Instagram for Business
It’s a question that crosses every business owners mind at one point or another. Is Instagram for business that important and is it worth the time and effort of updating regular content?
Instagram provides statistics that over 500 million accounts are active every single day and 80% of accounts follow a business on Instagram, They are compelling statistics.
Firstly, the realistic standpoint…No, you don’t need Instagram if you are providing a particular service or product which has an audience that would not easily be found on Instagram. An example could be a truck parts manufacturer. Now the Marketers viewpoint, then Yes, it could still be a fruitful action if you know the audience and target your content.
It is an opportunity to have your business exposed to your audience through another channel, especially a channel that is essentially Free, where you can target and customise your profile and content towards.
What benefits can Instagram bring for a business?
- Purchasing your products or services- This can be by clicking through your website, contacted through Direct Message or even using the product purchase options on Instagram.
- Brand Exposure- Exposing your brand to potential new customers
- Lead Generation-
- Increasing Brand Loyalty
- Strengthening relationships with your current customers or brand advocates- Your content will allow other customers or advocates to keep informed in your business and feel they are apart of the businesses journey.
How to understand your Instagram Audience?
Understanding the audience will allow a greater idea on the content as well as targeting for your posts. If you havent developed an audience persona, take a look at here for some more ideas.
A few basic Instagram demographics questions to assist in narrowing the audience includes:
- Gender
- Age
- Interests
- Brands on Instagram they follow
- Followers of other competitors or brands accounts
- Noting engagement levels on competitors or other brands posts- (include engagement link)
- Type of content posted by other accounts. Images, Videos or slides of both?
Where to now?
After researching if you notice that there is potential moving ahead with your Instagram account, then its time to get your Instagram account in order.
Instagram for Business Tips
Create a business profile
There are two versions of Instagram profiles, the personal and the business. A Business Profile provides access to features like Instagram Insights, contact information, Instagram Ads and more. This has no cost as well.
Creating content for Instagram
There are many great tools out there for this purpose. You could take a look at some of our favourites below:
*Always use professional images and videos when representing your brand. If you need ideas for more tools to assist, including Free stock images, visit one of our previous blogs 25+ Tools that the pro’s use
Create a Content Schedule
Content creation, copywriting and posting is one of the most time consuming parts of your Instagram for business. Unfortunately, to do it all correctly, time and effort it required. There are no shortcuts.
Although, there is a more efficient method of managing all these tasks. Set an hour or two aside once a week, fortnight or month (whichever you prefer), brainstorm content, develop the content using professional images and videos with the above mentioned content creation software and then timeline your posting schedule over that period.
This will make your life much easier and create a well structured Instagram timeline for your audience.
Instagram Business Content Ideas
- Post products or customers using your service
- Celebrate business achievements or successes
- Industry humour. Take a look at Easy DNA
- Visually impressive imagery that inspires-
Tie some of these ideas into your businesses persona. If you are a fun, contemporary business and this is your audience persona as well, you could post fun and humorous content.
Instagram Ads
This is another benefit of having Instagram for a business. You can use the platforms Ad Service to target your current content or new content towards your audience. Instagram ads are currently at a lower cost than Google PPC, Linkedin, Bing and at times Facebook Ads. To gain the most out of your Instagram ads, speak with a professional Social media Marketer or Growth Marketer.
Business Instagram is not essential, however, if you can manage time out of your business schedule or have an employee that can take charge of account management, you may find that lead generation, brand loyalty and informed customers may be part of your successes on Instagram.
If you have any questions, post below or contact us.
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