It’s easy, quick and currently the fastest-growing social network. So how do you tap into its 200 million active monthly users and get them to give you their mortgage business?
Instagram is the king of social engagement with its users interacting with more branded content than any other social media platform. It’s also the fastest-growing and has more than 200 million active monthly users.
A 2014 Forrester Research study shows that top brands’ Instagram posts generated a per-follower engagement rate of 4.2%. That means Instagram delivered these brands 58 times more engagement per follower than Facebook, and 120 times more engagement per follower than Twitter.
So how can you reach these super-engaged users?
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First, let’s take a look at what Instagram is – a free mobile photo- and video-sharing app. The social media platform enables its users to take pictures and videos and share them on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Flickr.
Some other things you should know about Instagram is that approximately 68% of its users are female, while 32% are male. Also, the app is a big hit among the millennial generation, with 90% of its users under the age of 35.
Here’s how you can use it:
Use it for referrals. - Upload photos of your satisfied borrowers and don’t be afraid to ask borrowers to tag you in their photos.
And here are five more great things you can do with it:
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Answer questions. The mortgage industry can be a confusing place for borrowers, especially prospective first-time homebuyers. Use Instagram to answer questions that you are commonly asked. Text for Instagram is a free fun app that lets you transform you text into visual appealing Instagram photos.
Promote your products. Show off your expertise or any new programs.
And it's also great for branding you as a person. Just try this:
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Humanize your brand. Show that you’re not a robot and post photos of an office event or a quirky co-worker’s desk. This is also a good way to promote recent job postings.
And it doesn't always have to be about business:
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Keep it light. Instagram users love cute things, like animals. Post photos of pets visiting the office, pets in ad campaigns or borrowers with their pets.
Instagram lets you become your customers' source for the latest mortgage information. Here's how:
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Stay up-to-date. The mortgage industry is one that is constantly changing. Keep your followers up-to-date with the latest information about new loan products and regulations.
When posting to Instagram, remember these guidelines:
- Keep your post short and to the point
- Post consistently and often
- Keep the conversation going by asking questions
- Use hashtags
How does your company use social media to boost your business? Any tips to generate leads through Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter? Share your strategies in the comments below.
