How Effective Is The 'Promote' Function on Instagram

[Nellyb78]

Hey!

I'm looking to build up an Instagram following for an account running in tandem with a podcast I'm running. I'm trying to get a social media presence before release, so what's my best means of promotion? The Instagram 'Promote' function is glaringly obvious; yet I was wondering if this is actually decent for getting followers.

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[fisicx]

Are the images you are posting likely to create a buzz? If not then no matter how much promoting you do it’s not going to generate a lot of followers.

I’m also intruiged as to how instagram is going help with podcast.

 

[jimbob1990]

Instagram is based on people looking at visual information (not so much captions or writing) and Liking whatever it is they like, and scrolling past whatever it is they don't. From my experience with Instagram (as a general user, a promoter and a business user), the adverts (let's call a spade a spade, not a promotion) only really work if they visually show a product that you know the user wants and they can identify it from the image. If you show something that looks cool, it will get a load of likes but not a load of interaction that you are looking for e.g. clicking on a link that takes them to your podcast.

A random example to illustrate my point;

A pet company is advertising on Instagram to try and sell more dog grooming brushes. They post an AMAZING picture of a really really cute dog doing something really really funny. It will generate a load of attention and get a lot of Likes from people who love dogs. The caption says something like "keep your dog's coat healthy with Pet Corps new Amazebrush". But being a visual platform, people loved the picture, said "awww" then scrolled past the caption (they scrolled past it doubly quick if they noticed it was an advert for something but they don't even know what it was an advert for).

A different pet company advertises also for dog grooming brushes. They post a short video that shows a dog having a great time getting dirty and muddy, and at the end their brush is shown to brush out all the dirt leaving the dog shiny and clean. This gets loads of link clicks to their website because people weren't just shown a cute dog (the bit that grabbed their attention) but also the product being used to communicate to users WITHOUT words.

NB I am not trying to say that video is better than photo, this is just the example I came up with on the spot.

So if you think you can grab people's attention with a visual AND you can communicate to them about your podcast without writing....it might just work.

 

[Nellyb78]

Hey Jimbob and fisicx!

I'm not sure that I've communicated my ideas correctly and clearly. My strategy is to simply run an Instagram page where young people vote and share opinions on current issues.

This will be the case on the run-up to and after the launch of the podcast.

Thus I am not using the Instagram solely as simply a tool to promote my podcast; rather it will be its entity on its own which I will try to build up, and then transform into a secondary entity for the podcast (with the same content as before podcast launch). Thus I want to generate Instagram followers first to buy into the content that is posted there, after this I will try to convert them into listeners of my podcast (of which social media is essential to the concept) AS WELL AS consumers of Instagram posts.

Again, I feel like I have butchered the communication of my ideas- I'd be happy to answer any further queries.

 

[fisicx]

My strategy is to simply run an Instagram page where young people vote and share opinions on current issues.

Why would they want to do this?

Thus I want to generate Instagram followers first to buy into the content that is posted there, after this I will try to convert them into listeners of my podcast (of which social media is essential to the concept)

Very unlikely to happen. @jimbob1990 explained why.

 

[Nellyb78]

Fisicx,

To touch on your first query, the reason is the same as anyone comments on any article (or post on Reddit for that matter) to give their opinion. My market research shows that there is an unrest among teens and nowhere to go to express views. I want this to be that place.

Secondly, as I said, the Instagram page is part of the platform- not simply a conversion tool. It will have content on its own. It will be used as the means of telling followers about when the podcast is live, that the podcast is launching etc; however, this isn't its sole purpose. There are other avenues of promoting a podcast which I will take- this happens to be one of many. This is the case with many successful podcasts- they will launch a social media account beforehand. Instagram and Snapchat are the most commonly used platforms for my demographic, so these are the platforms I am using.

Hope I've made myself clear.

 

[fisicx]

My market research shows that there is an unrest among teens and nowhere to go to express views. I want this to be that place.

That's not why people use instagram.

 

[Mark T Jones]

My market research shows that there is an unrest among teens and nowhere to go to express views. I want this to be that place.

.

This intrigues me. Not just the obvious questions around what form the market research took.

Unrest amongs teens is pretty much a given, that’s why so many of them are socialists - until they wake up to reality

But !nowhere to express their views’ ?Seriously. There have never been more routes to expressing views and opinions. How will you stand out from the hundreds of other platforms?

 

[Mr D]

Back when I was a teenager there were limited places to express views for teens. Or indeed most people.
These days there are blogs, vlogs, tons of social media, sites, forums etc.
Hundreds of times more places to express views than I had as a teen.

You may have noticed teens typing on their mobiles. Perhaps expressing their views on something. Do they appear to be doing it much?
My only teen niece is mostly mute, she will only post on Facebook a dozen times a day or so.

Ok let's get down to it. Are you willing to spend a few million in advertising to start with getting to be in the top 10 of places for teens to post stuff?
If you want to be the place teens go then times that figure by a few hundred. Yes, lots of millions. To have a chance.

 

[Nellyb78]

Mark,

I didn't post this for a political debate as to why socialism is or isn't flawed; or whether teens are 'all socialists' as you presume. What I asked for was structured advice about whether or not the 'Promote' feature on Instagram was effective.

Anyway, I think I may have been a little ambiguous in my wording- I accept responsibility for this. what I am trying to say is there is nowhere for young people to express their views where anyone will listen. They can comment on a post and that's it- no one cares or sees this. What I'm trying to do is just give a place where these people's views are broadcasted to an audience. Most teenagers can't resonate with Andrew Marr or Piers Morgan, so aren't compelled to interact with their shows. All I'm trying to do is give teenagers a place that they feel comfortable interacting with and getting their views put forward to an audience. I'm not trying to create the next Facebook (at the moment ).

On your comments (which are quite frankly ignorant) about all teenagers being socialists, I think this exemplifies my point entirely. Middle-aged citizens have these shows which generalises (and thus alienates) young people by labelling with these terms (like them being out of touch with reality). Why would a young person interact with shows like these? Maybe it is, indeed, you who is out of touch with reality- with your close-minded state of generalisation and refusal to look at different perspectives. To be honest, I didn't want to play this 'debate' card; yet your comment "intrigues me".

 

[Nellyb78]

Mr D,

Look at the second paragraph of my previous response. I hope this clears my intentions up. I don't know your niece (I'm sure she is lovely- if indeed mute); however, I'm assuming she isn't posting on Facebook about important stuff- the MeToo movement, Brexit, Weapons of Mass Destruction etc- (if she is anything like the teens I know) as she most likely feels as if no one is really listening (aside from her close friends that she has added).

Moreover, I don't really see it possible to express one's views "too much". I'd love to hear your reasoning behind this statement.

 

[Nellyb78]

Mark and Mr D,

I'm not trying to 'go in' on you in some 'beef' or feud. To be honest, your comments have been food for thought as to whether I have something realistically fruitful here. I still think I have- you have not deterred me. (Although I would love your response to my individual replies to your given comments). Because who doesn't love a bit of beef (even if- I hope- it isn't real).

 

[Nellyb78]

That's not why people use instagram.

Except for me. And most teenagers I know (and those I don't judging by my research). Thanks for your original (constructive and helpful) comment; but it just feels like your trying to go in on some teenager just for the kicks right now. Don't worry, I don't really care- I'm not taking it personal. It was just the vibe I got.

 

[Leo Salazar]

I didn't post this for a political debate as to why socialism is or isn't flawed; or whether teens are 'all socialists' as you presume.

Thank you. I found Mark's comment jarringly inappropriate

 

[Mark T Jones]

Mark,

I didn't post this for a political debate as to why socialism is or isn't flawed; or whether teens are 'all socialists' as you presume. What I asked for was structured advice about whether or not the 'Promote' feature on Instagram was effective.

Anyway, I think I may have been a little ambiguous in my wording- I accept responsibility for this. what I am trying to say is there is nowhere for young people to express their views where anyone will listen. They can comment on a post and that's it- no one cares or sees this. What I'm trying to do is just give a place where these people's views are broadcasted to an audience. Most teenagers can't resonate with Andrew Marr or Piers Morgan, so aren't compelled to interact with their shows. All I'm trying to do is give teenagers a place that they feel comfortable interacting with and getting their views put forward to an audience. I'm not trying to create the next Facebook (at the moment ).

On your comments (which are quite frankly ignorant) about all teenagers being socialists, I think this exemplifies my point entirely. Middle-aged citizens have these shows which generalises (and thus alienates) young people by labelling with these terms (like them being out of touch with reality). Why would a young person interact with shows like these? Maybe it is, indeed, you who is out of touch with reality- with your close-minded state of generalisation and refusal to look at different perspectives. To be honest, I didn't want to play this 'debate' card; yet your comment "intrigues me".

It’s a shame you chose to misquote me (;twice) - what I actually said was ‘so many of them are socialists ‘. Here are a couple of facts

1. Socialist leaders always target the student and young person vote - there is a good reason for that - a disproportionate number of young people lean to the left

2. Within 5 years of going out to work, well over half of them will have moved significantly to the right

This has happened certainly for the last century and possibly since the dawn of time

You chose to be offended, I just see it as an observation on the stages of life

In the context if your question, the efficacy of any form of promotion, whether a billboard or a button will depend on your capacity to resonate with a target audience. If you’ve established that your target audience are mostly on instagram, that’s a positive step - but you still have to stand out, to resonate. In the context of serious debate/opinions this will largely rely on either challenging or championing their beliefs.

 

[fisicx]

Except for me. And most teenagers I know (and those I don't judging by my research). Thanks for your original (constructive and helpful) comment; but it just feels like your trying to go in on some teenager just for the kicks right now.

There are millions of instagram users. The vast majority don’t use it express or share their feelings. They use it to post pictures.

Let’s return to your original question. What exactly are you promoting? Who is going to see this content? How will they realise it’s the opening for a discussion? How will this then lead people to a podcast? Do your peers listen to podcasts? What happens next?

I admire your ambition to create a portal for teenagers to share, comment and express their views but Instagram isn’t the right place for this. There is too much clutter and noise. Twitter might be a better platform but even then you will struggle to get noticed.

 

[obscure]

So the original question - does promotion work?

My response based on my own tests and on a few discussions with others is No. My reasons...

1. You want to use it for initial audience building prior to service launch. Why would anyone become a follower of a service that basically doesn't exists yet?
2. It is a visual platform for image sharing not a discussion platform.

IMO you would be much better off on Twitter or some other discussion based platform.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Thank you. I found Mark's comment jarringly inappropriate

Thank you. Can i have your permission to quote this in my signature?

 

[Annoying Donkey]

Why would anyone become a follower of a service that basically doesn't exists yet?

For a promise...
Why do you think stores advertise their future opening date...?

 

[Mr D]

Mr D,

Look at the second paragraph of my previous response. I hope this clears my intentions up. I don't know your niece (I'm sure she is lovely- if indeed mute); however, I'm assuming she isn't posting on Facebook about important stuff- the MeToo movement, Brexit, Weapons of Mass Destruction etc- (if she is anything like the teens I know) as she most likely feels as if no one is really listening (aside from her close friends that she has added).

Moreover, I don't really see it possible to express one's views "too much". I'd love to hear your reasoning behind this statement.

At a dozen posts on social media she is pretty mute.
Her older brother usually clocked up a few hundred just a couple of years back.

I am surprised you think those topics are of importance. Possibly you are right but equally as likely there are many other topics of importance. Even business is of importance to some teens.


Still not sure how you are making a place for teens to have an audience. Perhaps with a few hundred million in marketing you could push forward such a place.
Otherwise the thousands of existing places will keep their custom.

Expressing views too much?
I was asking if they appear to be doing it too much. I have no idea what too much for you would be.

 

[Mr D]

Mark and Mr D,

I'm not trying to 'go in' on you in some 'beef' or feud. To be honest, your comments have been food for thought as to whether I have something realistically fruitful here. I still think I have- you have not deterred me. (Although I would love your response to my individual replies to your given comments). Because who doesn't love a bit of beef (even if- I hope- it isn't real).

Rather baffled by this.

 

[Paralabs]

If you are looking for promote any kind of things on Instagram you should have lots of followers but at a starting point i have just few peoples but after that i know about Instalex pro and i used it and now i am getting lots of likes and comments on my promotion pics and videos.

 

[Nellyb78]

If you are looking for promote any kind of things on Instagram you should have lots of followers but at a starting point i have just few peoples but after that i know about Instalex pro and i used it and now i am getting lots of likes and comments on my promotion pics and videos.

Ok, is this an app? I'll check it out seeing as you are having success with it. Cheers.

 

[Nellyb78]

Mark,

Sorry for the misquote and overall emotional response- it was very late after a 'whirlwind' night. I take your points into consideration about socialism as an epidemic; however, I will not adddress them publicly. If you want to message me regarding the issue and have a healthy debate, then fine- I'd be happy to do so.

Your advice is sage, and is taken into consideration. Upon comments from fisicx and obscure, I think I will go for a double pronged strategy- using both Twitter and Instagram. Instagram will probably be used to generate hype for the show- with behind-the-scenes footage and such; whilst Twitter will actually be used to garner content for the show and engage discussion. Cheers.

 

[Nellyb78]

For a promise...
Why do you think stores advertise their future opening date...?

Yeah, my above message to Mark clears this up. I'm going to recalibrate my strategy and use Instagram to generate hype before launch with more visual content.

 

[Nellyb78]

Rather baffled by this.

Same! Just felt upon reflection I got a little too riled up. This was just an (attempted) funny way to apologise.

 

[Nellyb78]

Mr D,

The thing is- there is literally no show, social media account which broadcasts simply young people's views.

On the topics, these were just those that came off the cusp of my head based on what topics I (as a teen) am interested in. If there seems to be an interest in business- then sure, we'll cover it and get people's opinions on this.

Hope this clears my reasoning up.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Mark,

Sorry for the misquote and overall emotional response- it was very late after a 'whirlwind' night. I take your points into consideration about socialism as an epidemic; however, I will not adddress them publicly. If you want to message me regarding the issue and have a healthy debate, then fine- I'd be happy to do so.
.

You could start a discussion on socialism in the Time Out section. It’s the type of debate you are likely to come across with your platform.

 

[billybob99]

Hey!

I'm looking to build up an Instagram following for an account running in tandem with a podcast I'm running. I'm trying to get a social media presence before release, so what's my best means of promotion? The Instagram 'Promote' function is glaringly obvious; yet I was wondering if this is actually decent for getting followers.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Why are you asking a bunch of people who have never likely used this and are just going to give you a bunch of reasons why it won't work.

This is the last place on earth you would want to come to asking for validation. You are better off going to YouTube and watching some real examples that got some real results.

 

[Mr D]

Mr D,

The thing is- there is literally no show, social media account which broadcasts simply young people's views.

On the topics, these were just those that came off the cusp of my head based on what topics I (as a teen) am interested in. If there seems to be an interest in business- then sure, we'll cover it and get people's opinions on this.

Hope this clears my reasoning up.

I came across some of my university classmates on studentrooms before I started uni. Lots of young people on there. Including a large dosage of socialism from lifetime socialists (OK they are teenagers and recent teens).


https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/

Those who use twitter tell me that lots of teenagers (or people who identify as teenagers) use it. Following their idols, responding to campaigns, complaining about stuff, commenting on media stories that may or may not be real and so on.