Introduction to Instagram Marketing Trends 2019
Instagram has emerged as one of the most powerful, engaging and important marketing channels in recent days. It is considered fantastic for paid advertising, content marketing, and influencer marketing. Many companies are also leveraging the power of Instagram marketing channel for communication and customer service. Recently, Mark Zuckerberg announced that they are planning to integrate WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger. With this strategic move, Instagram will surely rule the Digital Marketing era in 2019 and beyond.
It has got the spunk to drive amazing engagement and better return on investment (ROI) for a marketer, agency or brand.
Even since its launch eight years ago, Instagram has been growing and how! Have a look at a graph shared with us by Statista to dig deeper!
It is a testimony to the fact that the Facebook-owned photo and video sharing network reached 1 billion monthly users in June 2018.
Table of Contents
1) Introduction to Instagram Marketing Trends 2019
2) Instagram Marketing Trends 2019
a) Rise of IGTV
b) Instagram Influencer Marketing
d) Hashtags
The numbers are extraordinary, and when it comes to marketing, impressive numbers do speak volume and are considered great. It also means that you have access to a large number of the audience worldwide. It also denotes that due to Instagram’s nature, you also have access to an engaging and dedicated audience. What’s more, there are also in excess of 4 billion+ likes daily on Instagram, and each image on it gets an average of 23% more than the Facebook counterpart.
As a result, you need to regularly stay updated with the entire latest developments of Instagram, and the trends that determine and govern it.
Hence, here is a quick look at some popular trends that are likely to rule Instagram marketing in 2019.
Top 5 Instagram Trends 2019
1. IGTV is expected to be a big player
IGTV, which was launched last June is the new video platform created exclusively for mobile users. Unlike other video streaming platforms like YouTube, IGTV is dedicated to vertical video playback. Hence, it makes sense for marketers and content producers that are catering only to the mobile-centric audience.
Why is a vertical platform like IGTV the next big thing? It is because Instagram wants to encourage people to create a video, but exclusively for mobile. It’s a known fact that people are likely to use their mobiles in a vertical position, hence the video type.
Are brands using IGTV ready for it? Chipotle was one of the first brands to produce and distribute a video on Instagram.
To gain more users, the organization uploaded a funny video of a man taking off from a Chipotle bag an endless variety of chips, burritos and other items from the restaurant’s menu. The video was more or less on the lines of Mary Poppins with the caption – what’s for lunch?
The Chipotle advertisement wanted to denote that diners can easily opt for multiple and unlimited food combos at Chipotle. Regardless of their needs, their requirements are all covered.
Checkout Chipotle IGTV video story here
Hence, if you are not yet captivating the mavericks of the IGTV, it’s time to join the bandwagon!
While short videos have always been on Instagram, the IGTV channel is sure to let marketers and users go for long-form content. In turn, it may prove more profitable to their strategies in the future.
2. Instagram influencer marketing is replacing brand photo shoots
The new Instagram influencer marketing is slowly replacing the conventional brand photo shoots.
Now, we are seeing a dramatic shift in brands using their budget for photo shoots to invest in influencer content creation. It is because, this way, they can get the images without all the hard work and without waiting for long.
The new trend of getting influencers to create content on their behalf is a masterstroke. Not only it helps to get branded content but even get the visibility when an influencer publishes the photos on his/her social handles. Overall, it’s a win-win situation for all.
The trend of using influencers for business photo shoots as well as for product marketing is surely set to rise in 2019. It is majorly because it gives the client a chance to choose influencers that could fit their brand vibe as well as reach more untapped audience of the influencers.
Here is an example of Bhuvan Bam with more than 6.1 million followers on Instagram. He is a Musician, YouTuber cum influencer in his niche and he is making it big on the platform.
You can see in below screenshot that Skybags has hired Bhuvan Bam as an influencer to promote their Skybags. By doing so, they are reaching out wider audience and influencing BB Ki Vines audience through his Instagram handle.
3. Make way for Instagram stories
Another trend that is fast catching up is the Instagram stories.
An Instagram story is a unique feature that lets users publish photos and videos that disappear after 24 hours.
In other words, an Instagram story is a feature within the Instagram app where users can click/capture and publish videos/images in a slideshow format. Instagram stories let the additions of texts, drawings, emojis, polls, and more to images/video clips.
Yes, you should also not forget using multiple engagement features on Instagram.
See how Google is using Instagram’s story feature like QnA, stickers, polls and more below.
It can be done by using multiple engagement elements such as questions, emoji slider and polls. They are a great way to interact, improve brand consciousness and influence growth.
Brands are nowadays using Instagram stories to capture the attention of their targeted customers and build an audience super quick. One of the leading brands using Instagram stories is none other than Twitter.
4. Hashtags are here to stay
Hey, don’t feel otherwise that (#) Hashtags are only for yuppies or teenage girls!
#Hashtags are powerful indeed to create awareness of what you are up to!
Okay, think of them as a ‘search’ tool which assists your users to find relevant ideas and topics they might be interested in.
To get started, spend some time and research the most happening #Hashtags trending in your niche, and compile them in ‘Notes.’
And mind it that you would need to be fast as #Hashtags won’t keep trending for hours or days unless it’s a historical day or a festival.
You can also use some easy-to-use tools that can provide you with the best Hashtags for using in your Instagram posts. Some of those best tools are:
- Hashtest
- Ritetag
- Hashtagify
- All Hashtag
- Instavast Hashtag generator
5. Augmented reality story filters
Another trend that is fast catching up in 2019 is the creation of brand’s very own AR (Augmented Reality) filters for Instagram stories/posts. The rise of Augmented Reality could be attributed to the promotion of the brand with interactive content.
Instagram has designed a beta program to enable third-parties such as brands and celebrities to create their own Augmented Reality (AR).
Now, Instagram users can then help spread your brand awareness by sharing the branded custom filter as well.
Since Instagram allow third-parties to create their customized Augmented Reality filters, businesses have got a cool tool for ads and self-promotion.
Adidas is one of the known brands using the Augmented Reality filters on Instagram.
Once selected, the Augmented Reality filters add a unique VHS look into your video. Also, raising your eyebrows leads to the creation of the glitch effect including a pattern of Adidas logos.
The Augmented Reality filters from Adidas are super-shareable and very trendy. Thus, it is needless to mention that it is fit for building sizzling brand awareness.
The Key Takeaways
You just went through an informative post about the rising Instagram marketing trends that users will embrace in 2019.
If you have a business that you would like to exceed your expectations, you need to take it on Instagram and follow the marketing trends as discussed.
This way, you would be able to survive and beat your competitors by staying in synch of what’s buzzing.
Are you still pondering over what should be your next move?
Would you like to include some discussed plans/strategies/trends to expand your audience or to make money on or directly engage more fans or potential customers?
Then implementing the discussed trends in 2019 on Instagram is your next big step!
If you have some doubts, you can reach out to me by commenting in the section below.