Tag: Instagram

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How Brands can use Instagram to promote their Products

Instagram
Instagram image courtesy of Android Tipsters

Grow your business with Instagram

One of the most popular social media platforms that exists today as of this writing is Instagram.  In this day and age where we document almost everything we do…in almost every place that we journey to, the ‘Gram has a user base of over 400+ active million IG’ers worldwide.  It is clearly a smartphone favourite, with an average of 80 million photos being uploaded each day.

While Instagram serves us to archive our personal moments in time, it is a great tool for businesses to create product and brand awareness.  The video I put together focuses on footwear cleaning product Crep Protect.  I discovered this particular brand through various sneaker brand IG pages that I follow, who would continually praise their products and consistency.   It is almost the equivalent to a digital version mention in terms of word of mouth marketing.  This is really an instrumental measurement of success.  Building a powerhouse brand in a short period of time is the goal.  I was curious to see if their products lived up to the hype and needless to say, the results did deliver.

The smartphone that I used to document my Instagram video was the One Plus One, which debuted in 2014.  OPO has been praised for their low end price point.  Their cell phones are available for $3-$400 cheaper than your typical Samsung/Apple models.

The shooting techniques that I used were very straight forward for this particular video.  There are 23 filters available on Instagram.  I elected not to use any of them since this video is demonstrating a product in action. I relied on natural lighting as I was outdoors while filming.  It was mainly point and shoot, doing my best to keep the shots focusing on the cleaning agent to get the job done.   I would have liked to use a zoom in option, but I believe that feature will be probably happen down the road as they’ve introduced some long requested viewing enhancements this past year.

What’s great about Instagram video is that it allows you to pause your shots and resume recording, similar to how Vine operates.  Previous versions of IG video were only available in one continuous 15 second shot.  The recent 60 second max recording allows Instagram users to tell a better story with ample time that is not too short or too long to lose viewer interest.

Biggest Instagram Takeaway

From a business point of view, the main take away is that Instagram is a valuable resource tool for companies. It is a popular communication tool that is user friendly to use, that really helps generate interest in a product.  Especially for the sneaker culture, with the rise of blogs and in particularly Instagram itself in the last 6 years, these platforms really help curate these same users of the ‘Gram to consume more content which can lead to a buyer purchase.  It is a winning formula because consumers are always hungry for new content.  Businesses have this digital outlet to highlight upcoming releases, provide product information and create a buzz all at the same time.

Resources

Chaykowski, Kathleen. “Why Instagram Extended Its Video-Length Limit To 60 Seconds.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 29 Mar. 2016. Web. 27 Oct. 2016. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathleenchaykowski/2016/03/29/why-instagram-extended-its-video-length-limit-to-60-seconds/#8d22c483cb48

Ratcliff, Christopher. “23 Up-to-date Stats and Facts about Instagram You Need to Know.” 23 Uptodate Stats and Facts about Instagram You Need to Know Comments. ClickZ Group, 20 Apr. 2016. Web. 27 Oct. 2016. <https://searchenginewatch.com/2016/04/20/23-stats-and-facts-about-instagram/

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Image Composition Ideas for Capsule Toronto Instagram

Capsule Toronto
Capsule Toronto

Visuals sell product

Capsule is a recognized sneaker boutique based in the Toronto area.  The 16-year old company has built a reputation for their consistency in carrying the most popular shoe brands, complimented by the latest and emerging street wear brands on the market.  Capsule has been known to have line ups for days leading up to a highly anticipated product release. They have 3 locations in the Yorkville (including a show room) and Markham area to better serve the GTA.  Their target market focuses on the 18-34 age group, who are fashion forward minded consumers.  The following 3 image composition shots that will be discussed below in this blog post are suggested visual ideas, to promote and sell products for their Instagram account, which has over 20,000+ followers.

Image Composition 1

Knolling your role

This image uses the popular knolling composition, which is an overhead view display that gives the viewer a great look at 3 different products.  This would be a great look for Capsule, simply for the fact that their customers are always looking for a combination of ideas on how to integrate their wardrobe from head-to-toe.  The jacket provided is by Roots of Fight, an apparel company that celebrates vintage sports icons, the hat is a retro Brooklyn Dodgers cap from New Era and the Jordan Brand shoes are the iconic 1996-1997 Air Jordan 12 model.  The common denominator between all 3 black/grey colored products is that they incorporate wool material, which is an appealing look for the current fall season.

Camera: OnePlus 1 smartphone
Image Size: 840 x 840 pixels
Filter: None
Lighting: smartphone flash
Suggested Hashtags: #rootsoffight x #miketyson x #brooklyndodgers x #brooklynsown x #airjordan12wool x #airjordan12 x #wearejordan x #hatclub x #wool x #fallfashion x #swag x #baddestmanontheplanet x #jordanbrand x #jumpman23 x #knolling

Image Composition 2

Figure to ground image composition

One of the most popular nicknames a shoe collector is often referred to is a sneakerhead.  And one of their most popular hashtags that they use on social media to define their shoe collection is known as shoe porn, a playful term which has an addictive connotation to it.  If there could be a satirical composition to describe the image, it would have to be POV!  In all honesty, Figure to ground is the primary composition.  This shows the product on foot which is the Air Jordan 6 Maroon model, originally released in 1991-1992.  The Ludwig filter from Instagram was applied to brighten the image of the shoe.

What we see here are two clean primary colors in white and maroon, which is another fall season tone.  The secondary product in this shot is the Zanerobe jogger pant, which is a must have item for fashion enthusiasts.  The stand out feature is their cuffed bottom that prevents the tongue of any high top shoe from being hidden from a pant leg hovering over.  While this image is clean and polished, it also serves as a double meaning with a fashion tip as well.

Camera: OnePlus 1 smartphone
Image Size: 819 x 1024 pixels
Filter: Ludwig (Instagram)
Lighting:  Natural room lighting
Suggested Hashtags: #airjordan6 x #airjordan6maroon x #jordanbrand x #wearejordan x #zanerobe x #joggerpants x #streetwear x #burgundy x #maroon

Image Composition 3

It’s 1996 all over again.

This black and white image portrait features one of Nike’s most iconic shoe designs.  The Nike Air More Uptempo shoe originally released in 1996.  The shoe saw a retro re-release brought back in spring 2016.  This model is widely known for its large “Air” logo design, surrounded by black synthetic nubuck material. Image composition uses a simplistic approach, with a clean and polished visual.  Capsule has built a reputation for its visual simplicity in their Instagram posts.  The popular Clarendon Instagram filter was applied to brighten and intensify a popping color image effect.  This visual fits in line with the brand’s desire to produce eye catching imagery through their social channels.

Camera: OnePlus 1 smartphone
Image Size: 840 x 646 pixels
Filter: Clarendon from Instagram
Lighting: Natural room lighting
Suggested Hashtags: #nikeair x #nikeairmoreuptempo x #scottiepippen x #retrokicks x #oldschoolkicks x #igsneakercommunity x #blackandwhite x #clarendon

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Two Images that capture Visual Communications

Visual Communications
Visual Communications image courtesy of LinkedIn

Throughout this past decade, we have seen the emergence of various applications on our smartphones that we cannot live without.  One of them in particular is Instagram, which is one of the most popular apps used in the world right now.  Simply known as IG or sometimes The ‘Gram, this visual communications platform is recognized for its ability to tell stories.  This has now become a destination for businesses to build brand awareness and identity in selling products and ideas.  The following two images selected below I will deconstruct the meaning behind them and the message they attempt to convey.

Visual Communication Image 1

This image instantly triggers an emotional reaction.  Samsung has provided a snapshot of what almost every single person does when they wake up…Get some coffee and check their phone.  It’s a highly likely universal practice among students and working class.  The color describes the feel that this could be at home, at the cottage, a workplace table or even a coffee shop environment.  The coffee design in the cup paired with two phones in the image denotes maybe this is something a couple would do, browsing their phones in the AM.  Samsung connects the audience with a relatable practice and introduces their latest smartphone model for consumption.

Visual Communication Image 2

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJdTLGED2A1

I believe adidas got it right with this ad. Their purpose is to sell shoes and the imagery shows the product in motion, in branded uniform for that matter. The gloomy color in the photo paints a picture that their products are what you need, regardless of the weather conditions of any given day. The caption in the post also adds as a narrative using the word “steps”, as the actual image has multiple stairs as the backdrop. The image also creates the idea of team unity as well. They sell an overall theme of  fitness and travelling on a path to success integrated into this post.