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7 Instagram Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

Date published: September 21, 2017
Last updated: September 21, 2017

Although Facebook and Twitter are the most used Social Media platforms for businesses, Instagram offers a good place for marketing opportunities too. With Instagram, you get to join an online community of around 700 million users, and some of its features can tailor your promotions to customers that are close to you.

The catch, however, is, you have to be more creative when it comes to Instagram posts and updates since this Social Media platform is more lifestyle-centric. This is not a problem with businesses in the food, health, beauty, retail, or arts and crafts sector, but it could pose a real challenge for those who are in the business-to-business niche.

There are ways of course to maximize your business potential on Instagram (no matter what niche you are in), below are some tips to help you come up with a better campaign:

  1. Focus on Lifestyle and Customer Journey

Instagram users are more focused on artsy, lifestyle-based posts, and you need to join in on that if you want to attract attention for your business. Your stories should feature behind-the-scenes moments (like candid office settings, customer testimonials, and even advocacy-based projects, if any), and your photos should be captured in a raw, but creative, way.

To make your Instagram updates interesting, you must go beyond your product and services. Tell the world how it is made, how it creates defining moments for customers, and how it stays relevant.

  1. Use Hashtags Wisely

Instagram users can use certain hashtags to easily find what they are looking for in the platform. Using a hashtag wisely can help you gain followers who are out there looking for what you have to offer. For example, your business is selling organic food within the New York area, you can use hashtags such as #OrganicFoodNYC and #HealthyFoodNYC.

  1. Build and Establish a Community

Many companies use Instagram to connect with customers at a more personal level. This can be done by reposting customer feedback and photos that feature your product. It is also the perfect opportunity to thank them for the shoutout, so don’t forget to mention their username!

The essence of doing this is to build an online community that is not just about your business, but is also about your customers as well.

  1. Make Sure Your Profile Contains Important Details

Instagram does not allow you to post a lengthy ‘About me,’ so you need to make the most out of your short introduction. Include a short, witty description of your business, your location, main contact number, and your website link, of course!

  1. Offer Exclusive or Limited-Time Promos

Nothing can attract potential customers’ interests other than freebies, discounts, and other offers. So if you have a new line of products to introduce, or if you have a best-selling product that has a high chance to capture an even wider market, then why not hold a limited-time promo through your Instagram?

  1. Maintain a High Level of Engagement

Again, it’s not just about posting stories and images. Whenever necessary, try to engage with customer queries and concerns either through comment boxes and messaging. You must at least show it to them that you are not just there to simply promote and sell, but to hear out customer feedback as well.

  1. Track Your Progress to Improve Your Game

Throughout your campaign, you must keep track of the posts and stories that garnered the most likes and comments (engagement). Then try to analyze why these posts were the most well-received ones - what kind of photo and caption did they have? Were they customer stories? Exclusive offers? Were they posted during the daytime, or in the afternoon? Knowing the similarities between your most popular posts can give you an idea as to what your customers actually prefer.

Gaining a substantial amount of followers is also important if you want to successfully market yourself through Instagram. You might be off to a slow start, especially if you are aiming to gain followers from your locality. You can, however, make use of sponsored ads or use hashtags that are commonly used by Instagram users who are from your area.

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