Instagram Live: Ideas for Small Businesses

Small businesses are increasing more than ever nowadays. The digital world is making a comeback and there is an increase in finances and influence. What better way to market your business than through social media. Speaking of social media, what about the well-known app, Instagram. According to statistics, more than 100 million people watch Instagram live every day! That says a lot more than just the average strategies for increasing income for a small business. Instagram is a social media platform that can be used by everyday people like you to make your own business. Instagram Live is a video feed that records in real-time. It is a highly effective strategy to market your business.

 

Instagram Live Stats 2022

• Among the 28% of live social media viewers, 13% watch Instagram Live
• 26% of Gen Zs and Millennials watched live streaming on Instagram
• live streaming on Instagram
• 14% of marketers posted live videos on Instagram Live during 2021
• 28% of Instagram live video investment from digital creators in 2020 marketing strategy

 

How to Use Instagram Live

The popularity of Instagram video content is growing, so the platform offers several video formats so that every business can create the right video content for their target audience as seen in the list!

1. Instagram feed videos that can be between 3 and 60 seconds in length appear on the main feed as regular posts.
2. Instagram Story videos are up to 15 seconds in length and have a vertical format for a separate feed with ephemeral content that disappears within 24 hours.
3. Instagram Reels have soundtracked clips that can have a length between 3 and 30-second and they appear on the main feed or on the explore page in a vertical format.
4. Instagram Live is a type of video content in real-time that can be up to 60 minutes.

How to Connect With Your Followers

Putting yourself out there on Instagram live could pose a challenge, but it is okay to be vulnerable. Just don't share any personal information that you’ll regret later!  Show emotion and be real with your feelings, make your audience feel seen and heard. Talk to them as you would a friend. You still have to remain professional though. It would be a little weird if you just started crying uncontrollably or sharing information that you will regret later. More than anything…be YOU! 

Ask and Reflect

You can ask your audience for something you would like to share and have the main theme in mind with a Q&A session. Don’t be scared of who doesn’t show up or if you feel like you are not getting the main points covered. Make a poll beforehand and ask your audience some questions that they specifically would like covered. As far as your audience, it might be a little hard to gain traction at first, but with consistency, you’ll get somewhere. Your live stream doesn’t have to be too long or too short. Find a time frame you would like to work in whether it is 5 minutes or over an hour, let your audience have their voice heard, and most importantly, your voice as well. That’s why Instagram Live poses itself as highly valuable and useful.

Activities 

Got a product you’d like to promote? Well, how about…you guessed it! Another live stream! Whether it's a new coffee maker or an onion cutter it is best to have the product demonstrated and let your audience know the cool new product you have for them! Expand your reach for your small business one step at a time using live stream and slowly watch your business grow. It also helps if you ask your audience for some feedback on the product to see what all needs there are to be made. 

The Run Through

You can also show the process or steps of how your product works. Your live stream shows how to use the product! If it is how to put a bracelet together or how to make a bookshelf or even something digital, your live stream will go a long way. Set the camera toward your work of art and either make a commentary for steps of the use of the product or just use some background music. It works in any field, so just have fun with it!

Make This Personal

Get to the heart of your business campaign. When you share something from your heart it really moves your audience and sometimes more than the product itself. Live streaming is a good way to let your audience in the loop and get to know you, as a business owner, a little better. Make it relatable to your business without getting sidetracked. Instagram Live Streaming is the next best thing to face-to-face meetings. Since you can’t be in person, live streaming is the way to go to get in touch with your audience, who can’t wait to see you and your product!

Why Instagram Live Will Skyrocket in the Future

How can your small business thrive with Instagram Live? The answer is simple, as Instagram skyrockets in the near future so does the creator-business partnership. Instagram is more reliable than celebrity endorsements as your Instagram is there for your followers 24/7. Instagram Live is a good way to connect to your followers to help them with their needs and present your product to your wonderful fans. 

 

For more tips, advice, and strategies on all things marketing and branding, check out the rest of Power Move Marketing's blogs.

 

 

Author: Prisca Simon