6 Tips for Using Instagram for Business
Are you Instagram-curious but unsure how to build and leverage a brand profile that makes your brand enticing to a new market? Getting started is fairly simple, but there are things you can do to make your efforts pay off faster. If you already have a Twitter handle, try to keep the same name when you sign up for an Instagram account. Add a profile pic that represents your brand and a link to your business website.
You can also connect your account to Facebook so followers can find you there as well. After you set up your Instagram account, there are a number of things you can do to capitalize your presence there.
Learn How Businesses Are Using Instagram
Businesses are flocking to Instagram to harness the power of this social media blockbuster. This is largely due to the launch of the Instagram for Business blog which features tips, brand spotlights, API examples and other helpful information for newcomers and seasoned users alike.
Balance Fun Images with Your Business Shots
Take advantage of the real estate available with an Instagram web page that creates a story with images. You can mix in business scenes with photos added just for fun. Tip: As if you didn’t already know, everybody loves puppies. Let your dog act as a brand ambassador, and you can even equip him with the latest swag – covered in your business logo, of course.
Cultivate a Following
Instagram doesn’t do much good if you haven’t cultivated a following. One of the best ways to do this is to sign up for free followers on Instagram. You can also connect to your Facebook account for cross-branding and use relevant, popular hashtags that draw in followers organically.
The other side of this is following your followers and liking their photos. This goes beyond quid pro quo to create goodwill. Plus, commenting and liking photos on other accounts gives you even more exposure.
When you cross-post images on Facebook, be sure to add a hashtag that fits in with your campaign so that people not connected to you on Instagram can easily find you and share your posts.
Debut Videos and Embedded Instagram Video in Blogs
Twitter’s Vine has some serious competition with the more recent Video on Instagram feature. You can post 15-second, editable videos – more than twice as long as Vine content allows.
To maximize your efforts, embed Instagram videos everywhere, including your blogs, website and Facebook posts. This gives you multi-channel coverage and fluidity as you get your brand out to more people in a consistent format.
Develop a Flexible Posting Plan
It’s important to post often but not necessarily every day. Since feed speed on Instagram is still fairly calm, you have a little more leeway between posts. This is a far better strategy than saturating followers’ feeds and being dropped. Using your current inventory of content, create a schedule of what to post and when to post it. Track your followers and responses to better determine what’s working.
Harness the Power of Apps
Instagram has native apps like its video editor, InShot and Boomerang offerings that help users customize photos and videos. However, there are many apps available on the internet that provide even more opportunities and effects.
This is a great way to keep your content fresh and to attract new followers who want to know how you did it. Being the go-to wizard for effects, apps and posts is a fantastic way to get likes and shares.
There are many ways to use Instagram positively for your business and stay ahead of the competition. The more you learn, the more effective you become, garnering positive results for your products and services.