In ‘How to Use Instagram for Your LNC Business Part 1’, we talked about the importance of keeping your brand and message consistent across all platforms you use. Additionally, we discussed how to make your LNC Instagram goals big enough to make a difference in your LNC business.
In this post, learn how to use Instagram to research your competitors and how to use IGTV videos that get noticed. Take advantage of knowing what your competitors are doing to stay relevant and seen.
How to Use Instagram for Research
One very important note -I am not talking about stealing ideas or copying/pasting text or images from their website. Instead, simply be inspired by what others are doing.
Create a spreadsheet or table to organize your research. of what other LNCs are doing. Explore their website sand their social platforms and keep these questions in mind:
- What are they doing that appears to be working?
- What isn’t working?
- What can you do better?
- How often are they engaging on their social platforms?
- Do they use Instagram?
- Do they use other platforms?
When choosing which competitors to look at, compare apples to apples. Start by comparing who serves the same market. Knowing your competition allows you the opportunity to learn what’s working and what’s not.
Go Deeper in Your Research
Next, see who has been in business longer than you and has a solid Instagram following. Add the following questions to your research spreadsheet:
- How often do they post?
- What type of content do they share?
- What format (written copy, video, audio, etc.) do they use?
- What are some of their strategies?
- Do you think those strategies can be modified to work with your target market?
How to Use Instagram Using Video
IGTV stands for Instagram TV and you can compare this feature to YouTube. Anyone with an Instagram account can post a pre-recorded video to IGTV and then promote it to get more views.
Unlike Live video, IGTV doesn’t allow for live interaction. Instead, your engagement comes from likes, shares, and comments left while viewers watch the video.
What kind of videos work best?
The vertical format is a must for IGTV, and they allow videos up to 60 minutes long, provided it’s uploaded via computer or the web. Note that uploading via mobile the allowed length is only 15 minutes.
In terms of what type of videos your audience will like, that will be something for you to experiment with. IGTV suggests original content made specifically for IGTV. Showcase your personality doing what you love.
If you have favorite Insta people you follow, you can tap the search icon in the app and if they participate on IGTV, you’ll see their name on the result list.
Video Tips
Learn some basic video tips to make your videos stand out. First, always check your lighting, whether you’re talking on camera yourself, conducting an interview, or recording something outside. Shadows or bad lighting are newbie mistakes and take away from the quality of your video.
Also, plan your location. Look at your backdrop and determine if that will be distracting or charming. Don’t be afraid to add a wall tapestry or to move outdoors. Don’t start recording if the neighbor has their lawn mower running. Filming outside when it’s windy or near construction or other high-traffic noise is tricky if you don’t have a microphone. Chances are you’ll hear the wind instead of your voice so test first before spending significant time recording.
Most of all, choose topics you’re passionate about. What excites you and invigorates you? What could you talk about every single day? Those are the topics that you can develop into a video series or that will showcase your personality.
In conclusion, use Instagram as a social media platform to showcase you and your LNC business. Learning how to use Instagram can be a powerful addition to your marketing strategy.
Join us October 27, 28 and 29, 2022 for some in-depth content on video marketing at our LNC Success Conference. I share what you need to know to add this marketing technique to your business. Get your seat here.
Pat Iyer is president of The Pat Iyer Group, which develops resources to assist LNCs in obtaining more clients, making more money, and achieving their business goals and dreams.
Pat’s related websites include the continuing education provided on LNCEU.com, the podcasts broadcast at podcast.legalnursebusiness.com, and writing tips supplied at patiyer.com.
Get all of Pat’s content in one place by downloading the mobile app, Expert Edu at www.legalnursebusiness.com/expertedu. Watch videos, listen to podcasts, read blogs, watch online courses and training, and more.