The four main goals of any online business are to build brand and get traffic, subscribers and sales. Instagram can be an ideal site for accomplishing all of these goals – provided that you match each marketing piece you create to one of these goals and give clear calls to action, and follow the basic “rules of the road” when it comes to using Instagram.
1. Instagram is a social network
There are around 500 million monthly users on Instagram. Think social, not ads. Create content your target audience will engage with, not pass over because it looks too spammy.
2. Instagram is highly visual
Instagram is all about images and video. Your images need to be high quality and help represent your brand well. The same is true of video. All your content should show why you are worth doing business with.
3. Instagram users love to shop
They look up brands and products, follow brands because they like them, and buy through links.
4. Instagram shoppers are eager to learn more
They are active shoppers who are doing their research, so the more information you can offer them in terms of images, carousels and stories, the better. You can also create pre-recorded and live videos that they can watch live, or view and share after your broadcast.
5. Instagram users love “buzz”
Stories last only 24 hours. Live video creates a sense of excitement and urgency. This urgency can help drive sales.
6. You can use hashtags
Hashtags can help drive traffic to your site. Think of the important keywords related to the item you are trying to promote.
7. Use the available buttons
Instagram now offers a range of buttons, such as Buy Now. Every post you create should have a clear call to action that matches your business goal in creating it.
8. Always link back to your site
Instagram is a great way to drive traffic to your site.
9. Create excellent landing pages for your links
Don’t just send them to your home page to wander around. Create opt-in pages to get them on your email marketing lists, and great sales pages to help boost your income and profits.
10. Present a consistent brand image
Create photos that suit the style of your business, to create brand recognition.
11. Create a great profile
Be sure your Instagram profile tells your target audience enough about who you are and what you do.
12. Convert from personal to business
If you have been on Instagram personally for a while, and/or you are your own brand (like Oprah or Emeril), convert to a business account in order to gain access to all of the tools and analytics available.
13. Make your images stand out
They should be high quality (as mentioned earlier), and you should not post so often that your best images run the risk of being pushed down the feed by less attractive images. Go for quality, not quantity.
14. Use your analytics to help determine best posting times
This can help you publish stories or live video when you know your target audience is online and available to engage with you.
15. Promote special sales and live events
This will create the impression there is a lot going on in your business worth paying attention to.
Use these tips to ensure that you make the most of Instagram when marketing your business.
Do you want to grow your followers on Instagram? I have a new, done-for-you program that will do just that. It’s working really well on my Instagram account for my jewelry business. If you’d like to learn more, you can do that here: Instagram Marketing
