Today, I’d like to share some of my best tips on how to get leads on Instagram. Since I am by no means an Instagram expert, what I’m going to do is provide a compiled list from what the experts have to say. I’ve scoured the internet to find the top 10 tips on how to get leads on Instagram. Each source is cited below each tip. I hope you find the information helpful and enjoyable.
What is Instagram?
If you’ve spent even one hour on the internet, I’m 99% sure you’ve at least heard of Instagram.
Instagram is an American photo and video-sharing social networking service owned by Facebook, Inc. It was created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, and launched in October 2010 exclusively on iOS.
Source: Wikipedia
In my own words, Instagram is a social media site where people share videos and photos with others.
Why Use Instagram?
Instagram seems to be the latest and greatest social media craze. While I haven’t spent too much time on the site, I do enjoy spending time on Instagram from time to time with my wife looking at dog photos and videos. It’s very entertaining to me, and much more enjoyable than Facebook. With that being said, here are a few reasons to use Instagram to get leads.
- It’s a great way to engage with customers and prospects
- It’s a level playing field for big businesses and small businesses, and the solepreneur
- You can use hashtags to get added visibility
- You can connect with influencers or become an influencer
- You can share stories about your products or business
- Your target market is hanging out on Instagram
- You can drive traffic to your website
These are just the first few reasons that come to mind.
How to Get Leads on Instagram
# 10: Share User Generated Content
People won’t always believe what you have to say about your products and services, but they will believe what others say about you. Make sure you use social proof whenever possible.
User-generated content is any unpaid content put out by fans and it’s huge when it comes to social proof. People just trust what other people tell them about a product or brand, even if those other people are online.
Instagram is a perfect platform for sharing user-generated content to take advantage of both the social proof and the engagement that the content brings.
Source: OptinMonster
# 9: Broadcast on IGTV for Lead Generation
Like Facebook, doing live videos on Instagram can really help with your lead generation efforts.
One of the best marketing features about IGTV is that your video descriptions can be lengthy and can include a clickable link regardless of your audience size! So anyone can add a clickable link to the video description.
There are plenty of ways you can incorporate a lead magnet as your link in the IGTV description.
You can include a link to a free PDF download that offers more information on the topic covered in your video. Or you could link to an opt-in page for a training video with more information about the topic of the IGTV video.
Remember that IGTV is a channel people use to watch video, and they won’t necessarily open or read the whole description on their own. For best results with IGTV video description links, be sure to state during the video that viewers can get your download or additional information by clicking on the link in the video description.
Source: SocialMediaExaminer.com
# 8: Humanize Your Brand
People love to know there is a real person behind the business or products they are interacting with. Add the personal touch and human element on Instagram, as much as possible.
Another effective tactic for generating leads through Instagram is by putting a human face on your brand. Consumers are tired of pushy sales messaging and in-your-face advertising. They want real interactions and genuine brand relationships. And Instagram gives you the power to do just this by adding a more personal and human touch to your interactions with followers.
When you humanize your brand, you can win the trust of potential customers and turn them into leads. You can also win the loyalty of existing customers and followers. So it’s a win-win in any case. Instead of solely posting about your products, use Instagram as a channel for building relationships with an audience.
Source: JeffBullas.com
# 7: Add Action Buttons to Your Profile
Most prospects need to be told EXACTLY what to do next. Don’t exclude this step in your marketing strategy.
If you have a business account on Instagram, you can add action buttons to your profiles. If you like, your profile can include a link to your email, phone number, and business address so people can get in touch with your company.
In addition to those buttons, Instagram provides better options for lead generation, including Book, Reserve, and Get Tickets action buttons. These buttons bring people to forms by Instagram providers, including Appointy, Eventbrite, OpenTable, Resy, and others. You will need to choose one that your business uses.
Source: HootSuiteBlog
# 6: Respond To Everything
Add the personal touch on Instagram whenever possible. ENGAGE with your followers and audience.
With Instagram, engagement is currency.
Want more views on your stories & LIVE sessions?
Want more link clicks?
Want more followers?
Want more direct messages (DMs)?
Then make sure you’re responding to people. Because if you do, all of those things will increase.
When you establish deeper relationships with your followers, they’ll help snowball your brand into greatness.
In fact, just yesterday, I had a subscriber who has been following Flight Media for nearly three years introduce us to a multi-billion dollar company for marketing.
You never know who will send leads or become one.
Important Note: When you’re responding to people, don’t reply with a shallow, “Thanks!” Dive a bit deeper into the topic they’re commenting or DMing you about.
Personally, I always try to provide additional insight beyond what I discussed in a particular post or story.
Source: FlightMedia.co
# 5: Check Out Your Competition
Smart companies and entrepreneurs study their competition to look for opportunities.
It helps to watch what your competition is doing. Get a clear picture of what works and doesn’t work for them and improve on it. Or, create a completely different experience on your page.
See who they are following and who follows them. Be on the lookout for any influencers or people with huge followings. If you do identify influential profiles following them, see if you can reach out to them and get them to follow your brand as well.
Source: Entrepreneur.com
# 4: Target the Right People
If you don’t know who your target market is, you will fail. If everyone is a prospect, no one is a prospect.
First and foremost, it is important to define the lead numbers and kind of leads you want. This is a crucial step in the process of any lead generation cycle, as it defines the output and process of the remaining processes. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before setting out to generate leads:
- How do they spend their free time?
- What goals and values do they have?
- What kind of media interests do they have?
- Where do they prefer to go on a holiday?
Such character defining questions help you define the image of the kind of leads you can target on Instagram. This targeting and defining process outlines the rest of your lead generation process on Instagram and other social platforms too. Having a clear target about what to achieve makes it easier to complete these goals rather than having no clue about it.
Source: AeroLeads
# 3: Showcase Your Products in a Natural Way
Focus on selling by educating rather than selling. The last thing you want to be seen as is a spammer, or a desperate salesperson.
I see so many accounts on Instagram getting way to sales-y with their posting. The post they create to showcase their products are rigid and driven to promote the product as loud as possible. When it comes to Instagram subtlety and consistency are key to promoting products. Instead of blasting your feed with “BUY ME NOW!” post, instead showcase your products in a natural fashion. Have models showcase your products in real life to help followers understand the lifestyle that is acquired when they have your product or service. An even better way to accomplish this is to utilize user generated content! This is the best way to showcase satisfied customers that then encourage new followers to become clients. In addition, this increases your reputation, strengthens your community bond, and produces testimonials for your business/brand.
Source: YRCharisma.com
# 2: Run Contests
Everyone loves a good contest. Consider using contests if you want to get leads on Instagram.
Instagram is highly conducive to contests. When the goal is to push leads through the conversion process, a simple contest that asks followers to share a post and tag a friend is highly effective. It increases your reach and provides the equivalent of free advertising.
Instagram also provides a good opportunity for running user-generated content contests. By asking followers to upload their own content for a chance to win a reward, you get access to content that can be used at a later date, while simultaneously encouraging a momentary boost in exposure.
Source: Inc.com
# 1: Link to a Lead Capture Page
I had to put this tip as # 1. If you don’t have your own capture page, there’s really no point even trying to generate leads.
You’ll struggle to get leads through Instagram if you don’t have a designated place for conversions to happen.
Usually, this comes in the form of a conversion-powered landing page, but it might also be a compelling product page or a contact form depending on what products and services you offer.
For this tactic, you’re using Instagram as a portal to get users across to your landing page where they then become far more valuable.
You can combine this with CTAs to make sure users know exactly where they should go and what they should do when they get there.
Your landing page should include either a sign-up form that people can get a freebie or your newsletter from, or directly to a conversion-powered product page that’s been designed specifically to generate immediate sales.
Source: Weekhack.com
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these are my top 10 tips on how to get leads on Instagram. What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree with this list? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Chuck Holmes
Network Marketing Professional (21+ years)
Top Recruiter & Top Rep
mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
Great pointers Chuck! If I had to add to to it I would say: Instagram stories are a great way to target a specific audience, check out the hashtags that you are going to use, I usually stick with 10-15. Follow people who have a similar audience. And make sure you respond to every comment!
Sarah,
Those are some great tips for Instagram. Thanks for sharing. Are you still using Instagram stories? It’s been about 14 months since you left this comment. I’d love to get any updates or new pointers you might have on the subject. Also, do you find hashtags are still effective? And finally, do you feel your time spent on Instagram was worth it, in regards to the number of leads and sales you got from it? I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks for stopping by.
Chuck
I do have an Instagram for my business and found that when I started adding different things other then just business stuff my audience grew. People like to be inspired, humored, and see cute photos, etc. I started getting more daily followers and eventually comments. My followers doubled within a week’s time, so I am a fan of using Instagram.
Yes, you definitely need to mix things up and keep things interesting. It can’t be just about business, or your products. Good images that entertain and educate make a big difference. It also makes sense to find a way to be different and stand out in the crowd.