What you’ll learn…
Introduction
Combining social media platforms can be an effective way to expand your reach and increase engagement with your content. Pairing Instagram and LinkedIn conjointly can lead to impressive results, as these two platforms volunteer unique benefits that complement each other. LinkedIn is a networking platform that connects you with industry professionals, and Instagram is a visual platform that showcases your brand and personality. By combining the two, you create a powerful online presence that captures the attention of an always growing audience while connecting you with like minds within your industry.
Differences between Instagram and LinkedIn
Instagram and LinkedIn are two social media platforms with different types of content and direct audiences. Instagram is primarily a visual platform that allows users to share photos and videos, while LinkedIn is a professional networking platform that focuses on business and career-related content.
Brief history of Instagram and LinkedIn
Instagram was launched in 2010 as a photo-sharing app and was later acquired by Facebook in 2012. Today, Instagram has over two billion monthly active users, and has become the go-to platform for people and brands to showcase their visual content.
LinkedIn, on the other hand, was founded in 2002 and is notable as the world’s largest professional networking platform. With over 900 million members worldwide, LinkedIn offers individuals and businesses the power to connect, promote, and highlight their professional working experience.
Target audience of Instagram and LinkedIn
The target audience for Instagram tends to be young and more visually-oriented. According to Statista, 33% of Instagram users are between the ages of 18-24, and 22% fall within the ages 25-34. Additionally, Instagram has a slightly higher female member base, with 57% of users that identify as female.
LinkedIn’s main user-base is more professional and career-focused. LinkedIn studies show that over 70% of its users are from within the US, and that 61% of its users are ages 25-34. What’s interesting is that LinkedIn’s target audience divides fairly evenly between male and female users.
Type of content shared on Instagram and LinkedIn
Instagram’s content is for the most part visual, with users sharing photos and videos that showcase their brand, products, or services. Additionally, Instagram’s features, such as Instagram Stories and Reels, allow users to create short-form content that is engaging and easy to consume.
LinkedIn’s content, on the other hand, is tailored for a more professional and career-oriented person. Users share content such as job postings, career advice, business news, and thought leadership pieces. LinkedIn also offers features such as LinkedIn Learning and LinkedIn Live, which allow users to develop their professional skills with other professionals in their industry.
While Instagram and LinkedIn have different target audiences and types of content, merging these two platform strategies together can help you expand your brand and connect with both visually-oriented and professional audiences.
How to integrate Instagram and LinkedIn
Integrating Instagram and LinkedIn is a powerful way to build your online presence and reach a wider audience. Here are several important steps to take if you want to effectively incorporate the two platforms together:
- Create a strong Instagram profile
- A strong Instagram profile is the foundation for effective integration. Choose a username and profile picture that are consistent with your brand, and write an engaging bio that highlights your expertise and industry. Share content that aligns with your brand and industry to attract followers who are interested in your content.
- Connect your Instagram and LinkedIn accounts
- Linking your Instagram and LinkedIn accounts is easy and can be done in a few simple steps. On your Instagram profile, go to Settings > Account > Linked Accounts > LinkedIn. Once you’ve linked your accounts, you’ll be able to share your Instagram content on LinkedIn.
- Share Instagram content on LinkedIn
- When sharing Instagram content on LinkedIn, it helps to choose the right type of content. Media such as photos and videos are inclined to perform well on LinkedIn, as they serve to grab people’s attention and promote engagement. When sharing Instagram content on LinkedIn, make sure to include relevant hashtags and captions that are tailored to your LinkedIn audience.
- Use Instagram to grow your LinkedIn audience
- In addition to sharing Instagram content on LinkedIn, you can also use Instagram to drive traffic to your LinkedIn profile. Do this by including a link to your LinkedIn profile in your Instagram bio or in your Instagram stories. You can also use Instagram to promote your LinkedIn content by posting updates or articles from your LinkedIn profile directly to your Instagram page.
By following these steps, you can in effect unify Instagram and LinkedIn together, maximizing your results. Think of keeping your content consistent with what your industry appreciates, and more importantly, what your overall strategy calls for. It helps to forever tailor content specifically for the platform you’re posting to. This ensures you engage with your target audience in way they expect and want.
Best practices for integrating Instagram and LinkedIn
Integrating Instagram and LinkedIn is a great way to maximize your online presence, but it’s important to follow some best practices to ensure that you’re getting the most out of each platform:
Don’t overshare
You’ll want to find the right balance between sharing enough content and not oversharing. Posting too frequently on either platform can result in decreased engagement and may turn off your audience. Instead, focus on sharing high-quality content that is relevant to your brand and industry.
Use hashtags strategically
Hashtags are a powerful tool for increasing visibility and engagement on both Instagram and LinkedIn. However, it’s important to use them strategically. On Instagram, using 5-10 hashtags per post can increase engagement by up to 12.6%. On LinkedIn, using 3-5 hashtags per post can increase engagement by up to 26%. Make sure to use relevant hashtags that are specific to your brand and industry, and avoid using generic or overly popular hashtags that may not be as effective.
Engage with your audience
Engagement is key to building a strong presence on both Instagram and LinkedIn. Responding to comments, asking questions, and actively communicating with your following can boost your reach and build stronger relationships within your audience. Make sure to monitor both platforms regularly and react to comments and messages in a timely manner.
Remember to focus on high-quality content that is tailored to each platform, use hashtags strategically, and engage with your audience to build stronger relationships and increase your reach.
Conclusion
Integrating Instagram and LinkedIn can bring many benefits to your social media strategy, including multiplied reach, increased engagement, and improved brand awareness. By creating a strong Instagram profile, connecting your accounts, sharing the right amount of content, using hashtags effectively, and engaging with your audience, you can maximize the results of your social media efforts.
Remember to keep in mind the differences between Instagram and LinkedIn, and tailor your content accordingly. While Instagram is great for visually-driven content, LinkedIn is more suited for professional and industry-specific content.
We hope this post has provided you with valuable insights on how to integrate Instagram and LinkedIn for maximum results. Now, it’s time to trust the process and start integrating accounts to unlock the full potential of your social media strategy.
