Social media platforms have become the most cost-effective way to find customers for your small business. Some social media come and go, but others, such as Instagram, appear to be with us forever.
Instagram is one of the most stunning and interactive social media platforms that enjoy a lot of traffic. Several studies have shown that more than 200 million Instagram users visited Instagram business profiles daily in 2020. Out of this, nearly 60% are under 30, which is good news for business owners targeting these ages. But even if you are targeting an older demographic, Instagram is still worth your time.
To get started on Instagram and give your small business a boost, consider the following tips:
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Step Up Your Profile
Think of your profile as your homepage, and make sure it makes a good impression. The profile image should be easily identifiable with your brand. Using your business logo, logomark, or mascot as your profile photo makes a lot of sense. However, nothing wrong with being a little creative as long as the image you come up with represents your enterprise.
The next step is to write a killer bio. Your bio should be 150 characters maximum, so you must be creative to cover everything. The main thing is to say who you are and explain what you do in the best way to reach the target customers.
Short sentences, bullet points, and vertical spacing are fantastic techniques to employ on your short Instagram bio. It will be more appealing if you sprinkle some emojis.
Lastly, it is only in your bio where you can include clickable links on Instagram. You can link to your website’s landing page, your most recent online content, or wherever you feel makes sense to your business.
Form your Instagram Business into a Legal entity
Forming a legal entity such as a limited liability company (LLC) or corporation protects you from being personally responsible if your Instagram business gets sued. Your personal assets will not be used as collateral for your business debts or any other liability.
LLC is always the most preferred business structure. In Addition to liability protection, it offers tax flexibility advantages and requires less paperwork compared to a corporation.
You can form an LLC or hire online LLC services to undertake all the paperwork on your behalf. You can learn about the top LLC filing services here.
Find Followers and Interact with Them
Finding an ideal customer on Instagram is very simple. First, look at the accounts that are following similar businesses to yours. If they are following competitors, they will probably get interested in what your business offers. For instance, you should follow some of the people who follow popular marketing agencies if you are a marketing agency.
Like and comment on their photos so that you get noticed. You should also respond to their comments left on your photos.
Create Appealing Content
Quality content on your Instagram account is what will attract and keep followers. Post-high-quality photos. Look at your competitors’ pictures and see the images that have generated the most interest and interaction. I don’t mean you should copy their ideas, but you should use that information to figure out what works best on Instagram.
It is also worth noting that Instagram is more than just photos. Experiment with different content types on the platform, including videos, reels, stories, and IGTV. Sharing a mix of content types is the best way to increase your reach and engagement on the platform.
That said, ensure only high-quality content appears with your business name attached. Thankfully, iPhones and Androids have made it easy to create high-quality content without necessarily hiring a professional.
Use Hashtag
Posts with at least one hashtag get 12% more engagement than those without. When using a hashtag, consider words your target audience might be looking for that also apply to your photos.
Hashtagify tool can help you research and determine the right hashtag for your business. However, try not to overdo your hashtag. As a general rule of thumb, stick with 3 to 5 hashtags per post. You just need enough hashtags to make your content engaging but not too much to create your account look ridiculous.
Post Consistently
Instagram continuously studies every person and customizes their timeline accordingly. Posting regularly makes you appear on potential customer feeds and gives them more chances to engage with you. The more they interact with your content, the more they will see it on Instagram.
The best way is to schedule your posts in batches so that your account never goes dark, even when you are busy. Scheduling also makes it easier to experiment with posting time. While there is no better time to post on Instagram, there may be an ideal time to reach a large audience. This is especially when posting your stories. Stories disappear in 24 hours, and scheduling your post will be a great move to keep your post consistent.
Conclusion
Now you have the strategies to put in place to help you grow your small business on Instagram. It’s time to get started! Remember that success will depend on your effort to promote your small business on Instagram.
