That means if you’re a marketer trying to connect with your target demographic, you know just where to find them: Instagram. We’ve put up a list of few ways to make your Instagram Live broadcasts more engaging and worthwhile for your followers.
First, though, we need define Instagram Live and explain why it’s such a valuable tool.
For those who don’t know, Instagram Live is…
Instagram Live is simply a recorded and broadcast version of the Instagram stories that appear at the top of your feed. These live stories will be shown prominently at the top of the Instagram feed, with a circle icon to indicate that a company or individual is broadcasting in real time and allowing followers to follow along.
The benefits of using Instagram Live
Well, I guess it makes sense. If you need further convincing, consider these benefits of trying Instagram Live:
If you go live on Instagram, your story will appear at the top of the stream, bringing you more attention.
When you go live on Instagram, your followers will receive push alerts instantly.
Those who actively use this feature will see an increase in organic interaction on Instagram. As a result, more people will be exposed to your films thanks to Instagram’s discovery feature.
For the aforementioned reasons, Instagram Live videos are more interesting and accessible to a wider audience.
A closer relationship with your Instagram followers may be established via the use of Instagram Live videos.
Instagram Live adds a personal touch to your business by revealing the face behind the brand.
Only a handful of the many reasons Instagram Live is an indispensable tool are listed below. Moreover, statistics suggest that 82 percent of online users would prefer watch a live video than read a social network message. We’ll go through some strategies for making the most of Instagram Live so you can join the trend.
Making Instagram Live Content That People Want To Watch
After explaining what Instagram Live is and why it may be useful for your marketing, it’s time to discuss how to produce material of sufficient quality to go live and captivate your audience.
Be true to yourself (and professional)
The first and foremost rule of Instagram Live is that you must always be yourself. They want to see you live because they want to connect with a real person, not a marketer reading from a video script. Now more than ever, when we’re all growing apart, individuals need to feel connected to one another, even if it means doing so through a digital device.
How then can you present yourself to your target audience as honestly as possible?
Feel free to express your feelings.
Talk to them like you would with a kind coworker.
I want to be clear that I am not suggesting that you break down in front of the camera or bring up the fact that you finally went to the doctor last week. Use Instagram to engage with your audience in a more genuine way by letting your individuality show through.
Plan beforehand
It can seem like a good idea to just go on Instagram Live and brag to your followers about how great your business is, but in reality, this might not go as well as you had hoped. Instagram Live is more spontaneous and less scripted than other forms of live video, but the most successful broadcasters still prepare for and have clear objectives for each broadcast.
Tony Tran, a product manager at Hootsuite, says, “Understanding how to create excellent objectives is vital for social media success,” and your plans for Instagram Live are no different. If you want to succeed, Hootsuite suggests you make objectives that are “SMART,” or specified, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely.
Formatting should be well-thought-out and scheduled, in addition to having goals in place. Consider: will viewers be able to ask questions throughout the livestream? It might be a “behind the scenes” look at the production process or the debut of a new product. Instagram Live may also be used to broadcast a live event, sneak peek of a new product, instructional seminar, or company tour. There is a plethora of possible structures to follow, but it’s equally crucial to have an idea of what you’ll be discussing with your audience.
Follow a regular pattern in a series you’re making
Even more so in times of unpredictability, people appreciate a consistent approach. Regular livestream series that your audience looks forward to will increase your chances of success on Instagram Live, whether you broadcast once a day, once a week, or once a month. In the real estate industry, for instance, a “New on the Market!” series highlighting some of the most recently listed homes may prove to be quite effective. One alternative would be to feature a customer success story each week. Whichever you decide to structure your series, it’s ideal to focus on informational topics that your target audience is interested in.
Get the word out about your upcoming live events
It’s not enough to have a strategy and a regular series; you also need to let your followers and leads in on what you have in store for them. Similarly to how you would promote any other in-person event, you should let your audience know the when, what, where, and why of your Instagram Live campaign before you go live.
Use your other social media and email lists to promote your live event, and then refine your audience targeting. If you think a certain subset of your leads would be particularly interested in attending your live event, you may target them with an email marketing campaign.
Take part in conversation with your audience
Real-time comments from viewers is another great feature of Instagram Live. This is excellent for the audience but might be stressful for the presenter. The point is, of course, you aren’t obliged to respond to every comment, and you should do your best to stick to the strategy you developed using Guideline No. 2 above.
In any case, you should consider this a chance to become closer to your audience. Giving your consumers immediate attention, such as by asking a relevant question about the topic at hand or responding to a positive comment they made, will make them feel valued and invested in your company.
