Instagram is arguably the most visual of all social mediaplatforms. It’s a place where people can post photos and videos that show the
world what they see, think, and love. However, it’s also a business platform
with over 700 million users . Brands that have an Instagram account have a
great way to connect with customers and build their audience. If you are
thinking about establishing your brand on Instagram and launching your own
profile, here are some tips for how to use Instagram for business and how to
become an Instagram influencer.
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Photo by Souvik Banerjee on Unsplash
What is Instagram?
Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social mediaplatform that allows users to create and share images and 15-second videos of
their daily lives. Users can apply filters to their photos, add a location, and
select between a square or landscape view. On the business side, brands can
create an account, post photos and videos, and interact with a targeted
audience. While Instagram is free to use, the business side offers additional
features such as analytics, business tools, and shoppable posts. Instagram is
owned by Facebook, so all of your business posts will also be posted to your
Facebook page. Instagram offers insight into the demographics of users and how
your content resonates with them. It also offers information on the best times
to post and engagement rates and helps brands understand how to use Instagram
as a business tool.
How to use Instagram for business
Setting up your Instagram account is only the first stepin making it effective for business. Here are some tips for how to use
Instagram for business. First, create an account. Before you can post, you must
have an account. There are a few ways to do this: Instagram Username - Create a
username that is short, memorable, and relates to your business. Email Address
- Create an email address purely for your account. This will help you stay
organized and keep your personal and business emails separate. Facebook Page -
You can link your Instagram to your business Facebook page. This will help your
posts get seen by a more targeted audience.
Create a branded profile without a logo
Instagram is not just a social media platform, it’s afull-fledged media channel. This means it has all the same characteristics as
other media sources such as TV, radio, or print. A basic rule of thumb is to
create a branded profile even if you don’t have a logo. The goal is for your
Instagram profile to be instantly recognizable and reflect your brand.
Instagram profiles without logos are called “earned media”, meaning that people
see your posts and associate them with your business without any paid
advertising. Your profile is your 24/7 billboard. A profile without a logo
creates an immediate association with your brand. Make sure your profile
picture is consistent with your branding and represents your business
accurately.
Host a contest with Instagram Live
Instagram Live is a real-time video streaming platformthat allows you to interact with your followers in a new way. Whether you want
to host a contest, announce a new product or service, or provide sneak peeks
behind-the-scenes, Instagram Live is a great way to interact with your
followers. You can use Instagram Live to provide behind-the-scenes access to
your business and build a more personal relationship with your customers. By
hosting a contest on Instagram Live, you can attract new followers while also
retaining your current followers. And if you want to get even more out of
Instagram Live, consider adding a voting option. This will allow your followers
to vote for the winner of the contest by sending a message or leaving a
comment.
Use video and photo ads
Instagram isn’t just a social media platform—it’s anadvertising platform. With video and photo ads, you can create highly-targeted
ads that will appear in your followers’ feeds. This is an easy way to promote
your business and snag some new customers. Be sure to check out the Instagram
Business tool to learn more about creating and running ads on the platform.
Video and photo ads work best when they’re relevant and timely. If your business
sells surfboards, don’t run an ad about snowboards during a snowstorm. These
ads are highly customizable, so you can target your customers based on a number
of factors, including the number of followers they have, the age or location of
the people following your page, and their interests.
Bottom line
Instagram is a visual platform that allows brands to becreative and tell their story. It is a great way to interact with your
customers and build a community. When using Instagram for business, make sure
your profile is branded and consistent with your other marketing materials. You
can also use Instagram Live to provide behind-the-scenes access and host
contests to engage your followers. With video and photo ads, you can easily
promote your business and draw new customers with targeted ads. Now that you
know what is Instagram and how to use Instagram for business, go ahead and
create a profile and start posting!
