Leveraging the power of social media in the present day can excel a company into a competitive stance within its field, if the base is utilised in the correct manner. Integrated marketing communications rise above to encapsulate the various levels of the marketing mix.
Instagram, holding 300 million users each month, with 70% from outside of the U.S provides a foundation for companies, that if a tech savy and versatile approach is held, exposure to adorning followers could serve your brand, customers and yourself. The platform provides a base where a unified message can be directly envisaged by consumers from one second to the next, with an unpresidented consumer interaction rate at 400% according to ‘Forrester research’ , with up to 58 time more commitment per follower than ‘Facebook’ and double that for ‘Twitter’, the site makes for a marketing mix dream!
Getting integrated into Instagram as a consumer engaged comapny there are some simple rules
The rise of the HASHTAG:
Hashtags develop a trending word or phrase to engage a wider audience, with a simple click of a button consumers are able to engage into a movement that targets a specific interest audience. Making the hashtag bold and punchy or even controversial can make a statement about the brand, introduce a new product, refresh a product or spark consumer conversation and following. It facilitates an accessible platform within the site for consumers to develop an interest. Companies can use the hash tag to tell a story of the brand creating an emotional involvement with consumers.
- Brand hashtags: they should be simple and sweet, reinforcing the idea and idiom of the brand, constant monitoring, feedback, analysis and consumer correspondence.
- Campaign Hashtags: if your company is starting out on a new campaign, they also reinforce the campaign, simplify the idea, help consumers understand the idea and create involvement.
- Trending Hashtags: riding off the back of an already widespread discussion is not a sin, connecting the trend through an emotional connection can create an increased drive in the brand.
- Niche trending Hashtags: ideal for a niche company looking to pick out specific target markets.
- Content Hashtags: these can help the brand tell a specific story about their product, help the consumer understand the idea extensively, and provide a descriptive post.
Successful brand hashtags have been seen by global energy drink company ‘Redbull’ with #Putacanonit
Connect with your INFLUENCERS:
Pinpointing key characters on social media sites that already are subjective to a huge following can stand as a perfect platform upon which a company can ride off of their ‘Instafamous’ following.
To create the most successful campaign or boost interest, the company must find the best fit influencer for their desired product. A successful post can also create an emotional involvement, the influencer may have an avid following of people who desire whatever they have.
As seen below, popular celebrity endorsements are a huge part of influencers:
Instagram enables companies to utilise the platform to reach out to otherwise unreachable consumers, it is an excellent and can be low cost way for a successful marketing strategy in an ever evolving cyber tech paradigm of society. Use it the right way and the brand promotion possibilities are endless.
Jared verna