If you want to find a way to showcase what sets your business apart, then you need to use Instagram. Indeed, all good social media marketing experts now use this platform. Yet, in the list of social media networks, a lot of people still don’t really consider this platform, which is strange, considering its statistics.
Instagram Statistics
In April 2017, there were some 700 million users on Instagram. It took just four months to grow from 600 million to 700 million, which shows just how popular the platform is. It is believed that, this year, there will be 100 million American Instagram users. In 2017, 70.7% of businesses in this country used Instagram, and 80% of all users follow at least one company. Many of those users also say that they follow businesses that they would like to work for. In a sense, Instagram is like LinkedIn for Millennials. Studies have shown 28% of employed 18 to 29 year olds prefer it to LinkedIn. Unsurprisingly, businesses are turning to the platform to express their culture and showcase who they are.
Top Tips on Instagram from the Social Media Marketing Experts
In order for Instagram to work, businesses must:
Be genuine. If there is a company culture of having drinks as a team every Friday with free pizza, then you should showcase it. But if your company doesn’t have a culture of fun and alcohol, then don’t pretend that you are just because you think it will attract young people. On the other hand, you could consider starting a bring your dog to work day, something that seems to always get lots of hits on the platform. There are lots of options for small businesses and larger sized ones.
Have creative job postings. Don’t simply post “we’re hiring”. Instagram is all about the images, so this is an opportunity for you to visually represent your company and the fact that there is a vacancy. This is about being original, creating a single image that shows who you are and what you are looking for at the same time.
Talk about community events you take part in. Don’t just tell your followers you give back to the community but show them. Have a day out with the team and host a soup kitchen. Sponsor a 5K run or a blood drive. Share images of this on your Instagram and don’t forget to take a few videos as well. People love to see businesses make a difference.
Share your vibe. Show your staff hard at work, while at the same time showing that the environment is really positive. Work with hashtags on this. For instance, the #WeareBay hashtag is very popular. However, you need to make sure your team engages in this. If they can’t or don’t want to, it is perhaps a lesson to be learned about having to change your culture.
At the end of the day, your company culture is what really matters and that you are trying to showcase on Instagram. If that culture is not hip, vibrant, young, fresh, and innovative, then you need to ask yourself whether a change is needed, or whether Instagram is perhaps not the platform for you.