Instagram: A Guide for Brands

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Social media marketing is NOT one-size-fits-all for every brand, but we say Instagram is for everybody.

When taking on a new social media client, we look at the brand from every angle and determine which platforms will help achieve your goals and reach the target audience(s). Sometimes TikTok isn’t worth the effort, or LinkedIn might be too stuffy. And let’s not even talk about Twitter. Or X. Whatever you choose to call it, it’s a bit of a mess since the billionaire bought it.

So, what channel remains a strongly recommended option in nearly all our strategies? Instagram!

Social media marketing strategy requires a level of expertise, attention, and effort to be successful. If you have a personal Instagram page with a few hundred followers who enjoy keeping up with you, that doesn’t mean you know how to create effective social media marketing.

Too harsh? Sorry, not sorry. It’s a hard truth.

Here, we’ll break down some initial steps you can take to get the most out of your brand’s Instagram marketing effort.

Getting Started on Instagram

Step 1: Whether starting your Instagram marketing from scratch or building off an existing account, you’ll first want to ensure your page is set up as a Business account. It’s free, easy to do, and has capabilities that personal accounts don’t.

Step 2: Be strategic and direct about setting up your profile.

– Many brands use their logo or an aesthetically pleasing product photo when selecting their profile image.
– You can have up to two links in your profile—choose them wisely, or set up a LinkTree account to house multiple links in one spot.
– Don’t forget to add your brand’s contact information!

Step 3: Connect your profile to your product catalog if your company sells products online. This function lets you tag specific products in each post to direct the audience to make purchases and learn more. This is especially useful on Instagram, where outbound links in copy aren’t clickable.

Going the Extra Mile

On Instagram, there are three key ways to reach users who don’t already follow your page. Being intentional about reaching them is to go the extra mile and maximize your ROI.

1. Utilize stories and reels: Posting Instagram stories and reels is a great way to reach audiences outside those who regularly consume your content. You’ll likely garner more followers by publishing engaging video content to Instagram reels and interactive stories like polls, questionnaires, etc.
2. Giveaways and contests: Giveaways and contests are a great way to increase your follower count and spread (inexpensive) awareness about your brand. Offer the opportunity to win a free prize or discounted service to all who follow your page, share the post, and tag friends in the comments. You’ll be amazed at how many users willingly share your information with their followers for a chance to win.
3. Research hashtags: The Instagram hashtags you use make a BIG difference in your reach. You’re allowed up to 30 per post, and we suggest taking advantage of them, but with intention. Research which hashtags are the most popular and relevant to your brand, and use them consistently. Be a constant flagship in that space to create recognizability.

Overwhelmed?

We get it—every channel is so nuanced, and keeping up with the ever-changing algorithms on platforms like Instagram is hard. But that’s why agencies like PopSpeed exist. We’ll take on your Instagram strategy, content creation, and other channel supplementation while you focus on the big picture. Get in touch with us today!