Instagram has positioned itself as one of the top
photo and video sharing networks since it launched in 2010. Once Facebook acquired it in 2012, it became even more accessible
for business owners and marketers to utilize the platform for promoting their products.
If you’re wondering how to effectively market your products
on Instagram, this article will give you a few tips for making the most of your
Instagram images and descriptions in order to sell more. Here are five tips for selling products on Instagram:
1. Pick a Signature
Style
Before you start posting, take a while to think about your
business’ branding and style. Having a cohesive aesthetic will help your
business keep a professional and clean Instagram page.
Positioning your business and products the right way can
have a major impact on your sales. For
example, if you are selling an eco-friendly product, choosing a style that is
brighter and uses green accents can help accentuate your beliefs and better
promote your products.
Once you have your product shots, use Instagram‘s internal filters or a photo-editing app like VSCO Cam to make your photos visually
sharper and clearer. Keep in mind that you want to display your products
as accurately as possible and sometimes no filter works best for social media.
Madewell
sells clothing and accessories and their Instagram tells a story about their
business and style. Scrolling through their page you’ll see a lot of denim and
vintage-inspired imagery, all while giving a light and airy feel.
2. Make Your Product
Descriptions Stand Out
You always want it to be clear what you’re selling, but
attracting some extra attention never hurts!
One way to do this is by adding a few relevant emojis. They
help break up copy and work well in today’s market.
In this post from Birchbox, they use emojis to
help catch the eye in the description as well as generate interaction in the
comments.
3. Extend Your Reach with
Hashtags
Which hashtags you put on your Instagram posts can determine
how people who don’t follow you already find them.
You can use Instagram‘s Search and Explore feature to view
the top hashtags for your demographic and vertical, and then use three to five
of them in your social selling campaigns.
Don’t forget to create and utilize your own branded hashtag.
You can do a daily search for that hashtag to see who’s using it. Consider sharing the best of these fan photos or videos (also known as “regramming”) on your Instagram to build your fan base and show off your raving fans. You can use
the Repost on Instagram app to easily feature your
customers‘ photos on your
Instagram feed.
4. Make Purchasing Easy
There are many selling tools available on the market that
make it simple and easy to shop the products featured in your Instagram posts.
If you have the ability to do this, it streamlines the actions of seeing a
product you want and buying it; eliminating the act of having to search for it
on your website.
Going back to Madewell, they have created a shop that mimics
their Instagram where once you click on the image, it takes you directly to the
product featured.
5. Partner with
Influencers
One way to extend your brand awareness and increase sales is
by partnering with Instagram influencers in your vertical. Remember to look for
people who are not only popular, but have a strong voice within your target
market.
With some research and negotiating, you can find the right
relationship and best product that’s in line with that influencer’s authentic
voice.
According to Social Media Examiner, “Instagram influencer
marketing is becoming a key factor in social selling, and the high brand
recognition rates prove that. In fact, it’s not unheard of to have 29% to 45%
recognition rates, driving engagement up by nearly 60% in some campaigns.”
In this example, NatureBox partnered with blogger, Joanna
Goddard at A Cup of Jo, who at the time had over 50,000 Instagram followers and
happens to be a mom.
NatureBox posted three photos of Joanna’s children snacking
on food from their monthly roundup. This resulted in 1,200 likes, and gave
NatureBox credibility with some of the most-frequented mommy blogs.
If you’re curious if marketing on Instagram is
right for you or are looking to take your social media marketing to the next
level, call Sales & Marketing Technologies today at 407-682-2222 to
schedule a free strategy session with one of our expert social media marketers.