Hashtag | nancyrubin

Since 2010, Instagram has allowed users to share their photos and videos. They can connect the Instagram account to other social media, use hashtags and geotags to enhance the visibility, as well as Stories feature since 2016. Therefore, you can imagine how difficult it is for individuals and businesses to decide which social network is perfect for marketing. However, Instagram is special because it uses visual engagement to attract and gain followers.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it, just that you need to adjust your strategy. Over time, business world recognized its potential and now it finds it to be a great opportunity to reach the target audience. With statistics like 700 million monthly users, Instagram has quickly taken its rightful among Facebook and Twitter. With that in mind, here is some advice how to run a successful Instagram profile for a small business.

1. Build a business profile

First, your business needs a proper profile. This means that you have to create a one concentrated on your business completely, like the name, category, short description using keywords, add website and location. This will be enough information for Instagram users to know who you are and what you do. You have only 150 characters to present yourself, so use them wisely.

2. Display brand personality

Even though you’re a business entity, you still need a brand personality to attract the followers and get them to know you better. This is not hard. It’s all about the message you send about yourself like being funny or serious. This is the feature you will have to use all the time in your communication with your audience on all social media platforms and your website.

3. Use aesthetics

Aesthetic in your posts will set the visual standard and must be in line with the brand personality. This means that you have to choose a colour palette that you will use. A photo planning apps can help you with this, like Planoly. This app is will keep your visual elements in check and will help you see how your images look one close to another before you publish them on Instagram.

4. Don’t leave out location and hashtags

Hashtags and geotags are important if you want to reach a wider audience. Every post must include them, no exception since they will put you in the spotlight. They will help Instagram users find you and follow you. You can use custom hashtags which will authenticate your business and help with contests and giveaways.

Geotags are important for the local followers. For example, if you’re a restaurant, the local followers will have the chance to see your profile and visit you in person.

5. Dedicate to visual quality

Since Instagram is all about the visual elements, you should use only the high-quality image and videos. It’s all about the lighting and clarity. You can choose one place which is perfect for taking photos or hire a professional photographer which can be pricey. Quality includes everything that is important for creating excellent photography, and that means creativity as well. Moreover, images and videos are perfect for the promotion of your brand personality and presenting yourself.

6. Post diverse content

Posting the same content will bore your followers and chase them away. That’s why it is important to diversify your content to be interesting. Use photos and videos alternately, ask customers to send you their content, and publish it with your own. Write something funny, meaningful or informative, and you can even present your employees through your posts.

7. Communicate with customers

Communication with the customers is one of the backbones of business dealings today. If you start answering their questions, noting their reactions publicly and acknowledging them, you will create loyal followers and customers. For example, you can place HD Booths on your premises. This way your customers can take a picture, so you can post it on your Instagram profile tagging them and writing something about them.

8. Present your product

Don’t forget that you are working on growing your business and find as many customers as you can who will choose your product. However, the audience doesn’t like when you try to sell them something directly, so allow yourself to be creative. Allow them to try your new product through giveaways and offer discount codes from time to time.

Don’t forget to use calls-to-action on Instagram too with “learn more”, “comment to enter the contest” or “check the link in our bio”. This will help you get to marketing goals while still having fun.

Finally

Instagram is a different but less burdening platform to promote your business. It will be as fun for you as for your followers and can be a significant boost in your marketing campaign. Use all these recommendations here and you’ll reach your customers and gain a loyal following in no time.

Bio: Nina is a digital nomad, yoga aficionado and a travel enthusiast. She’s passionate about learning new things and sharing meaningful ideas. If you wanna see what she’s up to you can find her on twitter

Do you want to build an excited, engaged customer base, establish your brand as a go-to expert, and stand out from the other brands in your field? Then a well-organized business event is an excellent way to do just that.

If you want to make your event even more of a success, social media can help you. By using social media before, during and after your event, you can connect the dots for your audience, creating an experience that builds community and engagement.

So just how can you use social media before, during and after your event?

Before Your Event – Build Some Buzz

In the run up to your event, make good use of social media to build some buzz and make sure your event is well-attended.

Create a hashtag ahead of your event – a hashtag helps to keep the conversation going and connect people who are talking about your event.

Make sure your hashtag is unique, easy to remember, and will stay relevant year on year. Always use your hashtag when talking about your event, and encourage others to do the same.

Make sure your event has its own social profile. The authors of the article “Social Media and Events: Connecting the Dots” surveyed business event attendees and found that 93 percent said a dedicated social profile mattered.

Use social media to get your attendees talking and share previews of the day to show what they can expect. Also, offer related content, encourage questions, or even hold a sweepstake or Q&A session to encourage interaction.

During Your Event – Create a Community

Don’t quit using social media just because the day of the event has arrived! By using social media throughout the day you can create a strong sense of community and keep your attendees interested in what is happening around them.

Try posting pictures of speakers and attendees to social media (using your hashtag of course). Ask a staff member to live blog or live tweet the event, sharing some of the highlights and most valuable words of wisdom.

Encourage your attendees to join in by sharing their own thoughts and pictures under your hashtag. You can even run a contest on the day, entering all attendees who “like” or “share” a status into a prize draw.

After Your Event – Keep the Momentum Going

Keep up the momentum after the event and you’ll encourage attendees to stay engaged with your brand and share your content.

Share pictures and highlights after the event, and don’t forget to mention your speakers and how brilliant they were. They’re more likely to share your content that way.

Treat your social media followers to a post-event gift, such as a white paper, blog post, or useful infographic related to the event.

You’ll stick in their minds, and your content will get disseminated among both attendees, and those who didn’t attend but might be interested in your brand.

Encourage speakers and attendees alike to keep using your hashtag to share their highlights and post event thoughts. Don’t forget to reach out to them. Personally thanking attendees and speakers might take a while, but the personal touch will do wonders for your brand.

Finally, use social media to garner some valuable customer feedback. Ask what they loved – and what they didn’t. Analyze the answers to help your next event be even better.

Social media is a powerful tool for any business event, creating a vibrant community before and on the day, and keeping your brand in attendees’ minds long after the doors have closed.

About the Author: Tristan Anwyn is an author who writes on a range of topics including social media, SEO that works, and how to use social media for your business event.