RephraseBefore the feature of publishing stories came about on Instagram, marketing was just about sponsored posts. But now, stories have paved a new avenue for promoting brands. Plus, the arrival of IGTV vertical videos, Reels, and more has opened new opportunities. This article talks about the current Instagram trends to boost your brand.
Navigating Instagram’s marketing environment can be tricky with its constant flux. Studying the major trends can give a sneak peek into what might be Instagram’s “in-thing” soon.
Shopping Gets a Boost on Instagram
Instagram’s foray into online selling is old news. Its development of social commerce has been vigorous. The platform comes with countless tools for instant site access, order placements, messaging, and more, all leading to a purchase. Numerous brands consider Instagram their main online sales and promotion platform. Its principles are simple. It connects you with your audience and showcases your products or services visually. On this social media platform, you can use:
Links in Instagram Stories
This feature came into being in 2017. Brands have been utilizing this tool since then. A direct link takes the user straight to the product, increasing conversion. Hence, the trend of stories and buying via links on Instagram is set to grow. Also, the “disappearing” stories can be stored in the “Highlights” section. That removes the need for daily updates. Users can be directed to a folder storing these links.
Instagram: A Hub for Virtual Shops
Due to COVID-19, many physical shops have shut their doors, leading them to the Internet instead. Online shops are an ideal solution. On your page, it’s simple to display products through photos for potential customers to view. Using well-chosen hashtags can help reach people interested in your items.
A Look at Instagram Stories
Following the topic of online shopping, Instagram Stories has made a significant impact. First introduced in 2016, these 15-second clips quickly became a key marketing tool. Brands seized this creative chance and continue to do so. The versitility of Instagram Stories matches any marketing plan. With attractive tools (filters, stickers, etc.), unique offers to customers are possible.
Promotions and Ads
Instagram Stories, despite being brief, are amusing and captivating. Thus, they are a powerful tool for ad campaigns and promotions. They’re perfect for sharing giveaways, contests, product reveal videos, and more. The time-sensitive nature of stories creates an urgent feeling.
Polls used in Stories can provide a wealth of knowledge about your customers, their likes, and expectations for the future, enhancing loyalty to your brand. Moreover, hosting competition and rewarding winners encourages interaction.
Vertical Video
Users now commonly use smartphones for apps, meaning vertical videos were bound to surge. Instagram’s Live, Stories, IGTV, and Reels support this format. If we trust SMM trends, video content in 2022 will outshine others. Video reviews help understand products quicker, aiding faster purchase decisions.
Influencer Marketing
Instagram sees a sustained trend of influencer marketing. In 2022, brands are likely to focus on micro-influencers (under 100K followers). Collaborations with influencers form core marketing strategies. They create posts, link back to brand sites, boost engagement, and potentially increase sales. They help publicize products while generating quality content.
In Ukraine, influencers like singer Mikhail Poplavsky, blogger Sasha Pustovit, and TV host Katya Osadchaya are famous for Instagram promotions, among others.
Additional Features
Instagram is consistently adding new features and supportive tools. It’s more than a chronological visual feed. It’s a way to interact with potential customers round the clock, in real-time. The growing competition propels social networks to evolve to gain more followers and customers.
Instagram is testing a better analytics tool for businesses. They are also working on a new feature called Promoted Stories for wide-ranging reach.
Jokes and memes
Now, Instagram has more funny stuff. People share screenshots of silly tweets. They post them, and tag friends, and Instagram stories, too. Some Instagram accounts focus on sharing this type of content.
Businesses use this humor trend to improve their standing and many have used how long do idiots live 12-15 meme to attract their audience. People enjoy the funny things on Instagram, so they tend to accept brand-related content easily. It’s not mandatory to create memes and tweets, trading unique jokes also works.
Instagram Live
Instagram launched its live feature in 2016. It offers several benefits. It allows real-time interaction with your audience including Q&A sessions. Users can comment and get immediate responses.
These live shows draw viewers to your business. You can run Q&A events to understand client concerns and gain insight into their needs. Instagram Live is a great platform for experts or influencers interviews, or discussing niche topics. This not only entices the audience but also provides value. Live videos are appealing like TikTok, interactive, and engaging.
- They post a Story or a comment asking a question;
- Or they whip up a multiple-choice survey;
- Sometimes, they hold a quiz;
- Or start a countdown for a post’s reveal, a product launch, or a big event;
- And they use colorful Stories stickers. Instagram has tons!