Discover the untapped potential of Instagram for your business

Posted 15 Dec '23

Discover the untapped potential of Instagram for your business

Uncover how this platform can help you attract new clients, showcase your work, and boost your brand's visibility. We've found a step-by-step guide on how to set up a business account, engage with your community, and use Instagram's features to your advantage.

From creating eye-catching content to using hashtags effectively, this guide will help you build an impactful presence on Instagram. It also delves into running ads and connecting your accounts for wider reach. Remember, even if you're new to the platform, consistent engagement with valuable content can attract potential customers over time. Below we break down what you need to know about setting up an Instagram business account and tips to make it an important part of your marketing plan.

1. How to create an Instagram business account
Instagram have this easy-to-follow guide on how setting up your business account. You can switch your personal Instagram account to a business account too. It’s important to convert to a business account because it’ll unlock all sorts of features – like the Facebook business manager, you’ll get numbers on how you’re doing and be able to run ads. Double-check you’ve found a business category that reflects what you do, and then link to your website. Add a brief description of what you do, and your tagline if you have one.

Now it’s time to build your audience.

2.Build community connections
First, start building your community. Reach out to your friends, supporters and past clients. Follow them, then look at the people they follow. The goal is to build a network of the kinds of people who fit your target audience – the people who would most likely hire you. You can gain attention through paid ads too, but who you follow and who follows you are key pieces of the puzzle! It’s important to be an active member of the community – follow other brands, even your competitors.

3.Get content-savvy
Instagram is all about beautiful shots with engaging content. Share your photos and videos by posting them in your feed and on your Stories. Your followers can also head to your profile to see all the things you’ve posted. This is the place to post things like project before-and-afters, progress shots, walk-throughs of completed jobs and client reviews. Using free or cheap design software, like Canva, is an easy way to make it all look slick. Square or landscape images work best in your feed.

The Instagram Stories section is like Snapchat, you can share short videos or less-edited content, as it will disappear after 24 hours. Remember, when capturing photos and videos for stories, keep your phone in portrait orientation (straight up and down). You can also add funny GIFs, polls, quizzes, or invite followers to ask questions.

4.Explore all the features
Instagram has lots of fun ways to get people to engage, so it’s worth knowing how to use them.

Save your best Stories with the highlights tab - If you’ve answered important questions, given people insight into how you work, or shared a client testimonial, you can categorise them in highlights and keep adding to them.

• Add locations to your photos. 
• Use Hashtags in your feed. 
• You can't add clickable links in Instagram posts - many brands are using tools like Link Tree. 
• Consider using IGTV - This feature lets you share much longer videos in your feed. 
• Reed (short entertaining videos).

5.How to run ads on Instagram
On Instagram, a good ad can spread your net, helping you get in front of potential customers. Because Facebook owns Instagram, you need to run your ads through FB Ads Manager.

As with any ad, think about your objective. Are you just trying to build brand awareness, or are you offering a special deal to increase enquiries and build your database? Ensure you are using the Ads Manager tool to target the right people, in the right place at the right time.

6. Connect all your accounts.
Getting your Instagram feed connected to your website is a fast, easy way of getting new, engaging content on your site. It can be good for SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and can also help draw more people to your account. Similarly, linking Instagram to your Facebook account means you can share photos on both platforms at the same time.

Posting links from one platform to another will help your audience discover you on the platforms they like to engage with the most. Consider adding links to and from the following platforms:

• Website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Tik Tok
• YouTube
• Google My Business
• Small business directories
• UK
• US
• Australia
• NZ

Instagram is more popular than ever, so it’s still a great time to dive in and get the benefits. Don’t worry if people don't follow you straight away. If you share valuable and engaging content on a consistent basis, they will come. Have fun with it, try different things and see what sticks.

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