The Best Way to Market Your Business with Instagram boom or bust?

What is Instagram?

We all know the phrase a picture is worth a 1,000 words, right!  Instagram is built on that very premise

Instagram is a mobile, desktop, and Internet-based photo-sharing application and service that allows users to share pictures and videos either publicly, or privately to pre-approved followers. Wikipedia

Great pictures are what make us stop and take a look, they can have an impact on us both visually and emotionally.  I know personally that I am a real pushover for cute puppy pictures.  What’s the one type of picture that always makes you stop and look?  The behaviour you want is for people to stop and look at your content, to market your business with Instagram you will need to take, create and or modify pictures that will do just that.  Make people stop and look.

This one on the SPCA BC Instagram profile got me to stop and look;  I know any time I am in the kitchen I have my dogs undivided attention.  I am pretty sure they would love to get up on the counter and see what’s happening!

Sometimes all it takes is taking the ordinary and adding just a little extra.

Instagram has an amazing amount of stickers, GIF’s and other lovely bits to add to your images.  Take advantage of them and you really could have a winner!

How to Use Instagram for Marketing

– set up and optimize your Instagram account for your business –

Start with this step, it is important to get set up properly to demonstrate you mean business.  I’m not saying everything has to be fancy and looking like Nike or Oprah, but do the best you can!  Create your account and follow the directions, it really is that easy.

– create posts you know your followers will love –

This definitely involves knowing what your audience loves and responds to.   may take a little digging and some research but it is well worth the time!  Instead of guessing you will know what types of images to take and look for.  You will be surprised how much time it will save you in the long run.  You won’t be full on guessing, you will be able to start with knowledge and this will also save you money too.

– use hashtags –

People often misunderstand the importance of hashtags.  It is a way of slipping yourself into an existing conversation or creating a new one.  Hashtags can bring more followers to your profile.  The more followers you have the greater your opportunity your images will be shared.  The more sharing means a bigger audience for you.  The bottom line it can translate into sales.

Oberlo published a list of the most popular Hashtags in 2017, here are the top 10 for likes.  Can you see yourself using one of these to describe any of your images?

1. #love
2. #instagood
3. #photooftheday
4. #fashion
5. #beautiful
6. #happy
7. #cute
8. #tbt
9. #like4like
10. #followme

Instragram Business Ideas

– product pictures –

I love the way many brands on Instagram are not just posting plain ole pictures of their product, but pictures of their products in action or use. A great example, one that even made me hungry is Pampered Chef.  They ask fans and customers to post pictures of the recipes they share. And they have some mighty fine looking recipes.

– how to –

How to’s are my favourite, but then teaching social media definitely lends itself to it!  Videos, PDF’s or blog posts do not need to be long and complicated.  I remember being a part of a group and creating a short 3 minute video on how to download a Facebook Video.  It was easy and everyone in the group was very grateful

– behind the scenes –

Just take a peek at the behind the scenes hashtag on Instagram. You will be inspired, it is an absolute treasure chest of ideas on how to create #behindthescenes for your business.

– Stats from Instagram –

800 + Million Instagram accounts worldwide are active every single month
80% of all accounts follow a business on Instagram
500+ Million Instagram accounts worldwide are active every day
30% of Instagram users have purchased something they initially saw on Instagram
300+ Million accounts use Instagram Stories every day

Be sure your potential clients can find you on Instagram, check out the awesome tool called Instagram Stories