Experienced in writing SaaS and marketing content, Vergine helps customers to easily perform web scrapings, automate time-consuming tasks and be informed about latest tech trends with step-by-step tutorials and insider articles.
Some businesses will always find ways to implement new technology trends, while others lag behind. For example, some companies immediately recognized the internet’s potential and built websites in the ’90s, while other businesses still operated without an online presence.
Data analytics is a field that’s been rapidly expanding, and that growth is predicted to continue over the next decade. Like the internet, your business can operate without data analytics tools, but there are a lot of benefits that putting data into action can provide you with. There's an expectation that by 2026, 65% of companies will primarily be data-driven to achieve optimal performance and personalization.
In 2024, we can expect the gradual removal of tracking cookies. Cookies have been crucial for marketing efforts over the past decade. Data analytics is one of the solutions to maintain your marketing campaigns in the ‘cookieless world.’
This article will help you understand the direction in which data processing is going and the relevant technologies accompanying it.
Although there were concepts that we can argue were predecessors to data analytics before this, what experts consider the beginning of data analytics was the rise of spreadsheets.
The so-called 'spreadsheet era' started at the end of the 20th century and was defined by Microsoft Excel.
Can you imagine your life without using several spreadsheets to organize your personal and professional life? Spreadsheets are still fantastic for budgeting, making charts, analyzing statistics, and many other reporting tasks.
However, as valuable as spreadsheets are, they are significantly lacking when it comes to handling large volumes of data. This pain point has led to the rise of business intelligence, a type of technology that allows companies to convert raw data into meaningful information, helping decision-makers and marketers.
As the internet grew, the requirements for adequate handling and analyzing of data followed. Soon, we entered the era of big data, characterized by volume, velocity, and variety.
At the top of importance for data analytics, we can undoubtedly find artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). During data gathering, companies often end up with batches of data that are difficult to decipher.
To convert this data into something meaningful and helpful, AI and ML can streamline the process that would otherwise take lots of time. AI and ML are excellent at uncovering patterns and predicting and automating complex tasks.
AI is far from taking over the world like many people preach, but its capabilities are exceptional. Its applications range from writing articles, creating mockups for websites, and generating logos, to analyzing millions of data points.
Another concept that streamlines data analysis is edge computing. This type of technology processes data close to where it's being generated so results can be seen in real time. For example, traffic management systems use edge computing to analyze the amount of traffic on different roads, and immediately process that data so the system can adjust the timing of stoplights.
The advantages that edge computing brings are enhanced real-time analytics and optimized bandwidth usage. Because of these benefits, edge computing is everywhere, from the Internet of Things to corporations that handle vast amounts of data.
Data is often collected anonymously and falls under the strong protection of regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
Since security is important in this field, many experts have switched to blockchain technology.
Why? The incredible potential of blockchain technology lies in its ability to offer a decentralized digital ledger that allows for secure and transparent transactions.
By removing the need for a central authority to manage data, we can significantly reduce the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
With blockchain’s advanced encryption methods, only authorized parties can access data, enhancing confidentiality and security.
We’re excited about the endless possibilities of blockchain technology, and we can’t wait to see how it’ll revolutionize the way we do business and interact with each other.
Data analytics requires vast amounts of storage. Since many businesses don’t have the resources or personnel to manage their own servers and storage, cloud platforms are key.
Why? Cloud storage is scalable and allows businesses to continually invest in larger plans as they continue to grow.
Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP) provide scalable and flexible storage solutions. The Cloud Storage Market is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24% and reach a market value of $376.37 billion by 2029.
The downside of cloud storage is that it can be vulnerable to security threats.
However, in addition to the blockchain use cases mentioned above, other strong cybersecurity precautions like antivirus protection and password managers can go a long way toward keeping your sensitive data safe. You should also have an AWS backup plan to maintain data resilience in the event of a data loss or system failure.
Not to mention, large servers negatively impact the environment as they consume a lot of power. So, prioritizing data center sustainability can go a long way if you’re a corporation using vast cloud resources.
Opting for eco-friendly and sustainable options is more ethical and responsible. Moreover, with regulatory frameworks like California’s Title 24 and The United States’ SEC Climate Risk Disclosures, you can be confident that your organization is not only contributing to a better planet but also adhering to evolving regulations.
Contrary to popular belief, big data isn’t only present in large corporations. Small and medium-sized businesses can also handle big data and have access to various cloud-based tools to do so.
Conventional ETL methods have traditionally ruled the big data landscape, but we can expect innovations this year. The emergence of reverse ETL will allow businesses to use real-time personalization and make better data-driven decisions.
Traditional ETL (extract, transform, load) extracts data from external sources, transforms it, and loads it into a data warehouse. It allows you to store your data in a single data warehouse.
Reverse ETL is the opposite. It takes the data from your data warehouse and delivers it to third-party APIs. Think of it like a pipeline connecting the valuable info in your data warehouse to the rest of your organization.
One of the most relevant use cases for Reverse ETL is the marketing industry. It allows marketers to segment their audience with precision - retargeting some while suppressing others and creating lookalike audiences as well.
Data analysis often intertwines with various ethical concerns.
For example, regulations such as the GDPR were adopted because corporations had unfair advantages and were intruding on the privacy of individuals.
In the past, third-party cookies were utilized so that individuals could be tracked and their personal information used for better ad targeting and marketing. But GDPR has tightened the reins on collecting that data. Likewise, HIPAA compliance is now mandatory for healthcare organizations to keep patient data safe and private.
Regardless of the size of your company, it’s important that you’re operating transparently and that users are aware of what types of data you’re collecting and for what uses. Gathering data without user consent is illegal in many regions, depending on local internet privacy regulations.
Furthermore, transparent and responsible data practices will lead to a much better reputation with your customers or users.
Various industries benefit from data analytics. For example, digital marketing programs that leverage historical data to drive future results can improve campaigns tenfold. With the help of a marketing automation platform like Marin, Marketers can turn data points like sales, clicks, and impressions into actionable insights.
In the healthcare industry, data analytics can help predict the progression of certain diseases. By analyzing a patient’s history, doctors can recognize certain trends and provide better care and medicine.
Hospitals also require a lot of resources. Data analytics can help provide better resource allocation, ensuring a more streamlined system that will benefit both the personnel and the patients.
Finance, an industry mainly consisting of numbers and statistics, welcomes data analytics with open arms. Why? AI and ML are amazing at working with numbers. Transactional data and user behavior are data inputs that can take their service offerings to the next level.
Data analysis systems can help businesses understand the normal behavior of their users and then notice fraudulent activity. Fraud detection has been vastly improved with AI and ML.
41% of senior decision-makers agree that their organizations use between 51–100 data sources.
Of course, an essential part of data analysis is that data comes from trustworthy sources.
As the saying goes, garbage in, garbage out. If most of your users turn out to be automated bots, then using their data for any decisions would be meaningless.
Security protocols such as OpenID Connect (OIDC) can help you authenticate users and ensure that you gather genuine information. Generally, finding usable and accurate data is one of the biggest challenges of converting data into action. Besides, if you have limited information, AI and ML analysis can be biased.
Although data analytics isn’t an entirely new field, the tools that are currently in use and that are emerging haven’t stood the test of time. Many data experts haven’t spent enough time polishing their craft using the latest tools.
Need inspiration on what tools are a must-add to your tech stack? Look no further than a marketing data pipeline solution.
Leveraging a marketing data pipeline is essential to get the most out of your marketing data. Why? The right platform guarantees you have accurate and timely insights to:
Marin Connect is a comprehensive MDP platform for all your data needs — including collection, preparation, storage, analysis, reporting, and forecasting. One platform. No fuss, no muss.
With Marin, you can expand into additional capabilities, including:
In short, it’s a one-stop shop that does all the heavy lifting for your paid media campaigns. Schedule a demo with a Marin expert to learn more.
Data science is truly incredible. With its numerous benefits and diverse applications, it’s easy to see why one might think it’s magical. While we don’t want to oversell its capabilities, rest assured that data science can definitely give your company a boost without causing chaos.
To effectively apply data analytics, you need expert personnel, adequate tools, and a lot of patience. Analyzing data and effectively making predictions can take time.
Data has the power to improve a successful business but can’t make a failing business a success. Analyzing data won’t compensate for a poor product, service, or market. However, it can be vital if you’re looking to get ahead of your competition.
Don’t jump on every new emerging trend. Lean back and observe how specific fields are progressing. Take effective actions based on how you hope to use data to transform your business in the long run.
Here’s to your success!
If you’ve ever wondered what your active users and customers want from the user experience on your website, there’s a fairly simple solution.
Ask them.
Maybe they think your layout is confusing or you offer limited features. By gathering customer feedback, you take the guesswork out of future improvements by listening directly to the voice of the customer. It’s easy to feel assured in your UX updates because you’re working off information taken directly from the people you designed it for.
That’s why so many businesses trust customer feedback tools like email surveys to gather online reviews and determine customer satisfaction levels.
But like most important business matters, using customer feedback software to boost the user experience requires some know-how and careful planning. For more on how you can gather valuable data from your customers for future UX improvements, read on.
The user experience should appeal to your ideal customer. That’s why any business plan or marketing strategy begins by gathering as much information on these target demographics as possible.
But something like your user experience should always be changing based on actionable feedback. That means implementing changes garnered through feedback platforms. When you receive user feedback, there’s no guesswork involved.
Your ideal customers will tell you point blank, “This is what we want.” The information is powerful and highly beneficial. Of course, some consumer feedback might be contradictory.
That’s why looking for common themes in the data you gather is important. What do the majority of your high-value customers want to see? Once you have that information, you can make better decisions when changing your user experience.
But gathering feedback is just the beginning. Analyzing and acting based on that feedback is what truly helps build better relationships with customers.
For example, let’s say something goes wrong with a customer's experience. Businesses can then partner with a local flower shop to deliver a beautiful bouquet as an apology. This small gesture not only shows the customer that you heard their feedback. It also helps rebuild trust and loyalty.
Additionally, celebrating milestones, like customer anniversaries or reaching a certain spending threshold, can be an opportunity to show appreciation. Sending a surprise flower delivery is a meaningful way to make customers feel valued and build lasting connections.
Then, after offering this gesture, poll your customers to see if it made a difference in their overall opinion. If it doesn’t, look elsewhere for something that will make a positive impact.
Integrating key aspects of customer feedback strategies used by platforms like YUPLAY can significantly enhance user experiences. YUPLAY, though not a PC game, has employed some mechanisms that PC games use to engage users effectively.
You can implement similar mechanics in your customer feedback tools to boost engagement and improve the overall user experience.
For example, consider the element of rewards. YUPLAY effectively incentivizes user engagement through special deals and promotions. Similarly, you could introduce a reward system to get people talking in your customer feedback process.
The data gathered will then educate you on what they’re looking for. Rewarding customers for feedback can transform a monotonous task into an engaging and fun activity.
These rewards don’t need to be complex. Simple incentives like exclusive content, early access, or even virtual badges within your platform could suffice.
YUPLAY's reward system is a testament to how such incentives can boost user engagement. It has a straightforward and user-friendly interface. The intuitive platform it’s developed based on customer feedback makes it easy for customers to navigate and interact.
When choosing customer feedback tools to use for your UX improvements, you need to make sure that the platforms are easy to use. If the data gathered is hard to decipher or put together in the first place, then the improvement process will suffer.
When it comes to enhancing user experiences, implementing tools like SAP Fiori can be a game-changer. This tool plays a crucial role in boosting user experiences for SAP applications.
Fiori apps' clean and responsive layouts enhance usability, making complex business processes more accessible and user-friendly.
To fully leverage the potential of SAP Fiori and guarantee seamless implementation, partnering with SAP consulting professionals is highly recommended. These professionals can guide organizations through Fiori apps' customization, configuration, and integration. Their deep understanding of SAP solutions and extensive experience can empower businesses to maximize the benefits of SAP Fiori.
Remember, not all feedback tools are equally effective or user-friendly. Some of the best customer feedback tools for 2023 are Typeform, Hotjar, Parative, and SurveyMonkey12.
These tools allow you to create engaging surveys, visualize user behavior, manage feedback across channels, and measure customer satisfaction. For example, suppose you want to implement OAuth authentication for your users. In that case, you can use Typeform to create a form that asks them about their preferences and concerns regarding this protocol.
OAuth is a standard for authorizing access to online resources and services. Using Typeform, you can collect valuable insights from your users in a conversational and personalized way.
Learning the ins and outs of the platform you choose will be the ultimate key to gathering the right actionable insights.
Custom Frame Store has implemented two effective methods to gather valuable insights from its website visitors.
First, the company has integrated a user-friendly chatbot on its website to help guide potential customers. This way they can better discover what customers want by engaging with this automated service using conditional logic.
Review these interactions after the fact.
By identifying trends in customer requests and problems, the company can determine what users want to see from its services.
This approach enhances the user experience by providing personalized recommendations. It also enables Custom Frame Store to gain valuable feedback on the preferences and requirements of its customers.
The second method Custom Frame Store uses is its contact page. This resource includes an additional feedback form. That dedicated form captures feedback from customers. It’s then a simple matter to further enhance the user experience by pouring through this data and looking for patterns. You can also achieve this with a feedback widget or feedback buttons on your site.
For example, suppose you notice an alarming number of customers are having issues or complaining about your checkout process. You’ll know that something on that page is throwing them off. By making the necessary adjustments, you’ll provide a better overall user experience.
You can also create a feedback forum where users can post about their feedback and comment back and forth to one another.
This approach helps the company better understand customers' needs. It also empowers it to make informed decisions to enhance products, services, and the overall user experience.
Similarly, Connecteam has a form where existing customers can reach out if they have any comments and/or problems with the product. This way, customers struggling with this app to keep track of work hours can get help with the services of employee time clock, employee scheduling, employee task management, HR operations, etc.
Another valuable customer feedback strategy is analyzing your Net Promoter Score (NPS). This survey tool asks customers to rate your company on a scale of one to ten. There’s also a text box included in these online surveys to explain their answer.
NPS is one of the most effective types of customer feedback. These helpful feedback tools can go out as surveys via email or even appear during the checkout process.
One company that implements these customizable surveys well is Pumpkin. This business offers comprehensive cat health insurance plans that cover accidents, illnesses, preventive care, and more.
Pumpkin uses customer feedback surveys to measure these customer surveys, collect testimonials, and gather insights on improving its website and app experience.
By doing so, Pumpkin can identify its promoters and detractors. By looking at the average score and feedback it receives, Pumpkin can better provide a user-friendly and engaging experience.
One of the tips for boosting user experiences with a customer feedback platform is to use them in conjunction with other data sources. That can include analytics, surveys, and business intelligence platforms.
By integrating different data types, you can gain a more holistic and actionable understanding of your customers’ needs, preferences, and behaviors. For example, you can use enterprise business intelligence to analyze large-scale data sets. It’s then easy to generate insights that inform your feedback strategy and improve your decision-making.
When integrating other data sources, you’re again looking for patterns. Let’s say you notice a massive increase in your bounce rate on Google Analytics that couples with customer insights on the layout of your homepage. You can easily put the pieces together and figure out what needs to change.
There’s a lot you can learn by analyzing customer responses on social media platforms.
A free social media management tool like Simplified will facilitate customer communication. Simplified has a social inbox feature where you can manage all messages, comments, complaints, and mentions in one place. These advanced features helps make sure you reply to all customers, improving your response rate publicly and privately.
You should also use a social media monitoring platform to find mentions of your business on other social media pages.
Not all real-time feedback will be in your inbox or under the comment section on your posts. By tracking the general online conversation and customer reviews around your business, you can accurately determine what needs to change.
Customer feedback is far too valuable to ignore.
By trusting quality feedback platforms and email campaigns, you can understand what your target audience is looking for on their customer journey. After that, it’s simple to make the necessary adjustments and create a customer experience that keeps customers coming back for more.
Your customers have a lot to say about the user journey. Listen to them using these tools, and you’ll create a like-minded community of satisfied and loyal customers.
Have you ever wondered how to effectively sponsor your products on Instagram and grab the attention of your target audience?
You're not alone. Many businesses seek to unlock the secrets of advertising on this popular social media platform with over 1 billion active users. And today, we're spilling the beans.
In this comprehensive blog, we'll share our top tips on building a captivating Instagram presence and running sponsored campaigns that'll have users stopping mid-scroll, eager to learn more about your brand.
Are you ready to start sponsoring your product on Instagram to elevate your social media game?
Let's dive into this exciting journey to unlock the full potential of Instagram sponsorships.
As you dip your toes into the world of Instagram marketing, it's important to understand the difference between sponsored posts and regular ads.
Let's break it down and clarify these two concepts.
A sponsored post, also known as influencer marketing or a paid partnership, is when a brand collaborates with an Instagram user or influencer to create content that promotes a product or service.
In this arrangement, the influencer receives compensation through payment or free products in exchange for their promotion.
Sponsored posts often include a disclosure, such as "#ad" or "#sponsored," to maintain transparency with the audience. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires influencers to use these disclosures.
Here's an example of a paid partnership with PlushCare, an online medical care provider that can fill prescriptions online after a same-day appointment, and a micro-influencer in the lifestyle niche:
These partnerships are incredibly valuable for all brands because you can leverage the influencer's established audience and credibility. Influencers have a unique connection with their followers, making their recommendations more impactful and authentic than traditional ads.
So if you want to start selling online weight loss programs and professional health advice, considering the influencer route could play to your advantage.
Why make this distinction? Most likely, followers of an influencer specializing in health and wellness will already be aware and inclined to buy these products and services. Plus, followers trust their recommendations.
And to further drive this point home, a study by Rakuten proves influencer marketing effectiveness. The data shows that 80% of consumers agree they were "influenced" and purchased from a sponsored post. And 61% confirmed they'd click on a sponsored link to learn more about the product or service. Not too shabby.
On the other hand, Instagram ads are paid promotional content created and managed directly by the brand using Instagram's native advertising platform.
Ads appear in various formats, such as text, photos, videos, carousels, or Stories. You can target these promotional materials to reach users based on specific demographics, interests, and behaviors. And you can use a plethora of online tools to help you create stunning images, such as a mockup generator, background remover, photo collage maker, photo editor, etc.
Here's a simple Instagram Stories ad from Canva that integrates seamlessly with their followers’ Stories:
Unlike sponsored posts, Instagram ads don't involve collaborations with influencers. Instead, they rely on the platform's algorithms and targeting capabilities to reach your desired audience.
The primary goal of Instagram ads is to drive engagement, increase brand visibility, or encourage specific actions, like clicking a link or making a purchase.
TL;DR: Sponsored posts are collaborations between brands and influencers, while Instagram ads are promotional content directly created and managed by your brand.
Did you know that a whopping 83% of people use Instagram to discover new products or services? That's right, Instagram is more than just a place for stunning photos and quirky stories — it's an essential part of the consumer journey.
Instagram is where the magic happens, from sharing the latest fashion trends to offering a sneak peek into your products and even swaying purchase decisions.
So, if you're a marketer looking to make a splash, Instagram offers countless opportunities to connect with potential customers.
Here are some of the top tips to help you dive into the world of sponsoring your products on Instagram in a fun, engaging, and approachable way.
Before jumping headfirst into the world of Instagram sponsorships, it's helpful to take a step back and think about what you want to achieve.
Trust us. A little planning goes a long way. Having clear objectives helps you stay focused, guides your strategy, and ensures you're making the most of your marketing efforts.
When setting goals for your Instagram sponsorships, the sky's the limit. Maybe your goal is to reach 25,000 followers by the end of the year. Or boost sales by 20%. Or you have the vision to sell your business in five years for over six figures.
But if you need some help narrowing in on a few simple objectives, focus on these three things: increasing brand awareness, generating leads, and driving sales.
Let's break it down.
If you want to make your brand the talk of the town, sponsoring your products on Instagram can help you get noticed.
By collaborating with influencers or creating eye-catching ads, you can showcase your brand personality and build a buzz around your products.
Case in point, here's a stunning photo from Olipop, a healthy soda pop, announcing a new partnership with pop star (pun intended) Camila Cabello.
If you didn't know about Olipop before, you do now. Thanks to this eye-catching post with a monochromatic look and a high-profile celebrity partnership. Micro-influencers work too, but more on that later.
Maybe you're after a more tangible result, like collecting email addresses or getting users to sign up for a trial.
Instagram sponsorships can help you reach your target audience and encourage them to take that crucial first step.
For example, to showcase its services on Instagram, BriteCo uses high-quality images and captions reminding people of their engagement ring's sentimental value.
Once they've grabbed your attention, they highlight the benefits of protecting it with their jewelry insurance and share a link to a landing page visually consistent with the Instagram post.
Using a dedicated landing page and seamless experience (with high-quality images), BriteCo can capture tangible new leads through the power of Instagram.
Pro-tip: It's always a good idea to have software to help you save and track all the data from these newly acquired leads. Sales
Of course, one of the ultimate goals for any business is to see those sales numbers climb.
By sponsoring your products on Instagram, you can highlight the features and benefits that make your offerings irresistible and inspire users to hit that 'buy now' button.
To improve your chances of closing the sale, follow the lead of LeatherCult, by including a "shop here" link in your Instagram bio:
Or you can also add a "shop now" link to your captions to further reduce friction in the purchase process:
Remember, setting clear goals is the foundation of any successful Instagram sponsorship campaign. So, figure out what matters most to your brand and let that guide your strategy.
Alright, so you've set your goals — now it's time to focus on reaching the right people.
Instagram's got your back with its built-in targeting options, making it a breeze to connect with the audience that matters most to your brand.
Say goodbye to the days of casting a wide net and hoping for the best. With Instagram, you can laser-focus on your ideal target market and avoid throwing money into the wind.
So think about the age, gender, location, interests, and behaviors of the people likely to love your products. The more specific you can get, the better.
This step is especially important for local businesses, where targeting people in your immediate area is crucial. Not only does this drive better results, but you don't waste time and money on people that'll never convert.
Let's take Watermill Flowers as an example. They are a local flower shop that exclusively delivers flowers in Fort Lauderdale. So, advertising their delivery services nationwide wouldn't make sense for them.
Thankfully, with Instagram's location targeting, they can ensure their sponsored posts and ads reach potential customers within their delivery zone.
Similarly, if your floral arrangements are particularly popular among brides-to-be, you can use Instagram's interest and behavior targeting to connect with users planning their big day.
The takeaway? The more relevant your content is to your audience, the more likely they'll engage with it and hopefully turn into paying customers (or at least followers).
Let's face it. Instagram is a visual playground. And to stand out from the crowd, your content needs to be nothing short of fabulous.
That's where eye-catching visuals and engaging captions come in. The perfect combo of stunning images and clever words will capture your audience's attention and encourage them to like, comment, or share your post.
Great content is the secret sauce to your Instagram success. So are you ready to up your content game?
Follow the lead of Rolex, legendary for luxury and aesthetics — even on Instagram.
Here are a few tips to help you create your own drool-worthy images and maintain a consistent brand aesthetic:
And did you know that simply adding a caption can boost your Instagram engagement rate from 4% to 6%? It's an easy way to get more out of every post.
But sometimes, as marketers or business owners, we fall victim to writer's block. Don't worry, it's normal. And that's why free text generators powered by AI will quickly become your best friend.
With the touch of a button, you can generate compelling Instagram captions that convert. It's all about working smarter, not harder, to drive results. Plus, it's free!
If you need inspiration, take a page from MegaFit Meals' book. They do an excellent job of boosting engagement with captions by asking questions, tapping into customer pain points, and offering solutions.
Plus, how can you pass on this delicious-looking food? It sure does have our mouths watering.
Variety is the spice of life. And when it's time to publish Instagram content, mixing things up can keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.
Don't be afraid to experiment with different formats like photos, videos, carousels, and even AI voices to showcase your products and tell your brand story.
Whether creating a product tutorial, sharing a customer testimonial, or narrating a behind-the-scenes clip, AI voices can help you convey your message clearly and effectively while adding a touch of innovation to your content.
Need inspiration? Try a humorous approach to voiceovers, like this Instagram video from Reese's:
Embrace your creative side and explore various formats, from stunning product shots and carousels highlighting customer experiences to videos with added innovations.
The possibilities are endless, and with a little experimentation, you'll discover the perfect content mix to captivate your audience and make a lasting impression on Instagram.
Influencer collaborations can be a game-changer for your Instagram sponsorship campaigns.
These social media stars already have a dedicated following. And by partnering with them, you can tap into their audience, increase your reach, and build trust with potential customers.
Plus, influencers have the power to make your products feel more relatable and authentic, giving your brand a major credibility boost.
And do you want to know the best part? You can use micro-influencers to help promote nearly any product or service. They tend to have higher engagement rates and are more affordable than mega-influencers (with millions of followers)
So if you're a dental clinic and want to promote innovative dental procedures to prevent the dreaded turkey teeth phenomenon, you can partner with a lifestyle micro-influencer with no problem.
This partnership is the perfect opportunity to detail the procedure's benefits through a behind-the-scenes video — like this partnership with Dentfix.
Or you can have the influencer post before and after photos on their Instagram profile, showing off their new smile.
The influencer's followers, who already trust their advice on all lifestyle matters, will be more likely to consider the procedure for themselves, ultimately driving business to your practice. It's a win-win.
Are you still not convinced? Studies show that 37% of consumers trust social media influencers over brands. So you're better off letting influencers do the promoting for you.
If you're not already taking advantage of Instagram Stories, it's time to hop on the bandwagon. Stories are an excellent way to casually and authentically engage with your audience.
And the Stories feature sees over 500 million daily users, so why not use this to your advantage?
Plus, Instagram Stories offers a treasure trove of interactive features that can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. Here are some examples:
Here's a prime example of how MegaFit Meals leverages sponsored Instagram Stories to appear naturally in a user's personal Stories:
People can swipe up to see the menu and learn more about these custom fitness meals. There's no need to open a new browser and search for the brand name.
The result? A seamless user experience that drives conversions.
Plus, Stories are an excellent tool for retargeting ads, allowing you to reconnect with users who have already shown interest in your brand and nudge them further along the customer journey.
As much as we'd all love to have an unlimited marketing budget, the reality is that we need to work within our means.
So don't bite off more than you can chew. Thankfully, even with a modest budget, you can still make an impact with the right strategy. In fact, Meta suggests starting with only $5 per day.
Once you have a budget set in stone, it's time to choose between the three types of bidding: spend-based, goal-based, and manual.
To choose the right bidding for your campaign, consider the goals you set earlier. For instance, if you aim to boost sales, you might use a goal-based bidding strategy and set a cost per purchase to keep your average sales profitable.
If your eyes just rolled to the back of your head, try out the MarinOne Budget Optimizer to do the heavy lifting for you.
Remember, the key is to stay flexible, experiment, and continually refine your approach to find your sweet spot.
As the saying goes, measure twice and cut once. Keeping a close eye on your Instagram sponsorships' performance helps you understand your efforts' impact.
That way, you can make data-driven decisions for future campaigns by staying far away from what's not driving results and doubling down on what is.
Thankfully, Instagram Insights is a powerful built-in tool that provides valuable data on your sponsored content's performance, audience demographics, and engagement.
You can also supplement these insights with other analytics tools like MarinOne to see a comprehensive view of your overall marketing performance and return on investment (ROI).
And there you have it, our top tips for sponsoring your products on Instagram like a pro.
From setting clear goals and targeting the right audience to creating eye-catching content and leveraging the power of influencers, these strategies can help you elevate your brand's presence and drive results on this popular platform.
As you embark on your Instagram sponsorship journey, remember that the best approach is often one of experimentation and adaptation.
Embrace your creative side, be willing to try new things, and continually refine your strategy based on Instagram Insights. With a little perseverance (and passion), you'll soon discover the perfect formula to captivate your audience and make a lasting impact with your Instagram sponsorships.
So go ahead, turn on the sponsored posts, and watch your brand take off.
Vergine Melkonyan is a guest contributor to Marin Software.
