Getting Verified on Instagram is a sign of prestige, and only the most prominent and influential users will ever achieve it.
This is the one elusive social media status symbol that cannot be purchased: the incredibly valuable and highly coveted Instagram verified emblem.
It can be extremely difficult to get Instagram verified. Although other social networks, including Instagram owner Facebook, have comparable verification or status symbols, none have the same requirements as Instagram. Your Instagram account must have a bio, a profile photo, and at least one post to be verified. You must be public because private accounts cannot be verified, period.
Three-quarters of Instagram accounts with over 1.1 million followers had a verification badge when we analyzed the platform last year. Less than one-quarter of the accounts with 100,000 to one million followers were verified. Less than one percent of accounts with between one thousand and five thousand followers were verified.
Why get verified on Instagram?
As your Instagram profile grows, you will want to become verified to distinguish yourself from the competition. Verified accounts are perceived as more reliable than unverified ones and have an average 30% higher engagement rate.
Verification is crucial because:
It prevents impersonation. The purpose of the verification badge is to ensure that account holders are who they claim to be. The blue check on your profile indicates to visitors and followers that you are not a phony account.
It imparts credibility. As Instagram users learn that you represent a legitimate business, you gain credibility and trust. The blue checkmark is also a status symbol that indicates to other users that your account is worth following, and grants you access to additional features.
Swipe Up is one of the most sought-after features among brands and influencers. Sharing links in Instagram Stories can increase engagement and conversions, thereby improving your Instagram marketing. Normally, you would need at least 10,000 followers to use this feature, but if you are verified, you can use it regardless of your follower count.
Verified accounts are prioritized in search results. If your account is verified and Instagram users search for content in your category, you will rank higher in search results, increasing the likelihood of gaining new followers directly from search results and expanding brand awareness.
The good news is that applying to be Instagram-verified is incredibly simple, but approval can be challenging.
Instagram's policies are crystal clear regarding the eligibility requirements your account must fulfil:
Authentic. Therefore, you must be a real individual, a public figure, or a registered business. You'll need business documents and identification to prove your identity.
Unique. You cannot have multiple accounts for the same individual or organization (except for language-specific accounts). Additionally, Instagram does not verify general interest (such as memes) or admirer accounts.
Complete. Your Instagram profile must be public, have a bio, a profile photograph, and be active in order to be considered. You can interpret "Be active" to indicate that you regularly post, share, or comment on content.
Notable. This is the most difficult portion that the majority of people struggle with. Your account name must represent a "well-known, highly searched for" person or brand to be notable. Instagram evaluates accounts that are featured in multiple news sources, but not content that is paid for or promotional.
How to become Instagram-verified
Instagram's verification procedure is straightforward. Follow these steps to apply if you believe you've met the above requirements:
Launch Instagram and navigate to your profile.
From your profile page, select Settings by tapping the hamburger icon (three horizontal lines) in the upper-right corner.
At the bottom of your settings page, you'll find the option to Request Verification.
From there, you must enter information about your business, such as:
Your complete name (or business name), which must be supported by a photo ID such as a driver's license or business documents such as business registration papers or utility invoices (for physical stores).
Notoriety, which is validated by selecting your industry category and intended audience. You must also identify brand names by which you may also or alternatively be known.
Links that assist in validating your notability. Here you can link to other verified social media accounts, if you have them, as well as news or press releases featuring your brand, your website, and any other (non-promotional) links you deem relevant.
Hit Submit and congrats: you've sent off your request. Within thirty days, Instagram will indicate in your Activity feed whether or not your application was approved. If so, you will immediately receive the Instagram verification emblem.
Before you submit your application for the coveted blue badge, keep the following guidelines in mind to increase your chances of obtaining an Instagram verified account:
Do not purchase a badge
Gain genuine followers
Complete your profile; abide by the community's rules;
Seek publicity
Under no circumstances does Instagram permit verified badges to be bought, sold, or otherwise transferred. If you see an account that advertises the ability to obtain one for free or for a "small fee", do not fall victim to the fraud.
Nickel and Dime Your Way to Success
5 Effective Strategies to Increase Business Revenues on Instagram
In today's digital age, social media platforms have become powerful tools for businesses to connect with their target audience and drive revenue. Among these platforms, Instagram has emerged as a frontrunner, with over one billion active monthly users. Its visual appeal and highly engaged user base make it an ideal platform for businesses to showcase their products or services, build brand awareness, and ultimately increase their revenues. In this article, we will explore five effective strategies that businesses can employ to maximize their success on Instagram.
Understanding the Concept of "Nickel and Dime" Strategies
The term "nickel and dime" refers to the practice of making incremental changes or investments that, over time, accumulate into significant gains. When applied to Instagram marketing, this concept involves implementing small yet impactful strategies that collectively contribute to business growth. These strategies focus on leveraging the unique features and capabilities of the platform to engage with followers, attract new customers, and ultimately drive sales.
Strategy 1: Creating Compelling and Visually Appealing Content
The foundation of any successful Instagram marketing campaign lies in the creation of compelling and visually appealing content. As a visually-driven platform, Instagram thrives on eye-catching images and videos that captivate users' attention. To stand out from the crowd and attract potential customers, businesses should invest in high-quality photography or videography that showcases their products or services in the best possible light.
Additionally, employing a consistent brand aesthetic and voice helps to establish a strong brand identity and build trust with followers.
To optimize engagement, businesses should also pay attention to the captions accompanying their posts. A well-crafted caption can provide valuable context, tell a story, or spark conversation, encouraging followers to like, comment, and share the content. Utilizing relevant hashtags can further increase discoverability and reach, allowing businesses to connect with a wider audience.
Strategy 2: Leveraging Instagram Stories for Increased Engagement
Instagram Stories have become a popular feature on the platform, with over 500 million daily active users. These ephemeral posts offer businesses an opportunity to showcase behind-the-scenes content, exclusive sneak peeks, and time-sensitive promotions. The interactive nature of Instagram Stories, with features such as polls, quizzes, and question boxes, allows businesses to engage directly with their audience and gather valuable feedback.
To make the most of Instagram Stories, businesses should aim for a mix of entertaining and informative content. This could include tutorials, product demonstrations, customer testimonials, or even a "day in the life" of the business. By consistently posting engaging and relevant Stories, businesses can keep their followers coming back for more, increasing brand loyalty and ultimately driving sales.
Strategy 3: Utilizing Influencer Marketing to Reach a Wider Audience
Influencer marketing has become a powerful tool for businesses to expand their reach and tap into new customer segments. By partnering with influencers who align with their brand values and target audience, businesses can leverage their followers' trust and influence to promote their products or services.
When selecting influencers, it is essential to consider not only their follower count but also their engagement rates and authenticity. Micro-influencers, with a smaller but highly engaged following, can often yield better results than macro-influencers. Additionally, businesses should work closely with influencers to develop authentic and creative content that seamlessly integrates their brand message.
Strategy 4: Running Instagram Contests and Giveaways to Drive Sales
Instagram contests and giveaways are an effective way to generate buzz, increase followers, and drive sales. By offering a desirable prize or exclusive discount, businesses can incentivize users to engage with their brand and share the contest with their followers, thus expanding their reach.
To run a successful contest or giveaway, businesses should clearly outline the rules, duration, and entry requirements. Encouraging user-generated content, such as asking participants to share a photo or tag a friend, can help increase engagement and virality. Additionally, promoting the contest through other marketing channels, such as email newsletters or blog posts, can further amplify its reach and impact.
Strategy 5: Implementing Effective Call-to-Actions to Convert Followers into Customers
While building a strong Instagram presence is crucial, the ultimate goal for businesses is to convert followers into paying customers. This is where effective call-to-actions (CTAs) come into play. CTAs prompt users to take a specific action, such as visiting a website, making a purchase, or signing up for a newsletter.
To optimize the conversion rate, businesses should strategically place CTAs in their Instagram bio, captions, and Stories. Utilizing compelling language and offering incentives, such as limited-time discounts or free shipping, can further motivate users to take action.
Tracking and analyzing the performance of different CTAs allows businesses to refine their approach and continually improve their conversion rates.
Case Studies of Businesses That Successfully Implemented These Strategies
To illustrate the effectiveness of these strategies, let's take a look at a few real-life examples:
A fashion brand consistently creates visually stunning content that showcases their latest collection. By utilizing Instagram Stories to provide exclusive behind-the-scenes peeks and running contests to win a shopping spree, they have successfully built a loyal following and increased their sales by 25% within six months.
A fitness influencer partners with relevant fitness brands to promote their products on Instagram. Through authentic and engaging content, they have gained a highly engaged following of fitness enthusiasts, leading to a 30% increase in affiliate sales.
An e-commerce business regularly incorporates compelling CTAs in their Instagram posts and Stories. By offering exclusive discounts and limited-time promotions, they have successfully converted their followers into customers, resulting in a 20% increase in online sales.
Analyzing the Impact of These Strategies on Business Revenues
Implementing these strategies on Instagram can have a significant impact on a business's revenues. By consistently creating compelling content, engaging with their audience through Instagram Stories, utilizing influencer marketing, running contests and giveaways, and implementing effective CTAs, businesses can attract new customers, increase brand loyalty, and ultimately drive sales.
It is essential to track and measure the performance of these strategies using Instagram's built-in analytics or third-party tools. By monitoring metrics such as engagement rate, reach, website clicks, and conversion rate, businesses can identify what works best for their audience and make data-driven decisions to optimize their Instagram marketing efforts.
Conclusion: Taking Your Business to the Next Level with Instagram Marketing
Instagram offers businesses a powerful platform to showcase their products or services, engage with their target audience, and increase their revenues. By implementing the five strategies outlined in this article - creating compelling content, leveraging Instagram Stories, utilizing influencer marketing, running contests and giveaways, and implementing effective CTAs - businesses can maximize their success on Instagram and take their business to the next level.
Remember, success on Instagram does not happen overnight. It requires consistent effort, experimentation, and a deep understanding of your target audience. By continuously refining your strategies based on data and feedback, you can build a strong presence on Instagram and drive sustainable business growth.
Now is the time to embrace the power of Instagram and start nickel and diming your way to success!