Start now
←  Fourthwall Blog
·
Sep 13, 2023
·
5
min read

Instagram Broadcast Channel: What You Need to Know

A Complete Guide to Instagram Broadcast Channels for Engaging with Your Supporters
IG Broadcast Channel Image

Table of Contents

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?

Here's an example of an Instagram Broadcast Channel message from a creator (Source: Mashable)

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:

Design & sell custom products

Multiple designs being placed onto a sweatshirt/jumper/crewneck and then being shown as a mockup image
4.6
(766+ seller reviews)
Fourthwall is the best way to create your own premium quality products to sell to your online audience
Premium quality. Fast shipping. No minimums.
Multiple designs being placed onto a sweatshirt/jumper/crewneck and then being shown as a mockup image

Build your brand. On your terms

Browse our product catalog

Choose from hundreds of premium products you can design and sell instantly
Cotton Heritage M2580
Cotton Heritage Unisex Premium Hoodie
70
Printed
Embroidered
From $25.45
|
No minimums
+11
Allcolor 5493
Kiss Cut Stickers
45
Sticker
From $2.20
|
No minimums
+0
Mugz WGM79B
Black Glossy Mug
42
Sublimation
From $8.95
|
No minimums
+0
Gildan 5000
Gildan Heavyweight T-Shirt
42
Printed
Embroidered
From $9.25
|
No minimums
+31
Mugz WGM78
White Glossy Mug
41
Sublimation
From $5.95
|
No minimums
+0
Mugz WGM79C
Ceramic Mug with Color Inside
40
Sublimation
From $8.95
|
No minimums
+6
Gildan 64000
Gildan Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt
33
Printed
From $9.25
|
No minimums
+3

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to use Fourthwall?

There are no monthly fees, no upfront costs, and no contracts to use Fourthwall. You set your prices and choose your own margins. Here is how our pricing and splits work when you sell:

  • Products from our product catalog. All products in our product catalog have a publicly listed flat fee, which gets deducted from the selling price you set. There are no extra percentages/margins. You keep 100% of profits.
  • Products you ship yourself. No fee (0% fee)
  • Digital products. 3% flat fee
  • Subscription memberships. 5% flat fee

Additionally, all US-based credit card transactions have an added 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee (same as Shopify). Fees vary for PayPal and other providers. Learn more.

How much money do I make on sales from the Fourthwall catalog?

Product costs are listed directly in our product catalog.

If a t-shirt is listed in our catalog at a $10 cost, we will automatically deduct that amount from your profits whenever you make a sale. You can sell products for any price you want.

For example, if you sell the shirt for $22, you'll make $12 in profit on each unit sold. If you sell it for $50, then you'll make $40 in profit on each unit sold.

Does Fourthwall ship worldwide?

Yes! Fourthwall works with manufacturing & fulfillment partners around the globe in the US, UK, EU, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Japan.

Shipping rates are dynamically determined by the size of package and destination. We work with most major carriers and pass through the true cost of shipping. That means that you can offer low-cost, fast shipping to your fans. Most items have a delivery window of 5-8 days.

Be sure to browse our product catalog to find products that are fulfilled out of your target regions to provide the fastest & cheapest shipping for your community.

Does Fourthwall handle sales tax?

Fourthwall operates as the "Merchant of Record", which means that we're responsible for handling all sales taxes. This includes nexus registration, collecting sales tax, and remitting this to US states & other countries.

That way you can focus on designing products and promoting your shop, not taxes.

Can I connect a custom domain to Fourthwall?

Yes. You can connect a custom domain or subdomain on Fourthwall. Learn More.

Does Fourthwall offer artwork & design support?

If you need help finding an artist or designer, check out our design community.

This is a vetted network of exceptional designers that can help you make great quality designs for your audience. We also recommend tools like Canva or Kittl.

Does Fourthwall provide customer support for my orders?

Yes. For any product from our product catalog, we'll handle all customer support for you.

From answering general order questions to making address changes, our team is there to ensure that your buyers are treated with the same level of care that you would personally give them. We have a 12-hour or less average reply time, including nights and weekends.

For any items that you source on your own and ship from home, however, you'll need to do customer support.

Can you show me examples of storefronts on Fourthwall?

Yes! Over 200,000 sellers use Fourthwall to power their storefronts. This includes creators, podcasters, artists, musicians, startups, non-profits, and more.

Get inspired and browse all examples sites.

What integrations does Fourthwall have?

Fourthwall supports many free integrations, including:

  • YouTube Product Shelf (Merch Shelf)
  • TikTok Shop
  • Facebook and Instagram Shopping
  • Twitch Product Gifting
  • StreamElements and Streamlabs stream alerts
  • Zapier
  • Klaviyo
  • Mailchimp
  • And many, many more

See all apps & integrations.

Are there any requirements to join Fourthwall?

There are no requirements to join Fourthwall! Sign up now.