dominating Instagram and how you can emulate their success? Check out lists like this one of the top brands on Instagram. While sports and fashion brands dominate, a few upstarts such as Sneaker News make the list. Check out these top performers and you'll quickly realize that being an engaging Instagram player is all about creating content that people actually want to look at.
Related: Social Media Influence -- Content Strategy
Hashtags are the way Instagram users find content that they like. You can always look to see which hashtags are most popular and connect your content to those hashtags (where appropriate, of course). Popular hashtags include: #love, #instagood, #me, #tbt, #cute, #follow, #followme, #photooftheday, #happy, #tagsforlikes
Successfully tagging content is more of an art than a science, and follows the same general principles of SEO (for example, when you target super-generic keywords, you'll face more competition).
A good rule of thumb is to use 3-5 hashtags, and try to craft content that connects with major trending topics.
Look for visual trends that are popular on Instagram and see if they could influence any content that you create for your own brand or service. For example, forced perspective shots are very popular. Is there a way to put your product in a forced perspective scenario?
The VSCO Cam app is a popular addition to the usual filters available on Instagram, and Hyperlapse is a new free app from Instagram that will allow you to make great-looking stop-motion videos. Use these tools to keep your Instagram game fresh.
A little more than a year ago, Instagram introduced video capabilities to its platform, and the move has been a real boon for agile, real-time marketers. The reason? With video, you'll definitely get a potential consumer to spend a little more time engaging with your messaging. Plus, because you can put that message right on their mobile devices, you're in a perfect position to make your message ubiquitous.
Check out what big brands like MTV, Victoria Secret and Go Pro are doing to leverage video, and see if this powerful tool could work for you.
Just how powerful is the Instagram community as a whole? Well, Instagrammers contributed over 30,000 snaps during the 10th "Instameet," a world-wide virtual gathering of enthusiasts of the social network.
As impressive as that stat is, remember that Instagrammers are not one community but many, united by hashtags. Take some time to understand to understand the communities that align best with your brand.
Related: Map Your Social Media Allies
But are you making the most of the potential of this incredibly popular social network? Read on for tips on raising your Instagram game.
1. Master Mobile Marketing
If you're wondering what's so great about Instagram...the answer is definitely pictures of puppies, gelato, and sunsets, but for marketers, it's also that Instagram has represented a unique foothold on mobile marketing. As an increasing segment of the adult population owns smart phones, Instagram is a great way to get your message in front of people who might want to buy your product.
Tip: If you're not doing any mobile marketing now, Instagram could represent a great first step.
2. Follow Major Brands
Want to know which brands are dominating Instagram and how you can emulate their success? Check out lists like this one of the top brands on Instagram. While sports and fashion brands dominate, a few upstarts such as Sneaker News make the list. Check out these top performers and you'll quickly realize that being an engaging Instagram player is all about creating content that people actually want to look at.
Related: Social Media Influence -- Content Strategy
3. Master the Hashtag
Hashtags are the way Instagram users find content that they like. You can always look to see which hashtags are most popular and connect your content to those hashtags (where appropriate, of course). Popular hashtags include: #love, #instagood, #me, #tbt, #cute, #follow, #followme, #photooftheday, #happy, #tagsforlikes
Successfully tagging content is more of an art than a science, and follows the same general principles of SEO (for example, when you target super-generic keywords, you'll face more competition).
A good rule of thumb is to use 3-5 hashtags, and try to craft content that connects with major trending topics.
4. Mix it Up
Look for visual trends that are popular on Instagram and see if they could influence any content that you create for your own brand or service. For example, forced perspective shots are very popular. Is there a way to put your product in a forced perspective scenario?
The VSCO Cam app is a popular addition to the usual filters available on Instagram, and Hyperlapse is a new free app from Instagram that will allow you to make great-looking stop-motion videos. Use these tools to keep your Instagram game fresh.
5. Use Video
A little more than a year ago, Instagram introduced video capabilities to its platform, and the move has been a real boon for agile, real-time marketers. The reason? With video, you'll definitely get a potential consumer to spend a little more time engaging with your messaging. Plus, because you can put that message right on their mobile devices, you're in a perfect position to make your message ubiquitous.
Check out what big brands like MTV, Victoria Secret and Go Pro are doing to leverage video, and see if this powerful tool could work for you.
6. Get Familiar with the Community
Just how powerful is the Instagram community as a whole? Well, Instagrammers contributed over 30,000 snaps during the 10th "Instameet," a world-wide virtual gathering of enthusiasts of the social network.
As impressive as that stat is, remember that Instagrammers are not one community but many, united by hashtags. Take some time to understand to understand the communities that align best with your brand.
Related: Map Your Social Media Allies
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