#Tags to Sales: Instagram is Changing Business

Instagram has revolutionized the way businesses do online marketing. From being a photo-sharing platform to a marketing tool, Instagram has come a long way. Instagram has over one billion active users. Thus considered as the most effective marketing tools for businesses of all sizes. The platform has enabled businesses to engage with their customers in lots of ways. Personalized content, emotionally attentive caption and post to give you nostalgia. Which helps businesses in the conversion of social media followers into paying customers. In this blog, I will explain how Instagram is changing the face of business. And which businesses used the platform to drive huge sales.

The Rise of Instagram

Instagram was launched in 2010 as a photo-sharing app. And it quickly gained popularity among millennials. In 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram for $1 billion. And since then, the platform has undergone several changes and updates. It introduced sponsored posts and the addition of Instagram Stories. Today, Instagram is a powerful marketing tool. And businesses of all sizes are leveraging it to reach their target audience.

The Power of Instagram Marketing

Instagram marketing has become an essential part of any modern marketing strategy. Instagram has made it easy for businesses to connect with their customers. First, the platform allows businesses to engage with their followers. Second, the platform helps businesses to showcase their offerings. And third, Instagram encourages businesses to share their brand story.

Instagram is a visual platform. Businesses use images and videos to tell their brand story. Visual creatives drive more engagement than any other form of content. Along with that businesses create emotional connections with their followers. And inspires customers to take action on the posts businesses share.

Facebook says 83% of Instagram users discover new products on the platform. And 80% of Instagram users follow at least one business on the platform. Furthermore, 72% of Instagram users have purchased a product they saw on the platform. These statistics demonstrate the power of Instagram marketing. And the significant impact Instagram is creating on a business’s bottom line.

The Rise of Influencer Marketing

Influencer marketing has been on the rise. Thanks to Instagram, as this platform has played a significant role in this. Businesses partner with these influencers to promote their products or services.

Businesses earn about $5.20 for every $1 spent on influencer marketing. This shows the power of influencer marketing on Instagram. Influencer marketing has become a viable option for businesses to drive sales.

Daniel Wellington, a Swedish watch company, became an international success using influencers. They targeted micro influencers and offered them a watch in exchange for a picture. Those pictures went viral on Instagram.

They also launched photo contest campaigns called Pick of the day. People had to share creative pictures on Instagram with using the hashtag #danielwellington. The best picture of the day won a new watch and was shared on the DW Instagram account. These strategies helped DW gain popularity and become a successful international company.

The Power of Hashtags

Although hashtags were originally made famous by Twitter. But, hashtags have become a crucial part of Instagram marketing. Businesses use hashtags to reach out to their target audience. Hashtags help to increase businesses visibility on the platform. Hashtags also track user-generated content (UGC) and help to encourage engagement. Simply Measured found out that posts with a hashtag gets 12.6% more engagement. This clearly states that businesses should create posts with relevant hashtags.

The power of Instagram was evident when Starbucks launched their holiday cup. They noticed a photo is shared every 14 seconds within the first 48 hours. They upped the ante with the #RedCupContest. And urged users to tag their creative cup photos for a chance to win a gift card.

The result? Over 40,000 posts and a boost in brand awareness. Instagram is changing the game for businesses for sure.

Instagram Shopping

Instagram Shopping has made it easier for businesses to drive sales. With Instagram Shopping, businesses tag their products in their posts. And users click on the tags to view product details. Most of the users mostly purchase the product directly from the Instagram app. Instagram Checkout allows users to complete their purchase without leaving the platform. You can say it is one of the modern sales funnels that works amazingly.

70% of shoppers use Instagram to decide on their next purchase. Which is higher than the conversion rate of other social media platforms. This shows the power of Instagram Shopping. And this became the sole reason that Instagram is a viable option for businesses to drive sales.

Fashion brand Nasty Gal uses Instagram Shopping to tag their products in their posts. This makes it easier for their followers to purchase their products. And their followers also earn by sharing photos wearing Nasty Gal products.

Even Anthropologie used Instagram Shopping to its advantage. They created shoppable posts, stories, reels, and videos, showcasing their products. They utilized product catalogs and detail pages. All these helped them to maximize their potential and boost sales through Instagram.

From Hashtags to Sales

Businesses get a vast audience on Instagram. Whom they can showcase their offerings and improve engagement. And in the pipeline, make a way to convert into paying customers. The platform has everything to support a business’s requirements. Creating images, video posts, adding hashtags and with shoppable posts what businesses can leverage.

To succeed on Instagram, businesses need to have a well-planned marketing strategy. Creating high-quality content which could resonate with the target audience. Telling brand stories and behind the team to drive emotional appeal. Not only engaging with the followers, but to respond to comments and messages. And if possible to encourage user-generated content. Building a strong presence on Instagram takes time, effort, and dedication. But in the long-run businesses can expect rewards that will be significant.

Instagram analytics is something businesses can use to measure success. Instagram Insights provides businesses with valuable information. It lets businesses know about their followers, including demographics, interests, and locations. This information can help businesses create content that caters to their followers. This way businesses can connect with their audience to maximize the marketing efforts.

It’s true that Instagram is changing the face of business. Instagram has become a powerful marketing tool for businesses. Whether to connect with the customers or drive sales from it, everything is so simple. Businesses that leverage the platform’s features, often get the result they desire. Businesses of all sizes can succeed on Instagram and take their business to the next level.

Are you ready to leverage Instagram to boost your business. If so, you are at the right place. Mark My Words believes in your brand and is eager to tell the stories on your behalf. Stories that resonate with the audience on Instagram and make them emotionally connected. Get in touch with one of our storytellers today!