how to use instagram for business

1. Sejal Visawadia

2. What Is Instagram

Instagram is a free photo-sharing program and social
network that was launched in October 2010

Users can upload or take photos, apply a digital filter
to it

Users can then share it with other Instagram users
they are connected to on the social network as well
as on other social networking services
(Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, Tumblr)

3. Instagram User Growth

Instagram has grown to 100MM users in the past
year

4. Photo-Sharing Apps Among Fastest
Growing App Categories

This growth is reflective of the popularity of photo
sharing apps among social media users

5. Instagram’s Daily Active Users Eclipses That
Of Pinterest’s
Instagram has 11MM
Daily Active Users
A number significantly
higher than Pinterest’s
Daily Active Users

6. Who Is Using Instagram

Most Instagram users are between the ages 18-29
but Gen Xers closely follow

7. Instagram Is About Visual Content

Content Discovery


Content Creation

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Users can find new content by searching for users and
hashtags
Instagram’s unique filters allow users to create interesting
content
Content Curation

Users can like, share via social networks and comment
on photos by other users

8. How Does Instagram Work
Once a user has
installed the
app, he create a
profile and
include a bio and
a website URL
Instagram allows
users to find
friends from
other social
network to follow
Users can also
search by
username or
hashtag in the
Explore tab
Photos posted
by a user appear
in their followers’
streams
Photos that
appear in a
user’s stream or
photos from the
Explore tab can
be shared on
Twitter

9. Instagram Features


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Instagram Filters
Explore Tab
Hashtags
Photo Map

10. Filters


Instagram has seventeen
filters users can choose
from to create unique
photos
Filters remain the single
most interesting feature
that engage users

11. Explore

This tab features the most
popular photos on Instagram




Popularity is based on the
number of likes and comments
Users can also search for a
specific user by the username
or for hashtags
Brands must strive to post
unique photos that are likely to
be featured on the Explore tab
Brands must create easily
searchable usernames

12. Hashtags


Brands can leverage hahstags
to enable users to discover and
share photos
Hashtags can also serve to
drive awareness of the brand


E.g. Nike adapted the tagline
Make It Count as a hashtag
#counts
Also, when users share the
photo on Twitter with the
hashtag it helps build
awareness on that channel

13. Track Popular Hashtags To Participate In
Conversations

Users and brands alike can track popular hashtags
by using services such as Web.stagram.com

Web.stragram.com tracks trending/hot topics by
hashtags


Using these hashtags help get in front of users who
maybe searching for content
Brands can also use these hashtags to participate in
conversations resonating with users

14. Photo Map


Photo Map feature allows
brands and users to geo-tag
their photos with locations
Brands can use this feature to
add location to the photos and
give followers a sense of
intimacy

For example, sharing behindthe-scenes photos of a brand’s
retail or manufacturing location
gives consumers a front row
access

15. Instagram Web Profiles



Instagram recently rolled
out web profiles
Users' web profiles
resemble Facebook's
Timeline template with a
selection of recent
images tiled above the
profile photo
Viewers can follow
users, comment and like
images as they do on
the mobile app

16. Is Instagram Right For Brands

Search for photos that maybe tagged with the brand
name



If users are already sharing content with the brand name
it could signal an opportunity
If competitors are using the platform it could mean a
missed opportunity if the brand is not there
Consider resources required to create visuals


Instagram is about storytelling, and compelling photos are
integral
Instagram also requires brands post regularly throughout
the day and engaging with followers and users

17. Major Brands Are Quickly Adopting The
Platform

40% of top 100 interbrands have a presence on
Instagram

18. Some Brands That Are Doing It Right

Starbucks –


for its seasonally relevant content that centers around the
product but does not feel forced
Burberry –

for its stunning images of London, runway, red carpet
celebrities and behind-the-scenes of shows and photo
shoots

19. Starbucks


Hashtags used: #itsfallwhen, #StarbucksRefreshers,
#Frappuccino
Product shots promoting seasonal themes, sponsorship,
events and offers

20. Burberry


Hashtag Burberry, BurberryWeather, LFW
Images of city of London, Fashion shows, Cultural Events (e.g.
Live Bands)

21. Instagram Strategy For Brands
•
Build
Cross-promote on other
social channels
• Hold Instagram contests
• Create a photo contest that
will encourage followers and
generate content
• Post photos that go beyond
product
Engage
Sustain
• Leverage visuals to bring the
brand voice to life
• Give followers access to
exclusive images to
encourage shares, likes and
comments
• Participate in
conversation with users
and followers
• Like/Share photos of users
the brand follows
• Comment and mention
users to alert them

22. References
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http://www.clickz.com/clickz/column/2196727/photographs-social-mediashot-content-marketing-asset
http://blog.flurry.com/bid/84831/Mobile-App-Growth-Led-by-Video-SharingYouTube-in-the-Crosshairs
http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-instagram-zuckerberg-growth-92012
http://www.slideshare.net/likeable/instagram-for-brands-12214052
http://www.geekwire.com/2012/advanced-guide-instagram-build-brand/
http://www.22squared.com/blogs/rebecca-debono/instagram-is-it-right-foryour-brand/
http://mashable.com/2012/08/08/40-of-top-brands-instagram/
http://thenextweb.com/socialmedia/2011/11/22/want-to-take-instagramphotos-for-a-living-win-this-ge-competition-and-you-can/
http://mashable.com/2012/02/02/ford-fiesta-instagram/
http://www.businessinsider.com/free-people-and-urban-outfitters-instagramadvertising-2012-7?op=1
http://blog.bergdorfgoodman.com/womens-style/shoes-about-town-bgshoes