You’ve heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” Well, in the case of Instagram, a picture is worth a lot more for your business and can actually help build your brand- if done correctly, that is.
Instagram continues to grow in popularity. In fact, did you know that on average about 55 million photos get uploaded each day?
So, how can an app that’s focused on photos and short videos help to grow your brand?
We thought you’d never ask.
Be a show off – Whether you’re on the retail side of the spectrum or run a service like a restaurant or a hair salon, Instagram provides the perfect platform for you to showcase your products or services. Just like any other work that you do throughout the day, make sure that your images or videos are of a high-caliber. Take time to capture photos of your work that highlight your brand’s capabilities. If you post a low-quality image or video to your page, you are lowering your credibility as well. Quality does matter in the social media world!
Be a fly on the wall – Most people love a behind-the-scenes look at their favorite brands. Take pictures and videos that show how your products or goods are made. Showcasing your company’s culture gives users an inside look at what goes on behind closed doors. As a note, if your office has off-the-wall décor, post it! People will love to see how interesting and unique you are as a company.
Start the conversation – Instagram isn’t a one way street. In fact, this social site can open the lines of communication between your brand and consumers. Let’s say that you own a restaurant. Put your custom hashtags and Instagram handle right on the menu so that when your customers take a picture of their dish (you know they inevitably will) they can tag you in it- thus expanding your reach. Remember to like and comment on your customers’ posts to show that you’ve acknowledged them.
Keep it simple – When building your brand on Instagram, it’s important to be consistent when posting to your page. Keep your posts relevant to your business and avoid posting random memes or pictures of cute animals. Rather, post pictures about your products and your business to pique your followers’ interest and support of your brand. However, it’s not out of the question to mix in some posts with personality; just like with everything in life, it’s all about moderation when making a social marketing strategy successful.
Set a goal – It’s important to set goals. If your goal for Instagram is to attract more followers and to drive traffic to your website, then it’s necessary to make that a top priority with every picture or video that you post. Now, it’s good to know that links do not work in captions or photo comments. So, if you’re trying to direct people back to your website, the only place that links work is in your profile. If you are promoting a specific promotion or announcement, make mention in the post’s caption that the link is located in your profile.
To get the most out of your Instagram account and to grow your brand, keep these five tips in mind before you post your next photo!
