Okay, maybe this is known as the “selfy-site” but we have to take it seriously. Instagram is a free mobile, photo sharing platform with more than 80 million users.  With its popularity growing every day, Instagram has recently been acquired by Facebook, integrated into HootSuite’s social media management tools, and is a fun way to visually market your business and engage your customers, clients, and followers. 

Setting your self up for success on Instagram is fairly intuitive. When selecting your Instagram handle, use the same handle as you use for Twitter. This will provide some continuity to your feed, since you can now integrate all your social media feeds via some management tools. Once you’re set up, spend some time looking at the Instagram hashtags. Identify or create a few hashtags you will use with every posting, and then identify relevant hashtags that might be trending in your area or industry. Both these strategies will make your feed inherently searchable.

Now that you have the Instagram basics, here are three ways you can leverage this social media resource to increase your business’s visibility.

• Get Visual. Instagram lets you play with borders, filters, and other photo enhancements, so its the perfect platform to show off your products or services. Unleash your inner hipster. and have fun playing with filters to create different vibes and feel for your photos. Before and after photos, behind the scenes photos, and”how to” postings help paint a well rounded portrait of your business.
• Get Connected. Ask you followers to contribute to your account. Your followers can upload their photos to your feed, adding organic and real time endorsements and recommendations. Seeing your product or service in action is a great way to visually express what your business does.
• Get personal. Instagram is a great way for your followers, customers,and potential customers to get to know your business and your employees. Upload photos of your work space, favorite customers, employees, and special events. Photos connect with the general public in a way that text can’t, so let the world get a glimpse of how and where the magic happens.  Before your sales meetings it is critical to look at LinkedIn for background rapport building insights, why not look at Instagram too. You can learn where they vacation, how old their kids are and so much more.

Instagram is growing everyday, and its mobile based platform makes it a perfect marketing vehicle for most businesses. For business looking to engage customers and potential customers, its a great social media resource. What are you waiting for? Grab your smart phone and #GetStarted.

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