Is your business on Instagram? It’s a great way to show visual aspects of your business and reach new customers.
Start your account
If you don’t have the app yet, you’ll need to download it.
Set up your profile! You can’t add users like you can with a Facebook page – everyone who adds to your Instagram account will need the email and password, so make sure it’s something unique and professional.
Same goes with creating your username. If possible, make it the same as your Twitter or Facebook name, so its easy to find.
The first thing it will ask for is your profile picture. You want to use an image with no text – such as a logo or a photo of yourself if appropriate. The photo will look very small in the app, so make sure it is legible.
Next, fill our your profile information. You’ll need to list your website and a bio. Adding emojis to your bio is a great way to show your personality (if its fits your business).
That’s it, you’ve set up your profile!
2. Post a Photo
Next, you want to add your first post. It could be a photo or a video.
Just hit the “+” button at the bottom of the screen, and it will let you add a photo or take a new one.
Once you add it, you can zoom in or out, and change the shape of the photo (square or rectangle).
You also have the option of uploading up to 10 videos or photos in one post. Press the overlapping squares icon in the bottom right corner, then select all the photos/videos you want to use. You can arrange them in any order by clicking and dragging.
Next, edit that photo or video. You can use filters, then edit features like the brightness or saturation.
The “Lux” sun icon at the top is a good final touch to finish your photo.
Click “Done,” then you can add the caption. Include industry-relevant hashtags, or things like #ThrowBackThursday or #SmallBusinessSaturday, depending on the day or event.
Don’t forget to tag the location or the people in the photo. That will help spread the photo to more people.
At this point, you can also connect your Facebook and Twitter pages if you haven’t already. This way, it will automatically post to those other platforms.
3. Post an Instagram Story
More than 250 million people post Instagram stories every day. While this is a newer addition to the app, it is hugely popular. The stories disappear after 24 hours, and can be photos or videos.
Instagram stories are a great way to feature whatever you and your business are up to right now. It provides a fun behind-the-scenes, candid look at your business. Try using it if you’re unboxing new products, at a conference or event, or want to talk about a new feature. You can live-stream video as well!
To post a story, swipe left or press the Camera icon in the top left corner. There, you an take photos or videos, or grab something from your photo gallery. Add text, emojis, gifs, or draw on the photo. Have fun with it!
Instagram stories let you reach your audience in a new way, and helps guarantee your followers see your content. It’s a promotional tool that shouldn’t be passed up.
4. Follow Your Audience
Now that your page has some content, you need to build your audience. The best way to find new people to follow is through the Search and Explore feature (magnifying glass icon). Try it by following these instructions:
- Type a relevant keyword in the search bar. Could be your city or region or a business term.
- Look at the suggested profiles or hashtags
- Follow any relevant profiles. You can also like some of their photos while you’re there.
- Look at the profiles Instagram recommends once you follow someone.
And repeat! When you follow new people, they’ll be likely to look at your profile and follow you back.
You want your existing customers to know about your new Instagram page as well. Post a link to your page on other social media pages, add the Instagram icon to your website or email newsletter, or send an email inviting them to like it.
Instagram is an exciting place to promote your business and find new customers. How do you like to use Instagram?