Instagram is a platform that has exploded in the past few years. There are more than 75 million daily users, and 77.6 million users per year. In fact, over 20% of Internet users use Instagram. And with a 4.2% engagement rate, Instagram has the highest engagement rank out of all the major platforms—58 times more engagement per follower than Facebook and 120 times more engagement per follow than Twitter. If your business isn’t yet on Instagram, you are missing out on a huge marketing opportunity.

Getting Started

Instagram is easy to set up and pretty straightforward in terms of use. To set up an account, simply set up a handle account. It’s best to set the same name as your Twitter handle, so that your accounts are streamlined and easy to find.  Use your brand logo as your profile photo, add a link to your website, and connect Instagram to your Facebook page. Let your fans know about your new Instagram page by posting a notice about it to your other social media platforms.

Come Up With a Marketing Strategy

The way businesses use Instagram is different from the way that individuals use it. Businesses need a unique combination of fun, engaging photos and calls to action. Instagram is all about telling a story with images. Instagram’s business information page is a good resource for businesses. Bookmark it here: https://business.instagram.com/

Here are some additional quick tips:

Use high-quality photographs. While Instagram was originally created as a mobile platform, the photos are no longer limited to the capabilities of iPhones and other smart-phones. The smartest brands use only professional-grade photos for their Instagram pages, scaled down to Instagram size.

Use engaging hashtags. Almost more important than your photographs are the hashtags you use. The more popular hashtags you use, the more people will see your photos. Always make sure to tag your photos with hashtags. Additionally, you can invite your followers to participate in your Instagram feed by coming up with unique campaign hashtags. Encourage followers to submit photographs through your chosen hashtag to be displayed on your company’s Instagram page.

Engage with Tone. Analyze your clientele and see what they use Instagram for. Be true to your brand’s voice and keep it in your Instagram posts. Keep in mind, though, that Instagram is a more “casual” platform in general. Humor goes a long way.

Scope Out the Competition

The best way to get a feel for Instagram is to use it. Make a separate account just for exploring the platform. Follow your closest competitors in addition to major brands to see how they make use of their accounts. Over time, you’ll begin to notice trends and strategies, and be able to implement these techniques yourself.

Get Professional Assistance

If you’re unsure about where to begin, you can benefit by seeking out assistance from the professionals. Owning a business is hard work -work which is very time consuming. At Servistree, we offer several tiers of full-service social media packages to make your life easier. Let us handle your social media marketing so that you can focus on what’s most important: running your business.  Contact Servistree today at 866-944-3244 to get started.