Here at VerriBerri, we are a multi-skilled agency, home to an entire team of Instagram marketing specialists. Day to day, we help brands to build the exposure they deserve though various mediums. From social media and PR, right through to event management and SEO!
If you’ve found us through this post, we’re assuming that you’re at least curious about using Instagram for marketing. Well, you’ve come to the right place! For more information about how this platform works and how it can benefit you, keep reading!
What is Instagram and does my brand really need it?
If you’re new to the world of social media marketing, Instagram is likely to be your first port of call. Established in 2010, this platform rapidly grew in popularity among both the general public and brands alike. In 2021, it was reported that the main demographic the site reached was 25 to 30 year olds, with a slightly larger female audience. As of 2022, it’s reported that Instagram have over 1 billion monthly active users. We told you it was well-favoured!
If you’re not well-acquainted with Instagram just yet, essentially, this platform is used for sharing photo and video content with your audience. Specific features you need to familiarise yourself with include reels, stories, and the Explore page.
If we’re honest with you, there are very few brands that won’t benefit from exposure through dedicating time to Instagram. Really, this is a great way to provide support to your overall online presence and other marketing efforts. This being said, brands with physical products are likely to see the most value.
Advantages of a strong social media strategy
As Instagram marketing specialists with over a decade of experience, we have helped hundreds of brands grow their accounts through the years. Off the back of this, we have been able to see first-hand just how many benefits this site has to bring. From building brand loyalty, through to increasing website traffic, believe us when we say that Instagram isn’t something you can afford to ignore.
Perhaps one of the largest benefits of producing and sharing content on Instagram is the effect this can have on your reputation. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that there are trillions of illicit scams out there, making everyday consumers more wary when purchasing online. When you are able to build your presence on a trusted site such as Instagram, this is able to instantly put potential customers at ease about making a purchase with you. Make sure to share content that showcases both the process and your products, it’ll work wonders for your credibility!
For many people, 2020 made us take a long hard look at how ethical the brands we support are. These days, consumers don’t want to purchase from organisations who show little consideration for their customers or the planet. Instagram can be used as a place to show that you value your supporters. Ask questions and get them involved. It’ll help your image in the long-run, trust us!
Additionally, Instagram is also a great way to reach new corners of your market. Being featured on the Explore page, even if just once, can really make a huge impact when it comes to finding new customers. What’s more, marketing its entirety can be an effective way to stay at the forefront of your existing clienteles mind too!
Getting to know the algorithm from a consumers perspective
Like with all social media sites, Instagram have their own tailored algorithm to help them decide which content they want to share with which users. From a consumers perspective, Instagram monitor what you are engaging with. In others words, they look out for patterns in what you are liking, commenting on, and saving.
Ultimately, their end goal is to keep you scrolling for longer, and the only way they are going to achieve this is if they show you more of what you like. When trends have been highlighted, they will then begin showing you more personalised content on your Explore page. Additionally, you will also begin seeing tailored ads too.
Getting to know the algorithm from a brands perspective
Now let’s take a look at things from a brands perspective on Instagram. When you share content online, this is first served to a small amount of your audience. Depending on how they react and engage, Instagram may then choose to share this with a larger percentage of your followers too. The fate is in their hands. The more people who interact with your content, the more people this will reach. It could even land you on the Explore page!
As Instagram marketing specialists, we strongly advise against purchasing followers. We know it can be tempting! When you do this, the accounts that begin following you are usually inactive, meaning they won’t engage with anything you post. Not only does this make you look disingenuous to your actual audience, but it will stunt the growth of your account too.
How to organically improve the reach of your content
If your content isn’t performing well, there may be a few things that you are doing wrong. Below are a few of our top tips for social media success!
Share valuable content
When it comes to writing content that you audience can actually enjoy, it’s important that you avoid being too salesy. I think we can all agree that we are fed up with seeing brands advertising to us. True marketing should be subtle. You should aim to get your point across without your audience knowing they are being sold to. It’s also helpful to address pain points in your posts!
Use a variety of mediums
As we mentioned earlier, Instagram have a number of features (such as reels and stories) that can be a bit more interesting than the usual grid post. For optimum results, you need to be using a variety of mediums to reach your audience!
Include CTA’s
CTA stands for ‘call to action’ and refers to imperative clauses such as ‘get in touch’ and ‘like for more.’ Use these at the end of your posts, in addition to utilising a hook in the opening sentence!
Reach out to Instagram marketing specialists
If you’re struggling to keep your social media updated regularly, it might be time you consider investing in a team of experts. Not only can we help you to produce captivating content, but we also know all the tricks in the book when it comes to building your following too!
Get in touch
Want to know more about how our Instagram marketing specialists can help? Contact us today by clicking here!