No one ever thought that Instagram would be so impactful in the world of marketing, promotions, and sales. It surpassed everyone’s expectations and is now much more than just a social networking site.
And now that, every business is actively using Instagram for its immense power, you can’t afford not to. But before that, it is important you reckon each and every feature of Instagram. Because you see, just having an account up there won’t magically boost the sales level. The reason why I have discussed 7 great ways that will help you drive your Instagram viewer home! 😉
Use video influencing to target your audience
For building deeper connections and lasting relationships with your audience, leverage the power of Instagram videos. Earlier there was an upper cap of one minute on Instagram videos, but since the introduction of IGTV, it’s more powerful than ever.
Plus, you can add links to your IGTV video descriptions which makes things all the more easier for your audience to click and avail your products and services. Here’s a stunning example by Lele Pons, an American internet celebrity making the full use of all the IGTV features and thanking her co-stars in the video description (with clickable links!). What a clever strategy, indeed!
Create irresistible Instagram stories with actionable links
There’s literally a pool of features that Instagram has to offer but Instagram stories deserve a gold star. Now that on an average, brands post 2.5 stories per week – you can’t afford to not utilize this, Until now, stories have proved to be a revolutionary feature, mainly because it is more like an opportunity to connect with the audience on a deeper and personal level. Add swipe ups and call to actions to your stories, so that you drive your viewers in the right direction.
Take some inspiration from one of the best in apparel industry – H&M. The saved story section in their profile is AMAZING! Pictures, swipe-up links, detailings – everything top-notch!
Convert top stories to highlights
Starting off where I left in the above point – ‘the saved story section’ or more specifically highlights. We know that Instagram stories only last for 24 hours. But, with this new feature, you can have highlights on your feed, which are just like Instagram stories, that can be accessed at any time. Bingo, a surge of real views on your IG profile is on the way. But yes, do not just create highlights of the top stories; you need to be a little more strategic. Your highlights should be prioritized in a way that gives emphasis to your products and boosts traffic. Just like H&M! 😉
Don’t forget Instagram Ads
Invest in Instagram ads if you want to fasten up the process of reaching out to the right people. For your Instagram ad campaign to be successful, focus on what you want to achieve, that is, your end goals. So for driving more sales, my advice is to focus on a strong and powerful call to action, which would in turn increase more clicks.
Choose the right brand ambassadors
If you are the one from the lot who believes ‘People with higher following always prove to be a right pick– it’s time to break that myth. Brand ambassadors are going to represent your brand, pick the ones whose audience aligns with you. You can have an influencer with thousands of followers, but that doesn’t necessarily present you with the right brand opportunity. So play wise and do your research well.
Working with a UGC plan
A UGC Plan, or a User Generated Content plan, is one of the most incredible ways to drive traffic and increase sales. Although it can sound really expensive, in reality, it is very affordable. In fact, in its most genuine and honest form, it doesn’t need to be something that you will have to pay for and is usually as simple as an honest recommendation you will find online. Take a look at the UGC content posted by the fashion brand, Kotn.
Create a close friends list
If you are thinking of creating a buzz and hype around your new product before its launch, you could seriously consider creating a close friends list. It starts with something as simple as “follow and leave a comment on this post to be added on our list.” It will not only appear to be exclusive but will also keep your audience engaged. You can further leverage this strategy by providing list-only offers and incentives.
A journey of a million miles begins with a single step – This the best that can describe Instagram brand creation. There is a lot to do, a lot to achieve, but you need to keep going in order to reach the end line. Keep working, and believe in the process.
