With over a billion users (not a typo) per month, Instagram should be a part of your financial brand’s toolkit heading into 2022. Not only is Instagram an effective way to reach customers and leads between the ages of 25-34, but it can also be used to showcase your products, community, and brand in a new way.
Starting fresh with new strategies and designs on this channel will ensure you’re using this channel in the most effective way. Check out our tips for using Instagram in the new year.
Video, Video, Video.
Whether you’re just starting out on Instagram or have gained a considerable account following over the years, it pays to understand how this platform is evolving.
Video isn’t going anywhere.
In 2022, people will find it hard to go a day on Instagram without seeing a video. Instagram introduced IGTV in 2018 and this has become increasingly more attractive to users in the last year. Instagram Reels is also a popular, more short-form video platform to entertain and educate consumers. To keep up with TikTok and Snapchat, Instagram will capitalize on their video sharing capabilities in 2022. It no longer wants to be thought of as just a photo-sharing app, but rather a general entertainment app.
Hold on. And get ready to embrace video-sharing.
Pro Tip:
Create a content calendar to help your team strategically plan for Instagram content. Focus on improving the quality of your photos and videos to better engage your audience(s).
Story Links Are Here
Instagram recently announced that all users have access to the “link” feature in Instagram Stories! This means that you can now embed a link into your posted stories, and when users “swipe-up,” it takes them to the linked website. This feature was previously limited to business and high-profile users with 10K or more followers.
This is helpful for financial brands because you are now able to share stories to direct consumers right back to your website for more information! Take advantage of this new feature and encourage customers to learn more about a product or service, read a blog, or open an account!
Pro Tip:
For instructions on how to add a link to your story, check out this article from Instagram.
Show Your Brand Personality
Because Instagram is a visual platform, it’s important that your brand is able to illustrate content in a new way that still engages users. It’s also a new way to think about branding on social media.
What do you want your brand to be known for? What’s the one thing you want your customers to think of when you come to mind? Post photos that are consistent with this branding. For example, if your financial brand is active in the community and your team volunteers often, capture and post photos to help to tell this story.
Show the before and after of your efforts. If you’ve made a difference in someone’s life, post their photo and link to a story detailing your achievements. Instagram is the place to show your brand’s personality and gain engagement through this lens.
Pro Tip:
Try to use a consistent color scheme in your posts. Have the primary color in each photo relate to your brand. It’ll make your brand look more visually appealing and professional.
Instagram is the key to reaching your younger audiences in 2022, but the quality and quantity of your posts needs to be different than what you share on other sites. Remember that Instagram is the place to visually showcase your brand’s personality and tell a story to your followers.
Do you have questions about content or are interested to learn more about how Social Assurance can help your financial brand get started on Instagram? Email us at content@socialassurance.com or click the button below to reach out.
