Looking to take your Instagram strategy to the next level this year? Continue reading to learn about the most recent upgrades and how the platform is expected to evolve this year. To put it another way, Instagram is serious about its function as a social media platform for influencers. The most recent features are a clear demonstration of this. However, you don't have to be an influencer to use these new tools in your marketing approach. You can use them whether you have a company or personal account.
Paid Collaborations Are Clearly Recognized
Paid partnership disclosure has long been a major issue. A hashtag used to be the only way to indicate a promotional post a few years ago (carefully hidden in a sea of other hashtags). Some well-known influencers would tag their posts with #ad #paidpartnership #sponsoredpost or something similar.
Of course, this was not the case for everyone. In response to the uproar, Instagram added a tool that allows you to simply indicate paid collaborations. It's the easiest and most open way to show your relationship with other brands or people mentioned in your post.
While this function isn't brand new, it was the first indication of Instagram's commitment to content creators. It established the tone for subsequent features and updates, such as the ones listed below.
You are highly urged to use it, as is typical of Instagram features. In other words, if you have a paid partnership, make sure you mark it as such, or your account may be suspended.
The Collaborative Feature May Increase Everyone's Reach
What if you merely collaborated with a brand or another individual to create content without being compensated for it? Then you can take advantage of the collab function:
To use this function, simply begin publishing your photo, video, or reel as usual. When you arrive at the "Tag People" option, click "Invite Collaborator." The content will be shared on both profiles as soon as your partner accepts it.
This is an excellent approach to reach out to new consumers and raise brand exposure. You've probably seen it utilized by content creators, but you can use it for your company as well.
A bakery can partner with a fresh juice manufacturer, a furniture company with an architect, a social media SaaS with an SEO firm, and so on.
Use New Creator Tools to Simplify Your Influencer Marketing.
If Instagram's dedication to influencer marketing wasn't clear before, several of these new creator features should make it crystal clear. Instagram began testing a dedicated DM (direct messages) folder for partnerships last fall.
Also in testing is a preferred brands feature, which allows content creators to compile a list of brands with which they would like to collaborate. If you're looking for new influencers to collaborate with, simply look at whose list you appear on and make your selection.
Finally, sponsored content can be taken to the next level. If a content creator publishes a new post and tags you in it, you can re-post it organically, without the use of third-party apps. It's an excellent way to keep your feed more authentic while also increasing brand awareness!
Instagram Shopping Gets a Major Upgrade.
Yes, Instagram shopping has been available for quite some time. However, it has recently received a major facelift, along with a few new features. You can almost entirely sell on Instagram without bothering with your website (though you shouldn't – never build your home on someone else's land!).
You can now host live shopping events in addition to tagging products and collections in your feed posts and adding shopping stickers to stories. Showcase your products in a live event where viewers can buy them on the spot.
Are you planning to launch a new product in 2022? You should look into Instagram's Drop feature. The drop allows you to tease product launches to your followers, who can be notified as soon as the product becomes available. They get to be the first to shop your new collection, and you get to sell it through multiple channels.
Instagram appears to be on a mission to become a one-stop-shop for everything, from business partnerships to online shopping. It remains to be seen whether the new ambitious features and plans will collapse under their weight.
For the time being, utilizing all of these features will undoubtedly increase your bottom line or, at the very bare minimum, keep your feed looking fresh and hip. Do you need assistance utilizing the new Instagram features? My social media marketing team and I are only a click away. Let's get started on your Instagram strategy for 2022!
