If a picture is worth 1,000 words, then using TWO photo sharing social networks should be worth 2,000+ words, right?

You may have heard about two social networks that are currently dominating the social sphere: Pinterest and Instagram. Both networks utilize photo sharing tools which enable engagement from audiences through some form of liking, commenting or re-sharing. Not only are these social networks easy to use, but they reach huge audiences and your insurance agency can definitely take advantage!

Here’s the 411.

Instagram 101

• Instagram is an image-based social network
• Primarily, Instagram is accessed and used from SmartPhone devices; however, there is a web platform where users can view and interact with posted photo content
• Instagram has mobility across platforms – allowing users to post to Twitter and Facebook at the same time
• Over 100 million users are actively “instagramming” their photos – including businesses.
• Some of the most successful “instagrammers” are actually businesses – see MTV, NASA and Starbucks for examples

Pinterest 101

• Pinterest is an online “pinboard” that allows users to share and discover photographic content
• Users “re-pin,” comment, and share content discovered on Pinterest
• In terms of social media tools, Pinterest drives more traffic than YouTube, Google+ and LinkedIn… combined.
• The social media network is highly engaging and interactive and since things change rapidly, users are engaged for longer – this is a huge plus for businesses who are  actively using Pinterest
• 83% of Pinterest users are  female – females are also known to be the decision makers in the house
• Pinterest allows for business specific accounts that provide for increased branding

You might be thinking, that is all well and fine, but how am I supposed to visualize insurance? Insurance is a service, not a product.

Think about it this way: On Pinterest, for example, the most popular topics are weddings, babies and homes. As an insurance agency, you sell products that can protect all three of those topics.

Pinterest and Instagram for Local Insurance Marketing

With the immense and growing popularity of these two image-based social networks, it is essential for businesses to break-in and use them to reach a wider audience. As an insurance agency, there are many creative ways you can do so.

Creative Ways To Use Instagram

• Show off your agents by posting funny photos of them.
• Brand your agency by posting images from the office to show your clients what you are all about.
• Make a local connection – was there a huge storm? That will be trending on social media, and your images can contribute to the conversation.
• You can increase engagement by creating your own contest or even simply asking users to post content. Instagram has a hashtag function, so you can have your own hashtags and encourage users to participate by using it.

Creative Ways to Use Pinterest

Pinterest is all about connecting with users. You will want to create boards that accurately represent your brand and connect with users that have an interest in that brand.

• Test out a board full of Infograhpics as they relate to insurance, life experiences, or lifestyles.
• Create a board of personal inspiration – what inspires you? What might inspire your targeted demographic?
• Create wedding, home and babies boards. You can always link back to your insurance website via the image- but remember, users gravitate toward Pinterest because it doesn’t feel like forced marketing. You will want to avoid over-selling yourself and instead, being subtle about it.

• Use your other social media platforms to promote your Pinterest board.
• Budgeting boards and organization boards are not only popular, but useful for homeowners.
• DIY home projects are successful – think “winterizing your home.”

Try to think about your boards in the way you think about content generation for your blog: relevant and useful content that can somehow relate to insurance.

Are you inspired? Good! Now get out there and say something with your pictures!