Currently, Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, with over a billion active monthly users. Practically everyone, including their pets, and even businesses, are using the platform.
While it used to be viewed as a platform for personal use, that’s no longer the case. These days, Instagram allows brands to appear more human to their audiences, showcase their products, recruit new talents, and inspire their audiences.
Additionally, Instagram users aren’t just active on the platform, as they’re also constantly engaging with other accounts, including branded ones. That’s why using Instagram is a great way for businesses to grow their brand awareness, introduce new products, and even make sales with the help of the platform’s useful features.
Behind the Scenes
There are plenty of different types of images and videos that users can share on Instagram, but one of the most important ones that companies should be sharing with consumers is a glimpse into the parts of the companies that people generally don’t get to see. It’s important for behind-the-scenes content to not appear staged because authenticity is key for growing conversions on Instagram.
To appear more human to the consumers, companies can use Instagram to showcase their company culture, promote their own employees, and show how things work on a daily basis .
Education
Another beneficial type of visual content that brands should be sharing with their audiences is educational content. These types of posts offer short, step-by-step tutorials or tips on how consumers can make or do something.
Many users tend to enjoy these types of videos because aside from getting written instructions in the caption of the post, they also get to see the entire process in a visual format, which makes it easier to follow.
Motivation
These types of visual posts include uplifting texts or quotes that are placed over a simple image. They tend to motivate and encourage audiences, and amplify the company’s values in the eyes of consumers.
However, despite their effectiveness, businesses should avoid overusing these types of posts, otherwise, they risk looking cheesy in the eyes of the audience.
Newsjacking
These days, it seems like there’s a holiday for just about anything - from ice cream to siblings, to every single pet under the sun. The great thing about these types of holidays is that they generate a lot of engagement on social media platforms. Companies can participate in either local, national, or global holiday trends to benefit from an increase in engagement..
User-Generated Content
Finally, user-generated curated content comes from a company’s followers or fans, hence the name ‘user-generated content’ (UGC). Any tagged posts or posts that contain the company’s branded hashtag are a great resource for UGC. This type of content doesn’t only make the original poster feel good, but it also shows other consumers that the brand really cares about all customers equally.
All it takes is for the company to screenshot the original post and share it on its own social media accounts , or to use one of the many reposting apps that are available on smartphones these days.
