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Writer's pictureGina Stockdall

A Short Guide to Understanding Instagram Marketing

What started as a mobile app to share pictures has evolved into a diverse social media platform.


With over one billion users (about 60% of whom use the app daily), Instagram is the perfect platform to grow your audience and build brand awareness. In fact, 83% of users have said they discovered new products or services via Instagram.


Do you want to put your brand in front of Instagram's engaged user base? It's easy to get started!


Follow these tips to get started on Instagram:


  1. Create an Instagram Business or Creator account. With a Business or Creator accout, you have access to additional insights, analytics, ability to advertise and special profile benefits (such as contact info).

  2. Optimize your profile. Take steps to optimize your profile so people can easily find you in search and learn about your business or organization by looking at your profile.

  3. Decide which hashtags to use for posts. Hashtags help categorize your content. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post (but I suggest using around 11 - we seem to see better results with that number right now). Choose at least one relevant hashtag so that users can find your business or organization. I also suggest using at least one hashtag that includes your location. For example, MJD uses #kansascity, #kansascitymo, #kansascitymissouri, #kcmo, #kc, #kcmissouri, #bluespringsmo or #bluespringsmissouri when making posts.

  4. Get familiar with the types of posts on Instagram. There are a varity of ways you can share content and engage your audience on Instagram: *Grid. Your grid displays photos and videos that appear on your profile. Your posts can have captions with up to 2,200 characters. Keep in mind that the first two lines of your captiohn will appear before a "Read More" prompt. With this in mind, write the first two lines to be engaging or incite curiosity. *Stories. Stories are photos or videos that disappear after 24 hours unless they are added to your profile highlights. You can post more often. More behind the scenes. *IGTV. You can post verical, longer form videos via Instagram's IGTV platform. These IGTV videos can be displayed on your grid and stories. *Reels. Instagram Reels are 15-60 second vertical video clips that can be shared on your stories as well. These are a great way to engage your current audience.

From there, you can create a content schedule of what to post on Instagram.


Types of content to post on Instagram:


  1. Behind-the-scenes. Post content that shows followers the behind-the-scenes of your business or organization.

  2. Motivational. Curate shareable, inspirational quotes that align with your brand values and resonate with your audience. Add your organization's branding to quote graphics you post on social media!

  3. Tutorial. Tutorials and how-tos guide your followers through specific problems. Tutorials are great targeted marketing examples because you know prospects who land on a tutorial are there to solve a specific problem.

  4. Video. There are a number of ways you can add video to Instagram, including Instagram stories, 60 second grid videos, 15-30 second Reels, or on IGTV.

  5. User-generated content (UGC). Sharing posts from your followers (UGC) can be a great way to build a relationship with those followers, engage with other followers, and effortlessly fill your content schedule!

  6. Case studies and testimonials. This type of content uses real stories to show followers about your product or service. Through real stories, you can show how your business or organization makes an impact to those you serve.

  7. Storytelling. This type of conent tells your brand's story. Even through it's a story, there should be a lesson here. Storytelling content builds awareness and engages your prospective customers, donors, volunteers, etc.


By balancing between these types of content, you hit many goals, including expanding your reach, connecting with your target audience, and telling them about what you do.


Overall, posting on Instagram humanizes your organization or business through visuals.


There are plenty of ways to grow your reach and market on Instagram. It's a dynamic platform that gives you many ways to connect with viewers and humanize your brand! Follow us here for more tips, tricks and ideas.







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