Instagram Broadcast Channel: What You Need to Know

If you’re a content creator looking for new ways to share messages and updates with your followers, Instagram’s latest feature may be a tool worth experimenting with. Instagram Broadcast Channels offer a public, one-to-many way of communication for content creators to reach their followers effectively. 

In this article, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about using Instagram Broadcast Channels to stay engaged with your supporters.

What Are Instagram Broadcast Channels?

Instagram Broadcast Channels is a messaging feature on Instagram that allows content creators to share one-way messages with their followers. This new feature is specifically designed to help creators in building a strong community and engaging with their supporters. 

Creators can use the tool to share behind-the-scenes messages and announcements through text, photos, videos, voice notes, and polls. At this time only accounts with more than ten thousand followers are eligible to use this feature.

Why Should You Create an Instagram Broadcast Channel?

There are several reasons why content creators should use Instagram Broadcast Channels, including:

• Provide content creators with a direct one-to-many form of communication to reach their followers effectively.
• It's a quick and easy approach to announcing new products, updates, and limited-time offers.
• The feature allows content creators to engage with their followers, strengthen relationships, and build their audience.
• It is a free and efficient way of communicating with followers who have opted in to receive messages from content creators.
• Engage and receive input from followers by sharing polls 

Key Features of Instagram Broadcast Channels

Instagram Broadcast Channels offer plenty of features that help creators communicate with their audience in engaging ways beyond just text:

1. One-way messaging for creators: Instagram Broadcast Channels are designed to be a one-way communication system, meaning that creators can message their followers without allowing users to reply or engage with the message.
2. Creators can send photos, videos, polls, and voice notes: Instagram Broadcast Channels allow creators to be creative with their messages. They can send pictures, videos, polls, and even voice notes to their audience.
3. Followers can engage with polls: Followers can provide their feedback by engaging with polls. This can create a stronger sense of community and allow creators to let their followers give an input on the content they are working on behind the scenes.
4. Content creators can view how many of their followers have opened the message: Creators can see the effectiveness of the reach of each of their broadcasts. However, you cannot view exactly who has received it.
5. The possibility to segment followers: Broadcast Channels allow creators to segment their followers more efficiently and allow for targeted messaging. Your most loyal followers will be a part of your broadcast channel and will be updated on your broadcasts.
6. Creative customization: Creators can customize the background color and message text to reflect their brand and make their messages stand out.

How To Create an Instagram Broadcast Channel

Creating an Instagram Broadcast Channel is a straightforward process; below is a step-by-step guide:

1. Tap on the message symbol in the top right corner of the home screen
2. Tap the "Write a message" icon
3. Click "Create broadcast channel"
4. Enter a channel name
5. Choose an audience for your channel, you can choose to allow all followers to join or segment your audience. 
6. Choose when your channel ends
7. Choose to show your channel on your profile

How to Invite Followers to Your Broadcast Channel

Once the broadcast channel has been created, the next step is to invite followers. Below are some ways a content creator can invite followers to their Instagram Broadcast Channel:

1. Share a link to the channel in your IG stories.
2. Add a “join broadcast” button to your profile
3. Send a direct message to your followers inviting them to join your Broadcast Channel. This strategy works especially well for creators with a smaller follower base who want to target specific followers.
4. Share the link to the channel in an email newsletter or other social media platforms to cover all your bases. 

7 Use Cases of Instagram Broadcast Channels

With Instagram Broadcast Channels, content creators can communicate with their followers by promoting and sharing a broad array of content. Here are a few examples of what to share on your broadcast channel: 

1. Launch and promote a new product: Use Instagram Broadcast Channels to create a buzz around a new product launch or promote an existing one.
2. Share exclusive information: Give followers behind-the-scenes access to your creative process or share exclusive information with them.
3. Send personalized messages: Content creators can use Broadcast Channels to send birthday messages or giveaways to their followers.
4. Connect with a select group of followers: Use Instagram Broadcast Channels to connect with a particular group of followers and send relevant messages to them.
5. Share exclusive event updates: Use Broadcast Channels to update your followers on the latest information regarding events, such as meet-and-greets, or concerts. 
6. Share tutorials or quick tips: Content creators can use the Instagram Broadcast Channel to share tips, tutorials, and other helpful content with their audience. 
7. Send surveys and polls: Use Instagram Broadcast Channels to send surveys and polls to your followers to gather feedback and insight on new products or services.

Create Your Instagram Broadcast Channel!

Instagram Broadcast Channels is a creative and fun strategy for content creators to build a community and engage with their followers. If you'd like more ways to engage with your community, you should consider offering memberships. With a Fourthwall Memberships site, you can post exclusive content, run polls, and so much more. Get started on Fourthwall today to start offering merch, apparel, memberships, and more!

This unique feature complements the addition of Instagram Subscriptions, which allow content creators to offer premium content to their followers. To learn more about more ways to engage with your community and make money on Instagram, be sure to check out our other guides:

• How to Get Sponsored on Instagram
• What is the Instagram Subscription Feature & How Does it Work?
• Instagram Monetization in 2023: A Complete Guide