Instagram Web Profiles Provide Excellent Marketing Opportunity

It seems like Instagram was the hottest apps this year. They started off being the most talked about once they were bought by Google and they have continue strong throughout the year. Especially with this new Marketing opportunity now unveiled.

I've been ignoring this until now... But because of your post, I am on it!  Thank you!!!

I really want to get into using Instagram, and those new profiles are pretty dang cool. I just need this phone contract to expire and quickly so I can finally transition from this stupid, stupid dumb phone.

And once I do, It'll be one of my goals to start integrating Instagram into our marketing program so we can bring the prospect of foster care adoption and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption to a much younger crowd. After all, younger people are starting to think about adoption as a way to start families because of their outlook on the future of our planet.

One of the first things I noticed is how the larger viewing area makes quality a much bigger issue than it was before. On a small screen you don't notice some of the "wrinkles" but on the bigger one...

I am curious to see if this impacts how people use it.

Love the concept...have been a very peripheral Instagram user so far but  I'm going to give it a more serious try.  I always love trying out new ideas that grab people's attention.  So FB and Twitter friends, be forewarned....testing one two three...

Your qualifier is key -IF. I'm following an old favorite recording artist on Instagram, as well as I product which, quite frankly, I wasn't that into until I saw their mostly unrelated Instagram pictures. If people keep in mind the differences in the new media environment, it can work.

Overt "marketing" is tricky on IG. However, once you've built a fan base, they tend to be VERY loyal and supportive of your causes. Obviously, IG will be better suited toward companies who can create visually appealing content (as Ken said). Although, since there's no way to link your posts, it's highly unlikely instagram will seriously threaten your beloved Pinterest.

I agree with @KenMueller - if you're a tourist area, have people send photos of themselves enjoying the beauty and wonder of your locale. Clothing company? People showing off cool ways they've used your (pants/scarves/shoes/tops) in an outfit! Restaurant? Well that's an obvious one, but you could then do "pic of the week" from people who have visited and posted pics of your amazing food? Or maybe even have tried to recreate your dishes themselves at home. The possibilities are endless! But you have to engage the consumer, and make it about THEM. 

Businesses really need to start taking a more serious look at  Instagram and Pinterest. The visual, sharing, and user generated content elements can really be quite important. 

 @patrickwagner (They were bought by Facebook). It isn't a surprise Facebook is using them to make their mobile app better. And they are using Facebook to gain more mass appeal.

 @geoffliving It's kind of cool. YOU will love it!

 @Anthony_Rodriguez I love that idea. 

 @Anthony_Rodriguez YES!! And the best way to get people to adopt? Photos.

 @Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes That is a great point. One I hadn't considered...or noticed.

 @Joshua Wilner/A Writer Writes Great point Josh. 

 @SocialMediaDDS You must have office time today. I see you've commented on several Spin Sucks posts! I love Instagram, but like you, I don't use it very much. I maybe post something once a week.

 @Tinu IF is right!

 @TonyBennett I think this is the way it's going to go, though. Facebook is looking for more ways to monetize and this is the lowest hanging fruit.

 @belllindsay  When I wrote the blog post, I was looking for brands that use it really well and Nike was one that kept showing up. I know I would totally post pictures of myself in my Nike gear while riding or doing pilates.

 @belllindsay  @KenMueller Agreed. When I spoke at a PRSA conference a few months ago, I was asked what trends I thought people should look out for and I said all things visual. Pictures are becoming a default mode of sorting and understanding the large amount of information we're exposed to every day. Even if your product isn't visually stimulating, I love seeing "behind the scenes." I think it's a great way for customers to connect with the brands they love.

Lindsay, did you see the restaurant that made an Instagram menu?! Genius!! 

 @KenMueller The push-back I always get is, "We don't have anything visual to show." But that's just not true. Even our oxidizer client has something visual to show.

 @ginidietrich If you mean photos of kids that is something my Foundation doesn't do. We instead search for the best family for the kid rather than the other way around. So we have to get creative with how we would use Instagram.

 @belllindsay  I learned from personal experience on this one.

 @ginidietrich You would.....???? 

 @yvettepistorio  @KenMueller Ohhh, that's a GREAT idea!! 

 @ginidietrich not to mention for the umpteenth gazillion time, it doesn't have to be all about you. Not everything has to be you and your product.

 @ginidietrich  @belllindsay Yep. Our recruiters are at adoption agencies, but the kids they work with are not listed as being in the Wendy's Wonderful Kids program.

 @ginidietrich  @Anthony_Rodriguez I know, it's terrible that the first thing people think about these days is the creep factor, eh? What have we come to. 

 @belllindsay  @Anthony_Rodriguez Really? Most adoption agencies and DCFS post photos of kids on their websites. 

 @Anthony_Rodriguez  @ginidietrich I was a little concerned about the creep factor. 

 @belllindsay You kill me! LOL!

 @ginidietrich That's cause you're fit. No one would be seeing my sausage thighs. :D 

 @belllindsay TOTALLY!!!!!!!!

 @belllindsay  @KenMueller Mouthwatering too... http://www.mediabistro.com/prnewser/nyc-restaurant-debuts-instagram-menu_b47699