Instagram Stories - Good For Your Business?

Kelli Sandberg - Web DeveloperWritten by: Kelli SandbergWeb Developer

Odds are that if you don’t have an Instagram account, you have at least heard of it as it is one of the most trending social media platforms right now. Instagram is a social media app for iOS and Android that allows users to share photos and videos. By "users" we mean individuals and also business marketers who might want to advertise their website or products to those individuals. Collectively, these people are also known as Instagrammers. Instagrammers are able to add captions, edit photos, apply filters, engage online with other users all over the world, explore new products and, most importantly, creep on your friends.

Instastories

Instagram is always updating its app. Back in August of 2016, Instagram created a new feature called Instastories. Instagram describes stories as something that lets you “share all the moments of your day, not the ones you want to keep on your profile.” This feature enables you to share photos and videos that will appear in a slide show format, however the stories disappear after 24 hours. You can make your Instastories as creative and aesthetically pleasing as you want. Instastories can be jazzed up with text, filters, stickers, attaching Spotify songs, and creating polls for followers.

Instagram in the business world

Instagram and Instastories give brands the opportunity to reach a huge number of people. As of today, Instagram claims 1 billion monthly users, worldwide. That's one tenth of the world's population. Although 80 of those are from outside the U.S., it still means 200 million out of 326 million people in our country are using it, and Arizona is no exception. So, if you're looking to do some corporate or product branding or to market yourself or a business, Instagram is a serious platform and shouldn't be ignored. Even the best advertising agencies, marketing consultants and web designers in Phoenix,   across the country, and the world, will confirm its role in their plans and recommendations. Whether you need to reach a select local market of graphic designers in Phoenix AZ or an international audience of horse lovers, this social media tool should probably be in your box.

Of course like any tool, Instagram has its limitations. And, like all social media platforms, this limitation is the age of its users. However, that's becoming much less of an limitation today. A couple of years ago, I would have said you're not going to do well with the over 50 crowd here. But today, a surprising 21% of 50 to 65 year olds are using it and 10% of people over 65. Although, the Instagram sweet spot seems to be the 71% of 18 to 29 year olds who claim to be regular users.

Business Marketing Tips

It is important to create your profile as a business account so you can generate analytics. Stats about engagement, the best time of day to post, etc are helpful for growing a presence in the Instagram world.

As for using Instastories for gaining engagement on Instagram — very simply, be active with your audience. Instagram stories are a quick and easy way to promote an upcoming event for example, as well as giving a behind the scenes look at the event. Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of using Instastories is that it gives you the ability to post more content without being annoying and clogging their followers’ feeds. You don't want to be annoying or you'll lose all your friends. Just like in your personal life.

Avenue 25 is a boutique ad agency, marketing firm and branding agency with some of the best web designers and graphic designers in Phoenix on its team. Experienced and ahead of the trends, it has been delivering creative and effective marketing for clients for almost 30 years. Follow us on Instagram and check out some of our fun Instagram stories. For more insight on using social media effectively for your business, give us a call and set up a professional consultation with our team.