Social networking websites?continue to revolutionize internet marketing, and Instagram is the latest one to take the field by storm. The popular image sharing network is introducing companies to all kinds of new opportunities that allow them to visualize their brand, products, and mission, and promote all three things to a rapidly growing base of users. Despite this rapid growth, however, many professionals remain uncertain when it comes to turning the popular photo sharing service into an online marketing tool. To ease those uncertainties, here are a few guidelines when embracing Instagram for promotional purposes.
Like All Social Networks, Instagram Uses Comments
The great thing about Instagram is that it isn?t a mere gallery of unique images, tilt-shift effects, and vintage filters. Instead, the app allows users to comment on photos, like them, and even share them with their friends or their social media profiles. That?s a great way to get the discussion going, especially because users of the service can respond directly to the caption paired with every image on the site.
Instagram should be viewed as a sort of visual blogging tool, where the image is the blog entry and the comments are just as useful when creating new customers and interacting with an existing base of experienced ones.
Cross-Platform Sharing Abilities Make Instagram a Hub
Internet marketing isn?t just about Instagram. Instead, it involves sites like Flickr, Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and others. Instagram allows any image taken or modified with the software to be shared with all of these social networking websites instantly and simultaneously. That means a simple Instagram image can become an internet-wide discussion piece, a viral sensation, and a clear message about where a company stands and why its products matter. And, because comments can be posted to the image on all of those social networking sites, it increases the chance of a lively conversation between the company and its customers.
Photo Contests Can Inspire Customers
There has always been something about a photograph which is a bit more inspiring than mere text. Companies who use Instagram as part of their internet marketing toolbox can actually leverage this relationship that most people have with pictures, encouraging them to take a photo that best represents the company?s brand. They can then share that photo and even assign it a relevant hashtag. Winners can be rewarded with prizes and recognition on social networks, humanizing the company and helping consumers relate to its mission, brand, and products.
Largely a Blank Canvas for Marketing Professionals
Despite all of the advantages that come with Instagram, as well as some great ideas for internet marketing strategies, the platform is still young and developing into a useful tool for internet marketers. That means there are plenty of new, innovative uses for Instagram that will set a company apart from its low-tech competitors. Don?t be afraid to try the software, test its features, and then push the limits of those features with a brand new type of online marketing campaign. It?s easy, it?s intuitive, and it?s interactive ? and those are the three hallmarks of online marketing success.
Steve Baik from AddMe.com ? AddMe is an all-in-one resource for free search engine submission and online marketing tools. Sign up to our newsletter for more SEO tips and advice.Source: http://www.addme.com/blog/2012/09/instagram-for-internet-marketing/
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