Why is Instagram important in the digital marketing world?
If you’re new to digital or looking for a way to increase your marketing skills, it’s important to understand the influence and relevance of Instagram in digital marketing. Instagram has evolved beyond being just a social network; it has become a vital marketing tool that can significantly help you achieve your business goals. But where to start? Can you get followers on Instagram for free? What are the best practices to implement? At Cronuts Digital we explain it to you.
The rise of Instagram in digital marketing
Since its launch in 2010, Instagram has become one of the most popular platforms in the world of social networks. With more than one billion users worldwide, the social network of images and selfies par excellence offers a unique opportunity to reach a wide and diverse audience.
In addition, Instagram has proven to be particularly effective in driving user engagement. According to data provided by Forrestser Research, Instagram generates 58% more engagement per follower than Facebook and 150% more than Twitter. This suggests that Instagram users not only see your content, but also interact with it, which can lead to increased visibility and brand recognition.
Instagram as a marketing tool
Instagram offers a variety of features that make it an ideal platform for digital marketing. For example, Instagram Stories allow brands to share content in real time, connect with their audience in a more personal way and humanize their brand, bringing them closer to their audience in a way that traditional ads could not.
And speaking of ads, the Meta-owned social network offers the possibility of reaching a wider audience. But it’s not just about numbers, it’s about reaching the right people. With advanced targeting options, companies can target users based on their interests, demographics and behavior, ensuring that the message gets right where it should.
And that’s not all. Instagram has analytics tools that allow companies to better understand their audience and optimize their marketing strategy. Through these analytics, it is possible to see what types of content generate more interaction, when is the best time to publish or what type of users are interacting with your brand.
Instagram for relationship building
But perhaps most importantly (and possibly one of the main factors in its success) is that Instagram is a platform where you can create real, authentic relationships.
Because the social network allows direct interaction with followers, brands can form an emotional connection and generate greater customer loyalty. This automatically translates into sales while creating a loyal and engaged community of followers.
Key factors to increase your followers on Instagram for free
Instagram currently has more than 1.2 billion monthly active users. Considering these figures, it may seem impossible to stand out and grow your followers, but don’t be discouraged. The truth is that by following certain tips and key points, it is possible to create a great community around your brand.
Here are some recommendations, take note!
Understand your audience
The first step to seeing your followers grow on Instagram is to understand your audience. Ask yourself the following questions: who are they? What are they interested in? When are they most active on Instagram?
Depending on the answers you find to these questions, you can tailor your content to appeal to your target audience.
Publish regularly
Consistency is the key in any social network, and Instagram is no exception. Posting regularly not only keeps your current followers engaged, but can also attract new ones.
Don’t forget that quality is also very important, so posting for the sake of posting can drive your followers away instead of attracting them.
Use relevant hashtags
Hashtags are a great tool, and although in recent years their use and effectiveness has been reduced, they are still a fundamental part of any social media strategy.
Using relevant hashtags can increase the visibility of your posts and attract more followers interested in them. But remember, hashtags must be relevant and fit, both with your content and your audience.
Interact with your followers
Instagram is a social platform, so interaction is essential. Responding to comments, asking questions on your posts and replying to direct messages will foster community building and attract more followers.
Collaborate with other accounts
All for one, one for all. Collaboration is always a good option, and on Instagram it wasn’t going to be any different. Whether it’s through content sharing, creating joint content or making shared posts, working with other profiles will amplify your reach and attract a wider audience.
Optimize your Instagram profile
To get a large number of followers it is essential to have an optimized profile. Don’t forget that your profile is your cover letter, so it is important to have an attractive and clear biography, use a searchable username, use a recognizable profile image and a link to your website. An optimized profile will make your account more attractive and bring more followers.
The power of high quality content to attract free followers
One of the most important factors to increase your followers on Instagram is the creation of high quality content. Although it may seem simple, this is a task that requires a well-thought-out strategy and meticulous execution. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you figure out how to do it the best way. Let’s get started!
What is high quality content?
First, it is essential to understand that high-quality content does not simply mean a pretty picture. It is a combination of added value, relevance, consistency, and authenticity. In other words, your content should provide something useful or interesting to your followers, be related to your brand, be consistent in style and tone, and of course (and most importantly), be genuine.
Tips for creating high quality content
- Know your audience: as we have seen above, before creating content, it is important to know your audience. Do you know what interests them? What type of content do they consume? What are your needs and desires? Having this information is vital, as it will help you create content that really resonates with your followers.
- Bet on authenticity: in a world where social networks are full of fake content, authenticity is a breath of fresh air. Don’t be afraid to show your brand’s true personality and share your successes and failures. Transparency generates trust, a very relevant factor to gain and maintain followers.
- Be consistent: as we have mentioned before, consistency is key. This means not only publishing regularly, but also maintaining a consistent style and tone.
- Offer value: last but not least, you should always strive to offer value to your followers. This can be useful information, entertainment, inspiration, or anything else that enriches your day to day life in some way.
Tools to create high quality content
Fortunately, you don’t need to be a professional photographer or a graphic design expert to create good content on Instagram. There are many free tools available that can help you do this. Some of the most popular include Canva for graphic design, Lightroom for photo editing, and Hootsuite for scheduling posts. Remember that the main goal of your content should always be to attract and retain your followers. So don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for your audience.
Generate interaction and engagement: some tricks to increase your Instagram followers.
It’s a proven fact that more interaction on your Instagram profile leads to an increase in the number of your followers. But how can this interaction be driven efficiently and effectively? Here are some tips and tricks to help you achieve it:
Two-way communication
One of the most important aspects of Instagram is that it is not a one-way communication platform. It’s not just about posting content and waiting for users to interact with it, the real magic happens when you get involved in the conversation too. Responding to comments, asking questions of your followers, and engaging in conversations can help build a strong community.
Use Instagram stories
InstaStories are an incredibly useful tool for generating interaction, so don’t be afraid! You can use surveys, questions, quizzes and live chat features to interact directly with your followers and make them feel part of your brand or business. This is an excellent method to increase interaction, but also to give you valuable insights about your target audience.
Organize contests and sweepstakes
Contests and sweepstakes are a fantastic way to increase interaction and attract new followers. You can ask users to tag their friends, share your post on their Instagram stories or comment on your post for a chance to win.
Generate interactive content
Make sure you are generating interactive content. This could range from posts that encourage follower interaction, to posts that ask followers to share their own experiences. The more interactive your content is, the more likely your followers will engage and share your content with others, reaching more profiles and growing your community.
Free tools and strategic resources for increasing Instagram followers
Now that you know the importance of Instagram in digital marketing and how high-quality content and interaction can help you get more followers, let’s dive deeper into the free tools and resources you can use to increase your followers on Instagram for free:
Plan and organize your publications
Consistency is key on Instagram. To generate content regularly and keep your followers engaged, we recommend tools like Later or Hootsuite, which allow you to schedule your posts in advance and see how they will look in your feed before you publish them.
Analyze your results
Knowing what’s working and what’s not can be tricky, so you need to analyze your results. Instagram Insights is a free tool integrated into the app that gives you valuable data about your followers and how they interact with your posts. Another option is Iconosquare, which despite being paid, offers a very complete free trial version.
Edit your photos and videos
Prioritizing aesthetics is fundamental in Instagram. Free tools like Canva or Unfold allow you to create engaging posts and Stories with ease. In addition, apps like VSCO or Snapseed are perfect for editing your photos like a pro. But if you want to go further, don’t hesitate to use tools from the Adobe suite, such as Photoshop or InDesign.
Use hashtags and keywords
Hashtags and keywords are essential to increase your visibility on Instagram. Tools like All Hashtag or Keyword Tool can help you find the most relevant hashtags and keywords for your posts.
In addition to these tools, don’t underestimate the power of free resources available online. There are countless blogs, webinars and online courses that can help you better understand how Instagram works and how you can use it to increase your followers.
Finally, remember that the best tool you have at your disposal is yourself. Be authentic, interact with your audience and show your passion. That’s what will really attract new followers.
