Instagram is kind of a big deal.
A recent surge in visual content is sweeping across every network and has been the key to Instagram becoming an excellent marketing channel for brands. Which is why we’ve created a guide to getting started on Instagram and techniques you can take to get more followers.
As the leader in image sharing apps, Instagram has become a household name over the last few years with more than 40 million photos being uploaded daily to their platform. Users are racking up a total of 1,000 comments and more than 8,000 likes on Instagram every second. Additionally, according to 2017 stats, 24 percent of all the USA’s population are using Instagram.
That’s huge!
Source: socialtradia
For context, that’s more than the entire population of France, Italy, Spain or good ol Canada!
As marketers, these numbers show exactly why Instagram has quickly become a staple in the marketing toolkit.
If you have yet to invest time on Instagram, it’s a channel that is definitely worth analyzing and considering. Here’s a deck I put together a few years back showcasing a run down on what I’m going to share in this blog post:
In this blog post, I’m going to give you a detailed run down on how to use Instagram as a marketing channel for your brand. I’m going to talk you through the initial steps for getting started along with a few key things to consider when creating your account.
Let’s get to it…
How To Set Up An Instagram AccountThe first step in establishing your Instagram presence is creating your brand or organizations profile. There are only a few areas that require information and assets which makes set up a pretty simple and easy process. Let’s look at the key parts of an instagram profile that you really can’t miss:
Step One: Add a Profile Picture To InstagramFor brands, the profile picture is typically something that is iconic and representative of your organization. In most cases, the profile pictures for a brand is that organizations logo as seen above in the Starbucks example. The reason brands use iconic visuals is because over time, people start to remember your profile picture when scanning through their newsfeed and you want them to remember something that is used in other mediums.
Step Two: Write a Compelling Bio For InstagramWhen you’re not as well known as a Starbucks, your bio is definitely the most important step in your account set up. You have under 200 characters to tell the world (1) why your instagram page is worth following and (2) what you offer as a service or product. Additionally, you have a chance to take an approach similar to Starbucks and encourage users to share content relevant to your brand using a specific hashtag.
Here are a few great examples of Instagram bios:
Starbucks: Inspiring and nurturing the human spirit — one person, one cup, and one neighborhood at a time.
Clorox: We’re your go-to for on-the-go messes and stains. Download the myStain App today!
Skinny Bunny Tea: Skinny Never Tasted so Good! 🌿Weight Loss 🌿Gluten-Free┃Vegan 🌎MADE IN USA ┃Worldwide Shipping Click link below to get FREE Shipping Today!👇
Frank & Oak: Innovative styles for the creative generation. Tag your photos #frankandoak
Hashtags: Show people the hashtag you want to see
Your Slogan/Description: It’s important to communicate your brands voice.
Call To Action: Whether it’s tag a photo or download an app – tell people!
Emojis: Instagram users LOVE emojis. Embrace them.
PRO TIP: If you’re someone who wants to be contacted as an Instagram Influencer, include your email or contact info so people know how to get in touch with you.
Step Three: Connect a Website To Your InstagramAdding a URL to your instagram page isn’t rocket science. But it’s important!
It’s important that you drive your users down the path to purchase as much as possible and your website should be an avenue in which that can take place. Additionally, you should ensure that your URL directs users to a mobile friendly site as most traffic to instagram happens through a mobile device.
You don’t have to stick with the same URL over the lifespan of your Instagram account. You can update your account with different domains depending on what content you want to highlight at that time. For example, if you’re trying to raise awareness of an app, link to your app. If you’re trying to raise awareness of a new product, link to that product.
Alright…
That’s how you get started! Now it’s time to start diving into the steps you need to take to promote and market your brand effectively on Instagram.
Source: here
