Instagram is a powerful social platform. It helps businesses
of all sizes promote products and build brand awareness. In fact, more than two
billion people use the app each month. The platform caters to a younger
audience, especially with users between the ages of 18 and 34.
As a business owner, you may wonder how Instagram works and
how it can benefit your business. While the platform has been around for some
time, it's only recently become a popular place for marketers to create and
distribute content.
Businesses can use the platform to showcase products,
educate followers about their company, and generate sales leads. With the help
of a few basic tools, you can get on the map and engage with your followers.
First, you'll want to understand your audience. The
information you receive through Insights can give you a clear idea of your
demographics. You can also find out who your competitors follow and see how
they interact with their followers. By comparing your data, you can make better
decisions about your own marketing.
After you've determined who your target market is, you'll
need to create a game plan for your business on Instagram. You can start by
focusing on a few key metrics: engagement rate, reach, and impressions. These
three metrics will allow you to gauge the performance of your posts and
determine when it's most effective to post.
Engagement rates are the percentage of your followers who
interact with your content. You can track this number by looking at how many
comments you receive, and then multiplying this number by the total number of
followers you have. If your followers are interacting with your content, this
indicates that they are paying attention to your content and taking action.
Reach is the number of unique views your content gets. This
can include visitors who click through your business' profile, and people who
view your content directly through Direct Message. Getting an understanding of
your audience's age, gender, and location can help you optimize your posting
schedule.
One of the most useful features for businesses is the
ability to add shoppable posts. Instead of simply adding a link to a product,
you can choose to put the cost and description of a product into the photo.
Using the "shop now" option on a post will increase your likelihood
of generating sales.
A great way to drive engagement is to participate in
Instagram Live. Whether you're holding a contest, hosting a live event, or
promoting new products, Instagram Live is the perfect place to gain hype for
your business. Having a good game plan for Instagram Live can make it easier to
generate sales.
It can be tricky to find the right influencers. Identifying
your audience will help you select the best ones. Once you find the right
influencers, you'll be able to connect with them and engage with their
followers.
You'll want to consider your budget before starting an
Instagram campaign. Many businesses use the links in their bio to send
followers to their website or blog. Others use them to send their followers to
a webinar or other campaign.