Since Instagram began displaying content algorithmically, your followers will only see accounts they engage with the MOST in their timeline. Simply put- if the content you’re distributing as a business owner fails to grab your followers attention (meaning, they like and comment on your photos/videos) you risk Instagram shutting your lights off. But don’t worry- I’ve got you covered with strategies I’ve tested with numerous clients!
Here are the TOP 5 Content ideas for business owners that have proven to drive engagement
Special Offers
Incentivize those on your Instagram profile with platform specific offers. Think about this…what need/ native platform differentiators do your followers have to stay engaged with your Instagram account if you’re posting the same offers everywhere?
• Buy one get one free for only those following on Instagram
• Flash discount for Instagram users using coupon code “x” (track effectiveness of campaign by using a specific coupon code)
• First ten orders get a bonus gift of “x”
• First 5 orders get a 1 on 1 30 minute phone call!
Look at how @juiceland was able to spark engagement with a fun “name our new friend” post. Driving 200 comments means they’ll appear higher in those users timelines the next time they go to post. What content do you have that facilitates conversation to drive engagement?
Info on new products or services
Your customer wants to know…
What do ya got?
How are people using it?
Who is using it?
What are they using it for?
How are they enjoying it?
What if most Instagram users don’t want to click out of the platform to read your article (believe me, they don’t), watch your video, or learn more about your product on your website–what are, and what MORE could you be doing to visually demonstrate your product or service completely native to the platform?
I’ve coached many who were initially using Instagram to drive traffic to youtube or to a landing page — focus on learning how to drive engagement natively FIRST to see more success with traffic.
In addition to content created by you to describe your products and services — over 70% of customers trust peer reviews/customer testimonials OVER professionally written content. They want ‘social proof’ that others are benefiting before making a buying decision. In essence, “pictures or it didn’t happen”
ProTip: Another reason prospects don’t buy is because they aren’t sure how exactly they’d use your product or service…This is NOT their problem- it’s a marketing problem- fortunately it’s easy to solve with Instagram- Let me show you how…
Case Study:
My friends Chantal & Tako in Austin TX have a company called StroopClub and sell stroopwafels (see above) It’s made of two thin layers of dough pressed with a waffle iron with caramel in the center. Super popular in the Netherlands where they are from….but at the farmers market in Austin Texas some walk by scratching their head…kinda looks like cardboard pictured above…hmmm… “maybe I’ll pass” they think.
BUT…
What if I told you that you can set this delicious cookie over coffee or tea and warm up the gooey caramel center to enjoy every morning or for an afternoon/after dinner treat?
or make it into a delicious crunchy cookie and caramel ice cream sandwich with your favorite ice cream?
Or visit the farmers market to have them made fresh with not just caramel, but with warm Nutella (chocolate hazelnut spread) & strawberries?
Overtime StroopClub’s customers are going to be inspired/educated/entertained to do MORE with this product and as a result buy more. Those people on the edge finally get what the hype is about and cave in. Visually demonstrate the use of your product’s until others feel like their missing out by not having what you offer. After The Stroop Clubs marketing shift, Breakfast wont be the same with a lonely coffee cup and no Stroopwafel. 😛
How can you inspire/educate/entertain your customer?
Freebies
Host Instagram giveaways with clear instructions in the caption to grow your following FAST. People won’t want to miss out on your updates. Not many people on your Instagram currently? Cross promote the giveaway on other social channels to boost entries (but remember : they can only enter the contest on Instagram)
ProTip: Want to bring even more eyes to your profile? Consider partnering up with another Instagram business and doing joint-giveaways. See Example below.
Brand/Business News Updates
It’s happening…more and more businesses are giving users a behind the scenes look at what goes on — and guess what — customers really LOVE it. Sharing the process of everyday business makes customers feel connected. As they continue to invest their time by tuning in…they become empowered with inside information which could result in your brand becoming top of mind for a specific product or service.
For Example:
Justin Spall, founder of H20Plants an aquatic plant business, consistently keeps his followers entertained, educated, and up to date with products that he has in stock. By delivering “how-to” videos & practical information to his community LIVE and through the use of Instagram Stories he’s been able to scale his business through content marketing alone.
“I’ve spent about $50 dollars on Facebook ads- but to be honest- with how I’ve been marketing- I can barely keep up with demand until I move to a bigger place” — Justin Spall
Creative Competitions
Who doesn’t like a little competition?
Trivia anyone?
Bet you can’t answer this!
First person who does “X” gets something cool?
First person who can make it to our store location in time gets “x” (perfect for your slow hours)
The businesses and brands that keep their followers on their toes & engaged will win in 2017. You’ll have your customers checking back in with your business throughout the day in no time! To give you an example of how businesses are finally catching on- check out fast food giant McDonalds latest campaign.
Time to take action, if the above sounds time consuming, remember: you don’t have to be the one doing it– but someone has to be if you’re looking to dominate on Instagram.
Print out this list and start planning what content looks like in all 5 of these categories for your business– Comment below with your thoughts on creative business ideas for Instagram or what’s worked for you in the past.
Thanks for reading my FIRST post on Medium! Heart this below if this helped you- and share it with someone looking to up their Instagram game in 2017 :D
Want 5 more ways to grow a massive customer base on instagram ?
Thanks!
Warren K. Carlyle IV
Instagram Growth Strategist
