If you are a business wondering how to grow your brand through social media, particularly Instagram, this article is just the right one for you.
Instagram was initially a free platform where you could display photos and videos with friends. Over the years, it has grown into an influential marketing machine that can link you with brands and influencers. The goal of Instagram is to grow its e-commerce, and posts will be shoppable, which is a good thing because you now target marketing to a broader audience.
You will need to learn from the best to capitalize on this prospect and expand your brand. Some brands have done such an outstanding job creating their Instagram presence that they have gained hundreds of millions of followers.
Here are some of the most followed brands on Instagram:
National Geographic: 235+ M followers
Highlight: Showcasing the best work from the best photojournalists from diverse subject matters of interest will put your brand in the top spot. Not only that, National Geographic aims to advocate for social causes which resonate with its followers. They stayed true to their branding, which revolves around nature and the celebration of life. Their advertisements flow with the content without interrupting the user experience.
NIKE: 231+ M followers
Highlight: They champion athletes and their story instead of their product. They kept their branding “JUST DO IT,” and every post conveyed that message. They understand the value of relationship building and social media community by motivating the audience to take action through relatable stories.
Victoria’s Secret: 73 +M followers
Highlight: A fashion retailer that showcases their famous “VS Angels.” They never underestimate the power of their influencers. And that’s what made their brand powerful because re-grams (image shares) can also drive followers and potential buyers.
Smaller Brands include:
Letterfolk: 356K followers
Highlight: They’re a small handcraft and accessory brand that offers a wide range of greeting cards, notebooks and paper products. They came to inspire and use creative imagery to inspire small business owners. What drives their following is how relatable their product placements are.
Warbyparker: 562K followers
Highlight: “Buy one, give one,” not the promo but the actual program. Making meaningful connections with the audience makes customers feel like they’re part of the brand. The brand is praised for its high-quality products at affordable prices.
Honest: 1M followers
Highlight: This household and personal care product doesn’t limit its content. They are famous for posting entertaining memes, product images, and motivational quotes. They create text-based images with their logo that makes the images easily shareable. Using detailed imagery, they keep their content close to their branding – clean look, white background, sincere outlook.
From careful observation, there are a handful of key takeaways that every marketer should keep in mind when using social media:
- Create relevant advertisements with your brand’s content to appeal to followers and avoid disrupting their Instagram feeds.
- Create connections and communities with your followers on social media by urging your followers to interact with your page.
- Understand what your audience wants and how they spend time on your page to create content that works best for your brand.
- Utilize the capacity of influencers who can compel followers to your page. Influencers may help drive traffic to your page.
- Ensure you use your resources on Instagram (Reels, Stories, Polls, etc.) to create engaging content that inspires your followers to interact with your page.
- Be ever present, relatable, and constantly remind them that you exist. If you just started, don’t be afraid to try and explore your audience group.
Make your Instagram enjoyable rather than just a product base. Understand your market, audience group, and how you can align your brand with local trends. To learn more about branding, you can easily reach out to me.
