About 80% of businesses across America use social media marketing to attract new customers.
Without a strong Instagram marketing strategy, however, your content could fall flat. Your competitors might have an easier time using Instagram to attract customers instead.
Keep reading to discover how to use Instagram to boost your business. Optimizing Instagram can set your business up for success online. With this Instagram 101 guide, you can attract a strong following with ease.
As more people become aware of your business, you can generate more leads and sales, improving your ROI.
Discover how to start using Instagram for your business using these tips today!
Optimizing Your Profile
First, it’s important to learn how to optimize your Instagram profile. In some cases, your profile is the first time consumers interact with your brand. If your profile looks messy, it could scare potential customers away.
Instead, use these five tips to improve your profile. With these tips, you can make a strong first impression!
1. Use a Business Profile
The first step in your Instagram 101 crash course is to change your profile to a business profile. Switching your account to a business profile will give you access to additional features.
For example, you can use Instagram Insights to make more informed decisions regarding your posts. Insights can help you learn about:
- Demographics
- Follower growth
- Post performance
- Post impressions
You can start using Instagram Ads and Shopping, too.
Switching to a business profile will also allow you to add Action Buttons to your profile. You could generate more leads and sales as a result. For example, someone can call your business straight from your profile.
You can also add extra information to your profile, including business hours and a location.
First, click on your profile. Then, click the cog icon to access your settings. From there, you can click on “Switch to Business Profile” to get started.
Then, start filling in your contact information, website, and other essential info. Adding more details to your profile could better inform followers about your business.
2. Make It Easy to Find
When creating your Instagram profile, make sure to create a username that’s simple and easy to remember. If you can, use the same username across every social media account. Consistency could make it easier for consumers to find you online.
Otherwise, you could risk confusing them.
Try using your business name. If it’s already taken, use your company name along with a little something extra. For example, you might add “app” or “co” to the end.
Make sure the name stays true to your business.
3. Boost Your Branding
Before you learn how to use Instagram, it’s important to make sure it’s ready to boost your brand. Brand consistency can boost revenue by up to 23%. It can help generate awareness and recognition, too.
First, update your profile picture. Use a distinct image that people can associate with your business. For example, you can use the favicon that’s featured on your website.
It can take an average of six impressions before you start building brand awareness. Consistency is key.
Using familiar brand elements can make it easier for consumers to recognize you online. About 59% of people prefer familiar brands, too.
As you learn how to use Instagram, look for ways to infuse your brand within your posts.
4. Write an Intriguing Bio
Make sure your Instagram profile bio is intriguing and attention-grabbing. It should help people learn more about your business, too. Once you spark their interest, you can direct them to your website to learn more.
5. Optimize for Search
Optimizing Instagram for search engines could boost your online visibility. Try to use a branded and industry-specific hashtag within your bio.
You can also learn how to optimize your captions for SEO.
How to Attract More Followers
Once you’ve optimized your profile, you need to learn how to attract followers. Here’s your Instagram 101 guide for generating an online following!
1. Know Your Target Audience
Before anything else, make sure to research your target audience. After all, they’re the ones you’re creating content for! If your content doesn’t appeal to your audience, they’ll turn away.
In fact, 45% of consumers won’t spend time with branded content that isn’t relevant to their interests. Another 73% expect companies to understand their needs and expectations.
Personalizing your content with your target audience in mind could help you generate leads and sales. Personalization could deliver up to eight times the ROI in marketing spend.
Determine who your customers are and what they care about. Research the brands they already know and love.
Then, use the information you gather to create content your customers want.
2. Remain Authentic
As you use these Instagram 101 tips, remember to remain authentic. Stay true to your brand. Otherwise, consumers might have a difficult time trusting you.
Try to add transparency to your Instagram marketing strategy. For example, you can give consumers a behind-the-scenes look into your business.
Consider hosting a live Q&A session, too. Answering questions could help people trust your brand.
3. Use Eye-Catching Images
If you want to attract more followers when using Instagram, consider your content. Use unique, high-quality images within your posts. Eye-catching images can make people pause as they scroll through their feed.
They’ll stop to stare, read your caption, and explore your other posts.
4. Diversify
You’re no longer limited to using still images on Instagram. Instead, look for ways to diversify your content. For example, you can add videos, Reels, and Stories to your Instagram marketing.
Keep experimenting with different posts. Then, determine which posts your target audience prefers most.
5. Share UGC
Consumers are 2.4 times more likely to view user-generated content (UGC) as authentic than branded content. Authenticity can boost your brand credibility. Consumers might have an easier time trusting your business as a result.
Encourage your customers to post photos using your products. Remind them to use your branded hashtag.
Then, feature their user-generated content among your branded posts.
People who are on the fence about your brand will see that people like them already love and trust you. They might decide to give you a try as a result. Then, you can start attracting more followers and customers.
Boosting Engagement
Once you start attracting a following, it’s important to generate engagement. Otherwise, people might start unfollowing your account.
Here are a few tips that can help you generate more engagement on Instagram.
1. Respond to Comments
First, make sure to respond to comments right away. Let your followers know you’re listening. Try to encourage two-way conversations on your posts, too.
If people start asking questions, answer as soon as possible. Answering their questions could help them feel more confident in your brand.
Keep a record of your frequently asked questions. You’ll have an easier time answering them in the future. Then, create a FAQ Reel.
Save the Story in your Highlights to ensure it’s easy for people to find.
2. Host a Contest
You can host an Instagram contest to encourage people to engage with your brand. Make sure to offer a prize people want. Then, tell them to “sign up” by tagging at least three friends in the comments.
You’ll generate more comments and brand awareness. Each person who is tagged will see your post.
Then, you can entice more people to participate.
Make sure to set a deadline to leverage the fear of missing out (FOMO). People will rush to participate before time runs out.
3. Consider Your Timing
Once you start posting, make sure to review your Instagram analytics. When do you generate the most engagement? Check the day and time.
Start adjusting your post schedule based on that timing.
Consider using a scheduling tool like Hootsuite or Later. Scheduling tools can help you remain organized and efficient.
4. Write Stronger Captions
If you’re struggling to generate engagement, consider your captions. Make sure your captions encourage people to speak up. For example, you can ask a question within the caption to encourage responses.
Consider the hashtags you’re using, too. Don’t use an oversaturated hashtag. Instead, use a mix of different hashtags with each post to determine what’s most effective.
Make sure the hashtags you use are relevant to the content.
5. Analyze and Optimize
Once you start using this Instagram 101 guide, take the time to review your progress. Keep track of your analytics. Which posts are helping you generate the most engagement?
Your data can help you make more informed decisions regarding your Instagram marketing strategy. If certain posts are falling flat, try something different!
Keep an eye on your competitors, too. What are they doing to boost engagement on Instagram?
Keep track of the latest trends as well. Make sure the trends you follow suit your brand. Remember, you want to remain authentic.
Keep adjusting your Instagram marketing strategy as needed to optimize your posts for results.
Instagram 101: Your Guide to Using Instagram for Digital Success
Set yourself up for success! With this Instagram 101 guide, you have the tips you need to boost your brand. You can gather more followers, generate engagement, and improve your online visibility.
Give these Instagram marketing tips a try today!
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