5 Tips for Brands on Instagram

Brands on Instagram are still relatively young, but there is still a lot marketers can learn from their successes and failures.

Instagram is about to roll out their sponsored ad feature, and based on the comments from Instagram users, it would also appear as though the world is about to end. Like every social network that burst onto the scene, Instagram needs to find a way to make money, and by charging brands on Instagram a fee for posting their images on users’ accounts, they might have found it. But if your company has a presence on Instagram, what can you do to ensure that your audience will stick around?

Below are five things you can learn from other brands on Instagram and apply to your strategy in order to get the most out of the network.

Quality is Better than Quantity

Have you ever scrolled through your Instagram feed and noticed a half dozen posts from the same user, all in a row, all with a message to follow someone, or double tap an image, or some other pseudo-promotional content? No one likes it, and it is a very easy way to lose followers that actually check Instagram regularly.

One of the things that attracts people to the app is the ability to make the ordinary look extraordinary. Focus on sharing something that people will love and it will go a lot further than sharing a lot of forgettable posts.

Have a Strategy

Like any other one of your social networks, Instagram is going to need a content strategy if you want it to work for you. ‘Getting started’ with Instagram means doing just that.

The same way you created a content strategy and schedule for your other channels, do so for Instagram. It will make the management of your account much easier and you will be able to find success much quicker.

Create a Brand for Your Brand

What content are you sharing that people are most responsive to? At t2, we have branded ourselves with dogs. What symbolizes your brand? Figure that out and share content that is immediately recognizable as your own. You want people to know that the image is coming from your account, and not have to look up at the user to see who posted it.

Set Goals

What are you trying to achieve with Instagram? Again, this is not a tip unique to the network; this is something that should be practiced on every one of your social channels. That said, it still needs to be done. Otherwise, who is to say that your work on Instagram is doing you any good. Work towards a goal and determine how you plan to measure the steps you are taking to achieve it.

Soft Sell

This is the most important tip of all. As noted above, reaction from users to the sponsored ads has been very negative. While some people don’t seem to mind it, those that do, mind it a lot.

Remember, Instagram is an app. You should be sharing images that increase brand awareness. This is not the place to solely promote your product or service. Familiarize people with your brand so that you remain top of mind. Then, when the time comes, you can leverage this brand awareness and drive sales from the network. Patience is a virtue – especially on Instagram.

How have you found success on Instagram? Tell us in the comments below or on Twitter!