Social networking websites continue to revolutionize internet marketing, and Instagram is the latest one to take the field by storm. The popular image sharing network is introducing companies to all kinds of new opportunities that allow them to visualize their brand, products, and mission, and promote all three things to a rapidly growing base of users. Despite this rapid growth, however, many professionals remain uncertain when it comes to turning the popular photo sharing service into an online marketing tool. To ease those uncertainties, here are a few guidelines when embracing Instagram for promotional purposes.
Like All Social Networks, Instagram Uses Comments
The great thing about Instagram is that it isn’t a mere gallery of unique images, tilt-shift effects, and vintage filters. Instead, the app allows users to comment on photos, like them, and even share them with their friends or their social media profiles. That’s a great way to get the discussion going, especially because users of the service can respond directly to the caption paired with every image on the site.
Instagram should be viewed as a sort of visual blogging tool, where the image is the blog entry and the comments are just as useful when creating new customers and interacting with an existing base of experienced ones.
Cross-Platform Sharing Abilities Make Instagram a Hub
Internet marketing isn’t just about Instagram. Instead, it involves sites like Flickr, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and others. Instagram allows any image taken or modified with the software to be shared with all of these social networking websites instantly and simultaneously. That means a simple Instagram image can become an internet-wide discussion piece, a viral sensation, and a clear message about where a company stands and why its products matter. And, because comments can be posted to the image on all of those social networking sites, it increases the chance of a lively conversation between the company and its customers.
Photo Contests Can Inspire Customers
There has always been something about a photograph which is a bit more inspiring than mere text. Companies who use Instagram as part of their internet marketing toolbox can actually leverage this relationship that most people have with pictures, encouraging them to take a photo that best represents the company’s brand. They can then share that photo and even assign it a relevant hashtag. Winners can be rewarded with prizes and recognition on social networks, humanizing the company and helping consumers relate to its mission, brand, and products.
Largely a Blank Canvas for Marketing Professionals
Despite all of the advantages that come with Instagram, as well as some great ideas for internet marketing strategies, the platform is still young and developing into a useful tool for internet marketers. That means there are plenty of new, innovative uses for Instagram that will set a company apart from its low-tech competitors. Don’t be afraid to try the software, test its features, and then push the limits of those features with a brand new type of online marketing campaign. It’s easy, it’s intuitive, and it’s interactive — and those are the three hallmarks of online marketing success.
It is unbelievable how quickly online technologies move. But keeping up with phone systems, social media and other ways to communicate is essential to stay in the game.
Thanks for the post. From this i come to know about Instagram which is a social website and in which company introduce new opportunities for visibility of their brand , product etc.
Internet marketing is the best source to advertise our product. That’s why most of the people are more focusing on social networking sites to promote their product in such platform.
This is good post Steve. Now a day’s Internet technology has changing tremendously and Internet is one of the most favorable place to market you product efficiently at very low cost.
Internet marketing has become very important tool for the promotion of the website. Social media plays very important role in internet marketing.
Having a business online is to have Internet marketing. That’s why I undoubtedly say that having social networking sites is essential. Good to hear that many social networking sites continue to revolutionize.
Thanks for sharing this post. I come to know about Instagram through this post. I think that Instagram is really good application that can help in building up contacts with users through linking with many social networking sites thus enhancing social networks and increasing traffic on websites.
I’ve been trying to learn more about instigram to help promote my shooting targets website and I think I’ve learned some useful stuff from your post. Thanks for taking the time to put up some good info!
Instagram can be a great tool for engaging your audience. You can use it to get comments. Snap a picture of something new you’re using or your business is offering and ask what people think.
Most folks use Instagram to do exactly this. The only difference is that they’re not businesses; they’re just sharing cool stuff with friends. Take this approach and you’ll get the same results.
Creative Photo Contests
An even better way to get your customers or fans involved is to have contests. Choose a theme and have them send in their shots and post them on your social media site. Give the winner (the person with the most likes, etc.) a good reward.
Another cool contest idea is to have them name a new product. Show them what it is and they send in their ideas. The great thing about this is that you’re also showing off a new product and this will means sales.
Instagram, the popular photo-sharing app snapped up by social networking giant Facebook some months back, has breached the 100-million users
Instagram is the future of marketing, even though many people still don’t realize its power. Facebook’s decision was epic.
Picturing the future. Google’s acquisition of Nik Software says it all. A week after Facebook’s purchase of Instagram was finalized, Google announced bringing the San Diego-based Nik Software into the fold. The company’s app lets users edit photos, add filters, and share the finished product on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and through e-mail. Sound familiar?
Instagram is a really good way to interact with your customer base.
Instigram was new to me, I had heard alot about it but was not familiar with it as it had little to do with the industry I was in. I was very cusious to find out more information and since I have, I am amazed at how it can engage customers, advertise a product and build brand awareness.
Instagram was brand new to our business, and ever since the “Keep calm” image went viral we’ve been keeps a very close eye on instagram.
Was very interesting went the released that they where going to us personal images in advertising without the photographers permission.
Does Facebook or Twitter own Instagram now?