How to Use Instagram for Business

  • Date: 31 January 2018
  • reading time: 5 Minutes
  • Blogger: Gurby Bulo
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Setting up an Instagram account for your business is simple. Yes, Instagram can now be used for your business and the good thing about it is that it is easy and simple if you follow the steps on how to do it.


Install Instagram App on your mobile devices

The whole process starts by downloading the Instagram App from App Store or Google Play Store for your android or Windows Phone Store for Windows devices. Once it is installed, tap to open the app. Then, tap Sign Up and enter your email address and tap Next. (You may also tap Log in with your Facebook to sign up with your Facebook account.) Once logged in, find Settings then scroll down to Switch to Business Account. Once your account has been set up, you can add in important information like business hours, addresses, and a phone number.

Optimize your Instagram for Business profile

By using a user name that matches your other branded social media profile, you may be able to optimize your Instagram for Business. Use your business biography or bio to explain what your business is about and what your followers could expect from your business. Include branded hashtags which you want your followers to use. Also, include a profile photo which should be your company’s logo. Make sure that it matches your other profile photos so that customers could easily recognize your brand. This will also help in the easy discoverability of your brand.

Follow people who are influencers in your industry, customers and other people relevant to your brand

Know your target market and make your presence known. Comment on photos and follow people who are participating in discussions relevant to your brand.

Promote your account

Add your Instagram to your web properties and other social media profiles to promote it. You may also send out a few messages (one or two) for your followers on other networks to follow you on Instagram.

Work with your Instagram presence with your other social media channels

By using Hootsuite, manage and grow your Instagram business presence. Hootsuite will help you monitor comments and hashtags, engage the audience, measure performance, and schedule or publish photos directly to Instagram.

Create an Instagram content strategy

Determine how often and when to post. Rotate through different content themes to keep things interesting for you followers. Have style guidelines for your content which may include grammatical styles, hashtags to use, types of photos to post and other visual cues. There should also be engagement guidelines which covers how and when your Instagram business interacts with other accounts. This may include: liking and commenting, to handling incoming comments. Remember not to automate any of your engagement. It does not work.

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Build an Instagram brand for your business

Do this by creating visual consistency on your posts. The more instantly recognizable your photos are, the better. Also, choose your subject matter well. Getting people to notice your posts depends on a well-chosen subject matter. 

Create a branded hashtag

This simply means creating a hashtag that embodies your brand which may in turn encourage followers to share photos that fit this image. For example, Social Media Gids branded hashtag is #HELPSMGHELPYOU. You also have to stay true to your audience. Make sure that you are catering to their interests and expectations.

Get creative with your Instagram content

Have room for captions because they present an opportunity for your business to tell a story. Instagram captions allow the expansion of an image, giving it context and perhaps make customers laugh. You may also use photo and video albums. You can add up to 10 photos and videos to a single Instagram post. Photos and videos can help tell stories and share information in an engaging manner. Finally, you might want to collaborate with influencers. Try identifying influential people on Instagram that are relevant to your brand and begin building a relationship. This could help you expose your brand to their large Instagram community.

Boost business results with Instagram ads

Build brand awareness, get more website visits or increase downloads on your mobile app. Instagram ads can help you access a huge and engaged audience. Learn how in our guide to advertising on Instagram.

You have learned the basics and the steps, why not try Instagram for Business now to make your business presence on Instagram. Get that niche that you have always been eyeing for.

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  • Blogger: Gurby Bulo
  • E-mail: [email protected]
  • Online Marketing Strategy Expert at Social Media Gids
  • Internet entrepreneur Gurby Bulo is the Founder of Social Media Gids and host of @SMG Hangout. With his virtual team, they follow the latest online marketing developments because they like it ;-) and to provide you with information, strategies and support necessary to increase your online marketing knowledge, sales and growth on your way to (financial) freedom.
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