Alright, folks, welcome. *virtual high-fiving commences* So you’re a clothing brand owner of either present or future times, yeah?
In the 21st century, social media marketing has become an absolute must when trying to gain brand awareness and grow your brand.
Think about how frustrating it can be when trying to look up a brand or company on Instagram and you can't find it. It almost comes off as suspicious- WHY don't you have a social media presence?
You do NOT want to be one of those brands that cannot be found on Instagram.
In a recent post about how to grow your clothing brand, we discussed how many brands almost feel like media companies nowadays. Consumers view more content daily than the actual products you're selling.
So comes the age-old question: how do I market my clothing brand on Instagram?
We've done business with and helped launch hundreds of clothing brands over the years. While it can be challenging, putting in the work can help your brand grow and thrive using social media marketing.
Alright, let's get to it! Read on to learn about how to market your clothing brand on Instagram.
Creating high-quality visual content on Instagram
Use high-quality photos, videos, and graphics that showcase your clothing products in a visually appealing way.
Posting high-quality photos and videos of your clothing, including lifestyle and behind-the-scenes shots, is an excellent way to grab your consumer's attention and spread brand awareness, which leads to sales.
Use Instagram Reels to create short-form videos that showcase your brand personality and style. Reels can be valuable for several reasons:
- Increased reach: Reels have the potential to reach a wider audience than regular Instagram posts, as viewers can discover them through the Explore page and the Reels tab, which can help you attract new followers and expand your reach.
- Creative expression: Reels allow you to showcase your creativity and express yourself in new ways. You can use music, filters, and other tools to make your content more engaging and entertaining.
- Higher engagement: Video content tends to receive higher engagement than static posts, and Reels are no exception. Creating entertaining and informative Reels can encourage your followers to like, comment, and share your content.
- Stay relevant: As more and more creators and businesses start using Reels, it's essential to stay relevant and keep up with the latest trends. By incorporating Reels into your Instagram strategy, you can show your followers that you're up-to-date with the latest social media trends and willing to experiment with new forms of content.
- Potential to go viral: Reels can reach a larger audience, which can help you gain more followers, build your brand, and even attract the attention of potential sponsors or partners. Engaging, shareable content can increase your chances of going viral and reaching new audiences.
Think about how often people repost Instagram reels or static posts to their stories because they think they look cool or are aligned with their aesthetic. Your target consumer would be more inclined to share your content if it's high-quality and aesthetically pleasing.
Use Instagram Stories
Stories are a great way to engage with your audience in real time and show a behind-the-scenes look at your brand. It's always cool to get an inside look at what goes on in the office, at photo shoots, on the production floor, etc.
Instagram stories are also great for conveying personality and humanizing your content. A good mix of professional and playful tones over stories is an excellent strategy to present your brand voice. Running polls and using trending audio, sticker gifs, etc., are all fun ways to showcase your clothing brand's personality.
As a brand, we like to share helpful information on stories and new posts or reels to stories. But we also love to show the human, everyday bits and pieces behind the screen. Sometimes we share videos of shirts being printed; sometimes, we share puppy content. Yes, we sometimes have dogs in the office, which is the BEST.
Shameless self-plug here, follow us on IG if you don’t already: @realthread
Use a relevant hashtag strategy
Using popular and relevant hashtags will help your target audience find your content. Here’s a little rundown for ya:
- Increases visibility: When you use relevant hashtags, your posts will be more discoverable to users searching for or following those hashtags, increasing your reach and visibility on the platform.
- Target specific audiences: By using specific hashtags, you can target particular audiences interested in your clothing brand, making it easier to connect with potential customers.
- Helps categorize content: Hashtags help organize your content and make it easier for users to find the type of content they are looking for, whether it's related to fashion, sustainable clothing, or other relevant topics.
- Encourages engagement: Using relevant hashtags can also help you to increase engagement with your audience, as they may be more likely to engage with your content if it is pertinent to their interests.
Doing this is integral to a successful Instagram marketing strategy for clothing brands. Using the right hashtags can increase your brand visibility, target specific audiences, and encourage engagement with your content.
Leverage UGC (User Generated Content)
Share content of your customers wearing your clothing create to showcase social proof and build brand authenticity. Tagging and "shouting out" real people gives your brand a community-centered, personal feel and can come off as more authentic than paying influencers to market your pieces. Showcasing real-life wear and people loving your clothes in their day-to-day lives is invaluable.
FYI: For Your Inspo
Here is a list of some clothing brands out there that are crushing it to help inspire you on your journey:
- Patagonia - @patagonia
- Allbirds - @allbirds
- Everlane - @everlane
- Reformation - @reformation
- Pact - @_pact_
- Girlfriend Collective - @girlfriend
- Lisa Says Gah - @lisasaysgah
- Hellcats USA - @hellcats.usa
- Offline - @livelifeoffline
- We Are Kind - @wearekindbrand
We’ve graced you with knowledge- now what?
Now that you've learned a bit about marketing your clothing brand on Instagram, we hope you feel inspired. These are some recommendations, but we can't wait to see what you all do- get creative!
PS: If you're reading this and are interested in embroidered or screen-printed custom apparel for your clothing brand, let's chat. We're here to help you improve your clothing brand's custom apparel game.
Contact our team for more information about developing your clothing brand and selecting the right garments!