Why Your Business Needs to Be On Instagram (Infographic)

Have you discovered Instagram yet?

Did you realize business growth on Instagram is exploding?

Is it right for me and my business?

What is Instagram?

Instagram is a mobile photo-sharing app and social network that was created in 2010 by founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. In 2012, Facebook purchased the service for $1 billion, and as of September 2015, Instagram had more than 400 million users, according to CNN.

Instagram is one of the more popular social networks, surpassing 500 million active monthly users that are responsible for posting more than 95 million photos and videos daily. With such a large user base, it presents a great opportunity for businesses to market using an additional social media channel.

And if you’re wondering about the name, “Instagram” is a portmanteau of the words “instant” (inspired by instant cameras) and “telegram” according to its FAQ page.

Unlike other social networks, Instagram is completely photo/video-centric, so users can edit and post mages and short videos use to be (up to 15 seconds), now it’s up to 60 seconds. But not text updates like they can on Twitter and Facebook, for example.

In addition to the organic possibilities, Instagram recently introduced its self-serve advertising platform, yet many businesses still haven’t given it a chance. Instagram can be a potential gold mine for your business. Not only do 40 percent of consumers respond better to visual information than plain text, but Instagram’s ad platform allows you to use Facebook’s extensive targeting options.

The proportion of online adults who use Instagram and Pinterest has doubled since Pew Research Center first started tracking social media platform adoption in 2012.

Image Credit: Pew Research Center

Between 2016 and 2020, eMarketer predicts Instagram will add 26.9 million users — almost double the incremental users expected for Twitter, and far more than any other social platform tracked.

Image Credit: eMarketer

In 2016, 9.5% of Facebook’s global mobile ad revenues (20.1% in the U.S.) will come from Instagram. By 2017, Instagram’s share will grow to 14.0% globally (28.0% in the U.S.).
Instagram and Snapchat are tied for the second-highest used messaging app (behind Facebook Messenger) for millennials at 47%.

Image Credit: Refuel Agency

It was predicted that more than one-third of mobile phone users (roughly 89.4 million Americans) will be on Instagram at least once a month in 2016. By 2017, an estimated 51.8% of social network users will use Instagram.

In one social media study, of five industries analyzed (beauty, apparel, big box, electronics, and home goods), only 43% engaged with their consumers via Instagram, despite Instagram’s 237% average follower growth rate. (Source)

B2C SOCIAL NETWORKS

B2B SOCIAL NETWORKS

INSTAGRAM POST CONTENT

More than 80 million photos were shared on Instagram each day in September 2015. (Source)
On Instagram, photos showing faces get 38% more Likes than photos not showing faces. (Source)
In a study of 8 million Instagram images, images with a single dominant color generate 17% more Likes than images with multiple dominant colors. (Source)
On Instagram, images with a high amount of negative space generate 29% more Likes than those with minimal negative space. (Source)
On Instagram, images featuring blue as the dominant color generate 24% more Likes than images that are predominantly red. (Source)
There’s little correlation between caption text length and engagement rate on Instagram. (Source)

ENGAGEMENT & HASHTAGS

In one study, posts with 11 or more hashtags received nearly 80% interaction, compared to just 22% when using ten and 41% when using two. (Source)

Posts tagged with a location see 79% higher engagement than posts not tagged with a location. (Source)
Instagram posts that include both a hashtag and a location tag see higher engagement. Posts with multiple hashtags also perform better than average. (Source)
Posts tagged with a location see 79% higher engagement than posts not tagged with a location. (Source)
The red heart is the most frequently shared emoji on Instagram, which is shared 79% more than the next most popular symbol, a smiling face with heart eyes. (Source)

Image Credit: Curalate

Pizza is the most popular Instagrammed food, behind sushi and steak. (Source)

INSTAGRAM POSTING STRATEGY

In a study of 55 brands, the brands posted an average of 1.5 times per day. (Source)
By late 2014, 73% of brands were posting at least one photo or video per week, a 35% increase from 2012. (Source)
The best times to post on Instagram are Mondays and Thursdays at any time except between 3:00–4:00 p.m. in your target audience’s time zone. (Source)

Image Credit: Elle & Co.

The most common posting frequency for brands on Instagram is 11–20 times per month, with almost one-third of companies measured falling into that bucket. (Source)
In a study of 100 top brands, engagement per post has grown at a rate of 53% year-over-year. (Source)

INSTAGRAM GUIDE

Prepare1 Instagram Guide

Take a look at the infographic below from Buzzoid, which explains why your business should be active on Instagram.

About Blair

Blair Evan Ball is a Social Media Coach and founder of Prepare1, a company that works with businesses, individuals and non-profits. He is a former executive with a Fortune 50 company, and his national division did $1Billion+ in sales annually.

Blair has written three e-books: Facebook for Business Made Easy, Facebook Pages for Business Made Easy, and WordPress Blog Setup Made Easy.

Blair also educates, trains entrepreneurs and business professionals how to amplify their brand, increase revenues, and raise more funds.

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