Did you know that Instagram has reached over 1 billion monthly active users since January of this year? Did you know that, of those users, 80% are following a business account? There is no denying that Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms across the world, so it's important to note how successful businesses are becoming because of their presence on Instagram. There are over 25 million businesses on Instagram, representing their brand, and interacting with their consumers. Utilizing this platform gives businesses the chance to showcase the best of what they have to offer. You can spread your words far and wide, and engage visually with people in various demographics and age groups. Better yet, it's completely free to create an account. If you're not in the game, it's time to jump in! Here's a fool-proof guide to setting up your businesses' Instagram account.
Step 1: Download the app.
Although Instagram has a website accessible on your desktop, the mobile app is definitely the way to go. It's far more user-friendly, primarily because the app is where it all started! Just go to the app store provided on your device, search for 'Instagram,' and download it to your phone or tablet. Voila!
Step 2: Create an account.
The trick to creating an account for your business is setting it up through your businesses' Facebook profile. This not only ensures that your business has linked accounts, but it also provides cohesion and makes accessibility very easy. Next, create a username for the page, and try to use the same username as you have for your businesses' other social media accounts! Make sure to record your username and password somewhere safe, as well as that of your Facebook page.
Step 3: Set up your profile.
The very first thing you want to ensure is that your profile is indeed a "business profile." You can make sure this is set by going to your account settings, scrolling down to the bottom, and selecting "switch to business profile." Once this is done, you will have access to all of the special resources needed to aid in the success of your page. When setting up as a business profile, you get lots of special perks that normal accounts do not have. To add in the important details of your account, click the "edit profile" button, and get to work! In the attached image of our profile, you can see the important details highlighted. Include things like your company's name, the business type or category (there are many options to choose from, so select the best one for your company), the address or location of your business, a link to the website or other important destination, and any other info you want people to see easily. This can include store hours, a telephone number, or a short and sweet mission statement to let users know who you are and what you do!
Step 4: Content.
Once your business profile set up is complete, it's time to get posting! Make sure to utilize photography, short video, Instagram stories, and posting highlights to your page. Instagram is all about the visuals, so you want to put some thought into what you are posting. If you really want to join the varsity team, take a look into what times are best for posting (yes, there are certain times that get more traction than others!) Follow some of your favorite business influencers, business pages, your companies employees, clients, etc. and start growing your following. As you start posting, people will start visiting your page!
Step 5: Keep up with your page.
You want to make sure that you are giving your Instagram profile the TLC that it deserves. If you want to grow your reach, engagement, and number of followers/likes, you have to make sure you are keeping up with your content. Also, if you choose, you have the ability as a business profile to invest in your page, and release sponsored ads or promoted posts across the app, ensuring that people of a certain demographic see your post. This can be strategically helpful and useful for your business, especially for specific campaigns. Once you get posting, you can keep up with your page, and view Instagram analytics, showcasing your reach, amount of views, number of impressions, and so much more. This is incredibly useful in understanding your audience, and how to improve your page!
There are a lot of amazing things about social media, but one of the greatest aspects is the ability to connect with people all across the world, showcasing your business, and telling your story. How awesome is that? Here at Steven James, we are dedicated to helping you share your voice with the world through the use of visual and new media, and that includes making sure your online presence is up to par. Are you looking to tell your story to the world? We can help.
