Instagram is a popular social media platform with over 800 million active users to date. Although it is fairly new to the digital world, it has become a go-to app for many individuals wanting to share their daily life, photos, art, and even their professional brand or business.
It is no secret that Instagram is an app that many people, from the casual user to the professional, have grown to love. With that being said, Instagram isn’t for everyone and as a business owner it is a good idea to find out if this platform will be beneficial to your brand or detrimental. Let’s start off with a generic yet important question: Does Instagram make sense for your industry?
3 Things You Should Know Before Jumping on the Instagram Bandwagon for Your Business:
If your industry targets those who are above the age of 35 – then the answer is, no. The average Instagram user tends to be around the age of 18 – 35 but there is also a growing community of users ranging from 13 – 18. Because Instagram’s audience is so limited and they aim to focus solely on a younger demo, it makes sense that not all industries will find success on this popular platform. Businesses which find success on Instagram are typically e-commerce brands and services that are trendy and appeal to a younger demographic.
Instagram is famous for their photo-heavy concept. Since this platform relies heavily on imagery, it can be really tough for businesses to find their niche on Instagram as every industry is not always aesthetically appealing to the human eye. Even if your demographic matches Instagram’s audience, a bad quality photo or a photo with too much text can really turn off a potential client. You have to keep in mind that the types of ads you are using on Facebook or through traditional marketing will not always be effective on Instagram. The demo is young and trendy which means your advertisement must speak to their preferences.
The photo-heavy app, Instagram has done a great job in creating a creative, user-friendly space for their ideal target. How does Instagram keep their audience so happy? Simply by changing the algorithm. Just like Facebook (fun fact: Facebook owns Instagram), the algorithm has changed to make the user experience better by limiting the amount of ads they see on their newsfeeds. This makes marketing on Instagram extra challenging for brands. Organic reach is possible with the right business and photos, but if you’re a new industry trying to sell your brand on Instagram, paid ads are something you might want to consider.
With all that being said, it is important to remember that most users on Instagram do not have disposable income yet. Ask yourself this: Is it worth it to invest your time and marketing dollars on this platform? That is the final question you should ask yourself before diving head first in to digital marketing on Instagram. Now, I just want to clarify, Instagram is not a bad place to market on, in fact, we recommend it to a handful of our clients! But, like stated earlier, it definitely isn’t right for every business out there. Do your research, seek professional advice, and don’t be afraid to ask questions!