Even if you are excited about the opportunities that Instagram provides, it can be challenging to know how to use it to present your brand to the world. Setting up an account is fast and easy. The hard part is knowing what type of content to post to get good results. For the sake of consistency, use the same handle that you use on sites like Twitter when setting up your account. Upload a relevant profile picture and include a link to your company’s site, as well.
You should also link your Instagram account to your Facebook page. That way, people can find you in both places. You should also look at services that can give your new Instagram account a quick boost, and find out how to get a free trial for this service. Once you have finished taking all of these steps, you are ready to get started on the task of growing your account.
Analyze Other Businesses
Sometimes, the best way to learn about a new platform is by seeing how other businesses are using it. Reading through posts on the Instagram for Business blog is a good option. This blog not only provides helpful tips but also showcases brands that are using Instagram successfully. You can even find examples of how to use the API and other info that you can use to get the most out of this particular social media platform, no matter how much experience you have.
Post A Combination Of Professional Photos And Entertaining Images
Posting a variety of different types of images will make your Instagram feed more interesting. Along with professional photos of your business, include casual images that are there just for their entertainment value. One great strategy is to have your pet act as an ambassador for your brand. Periodically post photos of them dressed up in your company colors or interacting with your latest products. This is a great way to add personality to your feed.
Work On Getting Followers
Your level of success on Instagram largely depends on the number of followers that you have. Encourage people who currently follow you on Facebook to follow you on Instagram as well by connecting the two platforms. Remember to tag your posts with relevant hashtags, too. This gets your content in front of people who aren’t already familiar with your brand, improving your chances of gaining new followers.
Adding content of your own is only one part of the equation. It is equally as important to interact with your followers. When someone follows you, consider following them back. Liking some of their pictures can also go a long way toward creating a good relationship. Remember –when you comment on or like another photo, it provides additional exposure for your brand.
If you are cross-posting your images to Facebook, include a hashtag that relates to your business or your marketing campaign. This makes it easy for people to find your content even if they aren’t following you on Instagram.
Post Videos To Instagram And Showcase Them On Your Blog
You can now upload 15-second videos to Instagram, providing another fun way to engage. Being able to post longer videos than you can on Vine opens up a lot more possibilities.
Once you create your videos, embed them in your blog or website. Share them through Facebook, as well. This increases your exposure while still allowing you to maintain consistency across multiple social media platforms.
Follow A Fluid Posting Schedule
You don’t have to add new content every day to get noticed. Instead, take your time and come up with content that is worth sharing. The last thing that you want to do is lose followers because you are posting too often. Set up a fluid posting schedule that you can adapt as needed. As you gain experience, you should be able to get a sense of when most of your followers are online so that you can plan your posts accordingly.
Use Other Apps To Customize Your Content
Instagram has many tools available for editing your content, ranging from features like Boomerang and InShot to its own internal video editor. You can also find third-party apps that give you even more control over your content.
Using apps like these is a great way to make your posts even more eye-catching and engaging, which can help you gain more followers. When your posts look great, people are more likely to share or like them.
Instagram is an excellent tool for today’s businesses. Learning how to use it can have a positive impact on your bottom line. As you work with the platform and get to know more about how it works, you should be able to identify which techniques are the most effective when it comes to promoting your business.
