Instagram has quickly become one of the most powerful tools that small businesses can use to promote themselves and their products, whether it’s through pictures or video. However, with so many businesses using the same platform, it can be difficult to stand out among all the noise. Use these Instagram marketing tips to stand out and promote your brand with Instagram.
Research Your Competitors:
The most important aspect of your small business marketing strategy is understanding how your competitors are marketing themselves. If you can understand what they’re doing, you’ll have a better idea of how to promote yourself. Here are some tips to help get the ball rolling:
1. Study your competitors’ social media posts and look at the hashtags they use to find out what their audience is interested in.
2. Find their best performing post and do something similar with your own content.
3. Analyze which followers engage with their content the most by looking at who comments on or shares it with others, for example.
4. Follow them and make sure that you like/comment on one of their posts so that they notice you as well (this will also increase the chances of them following back).
Use Relevant Hashtags:
The most important thing to remember when it comes to promoting your small business on social media is that you need to be strategic. The best way to do this is by using relevant hashtags.
Hashtags are how Instagrammers are able to discover new accounts and content!
The first thing you should do is pick out a few hashtags that are already being used by others in your industry. For example, if you own a bakery, then #bread and #pastries would be good ones. If you own an Italian restaurant, then #Italianfood and #pizza might work well.
Include hashtags related to what you’re posting about. It’s important not to overdo it – use only a few relevant hashtags so as not to spam your content.
Geotag Your Posts:
If you’re running a business that has a physical location, make sure to add the place name or address to the caption of your post. This will help people find you and make it easier to promote your business. When people click on the link in your profile bio, they can easily find directions from their current location.
Your post might turn up when other Instagram users look for the same geotag or click on it in another image. Instagram posts with a geotag get 79% more engagement than those without one, for this reason.
Run an Instagram Contest:
One of the best ways to promote your small business on Instagram is to host an Instagram contest! These contests can be a great way to encourage social engagement, increase your followers, and have fun while doing it.
Hosting an Instagram contest requires more time than some other methods, but if you’re able to commit the time, it could be worth it. If you decide that hosting an Instagram contest isn’t for you, there are still plenty of other ways to promote your small business on Instagram.
Create a Brand Aesthetic:
Establishing a brand’s personality and style is an easy, inexpensive way.
Simultaneously, it will keep your identity consistent across all social media channels.
By establishing a cohesive theme, you can achieve this objective. One of the vital elements of creating an aesthetic for a brand is using color.
This means that choosing the right colors can affect your bottom line. It is essential to choose colors that will make a statement and stand out.
You should also include colors in your backgrounds, filters, and text color.
A color palette is a valuable tool to help you create a cohesive brand aesthetic. Choose a color palette that fits your brand’s personality. It is also essential to choose a color palette that will work well across all social media channels.
Once you have your color palette, you can create a theme for your brand’s Instagram page.
Also, make sure your fonts are universal so that you can use them across all channels.
The tone of your writing should also be chosen. Researching your target audience is essential before you begin.
Doing so will help you determine what types of designs and styles are most effective for drawing in new customers.
In addition to looking at other brands, you can also gain design inspiration from them. The key to creating a cohesive Instagram aesthetic is to be consistent. A consistent approach will enhance your credibility.
Partner With the Peers:
Teaming up with your peers can benefit your business.
It can help you reach new markets as well as learn new things happening in your industry.
One such strategy is a partnership with a local business.
These types of partnerships are not only beneficial for your business, but they can also help you reach new customers.
Another tactic you can use to grow your Instagram presence is partnering with an industry influencer.
These influencers are typically found in the food, fashion, or health industries. They have large followings and can direct their followers to your brand.
Create Instagram Stories:
Creating Instagram Stories for small businesses can be a fast and easy way to engage with your audience.
However, you need to have a solid strategy in place. You need to know your audience and be sure your strategy is a good fit for your business.
Set Your Account Up Right:
You’ll want to set up your business Instagram account in a way that will maximise its marketing potential. Additionally, you should ensure that potential clients may easily locate you online.
Your other social media profiles should be linked to your Instagram account. Your clients can follow you on other social media platforms by linking your Instagram profile to your company’s Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Flickr pages. If no one can access your account, it won’t be of any use to your business. Make sure your privacy settings permit everyone to view and comment on your postings.
Maximize Your Reach:
Increasing your audience, brand awareness, and brand loyalty are the three main goals of a small business Instagram marketing strategy. These should be your objective and the key performance indicator for whatever content you post. It’s time to adjust your technique if people aren’t “liking” or sharing your pictures and videos.
Engagement is another essential component of building reach; you must actively manage your account and interact with other users. Start a dialogue! React to comments made on your posts! It helps your brand feel more genuine and current to younger audiences to demonstrate that you are an active member of the Instagram community.
On Instagram, you have the ability to publish as much as you want for free, but you can also choose to pay to have your content promoted. This can be pricey, but it all depends on your budget and who your target market is. It’s not necessary to gain a following, though.
The Bottom Line:
For small businesses wishing to increase the scope of their social media marketing initiatives, Instagram may be a fantastic, cost-free resource. It will take some time and effort, like with other marketing initiatives, to determine what would work best for your brand. Utilize our advice to launch your own Instagram account for a small business and begin gaining followers!