How to Create a Successful Instagram Video Marketing Campaign
The popular social platform Instagram has over 200 million active users per month, with over 20 billion photos and videos shared across the globe. Ever since Facebook’s acquisition of the photo-sharing application, its growth suggests users are moving away from other social networks toward visual networks like Instagram. More of these users are accessing the Internet and social networks via mobile devices; but Instagram was designed strictly for mobile devices, giving it the upper hand and making it the most effective social platform for businesses in 2013. Here are a few ways you can effectively promote your brand and video content on Instagram.
Know your audience.
A mistake many brands make is thinking Instagram is interchangeable with other image-sharing social sites. Each social platform has its own culture, and Instagram users will be turned off by hard sells and annoying marketing schemes. Instagram is all about showing a company’s unique character and personality. The social network’s purpose is to encourage users to share their own images and videos of people, places, and things that make them who they are. Know what your target audience likes to do; where they hang out, what they eat, who inspires them. Avoid seeming too forward and commercial by creating video content that is subtly branded – using visual content your target audience will like, but won’t necessarily know is related to your brand.
Understand and optimize your profile.
To be successful with Instagram video, you have to understand the platform, and make sure your profile has everything your target audience needs to learn everything about you. Fill out your profile completely, link it to your Facebook and Twitter pages, and provide a URL to your website. Know how to use hashtags properly and be aware of what other images or videos may be associated with your hashtags. Follow other brands and profiles in your industry to get ideas for what is appropriate to share and re-share (or “Regram”) with your followers. Know which filters and editing tools can help to give your video a unique look that will grab your followers’ attention.
Leverage your community.
Many successful brands connect with the Instagram community by showcasing great videos from their followers. Drive engagement and build a greater community by using Instagram to get feedback from your followers. This is a great way to establish a relationship and earn the trust and loyalty of your fanbase. By posting videos and then answering questions about the video through Instagram, you show your followers that you are engaged and truly care about your community of Instagrammers.
Instagram is a chance for brands to communicate on a softer level with their target markets. The social platform offers a chance to connect, interact, and entertain rather than sell, sell, sell. With a smartphone in nearly everyone’s pocket these days, you could potentially have access to millions of eyeballs! Why aren’t you on Instagram yet?
