What Is Instagram & Why Is It Important for eCommerce?
Most business owners today understand the importance of social media marketing, even if they have yet to dedicate the time and resources needed to be successful in this marketing medium. However, when it comes to social media, many business owners still have a narrow focus. If you have blinders on that only allow you to see Facebook and Twitter, you may need to rethink your strategy. Especially if you are marketing to people in their teens and early 20s, your business should be on Instagram.
What is Instagram?
According to the FAQ on its own site, Instagram offers a way of sharing your life with your circle of friends through a series of pictures. It is extremely simple; all you need is a quick mobile snapshot and you have a digital memory that will be kept forever. The name Instagram comes from two words ‘instant’ and ‘telegram’ and the concept was built on the love for taking photos
5 Reasons Instagram is Important for eCommerce
Today Instagram boasts a membership numbers over 150 million. In fact, research show that Instagram offers brand engagement that is 25% higher than all other social networks. What’s more, posts can easily be shared on the other social sites like Facebook.
1. Inspire participation on Instagram
Create a hashtag for your products so consumers can tag, and you can organize, posts surrounding your products or brand. For the best results, and likelihood of people using it, choose a hashtag that is short and specific. You can also geotag the pictures you post, so viewers don't forget where you are. If you want to take things a step further, include cross tags and use specific themes for posts and hashtags. Remember, Instagram is a creative network, so you can only benefit from creative marketing techniques.
2. Create a Product Photo Gallery
Include a list of photos that tell the story of your product. Instagram has the ability to transform your photos into fun, lively images that entice viewers to take action (buy or share). Include photos that help prospective customers understand how to make the most out of your products.
3. Linking pictures to product pages
If you're going through the trouble of marketing on Instagram, be sure that you can benefit from your work by linking to the product pages whenever a product is featured in one of your posts. Of course, you don't want to be overly promotional, but you do want to send interested buyers to the right place. Feel free to link to other sites too. For example, if you post a relevant product from another retailer, share the love. Let people know where they can buy that product – even though it isn't from your store. It's a great way to build your reputation and trust on any social network.
4. Your customers are special. Make them feel that way!
Make your customers feel like stars by inviting them to post pictures of them using your product or service, and then share those photos on your business's Instagram account. This will give each user more exposure because they will be seen by their own audience and yours too. People usually love to see the comments from strangers about their images too – It makes them feel kind of Internet famous.
5. Repost shares to lengthen the period for which Content stays active
Whenever clients share pictures on Instagram, convert the share into content. This ensures that the material stays active for longer periods. You can even repost on other sites to ensure that the content stays around for a long time.
If you'd like to know more about how to be successful with your marketing efforts on Instagram, you won't want to miss the next tips I'll be sharing. Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, so you won't miss a thing!