9 Free Ways to Promote Your Instagram Account

With a billion active users and visual appeal, Instagram makes a potent marketing tool for brands. Even better, you can grow your business with free promotions.

Here are nine free Instagram marketing strategies you can do today. Don’t forget to perform Instagram metrics to know which of these works well for your efforts.

1. Use Relevant Hashtags

If you’re looking for free promotions on Instagram, better to come up with great hashtags.

Hashtags are like keywords on steroids. They help you categorize your content, reach a specific audience, and track the performance of your posts.

They are also excellent when you’re looking for user-generated content (UGC). UGC is one of the best ways to promote your brand on Instagram because it’s cost-effective and users trust it more than traditional advertising.

How do you create relevant hashtags? Here are some ideas:

●      Do some research on popular hashtags in your industry.

●      Check out what hashtags your competitors are using.

●      Use hashtag tools such as Hashtagify.me to find the best hashtags for your posts.

2. Run Contests and Giveaways

People love free stuff, so contests and giveaways are an excellent way to promote your brand on Instagram.

When done right, contests and giveaways can help you boost engagement, grow your following, and generate leads.

To run a successful contest or giveaway on Instagram, here are some tips:

●      Make sure the prize is relevant to your target audience.

●      Keep the entry requirements simple.

●      Partner with an influencer to promote your contest or giveaway.

3. Use Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a great way to promote your brand on Instagram because they’re fun, engaging, and easy to consume. Plus, you can use them to drive traffic to your website or landing page.

To use Instagram Stories for promotion, here are some ideas:

●      Showcase behind-the-scenes content.

●      Run a poll or ask a question.

●      Feature user-generated content (UGC).

4. Use Instagram Live

Instagram Live helps connect your brand to your audience in real time. Additionally, it allows you to build trust and credibility, which are essential when promoting your brand.

Here are some tips to make Instagram Live more effective:

●      Host a Q&A session.

●      Give a tour of your office or store.

●      Teach a class or do a demonstration.

●      Go live with an Influencer.

5. Run a Q&A Session

Your FAQs can only do so much. Your followers may have many more specific individualized questions to know your brand, products, and services. Take some time at least once a month to run a Q&A.

You might do it during one of your live sessions or encourage your followers to leave questions in the comments. Instagram Story also has an Ask Me a Question feature.

You can keep these questions clean, fun, and engaging with these ideas:

●      Encourage puns and jokes in the questions.

●      Ask your followers to tag a friend in the comments.

●      Choose a theme for each Q&A session.

6. Create Instagram Reels

Instagram Reels are short, fun videos that you can create using Instagram’s built-in editing tools. Reels can be up to 15 seconds long and can include music, effects, and text.

To use Instagram Reels for promotion, here are some ideas:

●      Showcase your product in action.

●      Create a how-to video.

●      Do a quick demo of your service.

7. Cross-Post on Other Social Networks

If you want to get the most out of your content, cross-post it on other social networks. This will help you reach a wider audience and promote your brand on Instagram for free. Also, you can maximize the exposure of your content.

Sharing content across different social media accounts is easy. Many, such as Facebook, already have built-in features that allow you to share your Instagram posts. For other networks, such as Twitter, you can use a tool like IFTTT.

When cross-posting content from Instagram to other social media platforms, here are some things to keep in mind:

●      Edit the caption for each social network.

●      Use hashtags relevant to each social network.

●      Post at the best times for each social media platform.

8. Use Location and Hashtag Stickers

Instagram’s location and hashtag stickers are a great way to promote your brand on Instagram for free. When you use these stickers in your stories, your content will be discoverable by other users who search for that location or hashtag.

Here are some tips for using location and hashtag stickers:

●      Use relevant and popular hashtags.

●      Check the trending locations.

9. Collaborate with Other Brands or Influencers

Instagram is a great place to collaborate with other brands or influencers. This can help you reach a new audience and take advantage of each other’s strengths and tools.

There are a few ways to collaborate with other brands or influencers:

●      Host a giveaway or contest together.

●      Do an Instagram takeover.

●      Create joint content.

Conclusion

These are some of the best ways to promote your brand on Instagram for free. By using a mix of these strategies, you can reach a wider audience, build trust and credibility, and drive traffic to your website or landing page.