The global epidemic has expedited what was already in motion, which was a movement away from idealistic depictions of the world towards more realistic ones.
More than ever, audiences want genuineness from the people they follow; if they can’t relate to the creator, they won’t appreciate or value the stuff they put out. Instagram stars and regular users alike are starting to share more genuine content.
When it comes to Instagram, what’s new? Since its start a decade ago, the photo-sharing network and its users have come a long way. Examining the tactics employed by influential people on social media can provide us insight into the future of this sector of the economy.
1. First, there is less of an emphasis on absolute excellence.
Young influencers are gradually putting less effort into the content they publish, which goes against the highly polished Instagram look with which many of us are used. Many users like their posts to appear more candid and in-the-moment, so they upload photos and videos straight from their phone’s gallery without making many, if any, changes.
Photos may be altered, with various adjustments made to make the subject appear older or more like themselves. Including grain is a common option. If you have the correct photo editing software, you can quickly and easily get this appearance by applying filters and manipulating the colours in your image. But, it’s not a bad idea to be technically savvy and pick the appropriate image size when posting to your feed or Stories.
Give yourself some latitude when organising social media postings, but remember to put out more professional-looking photo sets for items or cross-channel marketing materials.
The same holds true for Instagram comments. Users no longer feel the need to be so formal when writing out captions, and instead focus on whether someone has anything to communicate rather than how long their description is.
2. Inward contentment trumps outward appearance
Differences in colour filters and photo posing aren’t the only ways in which millennials and Gen Z Instagrammers see the world differently. Blogger Venkatash Rao calls the new attitude “domestic cosy,” speculating that it arose because today’s kids are maturing in a fearful and uncertain era, marked by climate change and economic uncertainty.
Provide real-time updates on the planning and execution of events you’re involved with, or highlight staff going about their daily tasks. More people are paying attention to how brands treat their employees in general and frontline and vital workers in particular as a result of the current epidemic. You may engage with interested topic by highlighting the communities that have formed around your business.
3. Originality reigns supreme
They have learnt to look beyond and be sceptical of the initial impression they receive on the internet, since members of Generation Z are always on the lookout for the truth. A significant attribute of Gen Z customers, according to a report by the McKinsey Global Institute, is that they place such a premium on individual expression and value that they make analytical, pragmatic choices regarding the brands they support.
4. Show that you value diversity.
You’d be surprised by the diversity of Instagram’s user base until you saw the facts underlying the app’s demographics. With over 30 million users apiece, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and Turkey are among the top five nations for users, behind only the United States.
The research showed that people not only want more personalised services, but are also more willing to buy into firms that celebrate their unique identities.
Where is the Instagram relevance here? They place a premium on being an honest representation of the brand. A brand’s goal, vision, and fundamental values must all be in sync with the products and activities it offers in order to appeal to Instagram’s most cutting-edge users. User-generated material is a great method to emphasise this point.
How should I apply what I’ve learned?
What proportion of your current social media approach needs to be revised? That’s not always the case. You may still use the material you’ve previously prepared to monetize your Instagram account. There are still many of professionally edited photographs on Instagram, and premeditated visual material (like infographics or newsletter illustrations) is always useful. In addition, you may get a sense of what is working with your Instagram approach by looking at the demographics of your audience and your prior social media reports.
Instagram aesthetic changes don’t always translate to other fields. Accounts devoted to specialised fields, such as manufacturing, are less likely to use cell phone images and informal discussion.
But, Instagram is continually evolving in response to user feedback, so although you may not have to completely rethink your strategy right now, it’s helpful to have an idea of where the platform is headed. Recalibrate your plan to reflect the new realities of the times we live in. Always be on the lookout for new chances, study the habits of Instagram’s most followed users, and adapt quickly to market shifts.