As social media platforms continue to evolve, businesses must change their strategies to keep up with the latest trends. This is especially true for lead generation, which is a process of attracting and converting potential customers into paying customers. Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, and it offers unique opportunities for generating leads.

Social media marketing is one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to reach your target audience, and a social media platform like Instagram should not be ignored for getting more leads. There are more than one billion monthly active Instagram users, and 500 million of them visit the site regularly.

So, how can your company use Instagram lead generation to scale and develop new business?

Let’s have a look at some ideas and methods for using Instagram to generate leads and turn it into a successful marketing campaign.

1. Create an attractive business profile

You only get one opportunity to make a good initial impact. And your Instagram company profile is where it all begins.

Make sure that your leads know what your brand stands for and try to pique their interest in it.

Here are a couple of things that you should keep in mind:

• Shape your Instagram grid.

Instagram is a visually-oriented social networking service, so your grid should reflect your brand’s personality. It’s like a blind date that might develop into a collaboration or sale with quality leads.

To attract the attention of the correct audience, be sure to understand your purchasing persona’s behaviors and interests. This will assist you in creating a visually attractive Instagram grid with relevant information.

Every few months, take a look at your grid and make any adjustments necessary. This will allow you to fine-tune your approach while still offering high-quality images or videos on your profile.

• Optimize your profile description

Your brand’s profile description is its most valuable real estate for selling itself. So make the most of it!

The more you include search terms and hashtags in your business account, the easier it will be for people to find you on Instagram. Furthermore, if you’re a suitable match for those who have already visited your profile, they’ll understand better.

2. Use call-to-action options on Instagram

Although the potential to forward your leads from Instagram to your website isn’t great, they’re still decent. Here’s how you can use them to your advantage.

This is the only link you get in your company’s profile! You may utilize it to drive visitors to your website, a specific landing page, or the most recent content magnet. Test and see which technique works best for converting Instagram leads into consumers.

• Stories’ swipe up

Instagram Stories is one of the most popular kinds of material on Instagram. They also allow businesses to link to a relevant piece of content and begin client conversations, which has been quite successful.

• Action buttons

The action buttons are included in your company profile and provide a link to your email, phone number, or physical address.

Use them wisely, especially if you run a brick and mortar company. Leads are more likely to look for your brand’s contact information on Instagram rather than through an intermediary website.

• Call-to-actions in Instagram posts

Even though you can’t have active links in your Instagram posts, you may still engage your leads by asking them to visit your website or Instagram bio and taking action.

3. Use targeted hashtags

Hashtags on Instagram assist search terms find your brand. You may use hashtags in your Instagram bio and postings, as well as in your profile’s description area.

There are a maximum of 30 hashtags that may be used in your material, so make a list of relevant keywords and include them in your posts.

On a non-follower level, your hashtag approach will have a huge impact on the reach you may achieve on your post. You should use a 3 level approach on Instagram.

Level 1: Standard, large hashtags in your field (for example, travel, food, and exercise). While this method will not have your material appear on the top tweets section of hashtag sites, it is critical that it be categorically classified within its area.

Level 2: branded hashtags. These will be either your brand’s hashtags or hashtags from campaigns that you are running. 

And finally Level 3: Begin with a popular hashtag, such as #chocolate or #food. Then, add very narrow, unusual hashtags that relate to the material or your industry (for example, #foodielovernyc rather than #foodlover). The probability of your material showing up in the top posts section of the hashtag page will improve if you utilize extremely specialized hashtags.

4. Create content that converts

Your potential consumers are attracted to your Instagram content. Here are some ideas for developing your content plan.

• Mind the lead’s stage in your sales funnel

Consider how a potential lead ranks in your sales funnel when developing Instagram content. Have they discovered your company for the first time? Or have they already invested some time with it?

You may use different types of content to help you optimize your social media channel and convert leads into customers.

• Experiment with content formats

Instagram has several different ways to promote your items and/or services, which are all quite visual. The social network even stated that they will be concentrating more on video in the future.

You can now experiment with different types of content, including photos, videos, Stories, IGTV, Guides, and Reels.

Keep experimenting with new content strategies and combining them to capture your leads’ attention, no matter if you’re a newbie to Instagram or an experienced veteran.

• Write captions that generate engagement

On Instagram, appearance is everything, but you must also provide context through relevant captions that your audience may relate to. So take your time when developing your Instagram posts and constructing a narrative that will interest your followers.

• Be consistent and aware of your content’s timing

It’s fine to test content types, but make sure you don’t deviate from your core brand message. The time of your postings affects how successfully you can reach out to the appropriate audience in different time zones and demographics.

• Pay attention to image and video dimensions

Instagram is a visual paradise. Make sure you’re using the right picture and video dimensions in your posts, since this is an area where Instagram differs from other platforms.

• Capitalize on user-generated content

Allow your fans to be the hero on social media. On social media, user-generated content is all about getting the limelight and expressing their thoughts about you.

• Tag your products in posts.

On Instagram, you may improve your prospect’s chances of converting into a customer by tagging your items. There are over 130 million product tags clicked on each month.

 5. Partner with Instagram influencers

Being highlighted by an Instagram influencer may help your company be recognized. Working with influencers allows you to reach out to a new, but relevant audience of buyers.

If you choose to do so, make sure you set clear expectations and communicate them with the influencers you want to collaborate with. They’d be your Instagram brand ambassadors, but they’d also have to deliver good results.

6. Enable the power of Instagram advertising

The most important thing to remember is that content is king, but distribution depends on advertisements.

According to their hobbies, demographics, industry, and many other factors, Instagram provides outstanding possibilities for targeting your buyer persona.

7. Stay engaged and show excellent customer service

Instagram is a fantastic place to not only find but also engage with the ideal prospects. It’s critical for your company to be on the lookout for new opportunities at all times.

• Post comments

Make sure you’re on the lookout for post engagements once you’ve completed a new piece of content.

It’s critical to respond to everything and every request in your comments in a personalized way.

• Direct Messages.

The social inbox is where potential customers will reach out to you. Invest time and effort into properly dealing with your possible or existing customers who contact you.

That’s a wrap!

Now that you know the different ways to generate leads on Instagram, it’s time to put these tips into action. Start creating valuable content, experimenting with new types of posts, and using the correct dimensions.

Remember to also focus on engagement and customer service. And of course, don’t forget to use Instagram marketing to reach the widest possible audience.