Trying new things does not always pay off (hello, bangs), however, Instagram has made it simpler than ever to get outcomes from their shiny new offerings. With new Instagram functions and updates introduced so frequently, the possibilities on Instagram seem endless.
However, this could get tricky for social media marketers who want to ensure they are spending time and budget on functions that actually drive outcomes.
In this post, we will outline 7 Instagram functions which are worth trying in 2019.
1. Use the countdown sticker on Instagram Stories
Users first noticed the addition of a countdown sticker for Instagram Stories in December 2018. Since then it’s been utilized by brands in tons of creative and intelligent methods.
For instance, BravoTV used a Countdown sticker to get their viewers interested in a new episode of their hit show VanderPump Rules.
The Countdown sticker is available in your Instagram Story deck, close to GIFs and Polls. When you add the sticker to a Story, you could customize it with a title (like “New store launch” or “Mid-season sale”) and set your finish date and time.
The best part of the Countdown sticker? Your followers could tap to either set a reminder and receive an alert once your countdown ends, or share it with their followers.
That is as close to actually setting a branded reminder in their telephones as you could get.
Wondering how your brand could use the Countdown sticker? Listed here are a few ideas:
- Promote upcoming sales and specials
- Announce new store openings
- Remind followers about holidays like Valentine’s Day (that your followers may need to purchase their loved ones gifts for)
- Build anticipation for a contest
- Develop excitement around new employees beginning
- Celebrate your company’s anniversary
2. Create a branded filter
Augmented reality (AR) is a buzzword we are listening to a lot about lately, and your brand could stay on-trend with an Instagram branded filter. That’s right—the cute puppy filter you have been utilizing on Instagram is actually a version of AR.
Via Instagram’s closed beta program, choose brands are able to make their own custom AR filters for Instagram stories. As users have to be following a brand to have access to the custom filter, that is the perfect method to not only gain new followers, however, but also engage your existing community.
An instance of how brands could use those customized filter is the streetwear brand Off-White. They launched a fun sunglasses filter to help promote their upcoming show at Paris Fashion Week, permitting users who visited their page to try on different types from their collection.
While this function is still at present in the closed-beta phase available to choose third parties, it’s a great time for your brand to consider whether custom AR filters are a fit for your business—and begin brainstorming engaging ideas.
3. Try Instagram Stories Adverts
More than 400 million people use Instagram Stories daily, which means they are the perfect place to advertise your brand.
One-third of the most seen Stories actually come from businesses—and one in 5 Stories leads to a Direct Message from the viewer.
When you still need convincing, take a look at this instance from publishing powerhouse Condé Nast. They saw 20 % of the total paid social subscription volume come through Instagram Stories Adverts used to drive sales for their iconic September issue.
In addition, they saw a 77 % higher click-through rate than adverts placed elsewhere and a 20 % decrease cost-per-acquisition.
While your Instagram Stories Adverts may not function Beyonce, you could use the same tactics Conde Nast did to get outcomes. For instance:
- Use a variety of advert formats. Conde Nast ran video adverts in Instagram Stories and 3-panel carousel adverts. As Instagram explains, “The advantage of those vertical full-screen formats is a more immersive and intense visual experience.”
- Pay attention to your top-performing organic content and redesign it for Stories Adverts. Take a look at what content from your feed is engaging your viewers the most, and use the creative for Adverts. There is a reason people are paying attention!
- Include an enticing call-to-action button. Each Conde Nast advert had a subscribe button that, when swiped up, led to a particular offer on the Vogue subscription page. Whether or not you need to drive individuals to your web site, a particular product, or an occasion, make it as straightforward as doable for them to get there.
4. Set up your Instagram Nametag
When you have ever tried to search out someone’s Instagram account after a networking event (or first date) and had no luck, only to find they are under some random username, you will love Instagram’s Nametag function.
Launched in October 2018, Instagram Nametags make it simpler than ever for you to discover particular users—and to get others to follow you.
To see and customize your own Instagram Nametag, go to your profile and click on the menu (the 3 lines). You will see the Nametag option under the ‘Your Activity’ button.
From here, you could either scan a Nametag or customize your own Nametag.
Customize your nametag by clicking on the upper button to choose either a color background, emoji background, or selfie background.
In case you are a brand, I recommend you take an image of your logo in the selfie option to make a tiled background.
Once your nametag is customized, it’ is ready to be shared. Click on the arrow in the upper right-hand corner to avoid wasting the image or send to others.
As a business, you could include your Instagram nametag on promotional materials, in your email signature, on your website, and anywhere else you want your customers to find you. They will simply have to open Instagram or their phone’s camera to scan the nametag and begin following you, which lets them begin liking and commenting on your posts as quickly as possible.