It is estimated that well over one billion users access Instagram on a regular basis. So, it only stands to reason that this portal can represent an excellent platform for those who wish to increase the scope of their online advertising. Would you like to learn more about what the professionals have to say or are you totally new to this type of online publicity? Let’s take a look at some basic considerations so that you can fully appreciate the options at your disposal.
Know your intended audience
Much like the majority of other social media portals, Instagram has been engineered to cater to a specific type of audience. Most experts agree that Instagram is primarily intended to cater to the needs of a younger following (those below the age of 35). This is why it is always important to appreciate your demographic so that all efforts will be rewarded. While there is nothing wrong with employing this website as an ancillary form of advertising if you are dealing with an older generation, keep in mind that the results might not be tangible. To put it simply, try to determine if the age group of your customer base equates to the age of the average Instagram user.
What are your advertising goals?
This is arguably one of the most important questions to address before you begin. What would you like to achieve on Instagram? The majority of marketing objectives can be broken down into the following categories:
- Brand recognition
- Reaching the maximum number of users
- Engaging with customers
- Increasing inbound traffic to your website
- Conversions
Recognising which of these are the most relevant will enable you to establish an advertising “road map”; critical if you hope to avoid any mistakes along the way.
The role of hashtags
Anyone who has ever used Instagram in the past is already aware that hashtags are an important part of content creation. However, the main difference is that you are limited to a specific number of characters. This means that you will have to be extremely efficient when creating a marketing strategy. We need to remember that this website is all about exposure, so specific hashtags are often used to generate a greater amount of interest. Some of the most popular include:
- #photooftheday
- #motivationmonday
- #throwbackthursday
- #love
- #instagood
These tags will help to imbue your post with a viral appeal, enabling you to reach a larger audience. However, we also need to mention that keywords play an important role. Make sure to include the most relevant keywords within your hashtags. This will enable your post to rank higher within the SERP (search engine results page).
How often you should post on Instagram
This is a somewhat tricky question and the answer will be partially determined on how much you rely upon the site to generate traffic. Most professionals believe that posting up to three times a day is wise, as you will be able to retain the interest of your customer base for a longer period of time. However, do not simply add “fluff” in lieu of quality content. Be sure that your posts are engaging, informative and related to your target audience.
Posting quality images
Instagram has been engineered to cater to a decidedly visual society. This is why the quality and content of your images is critical. One common mistake is to rely solely upon filters to create memorable photos. On the contrary, it is better to focus upon high-definition imagery so that the post “pops” off of the page. Experts likewise mention that the associated hashtag should be directly related to the media itself. It is also wise to utilise a third-party application as opposed to the Instagram camera. The standard Instagram app does not offer options such as zooming and all photos are automatically cropped. Employing your own camera will offer much more flexibility.
Instagram advertising does not necessarily have to represent the entirety of your online presence, but it can be a valuable part of a push for attention. By taking note of our tips above, you will be able to create a truly memorable marketing campaign.
