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Over 50% of the world’s population already uses social media to remain in the know. In fact, the average person uses their favorite app for over 2 hours every day. If your business isn’t using social media marketing to boost brand awareness, you’re falling behind.

Navigating Instagram’s ever-changing algorithm can feel confusing and stressful at times, though. By following the latest Instagram trends, you won’t have to worry about falling behind the times.

Instead, you can stay in the know and relevant! Soon, you can start generating more brand awareness and engagement, too.

Ready to set your brand up for success online? Keep reading to discover the 10 Instagram marketing trends you need to succeed!

1. Eye-Catching Content

With Instagram, content is king. Without eye-catching content, you could struggle to generate followers. Your Instagram marketing strategy could flop.

As you start following these Instagram trends, keep finding new ways to improve and diversify your content. Improving your content marketing strategy can help you appeal to your target audience.

First, take the time to consider what your followers care about. You can even use search engine optimization (SEO) keyword research to get started. What questions do your customers ask when they complete a search online?

Then, start creating engaging, eye-catching content that answers those questions. Don’t focus on heavy sales language with your Instagram marketing.

Otherwise, you could risk scaring away customers.

Consumers don’t use Instagram solely for shopping. Rather, they’re looking for ways to learn about and engage with their favorite brands. You can use your content to engage and educate your audience. 

Don’t stick to still images this year. If you’re following the latest Instagram marketing trends, you’ll notice more brands are using video content. On Instagram, you can create Reels, Stories, and use IGTV.

For example, you can create a demo video to show off your latest products. Consider creating behind-the-scenes videos to add transparency to your brand, too. 

About 85% of millennials have purchased a product after watching a video about it. Posting about your products can inform and educate your audience. They might feel more comfortable shopping from your store as a result. 

2. Tell Stories With Stories

Stories aren’t going anywhere any time soon. If you want to improve your Instagram marketing strategy, start adding Stories to your plans.

You can use Instagram Stories to leverage the fear of missing out (FOMO). People will want to see your content before it disappears online.

You can also use Stories to engage consumers or learn more about your audience. For example, you can create polls and quizzes using Stories. Gather the information from your polls to make more informed decisions about your content.

For example, you create a “This or That” poll to learn more about customer preferences.

Use Stories to tell stories, too. For example, you can give consumers “A Day in the Life” look. 

Let one of your employees take over the company’s Instagram account for the day. Then, let your employee show off their point of view of the business. You could even start attracting new talent from your Instagram posts!

3. Reels Continue to Rise

As video content becomes more popular, Reels are continuing to rise, too.

Reels are Instagram’s response to TikTok. You can use Reels to capitalize on any TikTok trends that pop up throughout the year. You can even cross-promote (more on this below) to share content on different platforms.

Try using Instagram Reels as part of your Instagram marketing strategy this year. Create short, quick posts that engage your audience. Try challenging your customers, too.

Then, you can use the content they create as user-generated content (UGC). UGC can help wary consumers realize that people love and trust your brand. You can leverage that brand trust to draw more people to your business. 

4. Find Engaging Influencers

Brands could spend as much as $15 billion on influencer marketing by 2022. Connecting with relevant influencers could boost your brand. In fact, 80% of businesses already find influencer marketing effective.

It could even help establish your brand’s credibility, which can promote brand trust and loyalty. You might find it’s easier to generate leads and sales as a result.

Look for an Instagram influencer your target audience already trusts and follows. Make sure the influencer is capable of creating high-quality content. Otherwise, you might not want them to promote your brand.

Try to connect with a few different influencers on Instagram. You can ask them to discuss your latest products on their account. As they discuss your brand, your awareness and recognition will grow.

Consumers who already trust that influencer might decide to give you a shot based on the recommendation. You can start drawing more people to your brand as a result.

Meanwhile, you can generate a buzz on social media. The more people you reach, the more likely you’ll grow your following.

5. Go Live

As you start creating video content and Stories this year, consider going live, too. Live videos grew more popular in light of social distancing. Now, they’re a great way to connect with your target audience in real-time. 

Consider hosting a weekly Q&A session with your followers. They can learn more about your brand, products, and services. The more they learn, the more likely they’ll feel comfortable with your brand.

Going live can help you connect with your customers. You can promote social interactions while staying safe.

At the same time, you’re giving your brand a voice and face. Humanizing your brand can help you further connect with customers. They might feel more inclined to trust you as a result.

Don’t forget IGTV, too. IGTV is ideal if you have longer videos you want to share. For example, you might want to promote your YouTube videos on Instagram.

Otherwise, look for ways to remain authentic with your target audience. People are preferring candid videos over polished productions now. Try to remain authentic and true to your brand as you follow these Instagram marketing trends. 

6. Encourage Shopping

Instagram now allows brands to create Shoppable Posts. You can encourage customers to start shopping straight from their Instagram feeds.

Start posting eye-catching, high-quality images of your products. Then, link the post to a product page. You can start selling on Instagram to get ahead of competitors with ease!

Using these Instagram trends can help you easily promote your products and services. You can boost sales and improve your ROI at the same time.

7. Give More Away

If you’re struggling to boost engagement on Instagram, consider hosting a giveaway.

Giveaway posts are a great way to boost brand awareness. You can attract more people to your brand through a giveaway contest. Make sure the prize is relevant to your audience, though.

Otherwise, you could struggle to attract followers and participants. They won’t want to participate if they’re not interested in what you have to offer.

Offering the right prizes can help you focus on the right audience, too.

Encourage people to like and share your posts to participate in the giveaway. You can also prompt them to tag their friends as an extra admission. When creating your giveaway, make sure the post includes the:

• Rules
• Restrictions
• Prize
• Deadline
• Date you’ll announce the winner
• What people need to do to participate

Encouraging people to tag their friends can help you reach an even broader audience. They’ll check out your post to see why they were tagged. They might follow and like your post to participate, too!

You can use these tips to get more likes on instagram as well.

8. Stay Authentic

Remember, it’s important to remain authentic this year. Otherwise, consumers might struggle to trust your brand. UGC and influencer marketing are great ways to boost authenticity.

Try to focus on transparency, too. For example, you can give people a behind-the-scenes look into your business. Use live videos that don’t look heavily edited as well.

Instead, create experiences that your followers can connect to. Treat them like real people, not as numbers. 

9. Leverage FOMO

As you follow the latest Instagram trends, try to find new ways to leverage the fear of missing out. FOMO can encourage people to take immediate action. You could start generating more leads and sales.

Start adding call-to-action language within your captions, too. Encourage people to take action. Get specific and add urgency to your posts.

10. Cross-Post

You can cross-post between TikTok and Instagram to remain relevant online, too.

For example, you can create a challenge on TikTok, then cross-post it to Instagram. Then, you can start attracting more people to your TikTok account, or vice versa. Either way, you’re engaging your audience and remain relevant.

Try experimenting with different posts, special effects, and styles to see what helps engage your audience.

For example, Facebook recently purchased GIPHY. It plans to integrate it into Instagram soon. You could start using GIF marketing to engage your audience as well.

Don’t Ignore Insta: 10 Instagram Trends for Staying Social

Don’t let your Instagram grow dull or stale. Instead, keep up with the latest Instagram trends. Tracking the trends will help you engage your audience online.

You can remain relevant, boost engagement, and start reeling in more customers.

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