The face of online marketing has for many businesses shown its true potential on none other than Instagram.
Ever since Instagram started adjusting the platform to the needs of brands and businesses, we’ve started building a marketing home right then and there.
We don’t have to get into how important marketing on Instagram is, but we do want to show you how to go about it. So, sit back, enjoy, and allow us to give you a house tour of the influential home that is IG marketing!
Let’s begin!
Down to Business
Before even thinking about the word “marketing” it’s important to switch your account from a Personal page to a Business one if you haven’t already.
The reason this switch is so important is the access you’ll gain to business profile premium features you’ll need down the line. This account type is just more suited for businesses, as Instagram made sure of it.
In 2016, when businesses began to flood the platform’s Explore page, Instagram wanted to make their stay as comfortable and useful as possible. They’ve succeeded at that mission to say the very least.
With that, came the need to separate the personal and the business…As it’s usually done in real life!
So if you haven’t completely gone to the business side, what are you still waiting for?!
Sculpt Your Brand Message
A lot of folks unintentionally skip this step, thinking it’s not that important when you look at the full picture. But what they fail to realize is that this step is the full picture.
Outlining everything valuable about your business combined is one of the first moves in the right direction. That same outline is what will later become the concept for your Instagram feed, but we’ll get to that in a little bit.
Branding your vision to fit the online and Instagram sculpture requires the following:
- Around three main colors that will be dominant in your logo, product design, accessories, and your overall feed.
- Style of editing and content creation that will be consistent throughout your posting. It doesn’t always have to be the norm, but let it be a style you can be known for.
- Your slogan and potentially your Bio. Summarizing your brand in one sentence that can be shown through a song or movie quote is highly engaging. People love it when brands get creative like that.
- The message itself, what do you want to spread into the Instagram universe? This one could also be in written form, like the slogan we mentioned earlier.
But the real meaning of the message is what vibe will the average person get from your entire online business persona. Do you want your brand to be all about positivity and light? Dark Akademia mystery? Class and professionalism? Pick your poison!
Once you’re done sculpting your craft, it’s time to hang it on the Insta gallery walls…A.k.a, your Instagram feed.
Style Your Bio
This one is also far more important than many make it out to be. Your Bio is the first thing people (potential clients!) see on your page, and you’ve deemed it as a side fixer-upper? Nope, we’re changing that right now.
From your name and username to the Bio itself and a few CTAs – this little piece of space on your profile could lead new followers to your website. Or wherever else you want to direct them to.
The more you grow your followers, the more important this gets. Speaking of which, companies like flock social can really help you out if you’re stuck.
From amazing profile to follower to client, these guys sure know what they are doing. So, before they get your profile all set up, make sure your Instagram Bio is all pimped up.
Bios are meant to introduce your brand and message to any newcomers that have stumbled their way across your page. Keep it informative but short, simple yet sweet – whatever you think will present what you have to offer in the best light possible.
- When it comes to usernames, try to keep it short, or one word long even. With this method, it’s much easier for people to remember your handle and hence go back to your profile!
- Your profile picture should be inviting and professional. Nothing like a good ol’ sleek company logo or a stylish and modern portrait! Keep it simple, clear, and memorable.
- The slogan we’ve mentioned earlier fits perfectly in an Instagram Bio. And even if you don’t know the first thing about creative marketing, and/or are on a tight budget – there are numerous slogan generators at your fingertips out there! Try to combine a little something that screams you and voila! You’ll have ‘em right where you want ‘em.
- Story Highlights are, quite literally, the highlight of your Bio. These creative little covers, with catchy titles, can really introduce new followers to your content. And since Stories are so fun and lighthearted, you have a really good chance to win them over with this one.
So maybe spend that extra hour editing some cool Story Highlight covers! After all, apps like this are completely dedicated to helping you out!
- The CTAs – the one that takes the prize all the way home. If your overall profile is interesting enough for the visitor, these little guys will help them get to know what you do better. So, make sure to nail the previously mentioned Bio characteristics in order to get this one going!
And remember, always leave your email, phone number, and physical location if you have one!
Engage With Your Community
Although obvious, this often gets overlooked. Unanswered comments and DMs are way too common when they shouldn’t be!
All this hard work is for nothing if you don’t show your community and followers how much you care about them! Show improvement, listen to feedback, and never ever leave them talking to a wall!
Plus, you won’t be getting any positive word of mouth about your brand with that sort of attitude. You see, the customer might not always be right, but they’re always the main priority!
Takeaway
As you can see, most of these little steps come from within. It’s your message, content, and your will to create a solid community on your page that’ll eventually make it thrive. Sure, there are numerous ups and downs, helping hands and worries, but through it all, the one thing that will take you to the never-ending finish line is hard work, ambition, and one heck of an Instagram strategy game!
