4 Ways to Step Up Your Instagram Story Game as a Small Business

Instagram is surpassing other social media platforms regarding popularity. Recently there has been a shift in social media preferences. Photo-sharing applications made it possible for both new and established brands to market their products and services across the world. The trend is particularly common to a group that belongs to younger demographics. 85% of young people access social media to post something or view a pic or video almost every day.

You can achieve your revenue goals with the help of Instagram marketing

You can achieve your revenue goals with the help of Instagram marketing

Previously, Omnicore gathered interesting and incredible statistics as to why brands should opt to engage themselves with Instagram followers. As of last September, the Instagram platform has had more than 800 million followers. According to Instagram, there are currently 25 million businesses on the site compared to July 2017, when they were 15 million businesses. Also, over 80% of Instagram users follow a business whereas 200 million Instagrammers visit a business profile on a daily basis.

How to pull from top brands on Instagram

1. Develop brand partnerships To get attention on Instagram like Nike, Chipotle, or Lego you need to partner with other brands that share your audience. For example, you can create a joint campaign that targets a social cause. Through the campaign, the audience will be attracted to know what you are selling. Most companies are establishing affiliate marketing partnerships, sponsoring partnerships, or value-added partnerships. Such approaches can involve celebrity influencers, but this can only be successful if it fits targeted demographics, strategies, and budgets. When working on collaborations, look for opportunities that might yield a win-win situation for all entities. 

Partnerships give you more opportunities to grow.

Partnerships give you more opportunities to grow.

The primary purpose of the partnership should be geared to attract more customers who can benefit from all brands involved. Partnering creates an opportunity to pull resources together and achieve higher results compared to when a brand goes solo. Also, it gives a substantial financial muscle for partnering companies to compete with established brands like Nike, Chipotle, or Lego.

2. Demand affiliates and influencers to be transparent and authentic  If you are authentic and transparent with your followers, you will get off to a great start by attracting more attention. The affiliates and influencers must be transparent as they market your product/brand online. Primarily online business is grown and maintained by staying transparent and authentic. JVZooCEO Laura Casselman says that the importance of consumer education via Instagram can only be successful if the followers completely trust the influencer. 

Transparency equals authenticity.

Transparency equals authenticity.

3. Stand out with humor for the target audience Don’t be afraid to capture the hilarious moments that happen behind-the-scenes of your business! Your fans will love that you’re willing to share different raw moments on your Instagram Story from pictures to videos. It’ll show your followers another side of your business that will give them more to talk about.

4. Stand out with lifestyle shots to showcase products The pics or videos posted must stand out. Professionally taken photos or fun pics will lure more followers to know what your product is all about. For example, Nike on Instagram always provokes conversation about the brand thus helping the company achieve its core objective. Creativity while taking the pics or video is an important aspect because it makes the pic or video to stand out.

Lifestyle shoots are one of the best ways to showcase what you have to offer.

Lifestyle shoots are one of the best ways to showcase what you have to offer.

With many established brands out there, it is hard to stand out on Instagram. New brands must be more aggressive to reach more potential customers. The intention of posting a picture or a video on social media is not to gain views but to increase sales and your customer base. Even if it is hard, the more a product keeps on rotating or appearing on social media, the more it lures potential customers to buy it or try the service. In addition, with careful planning and targeted action, it is easy to connect with your audience on Instagram. Numerous new brands have found their niche on Instagram and they have seen great success.