Instagram is one of the most popular and effective social media platforms that businesses utilize to market their brand. If done correctly, Instagram can be a vital resource to help grow your small business. Below we’ve provided seven tips for using Instagram to grow your business.
1. Make Your Page Stand Out
Viewers should be able to differentiate your page from the mass of others within your market. It is important that the content on your page convey the voice/tone of your brand. Post content/photos that will resonate with and draw people in.
2. Utilize Hashtags Effectively
Adding hashtags to your post that are relevant to your business, brand and/or industry is a great way to gain the attention of users that aren’t already following you and help build awareness for your brand. When a user is searching for a topic related to your hashtags, your post will appear and you may acquire a new follower! As your business grows its followers, use brand/business specific hashtags as a way to spread the word about your products/services and hopefully get followers to post using your brand’s hashtags.
3. Post During Peak Hours
Picking the right times to post for maximum exposure, may be difficult with different time zones so, it is beneficial to post multiple times a day to ensure you’re reaching the audience possible. Experimenting with the times you post will give you an idea of the best times of day that reach the most people. Scheduling tools like Buffer and Hootsuite can be used to schedule your posts in advance and give insight on what times of the day are best.
4. Instagram Carousels
If you are launching a promotion or event, an Instagram carousel is an eye-catching and easy way to post a group of related photos together. It can also be used for a simple collection of photos specific to your brand; allowing you to upload up to 10 photos at a time.
5. Instagram Live & Stories
Utilizing Instagram Live for Q&A’s and video tutorials are an engaging and interactive way to stand out. It is said to attract double the amount of views and comments than other posts. Video tutorials and Q&A’s can also help market your product/service by featuring a video utilizing and/or discussing it. Instagram Stories can quickly and easily engages viewers by promoting your product/service for the limited 24 hours. This gets users to “swipe up” or “click the link in the bio.”
6. Connect with Instagram Influencers
Reaching out to Instagram Influencers who may be interested in your brand/business is very important to increase your following and market your brand. Tagging them in posts will gain a new audience of people that were searching for that influencer, but now have access to you. Research to find the right influencers in your field.
7. Offer Special Instagram Promotions
Create an Instagram user specific discount, for example – “Apply the code INSTAGRAM FOLLOWER for a 10% discount,” on your profile for a limited-time on your services/products. This can help drive website traffic to your site and gain followers hoping for future discounts.
Marketing your business on social media is absolutely necessary and using Instagram can help you keep up with your competitors and stay relevant in this ever-growing global marketplace! Make sure to use the seven tips above to help grow your business, if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out…We’re always happy to help!
Danielle Foley, President
Foley Marketing Advisors
dfoley@foleymarketingadvisors.com