How To Promote Your Business With Instagram

For the past 2 days, I have been talking about Facebook, so it makes sense that the next social platform I talk about is Instagram.

Here are some interesting facts about Instagram:

• Facebook bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012.
• The total number of Instagram monthly active users has surpassed 1 billion people.
• About 995 photos are uploaded to Instagram every second.
• Over 4.2 billion “likes” happen on Instagram daily.
• 71% of the billion monthly active users on the Instagram app are under the age of 35.
• Instagram users spend an average of 53 minutes per day.
• 81% of users use Instagram to research products/services

As you consider using Instagram as a marketing platform, it is important to know these facts so that you can make an informed decision when choosing your business social presence.

Eg Instagram about 995 photos are uploaded on Instagram every second tells you that Instagram is a platform that does well with photos. This means that you need to have lots of quality images.

Instagram has become an integral part to businesses. With the introduction of Instagram shopping, Instagram reels, Instagram ads and Instagram IGTV, many businesses have thrived on this platform.

So let us look at how you can promote your business using Instagram.

1. Know your audience

This is my first point because it is an important one. Before deciding to use Instagram, first find out if your audience even uses Instagram. If they do, study what they like, what they are asking for and what their pain points are.  Then create content that shows how you can help them.

If you don't take the time to study and know your audience, you will be wasting time on this platform.

I did a detailed post on how to know your target audience, if you haven't, please read it here.

2. Create lots of content

Content refers to images, videos, texts, infographics, posters, flyers etc. Basically every marketing document that your audience consumes.

It is important to note that Instagram favors posts that are more visual, making it extremely important to have lots of images and videos.

You can post memes too!

Use Canva.com to create images, videos, stories and more.

3. Use hashtags

Hashtags can make your posts go viral. You need to identify hashtags that are relevant to your business and use them in every post.

You can check out to see which hashtags your competition is using, or use a hashtag generator like this one.

4. Post at the right time

If you want your post to reach your audience, you need to post when your audience is online. To know this, you can experiment with different timings until you know when your posts perform better.

Other than that, you should post consistently and post value packed posts.

Make a point to engage with your audience by asking questions, commenting and liking other people's posts.

5. Take advantage of Instagram stories

Instagram stories save your posts for 24 hours then they disappear. If your audience misses your post, chances are they will see your stories because they are positioned above news feeds and users check them daily. Here are some hacks for your Instagram stories:

• Know the editing options you have 
• Use the recommended image size of 1080*1920 
• Use different fonts and texts
• You can repost other posts from other accounts to your stories

6. Use Instagram story highlights

Story highlights are "albums" of stories you have done in the past and they don't disappear. You can group them into different categories that will ease getting information about your business for your customers. With Instagram Story Highlights you can:

• Showcase products
• Promote events
• Share your latest work or product updates
• Run interactive polls
• Answer follower questions
• Feature product tutorials
• Announce sales and discounts
• Start a series
• Highlight your best customer testimonials

7. Use Instagram lives

This is an awesome way of people getting to know you and your products/services. You can run workshops, Q&A and tutorials which is a good way to promote your business.

Be sure to let your followers know about a scheduled live session in advance.

Make sure that you are using Instagram for business profile. Here, you will find all tools you need to grow your business such as a button that makes it easy for your customers to reach you right from your Instagram account.

It is easy to switch to a business profile. Go to settings and click on switch to business profile.

Image: Neil Patel

Do you use Instagram? Which tips and hacks do you use?

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