Instagram has grown immensely over the past 6 years from primarily hosting only pictures. Instagram has branched out to incorporate videos, memes, and stories to keep their followers engaged and involved on their social media platform. This shift has given brands a chance to market and reach out to their customers in new ways. By integrating Instagram stories into your team’s marketing strategy, you can reach out to your customers in personal and interactive ways.
To effectively use Instagram Stories to promote your brand, it is important to keep in mind that your content needs to be appealing so it can immediately captivate your followers and lead them to your Instagram page. Here are our top 5 tips on how to quickly engage followers:
#1 Use Video
Even though a picture can be worth a thousand words, using video to promote your brand can engage followers on a completely different level. By using video, you can demonstrate your product’s features, showing potential customers exactly why your product is worthwhile and solution to their needs. This entices customers, leaving them wanting more and following you to stay in the loop.
#2 Tell a Story
Instagram Story enables you to post as much as you want without cluttering up your followers news feed! The story feature will play your videos one after another, so you are are able to link up videos and create small story lines to reach out to your audience. Although having 10+ videos may be overwhelming, having a synced 5 video series on your story line will involve your followers and make them feel like they are part of a bigger picture or group.
#3 Behind the Scenes Sneak Peak
Another way to make your followers feel connected to your brand is by using videos to display the “behind the scenes” of your company. This will make your followers feel accepted, like they were given exclusive access to your work space. This can range from office culture, to production of your product and future plans for the company. Either way, your followers will feel like they are part of the “in” group.
#4 Industry News
Incorporating relevant industry news will also intrigue your followers. If you are selling sports equipment, add in clips of recent sports events or the final scores. If you are in the fashion industry, show pictures or videos from the runway and urban settings. This will also exhibit to your followers that you aren’t only interested in selling directly to them, but that you are also interested in keeping them up to date and informed. This will entice your followers to stay current on your Instagram page as well as your story.
#5 Giveaways
Giveaways are a great way to get followers involved! By simply giving away a t-shirt or concert tickets, you can get viewers excited about your band and they will be more likely to check back. You can also accomplish this by frequently offering limited-time promotions on your products.
Maximizing your Instagram strategy is an important method to share your brand with the world. Start by asking your marketing team to come up with a plan to engage your followers and ensure the Instagram Story is part of your branding efforts.
