Instagram is more than just influencers and cute cat pictures. In this article, I’ll share seven strategies for using the popular social media platform to engage employees and reinforce knowledge in online training.

Instagram Can Help Your Online Training in 7 Ways

You (and your employees) most likely use Instagram to keep up with celebrities and family members alike. It’s a versatile platform that never goes out of fashion. That’s probably because it’s more visually appealing than other sites while still allowing for small doses of commentary for context, making it an excellent choice for your online training program. There is no need to train staffers on how to use the site for ongoing support or deal with a steep learning curve because they already know the ins and outs. Continue reading for advice on how to use Instagram in online training to integrate social learning and connect with your corporate audience.

1. Distinguish Personal From Professional

Employees are unlikely to be interested in seeing your most recent vacation photos. Granted, pictures of that delicious meal you had on the beach would most likely make their mouths water. Create a distinct Instagram account for your online education program that is only used for L&D. You should also be cautious about the frequency with which you post and the nature of the content. Flooding their feeds with hourly photos, for example, is probably not the best idea, nor is sharing photos of controversial topics or issues, even if they do relate to training.

2. Distribute Product Knowledge Clips from Videos

Most people associate Instagram with photos. You can, however, post brief video clips that bring content to life. Why not take advantage of this social learning feature to highlight the most recent products and their benefits? Sales personnel can learn more about the item and incorporate it into their pitch. You can even include maintenance tips to help the product last longer and increase customer loyalty. You might want to set up a separate Instagram account for customers who want to follow your brand.

3. Include a link to relevant websites or social media groups.

Include Bitly links to websites, online guides, or social media groups related to the Instagram post about online training. For example, if the photo shows an employee wearing an approved uniform, share links to infographics, interactive manuals, and other resources to reinforce the dress code. Workers can use the resources to learn more about the post and refresh their memories. This method is also useful for low-participation online training resources. Perhaps employees are simply unaware of the activity in the LMS and require an Insta nudge.

4. Showcase a standout performer to motivate and inspire others.

Everyone needs a pat on the back now and then, even if it’s in the form of an Instagram post recognizing our accomplishments. Showcase a weekly top performer who stands out in your organization. Perhaps it’s the customer service representative who handled a complaint with ease and earned repeat business or the warehouse worker who set a new record for the most accident-free days on the job. They appreciate the fact that you recognize their efforts, and their peers are motivated to reach their full potential.

5. Provide A Daily Tip With A Short Text

The benefit of incorporating social learning and social media into an online training program is that it is a daily habit for the majority of employees. Every morning on their way to work or while waiting for a meeting, they check their Instagram accounts. As a result, it’s an effective way for them to incorporate bite-sized tips into their workday without making it appear forced or structured. Every department or job role should have a daily pointer. Every day, for example, the sales online training Instagram account posts a new technique or product knowledge refresher. Another option is to invite workers to share their tips or anecdotes and post them on the company page, with proper credit given to the contributor.

6. Display Photo Carousels to Demonstrate Everyday Tasks

Instagram also has photo carousels, which allow you to upload multiple photos in a single post, making it ideal for task demonstrations that don’t require video. Include three snapshots that highlight each step of the process, for example. To avoid confusion, this should be limited to tasks that require minimal explanation, such as how to log in to the POS system with screencasts and brief text walk-throughs. This function is also useful for dos and don’ts. One photo, for example, shows employees how to handle the product correctly, while the other highlights common mistakes.

7. Allow Employees to Post Their Own Instagram Stories

Instagram, in addition to video clips and carousels, has “stories” that are automatically deleted after 24 hours. Encourage employees to create and share their own social learning stories with the group. You can either feature their accounts in a daily post or create a list of links within the LMS. Employees are drawn to colleagues who share similar interests or goals. A word of caution: establish some ground rules to prevent trainees from abusing this privilege and interjecting their personal lives into the discussion. They shouldn’t, for example, share posts about their weekend unless it’s about a client meeting they had to host on Saturday. They must also be respectful of each other’s ideas and beliefs. Check in on the Instagram accounts regularly to ensure they are still worthy of inclusion and do not violate company policies.

Moderation and diversification of content are the keys to Instagram’s success. To connect with remote employees, don’t rely solely on images of the workplace. To get them involved, send them video clips, slideshows, and daily tips. To increase interactivity, you should also encourage them to leave comments or questions. Finally, allow employees to link to their Instagram training accounts to facilitate knowledge sharing within your organization.

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