Trying to figure out whether your brand should be on Instagram? Curious about who's doing it well and what it takes to have a successful Instagram account? Check out our handy and quick guide on Instagram for brands.

1. WTR?what the
THE (short) STORY ON
INSTAGRAM
FOR BRANDS

2. WTR ? 2
It would be really easy to chalk up Instagram’s success to filters, food pics
and selfies but then we’d be left with the question - why did Instagram
succeed where a slew of other filter-based photo apps failed?
Because Instagram’s success hinged on embracing a combination of
simplicity, ephemera and visual-first content.
The brainchild of Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, Instagram began life as
an overly-complicated Foursquare clone called Burbn in 2010, letting users
checkin, collect points and share photos. But from the ashes of this failed
app came something far more engaging and user friendly. The creators
quickly realized users were sharing images far more than checking-in so
after a quick pivot Instagram was born.
In its first year Instagram had over a million registered users, by 2011 that
number totaled more than 10 million and as of 2014 the base was upwards
of 300 million users who have created a staggering 20 billion photos and
videos to date. Demographically, the app skews female (68%), and younger
- under 35 years of age (90%). But one of the biggest reasons for its
meteoric success can be attributed to it’s massive popularity with
celebrities.
Oh, and unlike Snapchat, Instagram had no issue with Facebook’s advances
and sold to the social media behemoth in 2012 for $1 billion.
INSTAGRAM IN 5 MINUTESThe story on …. Instagram

3. Features
Users
Top Brands
• Simple and elegant photo
and video sharing
• numerous filters and
editing abilities
• Robust search and
tagging abilities
• Advertising platform
rolled out in 2014
• Under 35 - Millennials &
Gen-Xers
• Predominantly female
(68% of users)
• TOMS
• Starbucks
• Superdry Global
• GoPro
WTR ? 3
PROS
• Fast and easy way to create videos
and share them across channels
(FB/TW)
• Discovery tab allows for savvy
hashtaggers to grow audience
• Emerging ad platform means more
metrics and ability to scale quickly
CONS
ruckus rating
• Mobile-only tool means limited
posting options
• Analytics and user data are slim
and still developing
• Visual medium means bar for
content quality is set high
• If you’re an apparel, beauty, alcohol
brand or anyone else chasing down
20 – 35 year olds – get on it ASAP!
Just be prepared to put in the effort.
INSTAGRAM IN 5 MINUTESKey Plot Points
Instagram
Founders
Mike Krieger &
Kevin Systrom

4. WTR ? 4
INSTAGRAM IN 5 MINUTESThe story Continues
Roadmap/New Features
An ad platform means more metrics, which in turn leads to
smarter targeting and user information for marketers.
Hopefully Facebook’s acquisition means they’ll bring solid
metrics to the Instagram platform as well as their relatively
nuanced way of incorporating ads into regular content. Also,
because Instagram content tends to be immediate and
personal - there’s a huge opportunity for brands to
incorporate user-generated content into their own streams.
Summary
Instagram is one of the fastest growing social networks of all
time and with Facebook now guiding its hand chances are it’ll
keep growing. The tool is right where it should be in terms of
being relevant to a young demographic and attracting a mix
of big-name brands and big-name celebrities. How long it
can hold on to the young demo while still growing remains to
be seen, but for now there are few channels better for
engaging with young professionals.

5. WTR ? 5
INSTAGRAM IN 5 MINUTESWanna make a Ruckus
About Us Connect Team
Gary Edgar
Managing
Director
Linda Andross
Managing
Partner
Katie Boland
Sr. Social
Strategist
We built ruckus to work
with brands to find and
tell their story through
rich, compelling and
relevant social content.
Find out how we can
help you make a ruckus.
@ruckusdigital
+ruckus digital
416 934 2119
gary@ruckusdigital.ca
www.ruckusdigital.ca