6 Proven Ways to Promote Your Business on Instagram
There are over 700 million active users on Instagram, and 48% of brands have a presence on the platform. Instagram is clearly a marketing powerhouse, so how does your brand stand out among your competitors? If you're like most companies, you'll have an ocean of competition to deal with.
Not to worry. If brands like GoPro, ASOS, FedEX, and Airbnb were able to boost their Instagram profile and gain all the benefits that comes with that, then you can learn from their example and do the same.
It might take a while to reach the same level of following those companies have, but it’s possible as long as you play your cards right. Like with any business decision, it’s those first few steps that can determine the success or failure of your Instagram goals.
Here are some ways you can build a strong and credible profile that will attract potential customers and encourage them to use your services.
1. Start with an Attractive Profile
When you create an Instagram account for your business, come up with a catchy and memorable username along with a quality profile picture. Whether you are a marketer or an entrepreneur or both, don’t be shy about using your very own picture for the profile picture. This way, users (and possibly potential consumers) could picture a human face behind your posts.
As for your bio, try to sum up what your company does in at least 2-3 sentences. The reason you have to keep it short and to the point is so the information is easy to absorb. People skim for bite-sized nuggets of information so you don’t want to give them more than they can handle.
This is Instagram, so your profile needs to look good. Your profile will be the first impression you make on many potential customers, so you need to do something to stand out. Take some hints from popular and attractive profiles like Cynthia Yongesa’s above.
2. Buy Startup Followers
There’s no shame in purchasing followers. In fact, some of the world’s most influential people have done the same thing for their accounts. Having a large amount of followers helps attract and generate more organic followers in the long run.
So, go ahead and check out our reviews of the best providers of Instagram Followers online. The more followers you have, the more your social proof will grow. For those who aren’t familiar, social proof is the psychological and social phenomenon where an individual’s decision, perception, or behavior is influenced by other people. In most cases, that means people tend to go with whatever the majority thinks and does.
We’re not saying Ariana Grande bought followers, but just look at the impressive numbers her profile boasts. Her social proof is through the roof!
In the case of social media, social proof manifests in stats like the number of likes, shares, and followers an account has, along with how much engagement their posts get. The more social proof you have overall, the more attractive you’ll be to any prospective customers that come across your account.
3. Come Up with Catchy and Memorable Hashtags
Although having quality pictures is a must, hashtags are just as important. With the right hashtags you can increase the visibility of your profile, making it easier for people with related interests to find you when they search.
The first thing you need to know about hashtags is you should always use relevant keywords. In order to know which words to use, it helps to conduct some searches (not just in search engines but also in Instagram itself) about your industry. Based on your search, try to figure which hashtags are being used by the most popular users in your niche. Look for trends to ride along with and current events to mention.
Many Instagram users opt to place their hashtags farther down in the post, after some periods to separate them from the caption.
Effective hashtag marketing not only increase visibility but also engagement, especially when your profile attracts more attention from users. Never underestimate a powerful hashtag.
4. Post Relevant Content Consistently
Posting regularly is crucial especially when your account is still new. The information helps people find and understand your company better. Not only that, the regularity of the posts will help you keep any followers you gain, which potentially increases traffic and views.
Since you are posting regularly, be creative with your posts. Don’t limit the content to just news and updates. You can start by sharing general information about the industry you’re in or about your products and services.
Aside from sharing basic information, you can also take advantage of seasonal changes, holidays, and special occasions. Starbucks is always a great example of this.
5. Reach Out to Other Users with Large Followings
Nike is known as one of the most innovative companies when it comes to marketing. And they definitely proved that by generating 74.8 million followers (when this article was published).
With so many followers, naturally it’s on the radar of other brands, and not just competitively but collaboratively, as well. This opens up a variety of opportunities for them to gain more followers.
Another way you can up your Instagram game is to follow other people, specifically those with similar interests and a large following. Although this seems sneaky, you can also follow your competitors. Through this, you can monitor their activity and also check out their followers and the people they are following.
Following other people also puts you on their radar and hopefully convinces them to follow you in return. This is definitely one way of increasing your follower count. However, you should know that not everyone you follow will follow you in return. Still, you can use this strategy to your advantage.
6. Provide Customer Service Through Instagram
Even if you have a hotline or chat support, it’s also a good idea to service customers through Instagram. This could serve as another platform for getting in touch with your customer base. For one thing, this makes your company more accessible because of the direct engagement you'll get.
When engaging with customers online, try to respond to their questions and concerns as fast as you can. People will take notice and see that you obviously care about your customers and their concerns. And always make sure to customize your responses whenever necessary and possible. Automated responses can make people feel like they’re communicating with robots.
This is simply another way of engaging with consumers, but it’s a very public platform. The more platforms of communication you have, the better your relationship can be with your customers. This can also help instill brand loyalty.
Not Just A Photo-sharing App
It’s clear that Instagram isn’t just a photo-sharing app. Like most of the established social media networks, it could also be considered a very viable marketing platform, especially with some of the latest shopping features being added. If you don’t create an account, you’re just missing out on all its potential.
So there’s no reason for you not to join the Instagram bandwagon, as long as you have the funds available. And remember, one of the best ways to get started is by purchasing those initial followers to enhance your social proof.
As mentioned earlier, getting a head-start in your follower count will make your profile more attractive, and it helps generate a large organic following. Head over to our top provider list to learn which one will be right for you.
Date: October 20, 2017 / Categories: Hashtags, Marketing, / Author: Alex
