With the popularity of social media being higher than ever, architects should learn how to use it efficiently for business. Instagram, the king among SM platforms with over 2 billion monthly active users, is a great place to start. Due to its visual nature, Insta is perfect for sharing stunning visuals of architectural projects. Moreover, Instagram offers amazing promotional opportunities, helps to establish a brand, and assists in building trust with prospects. So, how can Instagram for architects be a powerful promotional tool?
Being a professional architectural rendering company, we have a deep understanding of marketing in the architecture field. Our CGI studio works closely with architects, so we are aware of all the ins and outs of using social media for their business. And we are gladly sharing this knowledge. Read to find out the top 10 tips on how to create an effective Instagram strategy for architects!
#1. Set a Business Profile
It is the primary thing to do to benefit from Insta. Setting up a professional account allows one to use many additional options on Instagram for architects.
There are two types of professional accounts: Business and Creator. Instagram states that the former is for retailers, brands, and organizations, while the latter is the best for public figures, content creators, and artists. An architectural firm would likely benefit more from a Business account. It provides the ability to add call-to-action buttons, such as contacting customer service or booking appointments. This aligns well with the service-oriented nature of architecture businesses.
Both types of professional accounts have some similar features. First of all, they open access to Instagram Insights. This tool helps track the activities of followers and see how the shared content performs.
Another advantage is the ability to use advertisements. The Meta Ads Manager is where one creates and runs ads for Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger. Architects need to connect it to their Instagram professional account to take full advantage of the tools and features for Insta ads. Business accounts provide additional advertising options, which can help a firm reach a wider audience.
Finally, professional pages are taken more seriously by the Instagram audience in general. That is because they give users more info than personal ones. Therefore, having a Business page is a surefire way to find more potential clients.
#2. Personalize the Profile
What if a prospect needs an architect’s services and wants to contact the specialist, but there is no info on how to do it? In most cases, that person will continue looking for someone else. That is why using Instagram for architects requires personalizing the profile and filling in all the necessary details. Most importantly, an architect should add a category for their account. Business accounts offer industry-related labels that work great for companies.
An architect should also add a company’s logo, a short description of services, and a link to the professional website. So, if a potential client needs more info, it will be just one click away.
#3. Know When to Post
New posts must go live when the target audience is the most active. One should do some research and analysis to find out the right time. Luckily, Instagram has simplified this process by offering the ‘Insights’ option. It is a feature that allows for tracking all activities in the account.
With Insights, it is easy to find the perfect time to post new content on Instagram for architects. Usually, users on this social media platform are the most active Mondays through Fridays between 9 am and 1 pm. And the least effective hours to post are the early mornings from midnight to 4 am. But it is not the same for all pages. Architects should try posting at different times to discover when their audience reacts the most.
#4. Add Right Hashtags
Hashtags can help to gain more followers and let more people see an architect’s works. Here are some examples of popular hashtags used on Instagram for architects: #art, #interiordesign, #architecture, #architecturelovers, #architecturedesign, #architecturephotography, #archilovers, #architects, etc.
To add a tag to a post, one should enter the hash symbol and then the tag name. There are many various hashtags, but it is best to go easy on them. We advise to use 7-10 hashtags. If you add too many, your post may be considered spam by the algorithm. When adding them, one must be sure that the tags fit the image.
#5. Use Instagram Stories
Being one of the best social media platforms for architects, Instagram offers many great features to enhance an account. Stories are one of them. They allow one to share a photo, video, or text, which can disappear after 24 hours, or one can add them to the page’s Highlights. By using this feature, architects can interact with the followers and check how active they are on the page.
An architecture expert can add location, hashtags, stickers, polls, questions, music, and other elements to a Story. Each of these add-ons has its benefits. For example, adding a location of the architectural company or an industry-related hashtag can help reach prospects beyond one’s followers list.
To make a Story more fun, one can add a poll and engage the audience in some action. For instance, architects can offer followers the choice of the type of architectural projects that they like to see the most. This way, the professional will get to know what posts the audience prefers.
#6. Use Highlights
Highlights are one of the first things people see when they visit an Instagram profile, as they are located right under the account description. These curated selections of Stories show what the business is all about.
Architects can use Instagram Highlights to showcase their portfolio, ongoing projects, client testimonials, and behind-the-scenes content. Also, it’s important to create custom icons for the different highlight folders. These covers should represent the topic of the stories and be designed to visually harmonize with the overall style of the account.
#7. Use Instagram Reels
Instagram’s Reels are short-form videos of up to 90 seconds that provide a unique way to captivate followers. Architects can use this feature to share short, fun, and yet informative content.
A Reel can include project walkthroughs, construction timelapses, or interviews with the team members. Also, Reels are an incredible way to provide the audience with educational content. For example, architects can create a short video that showcases their workflow, from creating initial sketches and blueprints to 3D renderings and finally to the completed project. This content format is an incredibly important aspect of a successful Instagram strategy for architects. It will enhance the viewers’ engagement, which, in turn, will effectively promote the architect’s services.
#8. Make the Profile Stand Out by Posting 3D Renders
Since Instagram is a social network for photo and video sharing, architects need to use high-quality visuals there. And to succeed, one has to post regularly. But sometimes, architects run out of materials for their posts. Here is where 3D architectural visualizations come to the rescue. It is especially helpful for architects who don’t have much to showcase since most of their projects are currently under construction.
A professional CGI studio can help show the future look of any design at its best, emphasizing its main selling points. So, by using CG images and animations on Instagram for architects, one can effectively showcase their design skills and attract new prospects.
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#9. Communicate With the Followers
Instagram is not only about sharing visuals. It is a social platform that requires engagement, so communicating with a profile’s audience as much as possible is vital here. For this, architects should check the direct messages regularly since people interested in services might ask questions there. Besides, it is essential to quickly and politely reply to any comments that users write under the posts. And finally, architects should consider hosting Instagram Lives. For instance, they can host Q&A sessions or interviews with satisfied clients. This would provide direct communication and create a more personal connection with the prospects.
#10. Show What Is Going On Behind the Scenes
Those looking for architectural services are always interested in how all the magic happens. They want to know how architects create projects and bring them to life. So, showing the working routine of a firm on Instagram for architects is a great idea. It can be communication with co-workers, creation of drawings and presentations, participation in professional events, site visits, etc. Showcasing aspects of the workflow that are usually hidden will help to build trust with the audience.
Establishing a strong Instagram strategy for architects will help you reach a wider audience and find more clients. It is an ideal platform for building a fruitful relationship with prospects and raising brand awareness. The 10 simple tips described above will help you to use Instagram for architects as an effective marketing tool.
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Need eye-catching visuals to establish your architecture brand on Instagram? Contact ArchiCGI for professional 3D visualization services!
Jimmy Ward Jimmy is the senior magician of media and stunning ads. He loves a good joke, his beloved dog Mario and craft beer. But don’t be fooled by his smile: Jimmy is ruthless when it comes to lead generation.
Marketing Specialist, Media Buyer
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