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Posted on by Ruby Lowe

How to use Instagram Live to Bring Your Brand to Life

In December 2016, Instagram launched its brand new feature: real-time live streaming, rivalling existing streaming apps such as Periscope & Snapchat. It’s a bold move for Instagram as the app has been pretty static since its launch, previously sticking with in-feed content. However with the launch of Snapchat-esque stories & live video, Instagram is proving that it’s still very much a key player in social.

Why should your brand be using Instagram Live?

  • Your Instagram followers will receive a notification when you go live – which means unlike Facebook, you don’t have to pay to get your content out there.
  • It’s an affordable way of creating branded content on a platform that’s already popular with users.
  • Instagram users are more likely to interact with Live content. You’re not asking for a Like or a Share, just a view.
  • Engagement with brands on Instagram is 10 times higher than Facebook.

 

How should your brand be using Instagram Live?

 

  1. Launching & showcasing new products

Who needs fancy Apple Keynotes or over the top tech launches, these days? Save the budget & get back to basics by announcing big brand news on Instagram Live. Sharing live video typically happens between friends or family (we’ve all used FaceTime and Sykpe!), so to share sneak peeks or products gives your brand a more intimate and authentic feel. You can’t hide anything from live video.

 

  1. Employer branding

If you’re looking for ways to promote your business from an employment perspective, Instagram Live could be what you’re looking for. Fun Friday afternoon drinks in the office? Why not share the moment with your Instagram followers. If you’ve got an incredible team behind your brand, why not let them host an Instagram Live stream, discussing their roles? People are always going to be interested in what your brand is like behind the scenes (whether that’s out of nosiness or general interest!), so let them have a peak using Instagram Live.

 

  1. Tips & tricks for using your product

If you’re selling a product, a great way to boost interest is sharing tips and tricks on Instagram Live. Even better, ask your fans and customers to share their own tips and tricks on Instagram, using a hashtag, which you could then share in a live video with your followers.

 

  1. Influencer marketing

Instagram has always been a natural home for influencer marketing. Instagram Live simply extends the platforms for these influencers. Influencer takeover strategies work really well for a number of reasons. First off, the influencer will typically hype up any partnership/ takeover in advance of the event itself. This inevitably leads to a surge of new followers for your brand and creates an audience that will be proactively waiting for your Instagram Live video. Hosting influencer takeovers also means your content will get a bit of a shake-up. Each influencer will bring their own style & way of working, meaning your content will always stay fresh & interesting.

  1. Live events

Whether you’re attending or hosting an event, using Instagram Live can be useful in more ways than one. If you’re attending, your followers may be interested in the content that’s being talked about. Why not Live stream snippets of the best talks? You could even ask influential attendees to do a short live interview or Q&A session.

If you’re the brand hosting the event, you could do all of the above and more. In the pre run- up to the event, why not post behind the scenes live videos, or interview the people who make the event such a success. Live streaming on the day is also an awesome way to interact with those in attendance – whether that’s competitions, scavenger hunts, attendee networking – Live streaming could amplify your brands efforts.

Instagram has proven to brands that visual content works best. The introduction of Instagram Live has sprung the platform into popularity & proves that its features are always at the top of its game. If your brand hasn’t tried Instagram Live yet it’s time to embrace the live video!

By Ruby Lowe

@rubyl0ve

Need help with your Instagram strategy? We’d love to help, get in contact with Chris at chris@isocialuk.com.

 

 

 

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