The numbers don’t lie: Instagram is one of the biggest, most important social media tools at your disposal. As of September 2015, there were 300 million monthly active Instagram users who managed to share more than 30 billion photos while reaching an average of 70 million shared posts daily. Not surprisingly, more than 70% of Instagram users are from outside the United States, but that doesn’t eliminate the large number of loyal Instagram users living in other countries. It is estimated that there will be an estimated 111.6 million foreign Instagram users by 2019.
More importantly, Instagram now has the potential to build and earn global reputation for your business – so let’s start at the beginning by addressing a fundamental but very important question: How do I set up my Instagram account and make it attractive? Is it /useful/popular for as many consumers as possible? Research has proven that Instagram has a higher follower engagement rate than Facebook and Twitter, so it makes sense for marketers to devote 40% more time and resources to Instagram than any other social media platform.
Ready to set up your Instagram account? Here’s a look at mine. It specifically targets people with chronic diseases like me.
How to Grow Your Business with Instagram?
Besides posting bland and repetitive product photos, there are many ways to promote your business on Instagram. Here are a few practical ways to increase your business’s brand and revenues.
- Create your business bio using photos and interesting captions.
- Choose your hashtags well. The right hashtags will add numbers to people who follow you and share your posts. You can search for high-traffic hashtags online. Also, make sure to use several hashtags in each post. Studies show that people who use more than 11 hashtags get an average of more than 77 interactions, provided the hashtags are relevant.
- Respond to any comments you receive, but always make sure to be positive and respectful. Remember, you are in a public forum representing your business. Instagram is not the place to solve problems with customers. Any negative feedback should be resolved via email and Live Chat.
- Post photos your market will want to see, but make sure you don’t convert your business Instagram account to your personal account. Keep accounts separate. Be as approachable and cordial as possible with your client base while maintaining a professional demeanor and demeanor.
- Review your profile page regularly and ensure it is always optimized with updated bios and photos.
- Integrate your Instagram account with your other business online accounts.
- Use offer giveaways and promotional materials in exchange for involving people in a promotion or contest.
- Create videos to attract more viewers and increase brand awareness.
Final Tips for Building Your Business Using Instagram
- Remember to test the photos you submit and make changes if necessary. Try to make your posts as memorable as possible: One way to do this is to capture your products and/or events from different angles and in unique settings. Photos should also be well executed and easily understood by anyone viewing them. Always take care to follow the customers who follow your business. It is seen as a form of respect in the Instagram community.
- Interact with your followers and have fun with it! If you don’t know the person personally, be sure to ask for permission to regram, but learn to make notes and do some “regramming”.
Finally, make sure your photos are not disturbing. The backlash from a controversial photo – loss of followers or worse, loss of revenue – is hard to come by. Remember, in the age of screenshots, anything you post on social media has the potential to go viral at any moment, even after you delete it. At the end of the day, maintaining your reputation is just as important as building your brand through social media, so be careful before hitting the “send” button.
