Instagram can be a powerful tool for building your brand and connecting with your audience. With two billion monthly active users, Instagram is recognized as the fourth most-used social media platform globally. According to Hootsuite, Instagram’s median engagement rate is 17 times higher than Facebook and 33 times higher than a tweet.
Building a social media presence can take a lot of time and effort — although it can be tempting to dive right into Instagram, it’s important to take a step back and consider whether or not Instagram is the right investment. Deciding whether Instagram is the right social media platform for you depends on several factors. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to make an informed decision:
- What are your social media goals?
- Who are you trying to reach?
- What type of content do you want to share?
- Do you have the available resources?
- What are similar organizations doing?
What are your social media goals?
Did you know that 81% of Instagram users have used the platform to research products and services? Furthermore, 80% of users have made purchasing decisions based on Instagram content. Instagram offers two types of accounts: personal and business. By creating a free business profile on Instagram, you get access to a range of exclusive features.
Before you invest in a social platform, you have to determine what goals you’re trying to achieve through social media. Are you trying to increase brand awareness, build a community, generate leads, establish thought leadership, drive website traffic, or something else? If your social media goals complement Instagram’s users and business-friendly features, it might be the best medium for you.
Who are you trying to reach?
When considering whether or not Instagram is the right social media platform for you, it’s important to think about who your target audience is. A majority of Instagram’s users are under the age of 35. In fact, Instagram is the preferred social media platform of global internet users aged 16-24.
If this group of people makes up your target market, Instagram might be a suitable fit for you. If your intended audience is older or is not active on Instagram, you might want to think about investing in another social media platform.
What type of content do you want to share?
Instagram is a highly visual platform that prioritizes photos and videos. If you’re looking to share creative work, photography, art, or other visual content, then Instagram is an excellent platform for you. However, if you’re looking to share more text-based content, platforms like Twitter or LinkedIn may be a better fit.
Do you have the available resources?
As previously mentioned, creating quality content, engaging with followers, and growing your audience on Instagram can be time-consuming. If you are looking to use Instagram for business purposes, you must be willing to invest the time and resources required to see results.
What are similar organizations doing?
If your competitors are active on Instagram and seeing success, then it may be worth considering the platform. However, if your competitors are not active on Instagram, you may want to consider other platforms.
Conclusion
Instagram is a powerful social media platform that can help businesses achieve their marketing goals, but it’s crucial to consider whether it’s the right platform for you. By taking into account your business goals, target audience, and available resources, you can determine if Instagram is the right fit and create a social media strategy that can lead you to success.