Using Instagram for Your Business

When the photo and video-sharing social media platform, Instagram, first launched in 2010, it quickly gained popularity, growing to a million users in only two months. That number quickly jumped to over a billion. 

And, Instagram isn’t just for individuals. Businesses can benefit from having an Instagram account as well. Instagram actually offers insightful tools for businesses, including business profiles, useful data and analytics, and the ability to turn posts into ads directly from the Instagram application.

Instagram offers an abundance of new opportunities for businesses, so if your company isn’t currently using it to grow your brand and reach new customers, it’s time to start.

Visual Content and Online Marketing 

Visual content has slowly and steadily risen to become one of the most important aspects of marketing online. Even the traditionally more content-focused sites, like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, have adapted to become better spaces for sharing high-quality visual content as well. 

Instagram for Businesses

Instagram is no longer simply a flashy platform for social photo sharing. With changes in how audiences are choosing to consume advertising and the new opportunities Instagram provides, any business can and should be using Instagram to grow their audience and expand their marketing outreach. 

While the platform was initially primarily embraced by businesses selling photogenic products, like food and beverages, fashion, jewelry, and art, etc., Instagram now has broader branding and engagement applications for visual content marketing for businesses of all types.

How Your Business Should Use Instagram

Instagram is a great way to promote your brand, connect with your existing audience, and reach new customers. When creating content to be shared on Instagram for Business, your goal should be to:

• Show your personality. Try sharing pictures of individuals on your team working on a project or images from events you host or attend. Office parties, client locations, work-related travel, trade shows, and anything else pertinent and personal to what your company does on a day-to-day basis can be shared to humanize and personalize your business. 
• Enhance your brand. While you want your Instagram Business account to be fun and engaging, the images you choose to share should also be visually appealing and consistent with your branding. 
• Get social! Re-share content from others. Be an interactive member of your Instagram community and comment on posts that matter to you as a business. Put questions out to your followers and encourage feedback. Use @ and # to connect with industry partners and get found and noticed by your target audience. Also, Instagram Business users can easily share any of their original visual content across platforms, including on their other social media sites or even on their respective websites or blogs.

Instagram Advertising 

Instagram offers multiple advertisement options that can be used to drive traffic to your website, increase mobile app downloads, and increase brand awareness. 

Instagram offers several advertising options for businesses of all kinds, including:

1. Photo Ads 

Photo ads can create interest and appeal. Be sure to use an engaging caption as that is what will drive your target audience to take the next step, like visiting your website or calling your business. 

2. Video Ads

Video ads can be up to 60 seconds long and are extremely effective at delivering a message to audiences and driving engagement in an attractive format.

3. Carousel Ads

Carousel ads allow Instagram users to swipe through additional images. Carousel ads include a call-to-action button that directs users to your website to learn more or take the next steps, like filling out a contact form. 

4. Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are becoming quite popular. Basically, while users are scrolling through their Stories feed, they will encounter strategically spaced full screen ads for your business.

5. CTA Button

Instagram has a Call-to-Action Button feature that directs users to click and include links to any destination, on or off Instagram.

EmoryDay Can Help Your Business Leverage Instagram!

Ready to see what Instagram can do for your business? Contact the professionals at EmoryDay. Our team of marketing strategists can help you create and maintain your brand across many different social media platforms, including Instagram. Get in touch with us to schedule your free consultation today!