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Robyn Hardman, Digital Consultant
Instagram Hits 18 Million UK Users – What Does That Mean for Your Social Plan?
Instagram’s UK community has skyrocketed to 18 million active monthly users. That’s a lot of people that you can’t afford to miss out on reaching.
Over the past year, Instagram has really come out as the king of visual content. Its powerful and easy-to-use editing tools can make almost any photo look stunning, and its expansive Explore function makes connecting with new followers a breeze.
With the introduction of Instagram Stories, time-constricted slideshows that disappear after 24 hours (yes, just like Snapchat), it’s no surprise that Instagram’s UK community has grown by 29% over just one year. That’s why it’s more important than ever to consider Instagram as part of your marketing plan.
With that in mind, here are a few of our top tips for getting you started – let us know if you found these useful!
Is it really for you?
Of course, the visual nature of Instagram means that it doesn’t lend itself to every business. You need a constant stream of great photography or visuals to really make the most of Instagram, so bear that in mind. It’s also worth noting that you can’t hyperlink within an Instagram post, so if you’re hoping to use it to get people to your website, it might not work that well.
As Instagram is mostly a consumer network, companies that mostly work B2B might struggle to see traction on Instagram. However, for businesses in the hospitality, retail or entertainment industries, Instagram could be the perfect fit.
Set your profile up properly
Did you know that you can have a business profile on Instagram? By choosing a business profile, you can get unique insights on each post, including the ability to see how many people you’ve reached, and you’ll receive a shiny ‘contact us’ button – all very useful!
Don’t be shy!
We’re all curious to see what’s hiding behind the curtain and Instagram followers (or in fact, any social media followers) love seeing behind-the-scenes. So don’t be shy – get snapping! Whether you’re setting up your next big event or your chef’s experimenting with new dishes, don’t be afraid to show off the process and start getting people excited about what’s to come.
Get planning
Instagram doesn’t let you schedule posts, so it can be helpful to plan out what activity you’d like to do throughout the week. Whether you use an online app to help you do this, a comprehensive social media schedule or just a whiteboard in the office, be sure to experiment and find out what times of the day you’re most likely to get a response from your followers.
That being said, it doesn’t hurt to be spontaneous – if something great’s happening there and then, get it on the channel! The joy of Instagram being an app-based network means that you can easily grab your phone and start taking pictures.
Keep it varied
Seeing as Instagram is so visual, it’s much easier to spot repeat posts than on Facebook or Twitter. While you might need to repeat a photo every now and again, be sure to include plenty of other images between those. Also, check that your images aren’t too similar. For example, everyone loves a food shot, but not from the same angle every time, so experiment with different filters, angles and settings to really make your feed pop.
Need some more friendly advice?
Whether you’re just starting out on social media, need a helping hand to keep your social ship afloat, or want to maximise your online presence with a great campaign, give us a call on 01242 235 000 to see how we can help. Alternatively, click on the button below to send us a message.
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