How to Use Instagram For Your Business
I’ve covered how to choose the right social media platform(s) for your business. In this post, I’m taking things a step further. And if Instagram is your platform of choice, I’m sharing our best tips and tricks for using it for business.
Set Up A Business Account
First thing first: set up a business account. If you have an existing account, make sure it’s a business one! Doing so will give you unique insights, tools, and functions unavailable on personal profiles.
Use Instagram Stories
Selfie-haters, I’m sorry— you need to show your face on your Instagram story! Instagram’s algorithm is built around being people-centered, and your content will be favored if your face (or team member face) is in it.
The algorithm can be tricky to navigate: it decides what content gets circulated among users and which content becomes buried or hidden. According to Reusser, Instagram photos showing faces get 38% MORE likes than those without them in real life. In a nutshell, this means the algorithm favors people showing themselves, and the people they hang/work/collaborate with in real life. Showing up on Stories is an incredibly easy way to build a connection with your audience, show them a behind-the-scenes look at your business/brand, and set you apart from competitors.
Here are some simple IG (Instagram) Story ideas to get you started:
Behind the scenes— showing off a process, what the internal side of office life looks like, etc.
Day in the life of a small business owner— what does your day-to-day look like? Do you make site visits on a regular basis? Are you busy running errands? Where is your favorite place to grab coffee? What may seem mundane to you helps fans/followers get to know more!
Share what you’re working on— working on a collaboration? Have a big project launching soon? Dreaming of what’s to come?
Offer advice about your business, product, or service— showing a bit of the insider info from an industry expert like yourself is not only helpful but also positions you as someone to follow for helpful insight in the future.
Meet the team— let your followers/fans/potential clients know who you are!
If you’re cringing just thinking about posting an IG Story of yourself, I get it. Watch some Stories of industry peers, influencers, and even your friends for inspiration. While you’re recording yourself, try to keep it as natural as if you were talking to a friend right in front of you. It may feel awkward at first, but it will become natural over time! And if you get stuck, I’ve got a treasure trove of improv tips.
Follow Your Ideal Client/Customer
Take some time to understand who your ideal client or customer is. In a perfect world, who would you want to buy from/work with you? Who would find the utmost value in what you’re offering? Why would this ideal client or customer care about what you’re offering/providing? No detail is too small here— it’s important to really get to know who your target audience is.
Once you have an idea of who your ideal client/customer is, do some searches on Instagram to find those people. For example, if my target audience is Millennial coffee drinkers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, I would do a simple location search and see who has posted in coffee shops recently. If they look like they fit my ideal customer profile, I’d give them a follow. Your name will appear in their notification center, you’ll have hopefully piqued their interest, and they’ll visit your profile as a result.
This step can be somewhat time-consuming, but it’s worth it— especially if you’re just starting on Instagram.
Side note: Make sure to clean up your Instagram profile and ensure all information is accurate. The last thing you want from an interested follower is for them to discover your bio link is broken or your phone number is incorrect!
These are just a few of my favorite tips for businesses/brands looking to increase their Instagram impact. As you get more familiar with the platform, using Instagram will become easier to navigate, less cumbersome, and even fun!
If you need additional support or you’re ready to get a strategy set in place, reach out to our team. I’ll help you set milestone goals, get strategic about your Marketing, and make 2022 your best year yet!
Until next time,
Chelsie