For many small business owners, there’s no question that they need to be building a presence on Instagram. They sign up for an account and arrange their profile, however when they hit a hurdle: What exactly should you post on Instagram?
If this sounds acquainted, you aren’t alone.
Generating a steady stream of content material could be a struggle on Instagram, particularly when research from Buffer suggests that you should post at least 1.5 times per day (or 3 times over a two-day period).
The great news, although, is that there are many different ways to approach Instagram to maintain your feed fresh and your followers engaged.
On this article, we’re going to look at what you may post on Instagram, ideas, and examples which you can adapt for your own enterprise, along with how to make a posting schedule to bring your Instagram strategy to life.
Determining your Instagram content mix
With higher engagement rates than other popular platforms and an algorithm that favors posts that may organically garner viewers interaction, the good content material really does come first on Instagram. And that’s a huge opportunity for companies that may produce it.
Instagram also gives lots of potential as a platform to create and nurture relationships with your target audience, along with options to convert them into customers.
Because of this, it’s necessary to have a mix of several types of content material that will appeal to customers at different stages of the client journey. For example:
- Inspirational quotes can get new customers to comment on your posts and follow your account.
- Product tags and stickers can convert followers who’re ready to purchase now.
- Behind-the-scenes videos can encourage repeat purchases and assist loyal customers.
So remember how each post idea can contribute to your social media goals(engagement, sales, and so on.) as we study them below.
1. Show off with product post on Instagram
Photos and videos of your merchandise will likely be one of the easiest (and most expected) places to begin on Instagram. Sharing content material featuring your merchandise in all their glory will, of course, assist you to drive sales and promote your business on Instagram.
These posts can focus on your products alone or function them as part of a lifestyle picture or in a flat lay shot with complementary products. There’s plenty of room to get inventive.
These product posts but need to be executed correctly to keep away from coming across as spammy. They should function rich, interesting captions instead of just the product name and some hashtags.
Instead, you may consider treating the post as a chance to pitch the product, discussing options and advantages or highlighting what makes it special.
Vaja Cases does this well with the captions of their post below.
You may also create product posts that focus more on conveying a feeling: a mood, association, or sentiment that you really want people to think of when they see your brand name.
Okabashi such as has good product posts that associate a relaxed and zen feeling with their flip-flops:
2. Convert customers with product tags
Product tags and stickers are unique formats for posts and stories respectively that allow direct purchases via Instagram.
Customers can click on product tags, for example, to get more details about a product, like its name or price. If they click on again, they’ll be taken to a screen where they could make an order.
Product tags make it simpler and more convenient for customers to buy immediately on mobile, growing the likelihood that they’ll follow through. You may consider using product tags if you’re running a sale or providing with a discount.
Instagram recently launched product stickers for Instagram Stories, which let customers click on the sticker in order to view product information and then decide whether to purchase.
Source: Instagram
3. Take followers behind-the-scenes
Followers love the behind-the-scenes content material. It creates transparency that permits followers to feel like they’re getting to know the “real you” behind the brand. This builds trust, and it’s a refreshing change of pace after a stream of product photos.
Another good bonus? The behind-the-scenes content material doesn’t need to be almost as polished as some of your other photos. Because of this, some brands (including Allbirds, pictured below) desire to maintain their behind-the-scenes content material exclusively to their Stories.
4. Go live!
Live video is another kind of post on Instagram that may help you construct customer relationships rapidly. It feels authentic, and customers can interact with you in real time (followers will get notified when you go live).
You may answer questions, show behind-the-scenes content material, or function new products. You may also post the life to your Stories after, providing you with additional content with plenty of social proof.
For greatest outcomes with your live video, you should:
- Announce it in advance in order that followers know to tune in
- Have a plan and practice before you go on
- Give your viewers at least 30 seconds to join by incorporating a preamble before you begin
- Try to be in an area with good lighting and little to no background noise
5. Repost user-generated content
The user-generated content material is some of the most persuasive content material you should use, and your followers like to see it on your Instagram. It shows that you’re engaged with your community, which may earn you goodwill and more UGC at the same time.
UGC can easily be shared on your page to promote your brand in a subtle however highly effective method. Anatomie does this well on their profile, that includes plenty of posts like the one below to show their clothing worn in lovely, exciting locations all over the world.
Encourage UGC by letting customers know what you wish to see and by giving them a hashtag they can attach to their picture. Seek for this hashtag and ask for permission to share relevant posts in your profile.
6. Give your employees the spotlight
Content material that focuses on (or, even better, is created by) employees is a good choice for the post on Instagram. That is another method to show customers the human side of your brand, making it simpler for them to form an emotional connection to you and trust you more.
Need some inspiration? JM&Sons share photos of their main crafters working behind the scenes, discussing their next project.
This not only makes them relatable but also emphasizes the hand-crafted aspect of their brand, reminding potential clients that their furniture wasn’t just churned out by a machine. (TBC)