Series Brief:

Social media has been around for a long time. By now, it is likely that you have multiple social media channels and that you have created your own strategies for how you are using each one. However, the past year and pandemic have made the social media landscape significantly different. Do you know exactly how to use each platform and the benefits of each? 

If not, do not fret - this series will give you some new information on how to capitalize on social media and its best uses for the year. 

Up first in the series, Instagram!

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Instagram 

Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, with nearly 112.5 million users in 2020. From gathering insights to selling products, Instagram keeps rolling out tools to help business owners succeed.

For B2B it is perhaps not the app that jumps to mind. According to TrackMaven, however, B2B businesses often experience the highest number of interactions per number of followers on Instagram. In spite of this, Instagram is overlooked by B2B companies.

It is important to note that Instagram for Business allows a company of any size to create a business profile, get detailed data about their followers and posts, and promote their content in order to achieve their goals—all within the Instagram app.

So how can you, as a B2B business, utilize Instagram effectively?

Tip 1: Share Corporate Culture

Whether you are a smaller business or large enterprise, the personality, dynamics and spirit of your team matters. Instagram offers you the ability to share your corporate values, culture, and ethics in visual ways - in the form of videos, pictures and quotes. 

Tip 2: Creative Ads 

With its visual format, Instagram allows you the opportunity of sharing eye catching videos to promote a product or service. Whether you are marketing to manufacturers, restaurants or accountants - you can create simple and easy videos that metaphorically depict your service.  Often times businesses are afraid of showing personality and think that they have to remain strictly professional, however, some of the best created content by B2B companies is funny, relatable, metaphorical and most importantly memorable! 

You are most likely to make an impact as a brand if you are making someone laugh, smile or have an emotional reaction to your work.

Tip 3: Be Part of the Conversation

Since many B2B companies are ignoring Instagram, their audiences and the potential customers, who are there, may not be aware of the brand or have trust with the brand. Instagram offers companies the ability to connect directly with potential customers every day and simply be a part of the conversation. 

The app is not going anywhere, and if you are not engaging or leading the conversation it is very likely that your competitors are doing it instead. Use Instagram as a way to connect, engage, promote your brand and have thought leadership. 

Tip 4: Free traffic

Perhaps this is one of the most tangible benefits of Instagram, with so many people on the app it is a great way to increase traffic to your website and give your content additional visibility. This is good for two reasons. First, it will help the Google algorithm prioritize your content, since it will see it is of interest. Second, it will build organic traffic to your website and help you gauge topics of interest for future content. 

Though you may think adding another social channel to your efforts can be daunting, the benefits of Instagram are well worth it. If your primary target demographic is 35 and younger, Instagram is one of the best ways to find them and drive engagement. 

Although this article is primarily B2B, if you are in B2C Instagram is a no brainer. It is a captive audience that boasts insane engagement and clear opportunities for sales. Don’t delay, get your Instagram strategy together. 

Don’t know where to start we can help?!

Schedule a 15-min Strategy Session with us today and receive an Instagram strategy guide in return! No hard selling we promise!