Top 7 Instagram Features to Leverage for Brand Growth This Year
Instagram continues to be a pivotal platform for brands aiming to boost their online presence and engage with their target audience effectively. This year, leveraging the latest features can significantly enhance your brand’s growth. Here are the top seven Instagram features that you should incorporate into your marketing strategy:
1. Instagram Reels
Reels are short, engaging videos that can help brands showcase their personality creatively. Designed to compete with TikTok, Reels allow you to create 15 to 90-second videos set to music or sound bites. Utilize Reels to share tutorials, behind-the-scenes looks, or customer testimonials. This format not only increases visibility but also engages a broader audience.
2. Instagram Shop
The Instagram Shop feature is a game-changer for e-commerce brands. It allows businesses to create a storefront directly on their profile, where users can browse products without leaving the app. Make sure to utilize product tags in your posts and stories to enhance discoverability and drive sales. Explore how to set it up through Instagram’s official guide.
3. Stories Highlights
Stories Highlights enable brands to showcase their best content beyond the standard 24-hour expiry of Instagram Stories. Curate highlights based on themes such as ‘Customer Reviews’, ‘Promotions’, or ‘New Arrivals’. This feature allows potential customers to easily access vital information about your brand, contributing to better engagement rates. Learn more about creating engaging highlights on Instagram here.
4. Instagram Live
Utilizing Instagram Live can foster real-time engagement with your audience. Hosting Q&A sessions, product launches, or live demonstrations can help humanize your brand while allowing direct interaction. Additionally, Live sessions can provide insights into how your audience perceives your brand, which can inform future marketing strategies. Get tips on using this feature effectively from Instagram’s official page.
5. Guides
Instagram Guides offer a unique way to curate posts, locations, and products, allowing brands to provide valuable resources or recommendations in one easily digestible format. Use Guides to create “best of” lists or to showcase user-generated content. This feature is not only useful for SEO but also for enhancing brand authority. Check out more about Guides on the official Instagram support page.
6. Collab Posts
The Collab feature allows two accounts to co-author a post or Reel, making it a brilliant way to tap into each other’s audiences and enhance reach. Collaborating with influencers or complementary brands can elevate your visibility and introduce your products or services to potential new customers. Discover how to utilize this feature effectively through Instagram’s blog post.
7. Shopping in Live Videos
Shopping during Live videos merges the excitement of real-time streaming with e-commerce, enabling brands to showcase products as they discuss them live. Viewers can purchase items through clickable links, offering a seamless shopping experience. This innovative approach can significantly drive sales and engagement. For more insights, refer to Instagram’s guidelines on this feature.
