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Instagram Reels in 2022: A Simple Guide for Businesses

By now, you already know that Instagram Reels are a gold mine for helping you grow your following. The short, entertaining videos have a special way of grabbing users’ attention, which can mean lots of engagement for your brand.
Since Reels debuted two years ago, they’ve become the platform’s fastest-growing feature. Creators like Justin Bieber, Lizzo, and Stanley Tucci helped transform the addictive feature from a TikTok wannabe to a full-blown competitor. And we’re not surprised.
But how do you use this tool to reach more people, get new followers, or spread the word about your products and services? In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know, from how to make a reel on Instagram to figuring out the best time to post it.
Bonus: Download the free 10-Day Reels Challenge, a daily workbook of creative prompts that will help you get started with Instagram Reels, track your growth, and see results across your entire Instagram profile.
What are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels are full-screen vertical videos that can be up to 90 seconds long. They come with many unique editing tools and an extensive library of audio tracks (featuring everything from trending songs to snippets of other users’ viral content). On top of sounds, Reels can include multiple video clips, filters, captions, interactive backgrounds, stickers, and more.
Reels are different from Instagram Stories. Unlike Stories, they don’t disappear after 24 hours. Once you post a Reel, it’s available on Instagram until you delete it.
The best part? Reels are currently favored by the Instagram algorithm, which is more likely to recommend them to people who don’t follow you than feed posts. That’s huge for social marketers.
Users can also discover Reels in a dedicated section of the Instagram app. A scrollable feed full of trending Reels (a.k.a. Instagram’s version of the TikTok For You page) can be accessed through the Reels icon at the bottom of the Instagram app’s home page.
An individual user’s Reels can be viewed in a dedicated tab that can be accessed above the account’s Feed.
Reels are also heavily featured in the Explore tab. If you’d like to set your Reels up for success with this powerful discovery tool, check out our guide to getting your content on the Instagram Explore page.
How to make a Reel on Instagram in 5 steps
If you’re familiar with Instagram and/or TikTok, you’ll find making Reels quite easy.
Are you a visual learner? Check out this video and learn how to make an Instagram Reel in under 7 minutes:
Otherwise, follow these simple step-by-step instructions.
Step 1: Tap the plus icon at the top of the page and select Reel
To access Reels, simply open the Instagram app and head to your profile page. Click the plus sign button on the top right of the screen and select Reel.
You can also access the Reels editor by swiping left to the Instagram camera and selecting Reel from the bottom options.
Step 2: Record or upload your video clip
Instagram Reels gives you two options to create a Reel:
- Press and hold the record button to capture footage.
- Upload video footage from your camera roll.
Reels can be recorded in a series of clips (one at a time), or all at once.
If you set a timer early on, there’s a countdown before the hands-free recording starts.
During the recording, you can tap the record button to end a clip, and then tap it again to start a new clip.
Then, the Align button will appear, allowing you to line up objects from the previous clip before recording your next. This allows you to create seamless transitions for moments like changing outfits, adding new music, or adding new friends to your Reel.
If you want to watch, trim, or delete the previous clip you recorded, you can tap Edit Clips. Check out our Instagram Reels tutorial for more in-depth editing tips.
Step 3: Edit your Reel
Once you’re done with recording, you can add stickers, drawings, and text to edit your Reel using the icons on the top of the editor.
The Reels editor features built-in creative tools so you can do all your editing from one interface.
Here’s what each feature does:
- Audio (1) lets you select audio from the Instagram music library or import it from your device and add it to your video. You can even choose to add your favorite part only.
- Length (2) lets you change the length of your video. You can choose to make your video 15, 30, 60, or 90 seconds.
- Speed (3) lets you change the speed of your video. Slow it down by choosing .3x or .5x or speed it up by choosing 2x, 3x, or 4x.
- Layout (4) lets you adjust the layout and add more than one recording to the frame.
- Timer (5) lets you set a timer that will go off before you start recording and set a time limit for the next clip. This is useful if you want to record hands-free.
- Dual (6) lets you record videos using your front and rear cameras at the same time.
- Align (7) appears after you record your first clip. It allows you to line up objects from the previous clip.
After you’ve aligned your clips, you can tap the music note icon to add trending sounds or music, or record a voiceover.

You can also tap the download icon to download Instagram Reels to your device to view or edit later.
Check out our Instagram Reels tutorial for more in-depth editing tips.
Step 4: Adjust your Reel’s settings
When you’re ready, tap Next in the bottom right corner of your screen. You will be able to:
- Edit your Reel cover. You can choose a frame from the video or add an image from your camera roll.
- Add a caption.
- Tag people in your Reel.
- Add a location.
- Enable Facebook recommendations. If you select this option, your Reel will be surfaced to Facebook users who are likely to enjoy your content (according to Meta’s algorithms). You don’t need a Facebook account to use this feature.
- Rename your audio. If you add your own audio (e.g. a voice recording) to your Reel, you can give it a name that will show up in other users’ Reels if they decide to use the sound.
- Enable or disable automatically generated captions.
- Decide whether you want your Reel to be posted to your Instagram Feed (and not just the Reels tab on your account).
Step 5: Post your Reel
Once you adjust your settings, tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen.
Congrats! You’ve posted your first Reel. Now, let’s move on to some tactics that will help you make this format work for your brand.
Instagram Reels can be a great way to get your business in front of the right audience. The feature can also help you grow your following and boost engagement rates. But this doesn’t happen automatically. You’ve got to know the hacks to go viral on Instagram Reels.
1. Know how the Instagram Reels algorithm works
The magic of Reels is in Instagram’s not-so-secret sauce — the algorithm. This is the all-knowing matchmaker the platform uses to determine which Reels it shows to which users. Understanding the way the Reels algorithm works can help you get more views from the Explore page and the Reels tab.
Adding trending sounds, using the right hashtags, and making your Reels visually appealing are all great ways to tell the algorithm, “Hey! Pay attention to me!”
2. Have fun with trending audio
If you scroll through Instagram Reels or TikTok on the regular, you’ll notice that many creators use the same sounds on top of their videos. Thousands of people have used The Home Depot Beat and the typing sound audio. That’s not a coincidence.
Instagram Reels sounds are snippets of songs or audio clips from other creators’ videos. When they gain popularity, they can help you get more views if you add them to your Reels. This is because users often search by sounds and because, quite frankly, the aforementioned algorithm seems to like it.
The best way to find trending audio on Instagram is to use the platform and take note of which sounds you’re seeing pop up more than others.
When you scroll through Reels, make note of any sounds that have an arrow next to the name of the sound. The arrow indicates that they’re trending. It can be tough to find sounds after you’ve already excited a Reel, so make sure to save them and use them later.
One last tip! Be sure to choose songs wisely and use them sparingly. We all know what happens when trending sounds get overused. (Oh no, oh no, oh no no no no no).
3. Don’t be too salesy
As much as you might want to sell, the reality is that users don’t open up social media apps hoping to see ads. They turn to Instagram to explore ideas, connect with others, and get a quick burst of entertainment during breaks in their day. That’s why you need to make sure your Reels help them do just that.
Be sure to create content (yup, this includes Reels) that’s actually entertaining to your target audience. Whether that means leaning into a trending dance or creating quick how-to Reels, aim to delight, inform, and entertain users rather than sell to them.
See: Away’s comedic approach to travel content, Barkbox’s clever use of trending sounds, and Delta’s brilliant attempt to gamify Reels.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t turn your Reels into ads, though. Boost those high-performing—but non-salesly!—Reels to get even more visibility.
4. Post consistently and don’t give up
You can use the same strategies to be successful with Reels that you used to boost content on Instagram Stories or in the original Feed. Consistently posting is one of the best things you can do to help improve your performance across the platform, including in Reels.
That’s because it helps increase your odds of going viral. Plus, the algorithm is kind of like your biggest fan—it loves when you post new stuff! In general, the Instagram gods prioritize showing recent videos over stale ones, so keep things fresh.
Posting often also helps you aggregate a ton of helpful insights that will guide you when you’re trying to figure out what works and why. The more you post, the more you’ll learn about your target audience—what they like, when they scroll, and more.
5. Collab with other creators
Last year, Instagram added a new feature called Collabs. This option lets you share credit with another creator and allows them to share the Reel from their page as if it was their own.
The Collab feature is a game-changer if you work with influencers, brand partners, and others. It lets you extend your reach to their entire following, which can mean tons more likes, shares, reach, and overall engagement.
Here’s how to use Collabs:
- When you’re ready to publish your Reel, select Tag people.
- Tap Invite collaborator.
- Select the user who you feature or mention in your video.
Once the user accepts your collab invitation, the Reel will show up in the Reels tab in their account.
Instagram Reels cheat sheet
Need quick answers to all your burning Reels questions? Skim our cheat sheet (and bookmark it for later).
How to schedule Instagram Reels
Scheduling social media posts is a must when you want to stay on your game without having to work overtime. Luckily, there’s an easy way to schedule Instagram Reels with Hootsuite.
Using Hootsuite, you can schedule your Reels to be auto-published at any time in the future.
To create and schedule a Reel using Hootsuite, follow these steps:
- Record your video and edit it (adding sounds, filters, and AR effects) in the Instagram app.
- Save the Reel to your device.
- In Hootsuite, tap the Create icon on the very top of the left-hand menu to open the Composer.
- Select the Instagram Business account you want to publish your Reel to.
- In the Content section, select Reels.
Start your free 30-day trial. You can cancel anytime.
- Upload the Reel you saved to your device. Videos must be between 5 seconds and 90 seconds long and have an aspect ratio of 9:16.
- Add a caption. You can include emojis and hashtags, and tag other accounts in your caption.
- Adjust additional settings. You can enable or disable comments, Stitches and Duets for each of your individual posts.
- Preview your Reel and click Post now to publish it immediately, or…
- …click Schedule for later to post your Reel at a different time. You can manually select a publication date or pick from three recommended custom best times to post for maximum engagement.
And that’s it! Your Reel will show up in the Planner, alongside all of your other scheduled social media posts. From there, you can edit, delete or duplicate your Reel, or move it to drafts.
Start your free 30-day trial. You can cancel anytime.
Once your Reel is published, it will appear in both your feed and the Reels tab on your account.
Note: You can currently only create and schedule Reels on desktop (but you will be able to see your scheduled Reels in the Planner in the Hootsuite mobile app).
How to download Instagram Reels
Whether you’re a creator or a consumer, downloading Instagram Reels is a useful tool to have up your sleeve.
When creating, it helps you save drafts directly to your device or share them with others before they go live. You’ll also want to download Reels you’ve created if you plan to share them on another platform.
When scrolling, downloading allows you to save other creators’ videos permanently, even if the creator takes them down. It also allows you to access them when you’re offline.
There are several ways to download Instagram Reels.
If you own the Reel, you can download it using the Download option from the Reels editing page. Once it’s published, you can download it from the Reel itself. Click on the three dots in the bottom right corner of the Reel and select Save to Camera Roll.
If you want to download someone else’s Reel, you’ll have to record your screen or use a third-party app, such as InstDown or InSaver.
Learn more in our guide to downloading Instagram Reels.
The best time to post Reels on Instagram
Knowing what time to post on Instagram Reels is an easy way to target your users when they’re the most active. Catching them when they scroll means more engagement and further reach for your brand.
The thing is, everyone’s ideal post time is different. For Hootsuite, the best time to post on Instagram is between 9 a.m. and noon, Monday through Thursday. But your audience may skew later, earlier, or scroll more on the weekends.
Don’t worry. There’s a quick way to figure out when to post. In Hootsuite, you can see the best time to publish Instagram content from the Analytics feature. Click “Best Time to Publish” to see when your users are the most likely to engage with the post. The heat map is a handy way to visualize the best times.
Start your free 30-day trial. You can cancel anytime.
Another way to find the best time to post Reels is to check what worked best for you in the past. To review the performance, of your existing head to Analytics in the Hootsuite dashboard. There, you’ll find detailed stats, including:
- Reach
- Plays
- Likes
- Comments
- Shares
- Saves
- Engagement rate
Instagram Reels dimensions
Getting the sizing right is another great way to set your Reel up for success.
Using the wrong dimensions can make your post look—we won’t sugarcoat it—downright ugly. And that means an instant swipe-up from users. On top of that, the almighty algorithm doesn’t like it when your Reels look stretched or distorted. We don’t blame her.
So what’s the ideal Instagram Reel size? Make your Reel frames and cover 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels. If you choose to have your Reel show up on your regular Grid (probably a good idea, by the way), make sure your thumbnail fits the ideal size of 1080 pixels by 1080 pixels.
What about the Instagram Reels ratio? Users will have the best experience viewing Reels in full-screen mode, which features a ratio of 9:16. However, Instagram also shows Reels in the main feed, and crops them to a ratio of 4:5.
Just make sure to avoid putting any important information around the edges of the frame, because it could get cut off.
Read our full guide to Instagram Reels sizes.
How long are Instagram Reels?
Instagram Reels can be as long as 90 seconds.
When Instagram first debuted the Reels feature in 2019, users could only post Reels up to 15 seconds long. In 2022, users have a choice of four Instagram reel lengths up to 90 seconds each. That means you’ve got a full minute and a half to dazzle your audience.
But should you actually use all 90 seconds? Not always. It totally depends on the Reel itself. In general, aim for user-friendliness when you’re deciding how long to make an Instagram Reel.
Longer Instagram Reels come in handy for more time-consuming stories, how-to guides, tours, and more.
You certainly don’t want to draw things out, though. Remember that the point of Reels is to create small snippets of delightful content, so keep it short and sweet.
Bonus tip: Unless you’re looking for a quick way to enrage your audience, you should never post multi-part videos when you could do it in one. That’s what 90-second Reels are for!
How to search Reels on Instagram
One of the best things you can do as a savvy Reel creator is checking out what other people are doing on the platform. To get unique Instagram Reels ideas, you can search for content to help inspire you.
A quick way to search for Reels is to use the general search bar at the top of the app. Type in a search feature and explore content, users, and hashtags related to that term.
While Instagram’s standard search function is helpful, it doesn’t only show Reels. A good great way to search only Reels is to click on hashtags from other Reels. This will limit your results to Reels and filter out images.
For example, if you’re an avid consumer of puppy content, you can click on the #dogsofinstagram hashtag from a Reel’s caption to see more Reels of dogs being cute.
Easily schedule and manage Reels alongside all your other content from Hootsuite’s super simple dashboard. Schedule Reels to go live while you’re OOO, post at the best possible time (even if you’re fast asleep), and monitor your reach, likes, shares, and more.
Save time and stress less with easy Reels scheduling and performance monitoring from Hootsuite. Trust us, it’s reely easy.
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7 Tools to Help You Remove the Background from an Image

Wondering how to remove backgrounds from images? Whether you’re a business owner looking to spice up your product photos, or a blogger who wants to create beautiful header images for your next post, there are plenty of tools available to help you get the job done.
Keep reading to explore seven online tools that can help you remove backgrounds from images quickly and easily.
Download your free pack of 72 customizable Instagram Stories templates now. Save time and look professional while promoting your brand in style.
7 tools to help you remove the background from an image
1. Adobe Express
Source: Adobe Express
Adobe Express combines the power of Photoshop with the ease of Canva. Whether you’re looking to edit an Instagram photo or design a new event flyer, Adobe Express offers point and click online photo editing that rival some of the world’s best tools.
Adobe Express is available as an online or mobile tool, which makes it easy to use on the go. The tool also comes equipped with professional photo editing and design tools to make your newly minted photo look its best.
If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, all-in-one solution to remove the background from an image, Adobe Express should be your first choice.
Features:
- Create transparent backgrounds easily
- Simple online tool
- Available on mobile
- Professional photo editing and design tools
2. Photoshop
Source: Adobe Photoshop
For creators with a little more experience, Adobe Photoshop is a great background remover tool. With Photoshop, you have more control over the results and can create some truly stunning content.
Use Adobe Photoshop to make your Instagram images stand out. Or, remove the background from an image for a website banner to create a clean product shot. The possibilities are endless when you remove the background from an image in Photoshop.
Features:
- Automated or manual background removal
- Custom backgrounds with Brush tool
- Expert edge refining tools
- Professional photo editing tools
3. removebg
Source: removebg
removebg is an online tool that lets you remove backgrounds from images for free. removebg uses an AI editing tool to remove the background from images in just a few seconds.
Make a transparent PNG, add a coloured background to your image, or play around with custom graphics in this simple online background removal tool. Plus, removebg integrates with popular software like Figma, Photoshop, WooCommerce, and more.
Features:
- Remove background from image in seconds
- Transparent and colour background options
- Integrations with popular workflow software
- Process 1,000+ files per upload
4. Retoucher
Source: Retoucher
With Retoucher, you can remove the background from your image in seconds. Use Retoucher to make your headshot stand out or create memorable digital ads.
Plus, Retoucher offers a wide range of tools to help you perfect your photos, including a remove background tool that uses artificial intelligence, photo retouching, and more. You can even add shadows to product images to make them more eye-catching to potential buyers.
Features:
- Download image in any format
- Manual and automated background eraser tools
- Crop, cut, and colour functions
- Product photo testing using e-commerce integrations
5. Slazzer
Source: Slazzer
Slazzer uses AI power to remove the background from your images. The platform offers an online tool, which is best for removing the background from a single image. Or, use the desktop application to remove the background from thousands of images at once.
Plus, Slazzer integrates with all major operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux, so you can process millions of images if that’s more your style.
Features:
- Remove background from image in seconds
- Process 1,000+ images with online tool
- Process 1,000,000+ images on desktop tool
- Integrations with popular apps
6. removal.ai
Source: removal.ai
For a tool that takes it all the way, look no further than removal.ai. This tool can remove the background from images with a single click, and it even supports batch processing for removing the background from multiple images at once.
Removal.ai also lets you automatically detect and remove subjects in photos. It can even handle tough jobs like removing hair and fur edges. Other features of removal.ai include text effects, marketplace presets, and manual background eraser tools.
Features:
- Remove background from image in 3 seconds
- Process 1,000+ images in a single upload
- Marketplace presets for e-commerce
- 100% GDPR compliant file storage
- Dedicated customer support line
7. Microsoft Office
Source: Microsoft Support
Did you know you can remove backgrounds from images in Microsoft Office? That’s right, Microsoft offers an automatic background removal feature for its users.
To remove backgrounds from images on a Windows computer, open the image you want to edit. In the toolbar, choose Picture Format -> Remove Background. Or Format -> Remove. Background.
If you’re using a Mac, open the image and click the Picture Format tab. Then, select Remove Background.
If you don’t see these options, make sure you’ve selected an image file. Vector files, like Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG), Adobe Illustrator Graphics (AI), Windows Metafile Format (WMF), and Vector Drawing File (DRW), will not have a background removal option.
Features:
- Remove background from image
- Available on iOS and Windows
- Integrates with wider Microsoft Office suite
How to remove the background from an image (easy and free way)
Here’s a quick rundown on how to remove the background from an image for free using Adobe Express.
To use Adobe Express, simply open the tool in your browser and upload the photo you want to edit. The background will be automatically removed.
Click Customize to refine the cutout further or add filters, colours, and effects.
Browse Adobe Express’s preset template options to make your image stand out even more. For example, if you’re using your image for a poster or flyer or in an Instagram Story.
There are also a range of design elements available, like bokeh borders, illustrations, textures, and overlays, that can help take your project to the next level. While most templates are free, some options may only be available in a premium plan.
Geometric shapes and icons are another great way to add visual interest to an image. And with the help of Adobe Express, they’re easy to add in. Simply click on the Shapes tab and select a shape you’d like to use. Then, drag and drop them into place.
To add text, click Text and choose from a range of fun presets.
Once you’re happy with your design, simply download the file or share it directly to social media.
So there you have it, everything you need to remove the background from an image. Looking for more creative tips? Check out our blog on How to Remove TikTok Watermarks today.
Now get out there and start creating!
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Do it better with Hootsuite, the all-in-one social media toolkit. Stay on top of things, grow, and beat the competition.
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2022 Instagram Marketing: Complete Guide + 18 Strategies

With over 2 billion monthly active users as of Q4 2021 (up 200% from 2018) Instagram is both the O.G. and trendsetter of social media marketing. Instagram has shaped the landscape of social commerce, the creator economy, and how brands use social media for over a decade.
So how can you use Instagram marketing to grow your business in 2022?
Do you need Instagram ads (or worse: dancing Reels) to be successful? How can you best use Instagram’s shopping tools?
Find out how to use Instagram to grow your business online, no matter your industry or goals.
Bonus: Download a free checklist that reveals the exact steps a fitness influencer used to grow from 0 to 600,000+ followers on Instagram with no budget and no expensive gear.
What is Instagram marketing?
Instagram marketing is the practice of using Instagram to grow your brand awareness, audience, leads, and sales. As the favorite social media platform of people ages 16-34, Instagram is a highly effective marketing platform for brands, entrepreneurs, and creators.
Instagram marketing strategies include:
- Organic content: Photo, video, or carousel posts, Reels, Stories
- Paid content: Instagram ads, including Stories ads, Shopping ads, and more
- Influencer marketing
- Shopping tools: Shop tab, Product tags and catalog, Live shopping, Instagram Checkout, Shopping ads
How to set up Instagram for marketing
If you’re just starting out, here’s what you need to do to set your company’s Instagram account up for success.
Set up an Instagram Business profile
To use most of the marketing tips featured here, you need an Instagram Business account. It’s free, and you can create a new one or convert your existing Personal account.
If you have an existing Personal account, skip to Step 3.
Step 1: Download Instagram
You can only create an account using a mobile device.
Step 2: Create a Personal account
Tap Create new account. Follow the prompts to enter your email and phone number and choose a username and password. You don’t need to fill out the rest of your profile right now (more on how to optimize it later).
Step 3: Switch your new account to a Business one
Go to your profile and open the menu. Go to Settings and choose Switch to professional account near the bottom. Select Business as the account type and follow the prompts to convert your account.
Get verified
Most companies aren’t verified. Research shows 73.4% of creators or brands with over a million followers are verified, but only 0.87% of those with 1,000-5,000 followers are.
You don’t need that little blue checkmark to be successful on Instagram, but having it can help you earn trust and stand out.
To apply for Instagram verification:
1. In the app, open the menu. Click Settings, then Account, then Request Verification.
2. Fill out the form.
After submitting the form, you’ll receive the answer as a notification within Instagram in about a week. Instagram will never email you, ask for payment, or contact you any other way.
If your verification request is unsuccessful, you can try again in 30 days. If it’s approved, hooray and welcome to the super-elite Insta club.
The tricky part of getting verified is having enough third-party content to prove you’re well-known enough to warrant needing verification. We cover tips for getting that supporting content in our complete guide to getting verified on Instagram.
Try Instagram ads
Expanding your marketing strategy with ads can have a big impact. Even simple ads can earn results, like coffee retailer Country Bean’s 3 week campaign which resulted in a 16% sales increase.
There are two ways to get started with Instagram ads:
The easy way: Boost a post
You can turn any existing Instagram post into an ad by clicking the Boost Post button. You need to have either a Business or Creator account, though.
As you probably guessed, this is exactly like Facebook’s “boost” feature. Now that Meta owns both companies, you’ll also need to connect your Instagram account to Meta Business Suite.
After clicking Boost Post, follow the quick prompts to set your budget, narrow your target audience, set a duration, and boom—you now have an Instagram ad.
You can customize the targeting options or have Instagram automatically target your ads. Boosted posts are a good way to dip your toe in the advertising pool, so if this is all new to you, stick to auto mode.
Go big: Launch a full Instagram ad campaign
Step 1: Log in to Meta Business Suite
Click on Ads in the left menu, then Create ad at the top right.
Step 2: Choose a goal
Remember Choose Your Own Adventure books? It’s like that, but for marketing.
For a first campaign, Automated Ads are a good option. Instagram will try to get you the most results with the least budget possible, and they auto-adjust your targeting and bidding strategy as they learn more from your audience’s reactions. It’s like having a 24/7 robot assistant.
If you want to experiment with ad targeting yourself, or have a specific goal, try out one of the other options, like focusing on leads or traffic.
Step 3: Create your ads
The prompts to complete your ad vary depending on which goal you pick, but generally the next step is to create the ad creative. For example, this is what the next step is for the “Build your business” goal.
For a well-rounded campaign, you should have at least 2-3 ad groups, each containing 3 or more ads.
Most ad formats have an option to allow Instagram to switch out your creative assets automatically to optimize ad performance. It’s like having a real-time, built-in A/B testing process. Add multiple creative assets for each ad to take advantage of this.
Try to include a mix of photo, video, Stories ads, Reels ads, and Catalog and Shopping ads if you sell products online. Test out different ad copy and calls to action.
And, ensure you have ads for each stage of your buyer’s journey, from consideration all the way to conversion.
Step 4: Define your audience
Take a shot every time you read “define your audience” in a marketing blog.
Targeting is critical to your ad’s success. Meta Business Suite gives you five options:
You can target:
- An Advantage Audience (Recommended for newbies!): This is Meta’s AI-optimized audience based on your existing account audience, and updates itself automatically as your audience grows or changes. It analyzes what interests and demographics your followers share.
- People you choose: Create your own audience from scratch, including location, demographics, interests, and more.
- People who’ve previously engaged with posts or ads: Create a retargeting campaign to remind people who already know you about your offer.
- Page Likes: Targets your existing Facebook Page and Instagram followers.
- Page Likes and similar: In addition to your existing audience, this will also expand to target people the algorithm thinks are similar to them to bring in new leads.
If you’re new to ads, use the Advantage audience option. Want to learn more about perfecting your ad targeting? The info in our Facebook ad targeting guide works for your Instagram ads, too.
Step 5: Set your budget
Whichever targeting option you pick, you’ll need to set a budget and duration. You’ll see the predicted results of your choices on the right side in estimated reach and clicks.
Step 6: Launch
Lastly, choose if you want your ad to appear only on Facebook, Instagram, or Messenger, or across all three platforms. We recommend running it across all.
Click Promote Now to save and launch your Instagram ad campaign. Woo!
Running a successful ad campaign is a huge undertaking. Check our in-depth Instagram ads guide for tips on creating great ads in 2022.
Add an Instagram Shop to your account
Instagram Shopping tools are a must-have for ecommerce businesses. 44% of Instagram users shop weekly on the platform, and 1 in 2 use Instagram to find new brands.
Tips on using Instagram Shopping are in the next section, but you need to add the Shop tab to your Instagram profile first.
This allows you to create a fully shoppable product catalog directly on Instagram, as well as tag and link to products in your posts and Stories, and more.
Step 1: Ensure you meet Instagram Shopping requirements
Brands using Shopping features must adhere to Meta’s merchant policies. You’re probably doing all these things correctly anyway, but it’s a good idea to review Meta’s commerce policies first before applying.
Step 2: Sign up for Commerce Manager
To create your Instagram Shop, you need to have a Meta Commerce Manager account. You need a Business or Creator Instagram account first, then you can sign up one of two ways:
Through your ecommerce platform
If your website runs on Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, or other major platforms, you may only have to click a button to set up your Instagram Shop.
The process is different for each, so check out Meta’s list of supported platforms to find instructions for yours.
Manually through Commerce Manager
Don’t use one of those? It’s easy to sign up from scratch.
Log in to Meta Business Suite and click on Commerce in the left navigation.
Click Add Account. Click Next on the following page to start the manual set up process.
First, choose a checkout method:
- Checkout on your website.
- Checkout directly inside Facebook and/or Instagram. (Recommended, but currently only available for U.S.-based companies.)
- Checkout via direct message on WhatsApp or Messenger.
Select the Facebook and Instagram profiles you want to create your Shop on, then click Next. Create a new product catalog, and click Next again.
It will prompt you to enter your website URL and the countries you ship to. The final page is a summary of all your information. Ensure it’s accurate, then click Finish Setup.
Step 3: Wait for approval
Instagram reviews new Commerce Manager applications manually, though you should hear back within a few business days.
Eager to learn while you wait? Learn how to tag products in your scheduled Hootsuite posts, and the next steps to optimize your Instagram Shop.
18 tips for a winning Instagram marketing strategy
1. Set S.M.A.R.T. social media goals
You know, the specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound yada yada yada type goals. What do you want your Instagram account to do for your business?
A few common examples are:
- Lead generation
- Brand awareness
- Recruitment
But, your goals are as unique as your company. The important point? Have some.
Learn how to set effective social media goals that directly connect to your marketing strategy.
2. Optimize your profile
There’s a lot to cover here, so check out our full step-by-step recommendations to optimize your Instagram profile.
At minimum, ensure yours has:
- An intriguing Instagram bio that sums up your brand.
- A call to action to click your bio link.
- A high quality profile photo (a headshot or logo).
- Stories highlights and well-designed covers.
The great thing about digital marketing is nothing is set in stone. Don’t sweat about making the perfect Instagram profile. You can always tweak it later.
Remember: it’s what’s inside that counts (most). As in, your actual Instagram post content.
3. Up your graphics game
Instagram is a visual platform. While no one’s expecting a small business to have the same resources as a megacorp, you still need to create eye-catching posts that attract your audience.
Besides hiring a professional photographer to take your product shots—which you really should—try:
- Sourcing inclusive stock photography, like Vice’s Gender Spectrum Collection and others who showcase the full range of the human experience. (Here are more stock photo sites.)
- Popular Instagram Reels ideas. Not sure where to start? Try a Reels template.
- Use graphic templates to up your style without spending a lot. Hire a designer to make them, or use an app like Adobe Express.
4. Champion user-generated content
The best way to boost your Instagram for free? User-generated content.
Encourage your followers to share photos or video of your products. Not every shot will be an Ansel Adams-worthy one, but you can’t beat the authenticity of real customer photos and stories.
Instagram makes this easy with the Tagged tab, which shows all the posts other users tag you in. There’s a hack to make it so only the crème de la crème are visible: Enabling manual approval for tagged photos.
So instead of a jumbled mess, you can curate user-generated content that fits your aesthetic.
5. Develop a brand aesthetic
Speaking of style… have one. While your audience isn’t going to hand over their wallets solely due to good looks, make an effort to create a cohesive-looking profile.
Why? Because people will see one of your posts in their Instagram feed and instantly know it’s from you before even seeing the account name. They’ll recognize your style. That’s branding at work.
6. …But don’t be too concerned with aesthetic
Yes, having a recognizable look helps you attract the audience you want, but style without substance isn’t a strategy. 58% of Instagram users say they like it more when brands share candid, unpolished content.
Don’t let the fear of your content not looking “pretty” enough stop you. Post it anyway.
7. Have a distinctive brand voice
One thing that always needs to be on point, raw or not, is your brand voice.
Your voice comes through everything you communicate, such as:
- Post captions
- How you come across on video
- Key terms you use
- How people speak on camera when representing your company
- Your bio copy
- Text in videos or Reels
Besides what you say, it’s how you say it. Are you casual and fun, or serious and scientific? Keep things light with jokes, or stick to the facts? There isn’t a wrong way, but you need to stay consistent.
Your brand voice and tone is a key part of your social media brand guidelines.
8. Use Reels
It seems like all you see when you open Instagram now are Reels, and there’s a reason for it: They get engagement. We conducted an experiment that found a significant correlation between posting a Reel and an immediate boost in overall engagement rate.
Some may not get many views and that’s okay, because when one of yours does go a lil’ bit viral? It’s all worth it.
Anyone can be successful with Reels, it just takes practice. We’ve got tons of resources to makes yours reel-y (ugh) good:
- Instagram Reels in 2022: A Simple Guide for Businesses
- Instagram Reels Algorithm: Everything You Need to Know
- Instagram Reels Tutorial: 10 Editing Tips You Should Know
- 15 Unique Instagram Reels Ideas for Your Business
9. Use Stories
Reels may be newer, but Instagram Stories aren’t going anywhere. Popular for more informal content, Stories allow you to develop relationships with your audience in a unique way.
It doesn’t take a ton more work to see a big effect, either. A year-long study found that when companies shared one Story per day, it resulted in a 100% retention rate.
Not only that, but 500 million people use Stories every day. I’m not great at math but having 100% of your audience remember your content, with a potential reach of 500 million people? That’s a no brainer.
If you need tips on what to share in your Stories, check out our Instagram Stories guide for businesses and how to create effective Instagram Stories ads.
10. Create useful Stories highlights
Stories only last 24 hours, but your Stories highlights can live on forever.
Highlights are great for communicating lots of information quickly in the format most people prefer these days: Short video. 61% of Gen Zers and Millennials prefer videos under 1 minute long.
Plus, adding Stories highlights is a way to repurpose your Story content and keep it working for you.
Try adding a temporary highlight for a new product launch or event. Leave up always-relevant ones like FAQ or ordering information.
For effective Stories highlights, ensure you have:
- Short, clear titles
- Cover designs that fit your brand
- Only your best content featured in them
11. Use Stories tools
Instagram makes it easy to link to your products or services (whether you have Commerce Manager set up or not) and engage with your audience.
Access the ever-expanding Stories toolbox by tapping the smiley sticker-thing:
Be sure to try out:
- Product tags: If you have an Instagram Shop, you can easily tag your products in Stories. Users can tap the product name and checkout in-app.
- Links: Useful for directing people to any URL, but especially so if you don’t have an Instagram Shop. You can still link out to your products on external sites.
- Questions: Get quick and valuable feedback.
- Gift cards and more: Depending on your account type, users can purchase gift cards or order food delivery directly from a Story.
Hootsuite makes it easy to schedule Instagram Stories in advance, including all the special tools and features you need.
12. Stay up to date on hashtags
To hashtag or not to hashtag? Is it nobler to suffer the highs and lows of the algorithm, or take arms against a sea of content?
You can add up to 30 hashtags per Instagram post. But a 2021 experiment we did showed that using more doesn’t get more views. Last year, Instagram’s official @creators account recommended no more than 3-5 per post.
What about in 2022?
A casual experiment I ran on my account this week showed an opposite effect. I loaded up on hashtags, using between 15-20 per post, and most of my (albeit small) reach came from those hashtags.
So what does this tell us?
TL;DR: Science is hard, no one knows how many Instagram hashtags are “the perfect amount,” and you should regularly experiment with this.
Check out our Instagram hashtag guide for tips on what’s working right now.
13. Reply to comments and DMs
Engage with your audience! Reply to their comments, messages, carrier pigeons, etc.
Because a higher engagement rate looks good on your analytics reports, right? No! Reply to your followers because it’s the right thing to do.
Yes, it also boosts your engagement rate. But more importantly, it encourages your potential customers to start conversations with you. Over time, those conversations become the foundation of their perception of your brand and greatly influence purchase decisions.
Hootsuite Inbox allows you to stay on top of all comments and DMs across all your platforms in one place. Assign conversations to team members, track responses, and ensure no one falls through the cracks. See how efficient it is to foster genuine engagement with Inbox:
14. Try Instagram Live video
Live video doesn’t need to be scary. It’s a powerful tool for growth and deepening your relationship with your audience.
Try:
- Hosting a workshop or class.
- A Q&A session.
- Product demos.
Our complete guide to going live on Instagram covers how to do it and ideas you can try today.
15. Partner with influencers
Influencer marketing is still going strong in 2022 and projected to grow more every year. In 2021 alone, influencer marketing accounted for $13.8 billion USD in value.
Don’t forget your most valuable influencers: your employees. Starting an employee advocacy program can boost your profits 23% and internal team morale. Win-win.
Learn how to maximize your ROI with our free Influencer Marketing 101 guide for businesses of all sizes.
16. Run contests and giveaways
What do people like? Free stuff!
When do they want it? All the time!
Sometimes the best strategies for Instagram are the oldest. Contests can boost your organic reach and give you tons of user-generated content.
Contests don’t need to be expensive. Give away free products in a simple raffle by having users like and comment on your post, or partner with someone else in your industry to split the cost of a larger prize package.
Get inspired with creative Instagram contest ideas, and a step-by-step process for running giveaways.
17. Measure your ROI
You see the positive comments customers leave, the sales coming in, and your follower count going up. But how do you put a number on it? What are the real results of your efforts?
Measuring your ROI, or return on investment, is important for reporting to your boss, but it can also help you justify establishing or increasing your paid advertising budget.
It’s also the only way to know if your marketing strategy needs a tweak, or if you should double down on what you’re doing.
Rather than sifting through each platform’s analytics dashboard and attempting to assemble the full picture yourself, lean on Hootsuite Impact instead. Impact pulls together data for all your organic and paid content across every platform in one place, giving you powerful insights whenever you need them.
18. Experiment!
Last but not least, don’t wildly follow every Instagram marketing tip you read on marketing blogs. 🙃
Seriously: You need to experiment. Every audience is different. Maybe your peeps hate live video. Maybe they’re only online at 3pm on Wednesdays. Maybe they will give you their first-born child for a free sweatshirt.
Evaluate your performance often and set aside time to run experiments to see which tactics work best for you. Don’t worry, we have a free social media audit template to help out.
Why use Instagram for marketing?
Need a bit more convincing? Here’s how Instagram marketing can help you grow your business.
Instagram Shopping tools can boost sales by 300%
44% of Instagrammers shop weekly on the platform. Since launching basic shopping tools in 2018, like linking to products from Stories, Instagram is now a complete social commerce solution.
Brands can achieve up to 300% more sales with a combination of Shopping tools and ads.
People spend 30 minutes per day on Instagram
Instagrammers spend 30 minutes per day on the app, which is fairly average among major social platforms, but it’s the session length that really stands out.
People spend about 18 minutes per session, which beats out the average Amazon shopping trip (13 minutes), Twitter scroll (14 minutes), and YouTube session (7 minutes). Surprisingly, also the average session on Pornhub (14 minutes).
Now that’s real engagement.
Source: Hootsuite Digital Trends 2022 Report
Instagram ads reach almost 1/3rd of all internet users
Instagram ads can reach up to 1.48 billion people. That’s 29.9% of all internet users and 23.9% of everyone over age 13 worldwide.
Instagram ads also significantly impact brand sentiment: 50% of people say they find businesses more interesting after seeing their ads on the platform.
Source: Hootsuite Digital Trends 2022 Report
3 Instagram marketing tools
1. Hootsuite
Lil’ biased here, but Hootsuite really is a great choice to manage all your social media marketing. We have all the basic tools you need, like scheduling, planning, and analytics, as well as advanced capabilities to take you even further.
With Hootsuite, you can schedule posts for Instagram (Posts, Stories, and Reels), Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest. from one intuitive dashboard. Think of all the time you can save not switching between 7 apps to post content!
Hootsuite also offers detailed analytics comprehensive reporting, as well as a calendar view and content creation tools that allow you to publish the best content possible.
That’s not it. Every Hootsuite user gets access to custom, fully personalized recommendations for the best times to post content for maximum reach, impressions, or engagement.
Check out everything Hootsuite can do for you:
2. Notion
Notion is like if a notebook and a spreadsheet had a baby. A Gen Z baby ‘cause it’s digital-first.
You can add anything to a Notion page that you add to a document, like text, images, etc. But its real power is databases, allowing you to filter and sort your info in multiple ways, including on a calendar, in tables, or with Kanban boards, to name a few.
It’s what I use to plan my social media content (before I put it into Hootsuite, of course) and I love how easy it is to edit on mobile. Plus, if I had friends a team, everyone could collaborate in the same Notion workspace, too.
Check out Notion’s template gallery, or make your own content board from scratch.
3. Adobe Express
Adobe Express is a free online tool to create great-looking social graphics and more. You get additional features if you already have an Adobe subscription, including Adobe Stock access and more.
With Hootsuite’s Creative Cloud integration, you can view all your Adobe libraries directly inside Hootsuite, and edit photos in Hootsuite Composer. It’s a perfect pair, especially if you already use other Adobe apps like Photoshop or Illustrator.
Manage all your Instagram marketing alongside your other social platforms with Hootsuite’s time-saving tools. From a single dashboard, you can schedule posts, Stories, and Reels, engage with your audience, and measure your social ROI. Try it free today.
Easily create, analyze, and schedule Instagram posts, Stories, and Reels with Hootsuite. Save time and get results.
Uncategorized
Instagram Shopping 101: A Step-by-Step Guide for Marketers

Forget the mall: these days, Instagram is the place to shop til you drop.
Sure, there’s no Orange Julius for a mid-spree snack sesh, but Instagram Shopping brings the retail experience to social media to reach an audience of more than 1 billion monthly users.
Rather than directing customers from your Instagram account to your website, Instagram Shopping allows them to select and purchase products easily from the app.
More than 130 million users tap on an Instagram Shopping post each month — foot traffic a brick-and-mortar shop owner could only dream of. So if you have products to sell, it’s time to set up your virtual storefront. Let’s get started.
First, watch this video to find out how to set up your Instagram Shop:
Bonus: Download a free checklist that reveals the exact steps a fitness influencer used to grow from 0 to 600,000+ followers on Instagram with no budget and no expensive gear.
What is Instagram shopping?
Instagram Shopping is a feature that allows eCommerce brands to create a digital, shareable catalog of their products right on Instagram.
Users can learn more about products right in the app, and either purchase directly on Instagram (with Checkout) or click through to finish the transaction on the brand’s eCommerce site.
Sharing products or promoting sales on Instagram is nothing new. According to Instagram, 87% of users say influencers have inspired them to make a purchase, and 70% of avid shoppers turn to the platform to discover new products.
In the past, the only option for e-tail brands to directly drive sales traffic from a ‘gram was either through their bio link, or via clickable Instagram Stories.
With these new Instagram Shopping features, the whole process is streamlined. See it, like it, buy it, in a few clicks: the full Ariana Grande cycle.
Here are a few key details and terms that every Instagram retailer should know before they get started:
An Instagram Shop is a brand’s customizable digital storefront, which allows customers to shop right from your Instagram profile. Think of it as a landing page where users can discover or browse all your products.
Product Detail Pages display all of the key product information, from the item description to the price to photography. The product detail page will also pull in any product-tagged images on Instagram.
Collections are a way that Shops can present products in a curated group — basically, it’s like merchandising your digital front window. Think: “Cute Spring Outfits,” “Handmade Pottery,” or “Nike x Elmo Collab.”
Source: Instagram
Use a Shopping Tag to tag products from your catalog in your Stories, Reels, or Instagram posts, so your audience can click through to learn more or buy. U.S. businesses who use Instagram’s limited Checkout feature can also tag products in post captions and bios. (You can also use Shopping Tags in ads! Yowza!)
With Checkout (currently only available in select regions), customers can purchase products directly in Instagram, without leaving the app. (For brands without Checkout functionality, customers will be directed to a checkout page on the brand’s own ecommerce site.)
The new Shop discovery tab on the Instagram app provides a discovery tool for non-followers, too. Scroll through goods from brands big and small, all around the world: it’s window-shopping 2.0.
How to get approved for Instagram shopping
Before you can set up Instagram Shopping, you need to ensure your business checks a few boxes for eligibility.
- Your business is located in a supported market where Instagram Shopping is available. Check the list to confirm.
- You sell a physical, eligible product.
- Your business complies with Instagram’s merchant agreement and commerce policies.
- Your business owns your eCommerce website.
- You have a business profile on Instagram. If your account is set up as a personal profile, don’t worry — it’s easy to change your settings to business.
How to set up Instagram shopping
Step 1: Convert to a Business or Creator Account
If you don’t already have a Business (or Creator) account on Instagram, it’s time to take the plunge.
Besides qualifying you for Instagram Shopping features, Business accounts also have access to all sorts of exciting analytics… and can use Hootsuite’s scheduling dashboard for posts, too.
Plus, it’s free. Get on it! Here’s our step-by-step guide to switching your personal account over (and 10 reasons why you should!).
Step 2: Use Commerce Manager to set up a shop
1. Use Commerce Manager or a supported platform to set up a shop.
2. To choose a checkout method, select where you want customers to complete their purchases.
Hot tip: Checkout on Instagram is recommended for businesses based in the US because it enables people to buy your products directly on Instagram. Get more information on setting up your Checkout functionality here!
3. To choose sales channels, select the Instagram business account you want to be associated with your shop.
4. If you have a Facebook Page, check the box next to your account to have a shop on both Facebook and Instagram.
Step 3: Connect To a Facebook Page
If you have a Facebook Page, you’ll want to connect it to your Instagram Shop to make things flow smoothly. You’re no longer required to have a Facebook Page to set up an Instagram Shop, but if you want to, here’s how to set one up in seven easy steps. I’ll wait.
Now, time to link the two!
1. On Instagram, go to Edit Profile.
2. Under Public Business Information, select Page.
3. Choose your Facebook Business Page to connect.
4. Ta-da!
Step 4: Upload your product catalog
Okay, this is the part where you actually upload all of your products. You’ve got a couple of different options here. You can either input every product manually into Commerce Manager, or integrate a pre-existing product database from a certified eCommerce platform (like Shopify or BigCommerce.)
Hot tip: Hootsuite has a Shopify integration now, so it’s super simple to manage your catalog right from your dashboard!
Let’s walk through each catalog creation option step-by-step.
Option A: Commerce Manager
1. Log into Commerce Manager.
2. Click on Catalog.
3. Click on Add Products.
4. Select Add Manually.
5. Add a product image, name, and description.
6. If you have an SKU or unique identifier for your product, add it within the Content ID section.
7. Add a link to the website where people can buy your product.
8. Add the price of your product that is shown on your website.
9. Select the availability of your product.
10. Add categorization details about the product, like its condition, brand, and tax category.
11. Add shipping options and return policy information.
12. Add options for any variants, like colors or sizes.
13. Once you’re done, click Add Product.
Option B: Integrate an Ecommerce Database
1. Go to Commerce Manager.
2. Open the Catalog tab and go to Data Sources.
3. Select Add Items, then Use a Partner Platform, then hit next.
4. Select your platform of choice: Shopify, BigCommerce, ChannelAdvisor, CommerceHub, Feedonomics, CedCommerce, adMixt, DataCaciques, Quipt or Zentail.
5. Follow the link to the partner platform website and follow the steps there to connect your account with Facebook.
Hot tip: Remember to keep catalog maintenance top of mind. Once your catalog is set up, it’s important to maintain it. Always keep product photos updated and hide unavailable items.
Step 5: Submit your account for review
At this point, you’ll need to submit your account for review. These reviews usually take a couple of days, but sometimes it might run longer.
1. Go to your Instagram profile settings.
2. Tap Sign Up for Instagram Shopping.
3. Follow the steps to submit your account for review.
4. Check the status of your application by visiting Shopping in your Settings.
Step 6: Turn on Instagram Shopping
Once you’ve passed the account review process, it’s time to connect your product catalog with your Instagram Shop.
1. Go to your Instagram profile settings.
2. Tap Business, then Shopping.
3. Select the product catalog you’d like to connect with.
4. Tap Done.
How to create Instagram shopping posts
Your digital shop is shined up and gleaming. Your product inventory is bursting at the seams. You’re ready to start making that money — all you need is a customer or two.
Watch this video to find out how to tag your products in your Instagram posts, Reels, and Stories directly on Instagram:
You can also create and schedule or auto-publish shoppable Instagram photos, videos, and carousel posts alongside all your other social media content using Hootsuite.
To tag a product in an Instagram post in Hootsuite, follow these steps:
1. Open your Hootsuite dashboard and go to Composer.
2. Under Publish to, select an Instagram Business profile.
3. Upload your media (up to 10 images or videos) and type out your caption.
4. In the preview on the right, select Tag products. The tagging process is slightly different for videos and images:
- Images: Select a spot in the image, and then search for and select an item in your product catalog. Repeat for up to 5 tags in the same image. Select Done when you’re finished tagging.
- Videos: A catalog search appears right away. Search for and select all the products you want to tag in the video.
5. Select Post now or Schedule for later. If you decide to schedule your post, you will see suggestions for the best times to publish your content for maximum engagement.
And that’s it! Your shoppable post will show up in the Hootsuite Planner, alongside all of your other scheduled content.
You can also boost your existing shoppable posts directly from Hootsuite to help more people discover your products.
Note: You’ll need an Instagram Business account and an Instagram shop to take advantage of product tagging in Hootsuite.
Shoppable Instagram posts will feature a shopping bag icon in the bottom left corner. All the products your account has tagged will appear on your profile under the Shopping tab.
How to create Instagram Shopping Stories
Use the Stickers function to tag a product in your Instagram Story.
Upload or create your content for your story as usual, then hit the sticker icon in the top-right corner. Find the Product sticker, and from there, choose the applicable product from your catalog.
(Hot tip: You can customize your product sticker to match the colors of your Story.)
How to create Instagram Shopping ads
Either boost a Shoppable post that you’ve already created, or build an ad from scratch in Ads Manager using the Instagram Product tags. Easy!
Ads with product tags can either drive to your eCommerce site or open up Instagram Checkout if you have that functionality.
Check out our guide to Instagram advertising here for more information on Ads Manager.
How to create an Instagram live shopping stream
In many parts of the world, live stream shopping is a regular part of eCommerce culture. With the introduction of Instagram Live Shopping, businesses in the US can now use Checkout on Instagram during Live broadcasts.
Basically, Instagram Live Shopping allows creators and brands to connect with shoppers live, host product demos and encourage purchases in real-time.
It’s a powerful tool, so it deserves its own in-depth blog post. Luckily, we wrote one. Get the 4-1-1- on Live Shopping on Instagram here.
How to create Instagram Shopping Guides
One of the latest features on the app, Instagram Guides are like mini blogs that live right on the platform.
For users with an Instagram Shop, this can be a great way to promote products with a bit of an editorial angle: think gift guides or trend reports.
1. From your profile, click the plus symbol in the upper right corner.
2. Select Guide.
3. Tap Products.
4. Search by account for the product listing you’d like to include. If you’ve saved the product to your wishlist, you can find it there also.
5. Select the product you’d like to add and tap Next. You can choose to include multiple posts for a single entry if available. They will be displayed like a carousel.
6. Add your guide title and description. If you would like to use a different cover photo, tap Change Cover Photo.
7. Double check the pre-populated place name, and edit as needed. If you wish, add a description.
8. Tap Add Products and repeat steps 4–8 until your guide is complete.
9. Tap Next in the upper right corner.
10. Tap Share.
12 tips for selling more products with Instagram shopping
Now that your virtual shelves are stocked, it’s time to catch a potential buyer’s eye.
Here are some best practices for encouraging users to shop ‘til they drop. (Or should that be “‘Gram til they… blam?” Hmmm, still workshopping that one.)
1. Use striking visuals
Instagram is a visual medium, so your products better be looking good out there in the grid! Prioritize high-quality photos and videos to keep your wares looking professional and appealing.
Just take a look at the playful way fashion brand Lisa Says Gah displays its tote bags: dangling from an arm that’s holding a bottle of wine.
Make sure you’re up-to-date with the most recent image and video specs (Instagram sometimes changes things up), and that photos and videos are high-resolution whenever possible.
If you can, give your product shots an exciting, editorial vibe, showcasing your goods in action or in a real-world setting. Sharing beautiful details shots can be an eye-catching option too. For more Instagram post inspiration, watch this episode of Fridge-worthy, where our two social media experts break down why, exactly, this one furniture store is SO GOOD at selling us rugs:
Pro Tip: Get experimental with these photo editing tools to really stand out from the crowd.
2. Add hashtags
Using relevant Instagram hashtags is a smart strategy for all posts, including shopping content.
They’ll increase the likelihood that you’ll be discovered by someone new, opening up a whole new opportunity for potential engagement.
Searching the #shoplocal tag, for instance, brings up a plethora of small businesses — like epoxy artist Dar Rossetti — that I can buy from right on the spot.
Using the right hashtags can also help you land on the Explore page, which has a special “Shop” tab and is visited by more than 50% of Instagram users each month (that’s more than half a billion people).
3. Share a sale or promotional code
Everyone loves a good deal, and running a promotional campaign is a surefire way to drive sales.
Leisurewear brand Paper Label is promoting a sale on its essentials in the caption. Interested users can just click through to take advantage of the deal, and be decked out in spandex in no time.
When you promote the code directly in your shoppable Instagram posts, it’s even easier for customers to act.
4. Show your product in action
The most popular type of video content on Instagram is the tutorial or how-to video. And this format is ideal for shopping posts because it offers viewers product education and proof-of-concept.
Here, Woodlot shows one of its essential oil-based soaps in action, lathered right up to transport you right to bathtime.
5. Be authentic
The principles of social media engagement all apply to product posts, too… and that includes the golden rule of authenticity.
There’s no need to stick to product copy. Your personality and voice should shine through here! Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with your audience with a thoughtful caption that offers surprising insight or an emotional connection. What inspired the piece? How was it made? Storytelling is a sales tool as old as time.
Postpartum care company One Tough Mother backs up all of its product posts with empathetic, often funny insights about new motherhood.
6. Play with color
Color is always eye-catching, so don’t be afraid to embrace a vibrant hue as a background for your product shot.
Artist Jackie Lee shares her graphic prints on a neon-colored background for maximum impact.
If you’re noticing a particular color palette trending among influencers, swerve to something that contrasts to stop scrollers in their tracks.
7. Establish a signature style
Having a consistent aesthetic on Instagram will help you improve your brand recognition and establish your identity.
It also helps customers scrolling through their feed or browsing the Explore tab to recognize your posts at a glance.
Did you know? There are a striking 37% more sales on average made by businesses who tag products in their feed posts.
Sebastian Sochan makes hand-tufted rugs in London, and shoots all of his pieces in displayed in unique ways throughout his studio. The color palette and lighting remain the same in every scene.
Your signature style on Instagram should be consistent with your brand visuals elsewhere. Your website, ads, and product packaging should all fit together, with complementary images.
8. Be inclusive
If you want your brand to reach a wide audience, you need to ensure your images are meaningfully representative.
With over a billion users, it’s safe to say that Instagram users are a diverse group.
But too often, the people in Instagram promotions and images look the same: white, able-bodied, slim. Embrace all your potential customers with models who showcase all the different body types that are out there.
Period-product brand Aisle uses models of all genders, sizes, and races in the promotion of its products.
Another inclusivity tip: Caption your images descriptively so that visually impaired users can still learn all about your amazing product.
9. Share user-generated content
User-generated content (UGM) refers to any posts or Stories from Instagram users that feature your products.
Not only do these posts provide new, real images of your photos in action, but they also boost your credibility. That’s because posts from real users are considered more authentic, and that authenticity translates to higher trust. They’re like visual testimonials.
Mother Funk boutique in Toronto regularly re-posts photos of locals wearing their clothing.
10. Create a captivating carousel
Show off your range with a carousel that showcases a variety of products. It’s a quick way for users to get a broader look at your latest collection, without having to tap allll the wayyyy to your Instagram Shop.
11. Collaborate with tastemakers
Team up with a tastemaker to help spread your product posts further. Invite an influencer or person you admire to curate a special Collection of their favorite goods from your catalog.
One example: Linens brand Droplet teamed up with Canadian influencer Jillian Harris to create a special line of products. The cross-promotion helped expose its products to a whole new set of eyes.
You’ll tag them in all of your posts; they’ll share with their own audience (and get a warm fuzzy feeling that you admire their sense of style). Win-win!
12. Craft compelling CTAs
Nothing pairs better with a beautiful photo than a compelling call to action. A call to action is an instructive phrase that pushes the reader to take action — whether that’s “Buy now!” or “Share with a friend!” or “Get it before it’s gone!”
Eyewear brand Warby Parker, for example, gives followers the exact instruction they need to shop right away: “Tap the [shopping bag icon] to get yours!”
Brush up on your CTAs over here on the blog, and wield your new power responsibly.
Shopping on Instagram is only going to grow in popularity, and it’s just a matter of time until features like Instagram Checkout is global. So there’s no time like the present to dive in and find out how much it can benefit your business, as part of your overall social media strategy. Let the digital shopping sprees begin!
Save time managing your Instagram presence using Hootsuite. From a single dashboard you can integrate your social networks with your Shopify store, add products to any social media post, respond to comments with product suggestions. Try it free today.
With files from Michelle Cyca.
Easily create, analyze, and schedule Instagram posts, Stories, and Reels with Hootsuite. Save time and get results.
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