How to Stand out on Instagram in 2022
During the period leading up to 2022, the social media ecosystem continues to develop. TikTok has emerged as the most exciting platform in 2021, surpassing 1 billion users in September – a 45 percent increase from the beginning of the year. In contrast, Instagram has lost some of its former elegance. However, it had not updated its official user count since 2018, when it surpassed 1 billion members. It is estimated to have approximately 1.38 billion users at present.
Although TikTok has recently become extremely popular, Instagram remains one of the most formidable competitors. Perhaps more importantly, 33.1% of Instagram’s users are millennials. In addition to 91% of millennials prefer to purchase online, this group also represents a significant segment of the market’s purchasing power. As a result of these insights and the sheer number of Instagram views, the channel cannot be ignored for too long. The process of distinguishing oneself as a company on Instagram is no longer as straightforward as it once was. Review the following strategies to help you increase your participation on Instagram in 2022
Collab feature
A new function introduced by Instagram does not guarantee that it will be appealing to marketers in general. As an exception to the norm, the Collab feature offers a wide range of value across the board as a powerful tool to optimize the impact of collaborations with other users and engage new audiences more directly. Collaborators can easily share the same post using the Collab feature, which displays them as co-authors of the same post.
It was previously necessary to create two separate posts to highlight such a collaboration; now, each collaborator may have the same post in their feed, complete with the same likes and comments. By doing so, you are connecting directly to your collaborator’s following and increasing your credibility. Influencer collaborations, brand partnerships, and special announcements are examples of immediate applications.
Influencers and giveaways
The importance of Instagram freebies is hardly a secret. One study suggested that giveaways can increase Instagram followers UK on an account by up to 70%, with 64 times more comments and 3.5 times more likes than regular postings. Partnering with an influencer can, however, expand your reach even further. Influencer marketing is on the rise. It is anticipated that the influencer marketing sector will be worth $13.8 billion. Influencer marketing on Instagram is the top choice for 66% of companies. Customers rely on influencers for referrals, which is an integral part of an effective marketing strategy. You can’t go wrong complimenting influencers and giveaways.
Confer with your audience
Don’t underestimate the value of asking questions and listening actively to your audience. It lets your customers feel involved with your business and may provide valuable feedback. Approximately 58% of consumers become more interested in a product after seeing it in an Instagram story, making Instagram Stories a helpful marketing tool for businesses.
Inquiring from your audience via a Story can be much more successful, as you may receive quick feedback that can be utilized in various ways. A brand ambassador program may also effectively obtain continuous feedback from your most loyal customers. You can gauge what consumers think on the ground by setting up Instagram groups where you can connect directly with brand ambassadors.
Organizations that pay attention to ambassador feedback will have a greater chance of engaging their target market and accelerating the building of a loyal fan base.
Transfer value
Companies do not follow their followers on Instagram to continuously market to them; they also want something of value, such as entertainment, information, or rewards. Your content should give your audience a reason to interact with it consistently. No matter where your consumers are in the customer journey, delivering value to them is essential, whether it is weekly giveaways with specific themes, behind-the-scenes videos, or helpful recommendations.
User-generated content
User-generated material, or UGC, is like how influencers can enhance your company’s credibility. With user-generated content, you invite a collaborator who is aligned with your target audience to provide you with content that appears more natural than conventional advertising. Increasingly, consumers seek authenticity in their content, as illustrated by Instagram Reels. According to TikTok-style uploads, Reels have gained popularity in the last two years due to their organic nature and spontaneity. These videos do not appear to be commercials, which may result in higher engagement and longer viewing times.
As it provides credibility to your brand, a user-generated Instagram profile offers credibility to your business. If a genuine individual uses your product or service in real-life situations, it may create a stronger connection with consumers than a traditional advertisement. To produce consistent, high-quality, reusable user-generated content, initiatives such as brand ambassador programs may be beneficial.
Persistent growth of Instagram
Despite TikTok’s increased popularity, you should not yet devote your entire marketing efforts to it. Instagram continues to be an essential tool for marketers to reach their customers, particularly millennials. There is no doubt that Instagram in 2022 will be a vital tool due to its new features, established user base, and marketing capabilities. TikTok may be a newcomer to the industry, but Instagram is a seasoned pro.
