According to June 2018 data from Statista Research, Instagram now has over one billion monthly active users (statista.com/chart/9157/instagram-monthly-active-users). Yes, you read that number correctly. One billion global users log into Instagram to share visual images and videos. If your brand isn’t utilizing Instagram for consumer outreach, you could be missing out on a goldmine of customer connections.

But how do you maximize the potential of Instagram for brand building? How do you not get lost in a deafening cacophony of brand marketers jostling for consumer eyeballs? If you want Instagram marketing to work for your business, it is imperative you be strategic in your approach to customer acquisition. Integrate the following tips into your Instagram marketing strategy, and you can increase your chances of success on this mega-popular visual imagery search engine.

Visual Search

On the subject of visual imagery search engines, it is crucial you start to think of Instagram as a search engine. Sure it’s an excellent platform for displaying your brand’s images and videos, but above all else, Instagram is a visual search engine. Search for potential customers. Search for potential brand partnership opportunities. Search for locals using Instagram that you can connect with. Search for popular hashtags your company can use. There is a myriad of ways you can use the Instagram search function; you have to be strategic in your connection-hunting efforts.

Marvelous Mentions

If you want to turbocharge your audience engagement rates on Instagram, then you must learn the power of follower mentions. When a favorite brand mentions a follower on Instagram, that follower is likely to share their brand mention with their extended social media network. Make a habit out of mentioning specific followers in your image and video captions/descriptions, and you’ll likely see an influx of followers discovering your brand.

Audience Engagement Analysis

A crucial component of making Instagram marketing work for your brand is to measure your audience engagement rates continually. Analyzing audience interaction data will help you discover which types of visual images your followers respond to, which forms of visual outreach need tweaking, and which days are your best days for Instagram outreach. The more effort you put into getting to know your target audience on Instagram, the more visual marketing ROI (return on investment) you’ll enjoy from the Instagram platform.

Remember these essential visual marketing tips for brand success, and you’ll be impressed by the potential of Instagram marketing. Consumers are flocking to Instagram to share the images of their lives; it is your job as a brand builder to ensure your company is there to participate in those conversations. Will you be upping your Instagram marketing game this year?