Instagram trends Whats new in Instagram and how

Instagram trends What’s new in Instagram, and how can it help your business into recovery phase

Key learning outcomes � Top five trends in 2020 What’s hot on Insta, and how can you integrate it � Features on Instagram Key features to consider in your next social media plan � Checklists for success Tips for your business to consider as we move into recovery phase

Role of social media during & post-COVID-19 � There are two uses of social media – each relevant during the crisis: 1. Commercial purpose – talking to your customer 2. Community purpose – talking with your customer � Connect with people virtually to maintain engagement � Build audience with authentic content to increase brand loyalty (and followers) post-crisis

Instagram handle @ Profile picture Official hashtag Bio Link in bio (CTA) Story highlights

1. “No edit” edit � Spend more time creating content, and less time editing � General trend toward authentic/organic content 2020 TREND: Show your honest, real, vulnerable side to build a stronger connection with your audience s d n Tre

2. Influencer marketing and e-commerce � Add shopping tags to your posts using ‘Creator’ � Available on Creator or Business Accounts s d n Tre

3. Tik. Tok / Reels – Video sharing apps � Rivals usage of Instagram stories � Expected continued growth of this app, and similar content style will also be present on Instagram � Focus on authentic, real, unfiltered content s d n Tre

4. Brand voice more important than ever � Caption length on Instagram has doubled since 2016 � Average caption length is now 60 -70 words � Trend toward ‘mini-blog’ style content • More time spent reading content (as long as it’s engaging) the higher your engagement will be s d n Tre

How to apply ‘brand voice’ to your marketing � Flip the script and think about what you want to say first, and then find the photo to match � Create “micro blogs” about a topic related to your brand on your feed � Write captions to create a mini-guide (e. g. share travel tips in your caption about your destination/tour/service). Always add in a ‘call-toaction (CTA)’, like ‘Save for later’ � Create a brand tone of voice guide for social media, including your brand mission, what terms to avoid, how your posts should make people feel � Write captions on your computer instead of your phone (e. g. schedule ahead and formats text for easy reading)

5. Everyone can be an influencer � Year of the nano-influencer • Normal people on Instagram who have a smaller following, and run their Instagram like a personal account � “Trusted recommendation from a friend” � Word of mouth style marketing • Links to offers in post, and in bio details • Shift toward conversation-oriented Macro influencer (100 k+) Micro influencer (10 -100 K) Nano influencer (less than 20 K) s d n Tre

Features on Instagram � IGTV – mobile version of TV (Instagram’s answer to You. Tube) • Videos can be 10 minutes for most accounts, and up to an hour for larger accounts (eventually there will be no limit) • View in Instagram app, or as separate app • Appears 4 X larger in the ‘Explore’ or search function 2020 TREND: All about the IGTV series

Features on Instagram � Instagram Stories – video/photo content visible on your channel for 24 hours � Saves – the new algorithm replacing ‘Likes’ � Hashtags – boost engagement, increase followers � Augmented Reality filters – get creative with AR in your Instagram Stories

Tips on how to get more followers ✔ Create an IGTV series ✔ Work with micro-influencers ✔ Write longer captions on your posts ✔ Appear in the related accounts suggestions on Instagram ✔ Treat your Instagram profile like a homepage ✔ Post more videos on your feed ✔ Share more selfies ✔ Promote your Instagram content on other platforms ✔ Create a custom Instagram Stories filter for your brand ✔ Collaborate with other brands ✔ Use a branded hashtag to create an Instagram community ✔ Create memes that resonate with your audience

How to drive more traffic from Instagram ✔ Add links to your IGTV – they’re clickable ✔ Leverage your bio by updating the link, and referring to it in your content � Be consistent – train your audience to look to your bio for your CTA ✔ Create engaging and actionable Instagram Stories � Educate then action (e. g. tell them something new, then give them a place to find more information – clickthrough in your bio) ✔ Get creative with Instagram Stories features � e. g. Countdown stickers, reminders, polls

Your social media checklist ☑ Develop a social media strategy ☑ Create/update brand tone of voice guidelines ☑ Invest time in your social media and take short courses � Check out our ‘Marketing Masterclass’ list for some ideas! ☑ Try to plan you content for a week at a time, and dedicate 30 min to writing all content, rather than post -by-post � Best time to post is 9 am – 11 am EST – always review your analytics to monitor this timing and make sure it applies to your audience ☑ Video and story-telling are key!

Thank you