Instagram is a powerful platform for you to connect with your followers and turn them into brand ambassadors. With its focus on visual content and user engagement, Instagram provides a variety of features that can help you grow your community and encourage followers to join your brand ambassador program.

Here’s a guide on how to use Instagram to recruit your customers effectively.

The first step to activating customers is to make sure that your ambassador program is easy to find. One of the simplest and most effective ways to do this is by adding a clear call to action in your Instagram bio. This is the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so it’s essential to make it stand out.

Include a brief line about your ambassador program, such as “Join our ambassador program and earn rewards,” and link to a landing page where users can sign up. If you use a tool like Linktree, you can add multiple links in your bio, which makes it even easier for users to find the program while browsing your profile.

Cubby beds makes use of Pulselink to add their landing page to their Instagram bio.

The next step is to create posts and Reels that promote your brand ambassador program. Be transparent about the benefits of joining. Explain how it works, what attributes ambassadors should embody, how they can benefit from being part of your community and how easy it is to sign up.

Take a look at the caption on Preworns Instagram post to see this in practice.

Use Instagram’s visual features to showcase these benefits. For example, get your Social Media Manager to create a Reel showing behind-the-scenes footage of your HQ while talking about the ambassador program, or create a post that highlights rewards such as free products or exclusive discounts. Make sure to include a call to action in each post, directing people to the link in your bio to learn more or sign up.

Additionally, when you’re just starting out, pin one of these posts to the top of your profile. This keeps the information about your ambassador program easily visible to new visitors and encourages sign-ups.

Take a look at the Reel HD Brows created to invite their followers to join their Browbassador community

Instagram Stories are another great way to engage with your audience and promote your ambassador program. You can use Stories to share more about the program, create polls to gauge interest or run Q&A sessions where you answer questions about becoming an ambassador.

One of the most effective tactics is to create a series of Stories that explain the steps to join your ambassador program and why it’s worth it. You can also share testimonials from current ambassadors to inspire others to join.

Use this Instagram Story recruitment template to get started with creating your community recruitment campaign. You’ll be able to adapt the colours, images, copy and fonts to align your brand’s visual identity.

Save these Stories as Highlights on your profile so they’re always accessible to new visitors. This ensures that your ambassador program is easy to find and gives people the information they need to sign up.

Take a look at LYS Beauty’s Instagram profile and view their “Ambassadors” highlight to get inspired.

Engaging with your followers is key to building a strong community. Respond to comments on your posts, answer direct messages, and make your followers feel valued. This interaction not only builds loyalty but also encourages people to take the next step and join your ambassador program.

When someone expresses interest in the program, reply with additional details or send them the link to sign up. By maintaining open communication, you’ll create a positive experience for potential ambassadors.

Try this AI prompt to engage with your community in Stories:

“Write a series of Instagram Story polls or quizzes to engage followers and gauge their interest in becoming a brand ambassador for {insert brand name}.”

Instagram Live allows you to connect with your audience in real time. Hosting a live Q&A session is a great way to answer questions about your ambassador program and share more details about how it works.

During the live session, explain the benefits of joining, how ambassadors contribute to the brand, and what kind of rewards they can expect. You can also invite one of your current ambassadors to join the live and share their experience, which can be a powerful motivator for others to sign up.

Make your Live interactive and engaging by prompting your followers to ask questions about your program in the live comments section.

Once you have ambassadors on board, make sure to highlight them regularly on your Instagram page. This not only makes your current ambassadors feel appreciated, but it also shows others the kind of community they can join. You can create posts or Stories that feature ambassador achievements, share their user-generated content on your profile, or give shoutouts to those who are particularly active.

By spotlighting ambassadors, you create a sense of belonging and exclusivity that motivates others to get involved.

Try this AI prompt to get started on your spotlight campaign:

“Create an Instagram post template for {insert brand name} showcasing a testimonial from a current ambassador, highlighting their positive experience of being a member of our community and why others should join. Include these keywords in the template:{insert keywords that speak about the ethos behind your community}”

By following these steps, you can make the most of Instagram to recruit your customers and grow your ambassador community organically and if you feel need a boost, you can always make use of Missions to utilise your existing community to increase the momentum of your growth.