Visual marketing is essential to every marketing strategy - making Instagram one of the most important platforms in social media marketing.

Did you know Instagram boasts over one billion active monthly users and over 500 million daily users? Experts predict by the end of 2020 Instagram will overtake Facebook in user statistics. Instagram is a powerful tool that can increase your engagement numbers thanks to the highly visual nature of the platform and its user-friendliness. In addition, it is the perfect platform to showcase your listings, give virtual tours, and generate leads.

WHY INSTAGRAM IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS

• Provides free advertising
• Attracts engaged traffic
• Connects with customers across multiple channels

VISUAL CONTENT IS ESSENTIAL

Photos are the most engaging content on the Web, with visual posts producing 650% higher engagement than text-only posts. Sharing high-quality images and videos help boost visibility and engagement with followers. Humans process visuals 60,000 times faster than text - which is why content like photos and videos have such great engagement rates.

Use Instagram Stories or post videos to showcase your new listings and give virtual tours. Consider posting more than one photo per post. The multi-photo feature allows up to 10 photos per post, so you can include multiple photos of the exterior, interior, and any other noteworthy features of the home. Use the caption as an opportunity to start a conversation with your followers like, “What’s your favorite room in the house?”

INSTAGRAM INSIGHTS

This feature allows you to learn more about your followers and how your content is performing with your audience. It is a benefit of using a business profile on Instagram, which is why you should consider keeping your personal and professional accounts separate. Instagram Insights collects valuable data, such as visitor traffic, clicks, and user demographics. You can use the relevant data to determine which posts perform best and to help you identify what type of content you should share in the future.

Instagram provides you with a customer-rich platform to engage with your target audience. Develop a social media strategy before you jump in by identifying your objectives and the type of content you want to share. Consistency is a key aspect of any successful marketing campaign, and it's advisable to be consistent in the timing, look, and feel of your posts.

HASHTAGS & LOCATION FEATURE

Hashtags and Geotags are great ways to improve searchability and help get your posts discovered.

Hashtags help to target your ideal audience, gain new followers, and interact with potential leads. Explore popular hashtags related to real estate that receive high engagement. A good rule of thumb is to stay under 10 hashtags per post.

Geotags allow users to search by a specific location, down to the latitude and longitude. Locations can be shared in Instagram Stories or within in a post, by hashtagging a post - #Portsmouth, NH - or by selecting a physical location. Using Instagram Geotags is a great way to connect and engage with others online - connect with local influencers, agents in other areas for future referrals, or with potential clients.

It is crucial to keep your social media accounts up-to-date as an agent. Ensure that your Instagram account showcases your business style, personality, and success. Include diverse posts with bright, well-lit photos. A picture truly is worth a thousand words and again, this is one of the reasons why Instagram is such an effective marketing tool for real estate agents.