INSTAGRAM - Description of social media tool not covered in class (optional assignment)

Instagram is a Social media site where images and video (up to 15 seconds in length) are posted directly from cell phones using the Instagram app.  Like other Social Media, Instagram has 'followers' who track one another’s posts and can be set to Public or Private.

By double-tapping on a post you can like it or add a comment.  You can search people or topics, or follow those who follow you or others that you follow.  Instagram, like Twitter, uses hashtags to group topics.

The Instagram app lets you apply some basic filters (24 for images and 13 for video) right from the app.  Some of the filters and edits that can be applied with the app include contrast, warmth, saturation, highlights, shadows, vignette, tilt shift and sharpness. (1)

Individuals say that Instagram allows them to post a story of their lives through images.  But I, personally, know of companies using Instagram as their primary marketing tool that have gone from zero to millions in Revenues in 3-5 years.  Certain industries such as clothing and fitness do well, and I have a client who just got funding for her Cross-Fit gym based on her 190,000 Instagram followers; her Grand Opening is tomorrow.

Instagram's target demographic is teenagers, college students, businesses and just about everyone who has a story to tell, or a product to sell and wants to connect with others through images and short videos.

I predict strong growth for Instagram as more and more businesses begin to learn of its power.  Those who have figured it out don't like to share their secrets, but it will become more popular in the next few years as a business marketing tool, as the word gets out.

I recently created my first account, and plan to post photos from the Spartan race I ran two weeks ago as soon as I have time; I am really hoping to get them posted this weekend.

Source(s)
(1) About.com - "What is Instagram"