Advertise to Students with Emerging Media: Instagram

The latest post in our “Advertise to Students with Emerging Media” series explores Instagram. Learn the most effective ways to reach and engage campus audiences with this popular platform.

What is Instagram?

Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service. This app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. People can browse other users' content by tags and locations and view trending content. They can also like photos, follow other users, and add content to a personal feed.

Why should I use Instagram for campus marketing?

• Instagram boasts an incredible collection of statistics in 2023. 

  • With 4.25 billion total visits per month, Instagram is the 8th most visited website in the world.
  • With 1.386 billion daily global active users, Instagram is the 4th most-used social platform in the world.
  • In 2022, the majority of Instagram users were Millennials and members of Gen Z.
  • Especially noteworthy for those advertising to college students -  Instagram is currently Gen Z’s favorite social media platform.

“Age considers; youth ventures"

– RABINDRANATH TAGORE

How should I advertise to students using Instagram?

Instagram is both a passive and active marketing platform. It covers all stages of the customer journey, from awareness, to consideration, to conversion. As a campus social media advertising platform, it’s an excellent resource for lead generation and lead form fill-outs.

To use this platform most effectively:

• Layer geo-targeted Instagram advertising on top of your OOH university advertising efforts to increase target audience awareness and engagement.
• Create high quality ads, including copy, CTAs and visuals. Weak social media ads create negative emotional responses. 
• Use video and strong visuals. This content resonates well with users and generates strong engagement.
• Optimize your Instagram ads based on analytics. This data provides real-time performance information on each ad you’ve shared.
• Allow users to go from discovery to purchase without ever leaving the platform. Use Instagram Shops and the platform’s chat feature to break down barriers that stand in the way of completed customer transactions.
• In addition to conventional Instagram advertising, use influencer marketing to grow your young adult audience exponentially.

SEE THE OTHER POSTS IN THIS SERIES

• Advertise to Students with Emerging Media: TikTok
• Advertise to Students with Emerging Media: Snapchat

Are you ready to create your own successful campus media campaign? See our complete guide to advertising to university students.

Here at MSS Media, Inc., we’ve been providing Education, Government, Real Estate & Lifestyle clients with succinct, optimized, and successful marketing solutions for more than 15 years. Consider MSS Media, Inc. a full-service, one-stop shop for all your Media and Public Relations needs. Your goals are our motivation. And our mission is to propel your message, further and faster, to achieve the outcomes you’re looking for. If you found this blog post helpful, please share!