Images have the ability to stir memories, create an experience and provide a glimpse into the heart of business. Sounds lofty but true. A picture is worth a thousand words so what is your business saying to the world?
Utilizing a photo image based platform like Instagram, gives you an opportunity to fine tune and deliver a compelling message to the public in a way that best reflects what you offer and the type of experience that anyone could expect when engaging with your business.
So what can you do with Instagram? Instagram is an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing, and social networking service that allows you to take pictures or video and share them on the app or via other social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook or Tumblr.
Why is this important? Businesses must reach their audience wherever their audience congregates and these days that is heavily on social media. Your audience is very visual in the information it retains and the information it seeks. Instagram puts you at the forefront of capturing their attention because:
- Instagram can foster a creative and engaging experience for your audience
Using images and video to demonstrate your brand keeps you in control of the content but also allows your audience access to “you” the brand in a more personal way. Posting lifestyle or brand casual photos invites the viewer to step into your world and participate. Encourage comments and likes but also reciprocate and respond to comments and have a conversation with your audience. Engagement leads to more loyal viewers and potentially consumers.
- Create brand loyalty and establish a “stake in the ground” for your brand
As mentioned, engagement creates loyalty behavior in the viewer when they feel they are invested in your purpose. Sharing images and videos on Instagram is an important tool in branding your business and setting the tone for what a potential consumer can expect from you. Instagram also provided you an opportunity to break away from the pack and show what makes you unique and establish a recognizable “stake in the ground” or clear differentiation between you and a similar business.
- Grow your audience and build relationships with your audience
Instagram is a two way street. As you would like viewers to engage and have a positive experience with your site, you must too also engage right back and provide them with a positive experience as well. Building a reciprocal relationship takes time and attention to what content your viewers like the most, share the most and engage with the most. Your audience will be your biggest advocates for sharing your Instagram site and growing your reach. Leverage the relationship to reach more eyeballs!
Instagram is not only a platform for sharing snapshots and video musings. It can be a great way to reach your audience and keep them captivated!