You want to know how we use Instagram for business?
Instagram is a great way to connect with your customers and grow your business, but it can be confusing to figure out how to use the platform best.
There are so many different ways that you can use Instagram for marketing purposes, but very few people understand how all of those methods work together.
But don’t worry! Keep reading because this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to use Instagram tools and Instagram marketing to grow your business!
- Know Your Audience
Before you start using Instagram for business, you need to understand your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What are their interests?
Once you know that, you can create content that resonates with them and that they’ll want to share.
- Use Hashtags
Hashtags are a good way to get your content seen by more peoples. But don’t use too many or your posts will look like spam. Instead, find hashtags that are relevant to your business and use them in your posts.
- Post at Optimal Times
Not all times of the day are equal when it comes to posting on Instagram. According to CoSchedule, here are the best times to post on Instagram:
- 6 am
- 8 am
- 12 pm
- 2 pm
- 6 pm
- 7 pm
- 10 pm
- 11 pm
If you focus on posting around these times, it almost guarantees you heightened engagement.
- Optimize Your Profile
Your profile is your opportunity to make a good first impression and introduce people to your business. Make sure you fill out all of the information, including your website and bio. And be sure to use a great profile picture and cover photo.
- Use Images That Are Eye-Catching
If you want your posts to be seen and shared, they need to stand out. People scroll quickly through their feeds and will only stop if you look interesting enough.
Here are some tips for images:
Bold colors get more attention than muted ones.
Images that include faces get 38% more likes than those without.
You’re 78% more likely to get a follow if you post during weekdays rather than weekends.
Landscape photos generate 53% more comments than portrait photos do.
- Post Other Content Than Just Photos
Even though Instagram is the place where people go to see beautiful images, it’s also a great place for other types of content as well—like videos and slideshows.
So don’t be afraid to mix it up a little bit and give your followers a more diverse experience on Instagram.
- Find Ways to Stand Out from the Crowd
In order for your business to stand out, you have to do things that other businesses aren’t doing or aren’t as good at doing as you are. And then you have to find ways to communicate those unique qualities in a way that resonates with your target audience.
- Create Stories
Stories are like Snapchat for the feed—only people can see them if they follow you (or another person whose story they’re watching). You can try creating stories around events, behind-the-scenes footage, tutorials, customer testimonials, etc. Stories disappear after 24 hours, so it’s a great way to keep people engaged.
- Use Calls to Action
In order for people to take action, you need to tell them what you want them to do. So use calls to action in your posts and captions. Some good examples are “follow us,” “shop now,” “sign up,” etc.
- Interact with Other Accounts
The best way to grow your following on Instagram is by interacting with other accounts. Comment on other people’s photos, follow others, and like their posts.
When you do this, they’re more likely to return the favor and follow you back.
- Use Instagram Ads
If you want to reach a larger audience, Instagram ads are a great way to do it. You can target people based on their interests, demographics, and even what type of device they’re using.
Want to know more about making sales on Instagram? Read more here.
- Run Contests
People love contests and giveaways. So if you want to get more followers and engagement on Instagram, consider running a contest.
Just be sure to have clear rules and make sure that the prize is worth entering for.
- Host a Live Stream
Live streaming is becoming more and more popular, and it’s a great way to connect with your followers in real-time. You can host a live stream any time, but some good ideas for lifestreams are interviews, product launches, behind-the-scenes footage, and Q&As.
- Use Hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to get your content seen by more people. But go overboard—use no more than 10 hashtags per post.
Some good hashtags to use are specific to your industry or niche.
- Geotag Your Posts
When you geotag your posts, you’re adding geographical information to them. This helps people who are interested in that location see your posts.
It also helps if you’re running a contest and want people to enter from a certain area.
- Add Links to Your Posts
If you have a website or a product that you’re promoting for business marketing, you can add a link to your posts. But be careful not to overdo it—too many links in your posts can look spammy.
- Create a Customized URL
If you have a business profile on Instagram, you can create a customized URL for your profile. This makes it easier for people to find you and also helps with branding.
- Use Instagram Analytics
If you want to track the performance of your Instagram account, you need to use Instagram analytics. This will give you insights into things like how many people are following you, how much engagement your posts are getting, what type of is performing the best, etc.
- Use Tools to Help You Manage Your Account
There are a number of tools out there that can help you manage your Instagram account more effectively. Some good ones are Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Iconosquare.
- Be Patient
Growing an Instagram following takes time and effort. But if you consistently post high-quality content and engage with your followers, you’ll see results in no time.
- Create Your Personal Style
You can’t fit in if you don’t stand out. So the best way to build an audience on Instagram is by creating your personal style. What do you like? What are your passions? What makes you unique?
It’s okay to borrow a few ideas from others, but don’t become a copycat.
- Be Consistent
If you want to grow your following on Instagram, you need to post regularly and be consistent. Consistency is key if you want your audience to grow and develop trust with you.
- Check Your Spelling and Grammar Before Posting
You’re more likely to gain followers if people think that you know what you’re talking about. So before posting anything on Instagram, check that your spelling and grammar are correct so that everything looks professional.
- Show Personality in Your Posts
People like knowing what they can expect from a brand or an influencer on social media. So be sure to show your personality in your posts. Your followers will appreciate it and it will make you stand out from the crowd.
- Use Eye-Catching Photos and Videos
Photos and videos are a key part of Instagram, so you need to use them to their full potential. Make sure that your photos are high quality and that your videos are interesting and engaging.
- Follow Other Accounts in Your Niche
Following other accounts in your niche is a great way to get more exposure for your account. Plus, you can learn a lot from following other successful accounts.
- Engage With Your Followers
Engaging with your followers is one of the most important things that you can do with your account. If your followers know that they’re going to receive a response when they reach out to you, then they’ll be more likely to continue following and engaging with you.
How to Use Instagram For Business
In this post, we covered 20 tips to help you learn how to use Instagram for business. We hope that these insights will make it easier for you to get started with the platform and take advantage of its benefits as a marketing tool. After reading all of our suggestions, do you feel confident in your ability to create an effective Instagram strategy? If not, let us know!
We have a blog full of other articles that can provide valuable insight from their years of experience helping other companies grow online awareness through social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Our team is always available to answer any questions or concerns about how best to leverage the power of digital marketing tools such as Instagram for business growth. Are there any aspects of using Instagram which has been particularly helpful or difficult for you?