Creating an Instagram account can be a strategic decision that can greatly affect your dealership’s online presence. With over one billion monthly active users, Instagram is a significant platform to tap into potential customers and showcase your vehicles, services, and brand story. The choice before you—whether to start a new Instagram account or transform an existing one—can influence the effectiveness of your social media marketing efforts. In this post, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both approaches and provide guidance on how to make the right decision for your dealership.
Understanding Your Current Situation
Before making a decision, it’s important to evaluate your current Instagram account. Analyze metrics such as follower count, engagement rates, content performance, and audience demographics. If your existing account has garnered a reasonable following and consistent engagement, it might be worth transforming it to better fit your new strategy. Conversely, if the account has low engagement or does not align with your brand, starting anew could be a fresh opportunity.
When to Start a New Account
- Brand Redefinition: If your dealership has undergone significant changes—such as a rebranding, a change in services offered, or new ownership—a new Instagram account might be necessary to communicate these changes effectively.
- Target Audience Shift: If your target audience has evolved or shifted towards a different demographic, a fresh approach may help better engage your new audience.
- Underperforming Existing Account: When engagement is consistently low and followers are not interacting, it might be time to start fresh with a new Instagram identity that can energize your audience.
When to Transform Your Existing Account
- Established Presence: If your existing account has a solid follower base and decent engagement, it can be beneficial to leverage the established trust and familiarity.
- Valuable Content: If you have past content that resonates well with your audience, transforming the account allows you to repurpose this content rather than starting from scratch.
- Historical Audience Insights: An existing account comes with historical data that can inform your content strategy. You can use analytics to see what has worked and what hasn’t over time.
Steps to Start a New Instagram Account
If you decide to create a new Instagram account, follow these actionable steps:
- Define Your Brand Voice: Clarify your brand’s mission, vision, and messaging. Consistency is key—ensure that your tone aligns with your dealership’s identity.
- Develop a Content Strategy: Outline your posting schedule, content themes (e.g., promotional posts, customer stories, events), and visual style. Consistent branding in visuals will create a professional appearance.
- Engage with Followers: Reply to comments, direct messages, and engage with other users to create a community around your dealership.
- Use Hashtags Strategically: Research relevant hashtags and create a list that can help increase the visibility of your posts. Aim to mix popular and niche hashtags to reach a broader audience.
- Analyze and Adjust: Utilize Instagram Insights to track the performance of your posts and strategy. Learn from the metrics to keep improving your presence.
Steps to Transform Your Existing Instagram Account
If transforming your existing account seems the best route, consider the following steps:
- Audit Your Current Content: Evaluate your existing content and identify which posts have historically performed well to guide your new strategy.
- Update Brand Elements: Refresh your bio, profile picture, and highlights to better reflect your current branding and services offered.
- Engage Your Current Audience: Inform your existing followers about the transformation—consider using polls, Q&As, or updates to keep them engaged with what’s to come.
- Implement a New Calendar: Create a new content calendar that reflects updates in your offerings, community involvement, or events that resonate with your audience.
- Promote Your Account: Use other marketing channels (e.g., email newsletters, website embeds) to promote your revamped Instagram to gain traction.
Considerations for Both Approaches
Regardless of whether you choose to start fresh or transform, keep in mind the following:
- Content Quality: High-quality, engaging content is essential for retaining and attracting followers. Invest in professional photography, engaging videos, and well-written captions.
- Paid Promotions: You might want to consider utilizing Instagram Ads to broaden your reach and drive traffic to your account, especially useful when launching a new account.
- Collaboration: Work with influencers or local businesses to expand your reach and attract a relevant audience.
Final Thoughts
Deciding whether to start a new Instagram account or transform an existing one requires a careful evaluation of your dealership’s situation and goals. Each option has its merits, depending on your existing engagement, branding, and desired audience. Transformatively revamping your existing account can breathe new life into your strategy while leveraging existing followers, whereas starting anew presents a blank canvas for innovation and capturing new audiences. Ultimately, the choice should align with your dealership’s overall marketing strategy and branding goals.
For more on leveraging Instagram and effective digital marketing strategies for your dealership, explore our resource links:
Engage with your audience consistently, monitor your performance, and be open to adapting your strategies as needed. Your presence on Instagram can significantly contribute to your dealership’s online visibility and ultimately drive sales. Good luck!