This post was originally published on April 21, 2021, and updated on May 4, 2024.
Information from this blog was obtained from TheSMMU.com, Statista.com, Simplilear.com, Hubspot.com, Embedsocial.com, and Hootsuite.com.
Author: John Katzen, MD
Read Time: 3 minutes
Updated: May 4, 2024
Introduction: Instagram Content
Considering a career in social media marketing, you will need to know how to create the BEST engaging for Instagram. Regarding social media advertising, Instagram is an important player. As of 2024, Instagram ranked third among all social media networks worldwide and has over 1 billion monthly users. About 37% of US households use Instagram. Many successful brands today use the Instagram platform to promote their products and services to consumers and maintain meaningful relationships using content marketing strategies. To survive in the competitive world of social media marketing, you must know how to use Instagram successfully.
Instagram is a platform centered on visually appealing content. Effective social media marketers must know how to create new content and refurbish old content to catch the eye of their ideal consumers. Many features and tools within Instagram allow you to facilitate interactions with followers and raise awareness about the brand you are promoting.
This post will share strategies and tips for creating the BEST engaging Instagram posts.
What is Instagram Content Marketing, and Why Does it Matter?
We must understand content marketing to use Instagram to its full social media marketing potential. According to HubSpot, social media content marketers create content to attract, engage, and delight target markets.
To create consistently engaging Instagram content, you must establish a marketing strategy that is best suited for your brand and Instagram. Creating a strategy involves researching your persona's demographics, attitudes, and interests. Research also includes studying how your persona uses Instagram. Brands employ several strategies to deliver engaging content. The next section will outline our top 5 marketing strategies for creating the BEST Instagram posts.
5 Ways to Create the BEST Engaging Instagram Content
1) Show the Application and Value of Your Product/Service in your Instagram Post
Instagram is an interactive, scrolling visual platform. Instagram is a perfect place to showcase your product or services. Instagram has a variety of ways to present your products, like photos, videos, reels, and photo carousels. Each presentation can highlight what your brand can offer the consumer. Social media marketers should consider creating how-to videos or share tips on how to get the most out of your brand's products/services. Instagram content creators should use aesthetically pleasing high-quality videos and photos when posting. All your posts should align with your brand identity. Most of all do not be afraid to show the desired personality of your business in your Instagram posts.
2) Involve the Consumer in Your Instagram Feed
One amazing thing about Instagram is its ability to speak directly to viewers. Use Instagram to project your brand's personality and interact with consumers. Instagram is great because it allows you to reach audiences personally. Another effective strategy for content marketing on Instagram is leveraging user-generated content. For example, you could ask followers to tag you in any posts featuring your products for a chance to be featured on your social media pages. User-generated content is a powerful sales tool because most consumers trust other consumers over brands and marketers. By leveraging user-generated content, you generate trust. Also, user-generated content can dramatically increase your SEO.
3) Showcase Your Products with Instagram Stories
Embed Social says one-third of the most viewed Instagram stories are from businesses. Social media marketers should consider using Instagram Stories to conduct polls, prompt viewers to ask questions, live stream, and even turn their stories into ads. Instagram Stories are a great tool for illustrating your brand's story and connecting to your persona. Sharing Instagram posts when tagging your brand in an Instagram Story is another great way to interact with your consumers and leverage user-generated content.
4) Take Users Behind the Scenes with Instagram
Your persona wants to know more about you and your company. Content marketers should consider taking their viewers behind the curtain. Consider showing off your workplace by featuring employees at work and play. Showing the human side is a great way to personalize your brand. By revealing the human side of your company, you allow consumers to identify with your brand more. More personalization means more engagement and, hopefully, more sales. Another behind-the-scenes Instagram tactic is to show how a product is made or packaged. Instagram social media marketers should not be afraid to think outside the box.
5) Use Daily Hashtags with Every Instagram Post
Hashtags are a GREAT way to expand your Instagram reach and engagement. Social media marketers build entire campaigns and social media contests around hashtags. They should use hashtags to build online communities around their brand. There are many apps that can suggest trending Instagram hashtags. You can begin by picking a "daily hashtag" relevant to your industry. HootSuite has a great list of 40 daily hashtags popular on specific days of the week.
Conclusion: Use Instagram NOW
Whether you're new to social media marketing or an established professional, Instagram is the place to be. No longer is Instagram a social app for teenagers. It is a full-force advertising platform for almost any business. For more information about how to create the BEST Instagram posts, check out Morgan's post on Instagram here and Kelsey's post here.
Instagram is a unique platform that presents visual information to consumers. In the delivery of information, Instagram can create brand awareness. Ideally, this creates a bond with a viewer, which converts into a sale for the company. The most engaging posts on Instagram are visually appealing, informative, and entertaining. Social media marketers should constantly explore content marketing strategies to engage new audiences and expand their reach.
Call to Action: Start Posting to Instagram
Begin NOW! Start creating your best Instagram posts. Please sign up here to receive emails about the newest and best ways to post on Instagram.
About the Author
Dr. J. Timothy Katzen is an experienced, board-certified Plastic Surgeon. Dr. Katzen has offices in Beverly Hills, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Dubai. Dr. Katzen specializes in reconstructive plastic surgery after massive weight loss and removal of silicone injections from the buttocks, breasts, and face. In his spare time, he loves learning about social media marketing, blogging, kite surfing, SCUBA diving and underwater photography.
References
Baker, K. (2024, April 11). The Ultimate Guide to Content Marketing in 2024. Retrieved from https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/content-marketing.
Benbrook, M. (2024, May 1). How to Create Instagram Posts that People Can't Resist Sharing. Retrieved from https://www.thesmmu.com/post/how-to-create-instagram-posts-that-people-can-t-resist-sharing.
Bojkov, K. (2023, May 6). Instagram Story Analytics: Instagram Stories Insights Explained. Retrieved from https://embedsocial.com/blog/instagram-stories-analytics/.
Christison, C. (2022, June 14). 28 Daily Hashtags for Better Engagement [CHEATSHEET]. Retrieved from https://blog.hootsuite.com/daily-hashtags/.
Decker, K. (2024, April 24). Instagram hacks: a young professional’s guide to authentic marketing. Retrieved from https://www.thesmmu.com/post/instagram-hacks-a-young-professional-s-guide-to-authentic-marketing.
Sanders, R. (2023, August 11). Instagram vs. Facebook: Should You Use One or Both? Retrieved from https://www.simplilearn.com/facebook-vs-instagram-should-you-use-one-or-both-article#:~:text=Facebook%20and%20Instagram%20are%20among,only%2010%20percent%20in%202012.
Stipp, H. (2024, January 10). Most popular social networks worldwide as of April 2024, ranked by number of monthly active users. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/statistics/272014/global-social-networks-ranked-by-number-of-users/.
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