Let’s talk about the main platform for social media marketing these days.
Yes, its Instagram!
It’s never too late to start your business or yourself as content creator on Instagram. As the platform has 1 billion active users and it continues to roll out new business specific features, perhaps there is no better time than now to start on Instagram and mark your presence.
It’s Free!!! And there is an audience waiting for you whether you are content creator who educates/entertains or just shares his or her lifestyle. If you are business owner and want to reach your target customers, your customers are waiting there too.
I have outlined few points to get you started on Instagram whether you are business or content creator. Important is build your audience who falls in love with your content or products/services.
- 1.. Build your Impactful Profile/Bio
You actually can’t do much on Instagram unless you fill your profile correctly.
NameUsernameWebsiteBio
Well, all these are self-explanatory still needs few pointers to get that impactful presence in the world of Instagram.
Update a good profile photo, that has to be your company logo preferably if you are business or a good face clear picture which is impressive if you are a content creator.
Account Name: This has to be your name in case of content creator and your company name in case of business.
Username: This has to be very catchy or meaningful name which will be across all platforms in case you make it big on this platform. And for business it has to be your company name again without any spaces.
Website: This will be only clickable link on your profile. So most businesses use their website URL or the current promotion on the website URL. In case of content creator use your website URL or blogpost URL if you have any.
Bio: Your bio is your actual Introduction to the world here. This will capture most attention of the users so be as creative as possible and describe your business in few words, write a slogan your brand believes in.
For Content creators be creative with your page introduction, write what best describes you or your page and why should someone just stop by your profile and click that follow button. You can also write email address or location so that brands can easily contact you.
- 2. Build your community
With so many users and so many photos and videos floating around Instagram you need to mark your presence to your audience.
Reality check here: You do not need millions or followers to tell a success story about
you, but just a good engaging number of followers.
Start by engaging with others on one-to-one basis and build relationship. Ask them
feedback and what more they want to see on your feed. Visit their profiles and engage
on them.
Remember this: Instagram is not a place where you relax once you build your
audiencethinking that they will surely come to you. Business/content creators big or small should focus on their followers and tap on niche communities where the audience is already hanging out.
How can you do that?
By using power of right Hashtags
Hashtags essentially act as a search function for Instagram to find relevant followers and brands. And again, using right hashtags means getting specific audience/niche audience. For example, #beauty has millions of posts behind it. Using crowed hashtags won’t help you get niche audience. Consider smaller hashtags such as #beautybasics #ctmroutine if you write about some tips on skin care or if you are a brand who has products related to skin care/face. Use Hashtags indicating your niche in your industry, like #weddingphotographer or #travelphotographer.
Similarly, location specific hashtags are best if you want to target your audience based on location. You can find specific hashtags on google and many other apps such as sprout.
You can use up to 30 hashtags on a post and 10 on Instagram Stories.
Tagging is winning
Ask your own customers or audience to tag you in their post or photos once they use your products or services does the double duty of showing off your products/services. Give shoutouts in your stories to your customers/audience who tagged you creates a sense of brand loyalty that most business die for. The more you show off your customer satisfaction the more audience you attract.
- 3. Being responsive:
Running your business on Instagram doesn’t mean you have to be 24 hours available. Efficiency counts on social media platform. Liking most of the post on your feed, commenting on them and replying to comments on your post, following relevant users. All these activities along with your content calendar plays an important role to streamline your work on social media.
For example, you should keep a good understanding on how often to post on Instagram to maximize engagement and when your followers are going online mostly. You will get all these by checking your insights from your profile. Its good to keep track of all these to save yourself from scrolling through Instagram 24*7.
In short anything you do on Instagram for your business or for your self should be double checked and focused on your brand’s main goal to save your precious time.
- 4. Goal-Driven Content
Instagram is so much more than just random selfies and snapshots. So set your goals for your brand’s page. And stick to it.
Ask yourself what you can post?
– Are you trying to build brand awareness?
– Do you have killer photos of your products that you want to show off?
– Are you talented artist and want to teach your skills to others?
– Are you a brand who wants to sell on social media platforms?
Awesome. Then just stick to your set goals while posting content on Instagram. Make sure your images are eye-popping and there should a call to action for viewers. Haphazardly posting is not a good strategy when it comes to Instagram. First decide what your brand wants to do, and you can better perform on this platform.
- 5. Let your page speak for itself
You may not be the amazing story teller but you can write a narrative for your picture in such a way that your audience gets all the information and gets excited after reading that. Your pictures on your feed should speak for itself and your product line.
Even if you give information or share some tips related to your products and services it should have some take away for your audience. People should have one glance at your feed and should know what your business/brand is about even if they are not familiar with your brand earlier. Instagram for business doesn’t always have to be suit and tie pictures or product display pictures, it can have a meme based content and beautifully shot short videos showcasing your products in details.
- 6. Build Your Fanbase And Reach New Customers.
Once your brand is familiar and found the base with your audience you need to give it back to them through GIVEAWAYS/ CONTEST. You need to conduct giveaways by showcasing your products/services as return gifts after your audience has followed all rules. This strategy can impact your Instagram growth.
These are staples of Instagram marketing. By this you will reach new potential customers and retain your current fanbase. You can reshare the photos from your customers feed showcasing your products in them, most of the big brands do it.
- 7. Keep Your Game Up With Help From Influencers.
It is the quickest way to rise up on Instagram if you establish relationships with Influencers in your industry that already have a massive following. Getting a push and shout out from right influencer from your industry can change the game and give your page a credibility.
Some Influencer’s shoutout can actually boost up the game, that’s why some influencers do paid shoutout through post, while some do it organically. To start with you can tag them in your post or directly contact them on social media platforms and give away your products/services and ask for shoutout- this is called barter deal. While other Influencers with good following will ask for payment in return of promotion. Do whatever suits your business. Don’t be afraid to reach out to influencers and introduce yourself. Let them know you’re a fan of what they do and you’d like to connect with them. Also, their audience should also obviously match your target audience.
If you are still thinking of starting your business on Instagram, don’t wait just dive in. With an active, ever-growing user base, Instagram has proven itself as a staple of social marketing rather than being stagnant. There’s still a place waiting for you on the platform.
Do comment below for more queries.
Seema 🙂
