How to win at Instagram in 2019

The increased popularity of the site means that using it will expose you to more customers, but also more competition. Here’s how to stand out on Instagram in 2019.

1. Develop a clear brand image.

If you take a look at @kriserspets you’ll notice a clear theme. Most of their photos feature animals looking directly into the camera, in cute outfits, or enjoying an activity. The message is clear: Happy, healthy, natural. Using this strategy, they’ve managed to gain over 30,000 followers. Not bad for a pet care service!

In the same way your website and business cards should relate a clear message, your Instagram account should make it obvious what you sell.

Keep a clear aesthetic across all your platforms and promotional materials; the same font, colours, and stylistic choices will help customers easily identify you.

If you want to thrive on Instagram, communicate your message clearly, do it in a way your customers would recognize, and use photos which complement each other.

2. Use hashtags the right way.

Hashtags will help customers find your content, but you need to use them the right way. Instagram now recognizes users who overuse hashtags as spam, so make sure you use hashtags sparingly and wisely.

Don’t use generic hashtags such as #greatpic and #followme. Instead, find out which hashtags are popular in your industry and your customer base and use those, like #dogsofchicago.

You can also create your own unique hashtag so that your customers can share content related specifically to your business. No matter how niche you think your business is, it can benefit from a unique hashtag. Always, a feminine hygiene brand, used the #likeagirl hashtag to encourage young women to showcase their talents, and Always gained more than four billion impressions as a result.

3. Make the most of IGTV

In 2019, Instagram introduced Instagram TV, a standalone app that allows users to create ten minute videos which can then be ported onto Instagram.

Designed to compete with YouTube, IGTV hasn’t turned out to be the hit Instagram had hoped for. They’ve run into a few snags, and user adoption has been relatively slow. That said, making IGTV work the way it was supposed to is one of Instagram’s biggest goals for 2019.

Now might just be the perfect time to start using the service: if it does spike in popularity, having content already on the site could pay off nicely.

It’s important to consider which type of content would work best for your audience. The horizontal videos can be used to demonstrate products, create tutorials, or answer questions about your business.

4. Tailor your campaigns.

If you sell distinct products it might be worth making multiple accounts for each of them. For instance, if you sell painting and landscaping services, two accounts might serve you better than one.

Tighter niches will help you create content that’s more relevant to your audience. That said, only divide your products into different accounts if there is a marked difference between them.

By developing a clear visual for your brand, using hashtags correctly, utilizing IGTV and tailoring your campaigns you can have a successful year on Instagram. Keep in mind that your ultimate goal shouldn’t be collecting Instagram followers, but converting viewers into buyers, so it’s wise to treat Instagram as a funnel to your website.

Lena Klein