Why do I need more Instagram followers?
The more followers you have, the more people you can reach with your brand.
The more people who have access to your social media channels, the larger the audience that will keep up with your brand and business. This is why it’s important to make sure your social media platforms are accessible to as many people as possible. In other words, the bigger your audience, the more likely you are to make sales.
Although it is getting more difficult for your content to be seen by everyone who follows you because of changes in social media algorithms, It is increasingly difficult to reach a wider audience, unless you are willing to invest in paid advertising.
The tools segment the content that is sent to each user according to their preferences.
Making changes to the algorithms made it more difficult to get people to engage with social media. Here are a few ways you can increase your audience on Instagram.
This post is about continuing to read for more information.
Main Instagram updates in 2019
Before presenting the new resources that Instagram added this year, let’s take a quick look back at the updates that they launched in 2019:
- Publishing the same post to multiple accounts (only for iOS);
- Question stickers to answer during lives;
- Countdown sticker;
- Sharing of IGTV preview videos in the feed;
- Instagram Music;
- Number of likes hidden;
- Creation of personalized filters for any users;
- Scheduling of posts and videos in IGTV via Creator Studio.
Instagram updates in 2020
In 2020, Instagram launched even more new resources. If you’re someone who frequently uses platforms, then you’ve most likely used them all.
Below, you can see all the functionalities that were added in 2020:
Reels, the “TikTok” of Instagram
Instagram is always keeping up with the latest internet market trends. The Reels function on Instagram was launched in response to TikTok.
This new resource gives users the ability to create short videos, up to 1 minute in length. With this resource, users can access a huge catalog of editing effects and background music.
With Reels, you can:
- change the speed of your video;
- add a timer or countdown;
- insert a soundtrack;
- use filters and visual effects;
- cut and add new scenes.
Why does your business need to invest in Instagram in 2021?
Check out the main reasons below:
Large number of users
At least 500 million people use Instagram every day, out of the 1 billion total active users.
Since a lot of people are regularly using Instagram, it’s a good idea to use it to promote your brand. Dedicate some time and effort to making your brand successful on Instagram.
Tools for businesses
Instagram has evolved over time to serve more users and meet the needs of brands in a more functional way.
There are several ways to promote businesses and make sales directly through the app, including ads, online stores, CTAs, and price tags on posts.
It is important to understand what each tool does and how it can promote your business before making a decision. Some features on social media platforms are released for specific types of accounts.
It is beneficial to look into each of these potentialities and see what resources are at your disposal.
No geographic barriers
The way we communicate has changed drastically since the introduction of digital technology. We are now able to communicate with people all over the world with the click of a button. Even though there are no physical borders between people, psychological barriers still exist. Even though people are physically able to reach anyone in the world, there are still psychological barriers between people.
If you’re a brand or creator who wants more followers on Instagram, this is a great way to do it. Other people from far away can become interested in your content and follow you.
Boosts small businesses
Small businesses often cannot afford to hire specific platforms to process data generated from their online presence.
Although Instagram is not a customer relations management tool, it can give a business a good idea of how well it is doing. It provides detailed data on reach, engagement, click-through rate, and other useful information.
Stimulates audience engagement with brands
people are more likely to interact with posts, participate in advertising campaigns, and provide feedback on Instagram because it is a social network.
One of the benefits of being on Instagram is that you can learn more about your target audience because people tend to express themselves more freely in this type of setting. This is a good opportunity to do research in a natural way.
Strengthens brands’ visual identity and tone
Instagram is an excellent social network for promoting your visual identity. The strong visual appeal of the platform makes it ideal for sharing images and building a following.
You will need to ensure that your brand profile includes information that will help to make your brand recognizable and unique in the market. It is important to consider the image, font, and other graphic elements when creating a post. This is because the images and videos being shared will use these elements.
Each post also has a caption or text on the image. Your text should also reflect your brand identity, including the tone of voice you use.
There’s no doubt that Instagram is a great place to show off your brand’s identity in a very comprehensive and unforgettable way.
Set up a business account
One reason you might not be driving tons of sales from Instagram is that you’re not keeping your personal and business life separate on your photo feed.
People who are potential customers are not interested in seeing photos from your 12th annual family reunion.
If you want to use Instagram to promote your business, you should have a separate business account from your personal one.
The photos you share on your company’s social media accounts should be industry-related to help boost sales.
Switching any profile to a business profile is simple.
To change your account to a business profile, go to your account settings and click on “Switch to Business Profile.”
Log into Facebook within the Instagram app. Choose the Facebook page you want to connect.
After you create your account, you will need to finish your profile.
Complete your profile and add a bio
If you want your business to be successful, you should create a full profile. Many businesses overlook this step, which can be detrimental to their success.
If your profile is not complete, people will not know that you are a credible business and will not buy from you.
Make sure to add a bio to your company’s profile that will make people want to learn more about what you do! This is a great way to show off the value of your company and the high-quality content that you create. This is the place to show off.
Adding a link to your website on your Instagram page gives people the opportunity to make a purchase directly from your page.
I recommend making this link your website’s homepage or a “Plans and Pricing,” “Features,” or “Online Shop” page.
Keep your bio short and sweet, and make sure it matches the tone of the images you’ll be sharing. It doesn’t hurt to add a few emojis, either.
However, do not use keywords or hashtags because they are not searchable on this site.
The only reason to use a hashtag is if you have a branded hashtag.
If you want to increase engagement and interaction with your followers, using it in your bio can help. And that could undoubtedly lead to more sales.
Keep your name and photo the same
All of your photos should follow a general theme.
Your name and photo should, too.
Choose an Instagram username that represents your brand.
When creating an Instagram account for your business, it is best to use the actual name of your business as your username so that customers will be able to find you easily.
If you have business accounts on other social media platforms, use the same handle for this account.
And avoid changing your profile image.
If you do not have a consistent image, people will be less likely to buy from you because they will not be able to recognize your company.
Show off your brand’s culture
The creators of Instagram didn’t design the platform for users to directly sell things to each other.
To keep followers engaged with your content so that they eventually make a purchase, add value to your feed.
Upload some photos that show why your business is appealing and trustworthy to your Instagram account.
If potential customers see that you and your employees are happy and connected, they will be more likely to spend their money with your business.
The photos look like something your friend would post on Instagram. It’s not just some ad or sales pitch, right?
That’s the goal.
If your brand doesn’t have any tangible products to show off, this approach is ideal.
So show people your company’s personality. Make them feel “cool” by bringing them into the circle.
Give exclusive promotions and offers to followers
Instagrammers follow brands so that they can access giveaways or exclusive offers.
Giving your followers a special offer is easy. To create announcements for discounts, sales, and more, simply add text to your photos.
You can add text to your images by using free apps like PicLab, Over, and Canva. There are apps available that allow you to add exclusive information to your professional shots without needing to be a Photoshop pro.
Geotag events
Geotagged posts tend to get more engagement than those without tags.
But the goal here isn’t just engagement. It’s to drive sales. If you want to show your store’s physical location, geotagging can help.
Geotags let customers know where your products are available and how to find them.
If you are selling products or services at an event, this is perfect for you.
You can use geotagged posts to let your followers know where you’ll be and that you’ll be selling items there.
Don’t have an event coming up soon? Instagram contests can help you increase sales.
Run contests
When you hold an Instagram contest, you are essentially rewarding your most loyal customers. By doing this, you increase the chances of them returning to make another purchase.
What do you want to give away to the winner of your contest?
Make sure it relates to your industry and brand. One idea is to give away one of your products or to offer access to one of your services.
After that, include a link to where people can enter the contest. Post an image of the prize for the contest and include a link to where people can enter the contest.
If you want your image to load quickly, use one of those text-overlay tools.
Make sure to post a reminder photo before the contest is over.
Then, choose your winner and post a photo announcing it. In your post, make sure to congratulate them.
You should wait to run a contest until you have a decently sized following so that more people will be able to engage with it.
How can you market on Instagram without looking like you’re marketing?
Use Instagram’s “non-ad” ads
Your products’ photos can speak for themselves without you needing to say much.
Your image will appear in viewers’ news feeds, allowing them to see the value of what you are selling. Most users prefer this more subtle approach to the more obvious ads.
This is why advertising on Instagram can be so beneficial.
Instagram ads look the same as regular Instagram posts.
Understand the network
The best way to be successful on Instagram is to educate yourself on how the app works.
Familiarize yourself with the different features offered by the platform, the types of people that use it, how users interact with each other on the site, and any other relevant information you can find out about how successful posts are ranked by the algorithm.
You should also be on the lookout for new features or updates that come out, so you won’t be left behind.
To learn more about Instagram, you can visit their Info Center for news and announcements.