How to Host an Instagram Takeover Successfully: 12 Inspiring Examples and Best Practices

Instagram has become one of the most powerful social media platforms for businesses to connect with their target audience and build brand awareness. With over 2 billion monthly active users as of 2023, and 90% of users following at least one brand, Instagram offers a tremendous opportunity for businesses to reach and engage with potential customers. One highly effective way to leverage this potential is by hosting an Instagram takeover.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into the world of Instagram takeovers, exploring their benefits, planning and execution strategies, and best practices to ensure success. We‘ll also showcase 12 inspiring examples from various industries and share expert insights to help you make the most of this powerful Instagram marketing strategy.

What is an Instagram Takeover?

An Instagram takeover is a collaborative marketing initiative where a guest creator temporarily takes control of a host account to share content with the host‘s audience. The guest, often an influencer, thought leader, or brand representative, creates and posts content on the host account for a predetermined period, typically ranging from a few hours to a full day.

During the takeover, the guest shares their unique perspective, expertise, or experiences with the host‘s followers, providing fresh and engaging content that aligns with the host‘s brand values and messaging.

The Benefits of Instagram Takeovers

Hosting an Instagram takeover can provide numerous benefits for your brand, including:

1. Increased Engagement: Takeovers often generate higher levels of engagement compared to regular content. According to a study by Klear, Instagram takeovers can result in a 70% increase in engagement rates on average. The guest brings their own unique style and voice to the host‘s account, attracting the attention of both the host‘s and guest‘s followers.

2. Expanded Reach: By collaborating with a guest who has a different but relevant audience, you can expose your brand to a new group of potential followers and customers. A study by Influencer Marketing Hub found that businesses can reach an average of 60% new audiences through Instagram takeovers.

3. Building Trust and Credibility: Partnering with respected influencers or thought leaders for a takeover can help build trust and credibility with your audience. By associating your brand with a trusted figure, you can increase brand loyalty and encourage followers to view your products or services more favorably.

4. Driving Sales and Conversions: Instagram takeovers can be an effective way to drive sales and conversions for your business. By showcasing your products or services through the eyes of a trusted influencer, you can encourage followers to make a purchase. A survey by MediaKix found that 80% of consumers have made a purchase based on an influencer‘s recommendation.

5. Content Diversification: Takeovers provide an opportunity to diversify your content and offer your followers a fresh perspective, helping to keep your account engaging and dynamic. By featuring guest creators with different styles and expertise, you can appeal to a wider range of interests within your target audience.

Planning and Preparing for Your Instagram Takeover

To ensure a successful Instagram takeover, thorough planning and preparation are essential. Here are the key steps to follow:

1. Choose the Right Guest: Select a guest who aligns with your brand values, has a relevant and engaged audience, and can provide valuable content for your followers. Consider their expertise, style, and ability to contribute to your takeover goals. It‘s also important to consider the guest‘s audience demographics to ensure they align with your target market.

2. Set Clear Goals and Objectives: Define what you want to achieve through the takeover, whether it‘s increasing engagement, gaining new followers, promoting a specific product, or driving traffic to your website. Clear goals will guide your content plan and help you measure success. Be specific and set measurable targets, such as increasing engagement by 25% or gaining 1,000 new followers.

3. Determine the Duration and Format: Decide how long the takeover will last and what format it will take. Will it be a series of posts, stories, live videos, or a combination? Consider your goals and the guest‘s strengths when making these decisions. For example, if your goal is to showcase a new product, a series of posts and stories featuring the product in action may be most effective.

4. Create a Content Plan and Guidelines: Collaborate with your guest to develop a detailed content plan that aligns with your goals and brand messaging. Create a content calendar outlining the specific posts, stories, and other content to be shared during the takeover. Provide guidelines on tone, hashtags, mentions, and any other important considerations to ensure a cohesive and on-brand takeover.

5. Set a Budget and Consider Compensation: Determine your budget for the takeover, including any compensation for the guest. Influencer rates can vary widely depending on factors such as follower count, engagement rate, and content type. According to a survey by Later, the average cost per Instagram post for influencers with 100,000 followers is $1,000. Be sure to discuss compensation and expectations clearly with the guest before proceeding.

Promoting and Executing Your Instagram Takeover

With the planning stage complete, it‘s time to promote and execute your Instagram takeover:

1. Announce the Takeover: Build anticipation by announcing the takeover in advance on your Instagram account and other marketing channels. Share teasers about the guest, the takeover theme, and what followers can expect. Consider creating a dedicated hashtag for the takeover to make it easy for followers to follow along and engage.

2. Optimize Timing and Frequency: Consider the optimal timing and frequency for promoting the takeover to maximize visibility and engagement. According to Sprout Social, the best times to post on Instagram are Wednesdays at 11 AM and Fridays between 10-11 AM. However, be sure to analyze your own audience‘s engagement patterns to determine the best times for your specific followers.

3. Utilize Effective Promotion Tactics: Implement effective promotion tactics to build excitement and encourage participation. For example, create countdown posts leading up to the takeover, host Instagram Live sessions with the guest to give followers a sneak peek, and share behind-the-scenes content to humanize your brand and the guest.

4. Provide Account Access and Resources: Ensure your guest has the necessary account access and resources, such as login credentials, brand guidelines, and any other relevant information, to execute the takeover smoothly. Consider using a third-party platform like Sprout Social or Hootsuite to securely share account access without revealing passwords.

5. Cross-Promote on Guest‘s Channels: Encourage your guest to promote the takeover on their own social media channels to drive their followers to your account and increase visibility. Provide them with pre-written social media copy, graphics, and other assets to make promotion easy and consistent.

6. Monitor and Engage: During the takeover, closely monitor the content being shared and engage with your audience by responding to comments, questions, and feedback. This will help foster a sense of community and encourage further participation. Be prepared to handle any potential challenges, such as negative comments or technical difficulties, in a timely and professional manner.

Best Practices for Successful Instagram Takeovers

To maximize the impact of your Instagram takeover, consider these best practices:

1. Set Clear Goals and KPIs: Before planning your takeover, set clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure success. Common goals include increasing engagement, growing your follower base, driving website traffic, and boosting sales. Be specific and set measurable targets, such as increasing engagement by 30% or gaining 1,500 new followers.

2. Maintain Brand Consistency: While allowing your guest‘s unique voice to shine, ensure that the takeover content remains consistent with your brand‘s overall aesthetic, messaging, and values. Provide your guest with brand guidelines, including color palette, language, and any specific dos and don‘ts to maintain a cohesive brand experience.

3. Create a Cohesive Visual Aesthetic: Develop a cohesive visual aesthetic for the takeover content to create a seamless and visually appealing experience for your followers. Consider using a consistent color scheme, font, and graphic style throughout the takeover posts and stories.

4. Utilize Hashtags, Mentions, and Location Tags: Increase the visibility of your takeover by using relevant hashtags, mentioning the guest and other relevant accounts, and tagging locations when appropriate. Encourage your guest to do the same to maximize reach and engagement.

5. Incorporate Interactive Elements: Boost engagement by including interactive elements such as Q&As, polls, challenges, and user-generated content prompts. This encourages followers to actively participate in the takeover and fosters a sense of community around your brand.

6. Repurpose Takeover Content: After the takeover, repurpose the content for future use on your own social media channels, website, or other marketing materials. This helps extend the life of the takeover and provides valuable content for your ongoing marketing efforts.

7. Measure and Analyze Performance: After the takeover, measure and analyze key metrics such as engagement rate, follower growth, website traffic, and sales. Use these insights to inform future takeover strategies and collaborations. Consider creating a report to share with your guest and internal stakeholders to demonstrate the takeover‘s success and impact.

12 Inspiring Instagram Takeover Examples

Now that you understand the fundamentals of hosting an Instagram takeover, let‘s explore 12 inspiring examples from various industries to spark your creativity:

1. Airbnb x Mariah Carey: Airbnb partnered with singer Mariah Carey for a takeover that showcased her stay at a luxurious Airbnb property. The takeover featured a mix of photos and videos, giving followers a glimpse into Carey‘s glamorous getaway and highlighting the unique experiences available through Airbnb. The takeover generated over 1 million likes and helped Airbnb reach a new audience of Carey‘s fans.

2. Glossier x Olivia Rodrigo: Beauty brand Glossier collaborated with singer Olivia Rodrigo for a takeover that showcased her favorite Glossier products and beauty routine. The takeover included a mix of posts and stories, with Rodrigo sharing her skincare tips and makeup looks using Glossier products. The takeover resulted in a 25% increase in engagement and a 10% boost in sales of the featured products.

3. Nike x Serena Williams: Nike teamed up with tennis superstar Serena Williams for a takeover that promoted the launch of her new clothing line. Williams shared behind-the-scenes content from the collection‘s photoshoot, as well as her personal style tips and fitness routines. The takeover generated over 2 million likes and helped drive traffic to Nike‘s website, resulting in a 15% increase in sales of the new collection.

4. National Geographic x Photographers: National Geographic regularly features takeovers by its network of photographers, allowing them to share their stunning images and stories from around the world. These takeovers provide followers with unique perspectives and insights into the work of National Geographic‘s talented contributors. One recent takeover by photographer Charlie Hamilton James generated over 500,000 likes and helped grow National Geographic‘s Instagram following by 3%.

5. Sephora x Beauty Influencers: Cosmetics retailer Sephora often partners with beauty influencers for takeovers that showcase new product launches, makeup tutorials, and skincare routines. These takeovers help Sephora reach new audiences and provide followers with valuable beauty content from trusted influencers. A recent takeover by influencer Makeup by Mario generated over 1 million views on Instagram Stories and resulted in a 20% increase in sales of the featured products.

6. Tastemade x Chefs: Food and travel platform Tastemade collaborates with chefs and food influencers for takeovers that feature recipes, cooking tips, and culinary adventures. These takeovers help Tastemade diversify its content and engage with food enthusiasts on Instagram. A takeover by chef and influencer Jamie Oliver generated over 500,000 likes and helped Tastemade gain 25,000 new followers.

7. Lululemon x Yoga Instructors: Athletic apparel brand Lululemon partners with yoga instructors for takeovers that share yoga flows, mindfulness tips, and wellness advice. These takeovers align with Lululemon‘s brand values and provide followers with valuable content related to their active lifestyles. A recent takeover by yoga instructor and influencer Yoga with Adriene generated over 1 million views on Instagram Live and helped drive a 20% increase in traffic to Lululemon‘s website.

8. MoMA x Artists: The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City hosts takeovers by contemporary artists, allowing them to share their creative processes, inspirations, and artwork with MoMA‘s followers. These takeovers provide a platform for artists to connect with a wide audience and give followers an inside look at the art world. A takeover by artist Yayoi Kusama generated over 2 million likes and helped MoMA gain 100,000 new followers.

9. Lonely Planet x Travel Influencers: Travel guidebook and media company Lonely Planet collaborates with travel influencers for takeovers that showcase destinations, travel tips, and adventure stories. These takeovers inspire wanderlust and provide followers with valuable travel content from experienced globetrotters. A takeover by travel influencer The Blonde Abroad generated over 500,000 likes and helped Lonely Planet increase engagement by 30%.

10. Patagonia x Environmental Activists: Outdoor clothing brand Patagonia partners with environmental activists for takeovers that raise awareness about conservation efforts, sustainable living, and environmental issues. These takeovers align with Patagonia‘s commitment to environmental activism and engage followers who share these values. A takeover by activist Greta Thunberg generated over 3 million likes and helped Patagonia gain 250,000 new followers.

11. Adobe x Graphic Designers: Software company Adobe collaborates with graphic designers for takeovers that showcase their creative processes, design tips, and artwork created using Adobe products. These takeovers inspire creativity and demonstrate the versatility of Adobe‘s tools to its followers. A takeover by graphic designer Jessica Walsh generated over 1 million likes and helped Adobe increase engagement by 40%.

12. Fender x Musicians: Iconic guitar brand Fender partners with musicians for takeovers that share their musical journeys, songwriting processes, and performances. These takeovers provide a platform for artists to connect with Fender‘s music-loving audience and showcase the brand‘s instruments in action. A takeover by musician H.E.R. generated over 500,000 views on Instagram Live and helped Fender drive a 15% increase in website traffic.

Conclusion

Instagram takeovers are a powerful marketing tool that can help businesses increase engagement, reach new audiences, build trust and credibility, drive sales, and diversify their content. By carefully planning your takeover, collaborating with the right guest, and following best practices, you can create a successful and memorable experience for your followers.

Use the 12 inspiring examples provided as a starting point to brainstorm your own unique takeover ideas, and don‘t be afraid to think outside the box. With creativity, preparation, and a willingness to engage with your audience, you can unlock the full potential of Instagram takeovers and take your Instagram marketing to the next level.

Remember to set clear goals and KPIs, maintain brand consistency, create a cohesive visual aesthetic, utilize interactive elements, and measure and analyze performance to continually refine your takeover strategy. By staying up-to-date with the latest Instagram trends and best practices, you can create takeovers that resonate with your audience and drive meaningful results for your business.