Instagram has entered the territory of "must" rather than "nice-to-have" when it comes to social marketing for companies. There are a few key reasons every company should have an Instagram account, and also why you're going to be pretty overlooked if you do not get on this social platform.

1. Skyrocket Your Engagement

The data shows that Instagram is the # 1 platform for getting post engagement.

That means that if you would like to develop a connection with your client base (which you do), then you're going to need that post engagement that only Instagram can provide.

But let's back it up for a second ...

It's an interesting time to be engaged in social media marketing ... Facebook is dealing with serious allegations, and as a result-- people are doing crazy things like starting movements to delete their Facebook accounts ... (For my sake, and the sake of your distant family members, please do not delete your facebook). As much as internet trolls might have you think that it's the social media Armageddon, I assure you that life will go on.

It may be looking a little overcast in the internet landscape, but before we load our bags-- there's still some hope. Facebook's more charismatic and adopted little brother (Instagram) still has people mesmerized with its purity and boasts a pristine opportunity for brands who are ready to stir the marketing pot.

Right now, Instagram is the # 1 platform for post engagement because its emphasis on visual content creates a really special space for brands to engage with others-- and if you're a skeptic, the numbers do not lie. According to a study performed by Forrester, Twitter and Facebook organic post engagement levels are currently less than 0.1%. In comparison, the millennial-centric Instagram boasts regular engagement at 4% for brands. (That's 40x higher btw).

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2. Grow Your Following Effortlessly

80 percent of Instagram accounts already follow a company on Instagram, and 65% of top-performing posts feature products. The translation here is clear, Instagrammers want to see branded content, and they want to connect with brands.

Include the engagement levels for brands (4%) that we just saw and we have the ideal landscape for expanding your branded following on this platform.

3. Create Leads

Instagram is a tool for lead generation.

We know that social media highly influences purchase choices, even if that is at the subconscious level of the consumer decision-making process.

It's 2018, and our favorite lead generation tool (Facebook) is making algorithm changes that are making it harder for brands to get heard. With engagement rates already resting around the 0.1% mark, it just might be the ideal time to broaden your reach to incorporate some Instagram marketing.

With Instagram, 60% of users have first heard of a product or service using the platform, and over 120 million Instagram users visited a website, got directions, or called/emailed/direct messaged a business because of their engagement with the platform (sproutsocial). That means that 120 million Instagrammers have been lead to a business through the platform.

You can easily use Instagram to bring in new business and sales with strategic content and links in your bio, as well as reach new targeted and engaged users with paid ad campaigns using the Facebook ad platform.

4. Stay On Top of "Instagram Reviews"

A little-known fact is that when an Instagram user posts something on Instagram and uses a location tag, this tag isn't owned or regulated by the business that owns the physical location. All location tags on Instagram, or "Instagram Geotags"," are tied to a different public account that Instagram will keep posts under.

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For businesses, this is a blessing and a curse.

Best Case Scenario:

Say you have a local restaurant and you have many loyal and consistent customers who like to post at your restaurant and have nothing but glowing words to accompany beautiful pictures of your place. When others look at your location on Instagram, this is what they see, and they are that much more likely to convert and become loyal customers as well.

Worst Case Scenario:

You own the same local restaurant, but one dissatisfied customer took it upon themselves to post an image of your front door exclaiming their disgust with the service that they received. This post has remained on the internet and likely dissuaded other patrons from posting to the location, and has caused the loss of unknown amounts of profit through prospects that stayed away from your business as a result.

Although you have no control over things that customers may be saying about your brand (much like regular reviews), you can still help alleviate some potential damages by having a branded Instagram account and monitoring the posts on your location. Much like negative reviews left on other review platforms, by responding to negative Instagram posts, you are a lot more likely to avoid harm to your reputation.

5. Don't Be Left Behind

As of 2017, approximately 71% of businesses in the United States were already utilizing Instagram. The release of Instagram business accounts and the ability to operate ads/analytics with ease have been major factors in driving the Instagram growth movement.

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Source: eMarketer

You may notice that this resembles an exponential growth graph, and that's perhaps because it is. Fortunately for you, just because 71% of these businesses are using Instagram doesn't mean that these businesses are using it to its full potential.

We can make a pretty good estimate as to where this usage rate is going to reside by the end of 2020, so don't get left behind.

Don't wait, get started on your Instagram strategy today to generate new leads, amplify your brand, and build new business!

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