What Marketers Can Learn from Fortune 500 Companies Mastering Instagram

An article by Top Rank Marketing on the use of Instagram is certainly an eye-opener for marketers.


The increasing popularity of Instagram is making it a potent tool for marketers. Viewed presently by 500 million active monthly users, it is set to add another 26.9 million in the next four years. Now is the time to explore the platform's potential for your brand. And looking to some of America's biggest brands--the Fortune 500--can give you some great insights and inspiration for building your own Instagram strategy.


Here are some key findings that can help guide your big or small brand's Instagram efforts:


#1 - Instagram adoption among Fortune 500 brands has doubled
Instagram is fast becoming a modern-day tool to [increase brand viewership that has been tapped successfully by 50% of Fortune 500 companies. Instagram usage by Fortune 500 companies now surpasses Google+ and Pinterest.


#2 - It's all about engagement
Proactive participation a must for success: To succeed, the marketer, using Instagram, needs to actively respond to viewers in real time. Holding their interest is important. Be authentic and provide your audience with quality photos and videos that will jump out at them as they scroll through their feed.


#3 - Ask questions and use hashtags
No hashtags, fewer eyeballs - Research has found that using hashtags increases viewership. Asking your audience questions is a great way to encourage engagement.


#4 - The best dates and times to post
Success lies in targeting weekends: Since weekdays remain most competitive amongst companies, weekends turn out to be more advantageous for marketers, as they ensure a higher engagement with the viewers.


Examples of Fortune 500 Brands in Action


There are many examples of Fortune 500 companies, such as Nike, Disney, Starbucks and others, to prove the above points.


Nike


Visuals work wonders: Use of colorful images and videos draw more traffic, the reason why Nike is the 'Most Popular Brand' on Instagram.





Publix


From snack ideas to shoutouts to dads on Father's Day, Publix connects its posts and products to the regular things that are happening in people's lives.





Foot Locker


The example below combines new products with current events, announcing the launch of "Ghostbusters" gear before the reboot of the classic 80s movie hits theaters.





Live Nation


As a company that puts on music and entertainment events, they bring their audience a sneak peeks of what they'll experience at an event, along with intimate artist interviews.





Disney


Disney's latest release "The BFG" posted just two days ago and has already earned more than 224,000 views and more than 660 comments.





Starbucks

This recent post on Independence Day is not only beautiful and patriotic, but even the drink flavor matches the season and the sentiment.





Are you keen to emulate these Fortune 500 companies? Instagram awaits with open arms, why not take the plunge and give a boost to your brand in ways you have not imagined before!


You can take your guidance from Caitlin Burgess here: What Marketers Can Learn from Fortune 500 Companies Mastering Instagram


What other tips would you like to add apart from the ones mentioned above?