By Ivan Serrano

Social media is a massive part of marketing and advertising. Companies from around the world are rushing to social media platforms to gather new customers and connect with existing ones. One of the largest of these platforms is Instagram. With over 800 million monthly users, there is a massive opportunity to market to youth and adults around the world. However, there are some tips and tricks you’ll need to know before diving into Instagram. Whether you are a small business or a major company, this article will fill you in on the basics of being a business on Instagram.

Use a business account

There are over 25 million businesses already on Instagram and it is time to join their ranks. The best way to set your company apart from the typical user is by creating a business account. This type of account provides analytic data, like performance and growth, to help you monitor your account. Additionally, the account also includes a contact button that is great for customer support.

Business accounts also come with the option to “boost” content. This is a cheap, paid promotion option that ensures you reach a larger audience. If you already have a normal Instagram account, you can easily switch it to business with a few steps. Once you’ve made this switch, consider growing your followers list by using a service such as Twicsy Instagram followers.

Tracking link

Although many business accounts will have a link in their profile, not everyone uses a tracking link. A tracking link is a link that redirects to the page of your choosing, usually your company site. These links can be used anywhere around the web, especially in Instagram bios. Without a tracking link, companies have no way of knowing how many people clicked through. However, that is not the only data you can gather from a tracking link; you can also see what site the user is coming from and where they are located in the world. A service like Bit.ly can be used to create a shorter tracking link to ensure you don’t miss information.

Keep in mind that the majority of Instagram viewing is done on mobile, so link to a site that is mobile friendly to make the experience as smooth as possible.

Good pictures

When posting to Instagram, don’t use amature pictures. Any real Instagram followers will appreciate it if you invest in proper, well lit, and well shot professional pictures. Professional pictures establish authority and knowledgeability. You want to put your best foot forward, so use the best possible photos. Additionally, these photos also help to portray your business in a professional light.

Stories

Stories are a great way to do fast content. The pictures or videos you post on stories disappear after 24 hours, so it is an easy marketing method to promote limited time events. You can create mini narratives with stories, string multiple videos to convey a message, or have a story that acts as a treat for your viewers.

Live streaming

Live streaming is a good way to engage with customers in a face-to-face manner in real-time. You can show behind the scenes work, new products, or just answer questions about your business. Furthermore, these streams live in your stories for 24 hours after they end.

User-generated content

Even the most talented content team can get stuck. In moments like this take advantage of user-generated content (UGC). Your customers take pictures with your items all the time, use that to your advantage. An easy way to collect these user made posts is to create a hashtag for your brand so when user post pictures with your item they can tag it for you. You then search the hashtag and browse the collection of posts. From there you can share the post to your own account.

Schedule content

One of the most basic rules of Instagram is to post consistently. “The best posting frequency for Instagram is the posting frequency that you can consistently maintain for the rest of your natural life,” explains Neil Patel in an article for Forbes. Since it can be so stressful to post without planning it ahead of time, use a scheduler, like Sked Social, to make the process easier. You feed your posts into the scheduler, tell it when you want them to go live, and you are good to go.

Hashtags

Hashtags are a powerful tool. They help you reach a larger audience searching for specific tags. However, over using them can have negative consequences. When you use too many hashtags you can be shadowbanned. Your posts will still be visible, but much less prominent in the algorithm. This is because Instagram doesn’t want people to game the hashtag system by filling the caption with tags. Make sure to tag what is relevant and most important, but stop there.

Instagram is a powerful platform for companies. It is a great tool for marketing, brand presence, and advertising. With these tips and tricks your business will be well on its way to being an Instagram powerhouse.

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Ivan Serrano is a writer specializing in technology. He is from San Jose, California. In his free time, Ivan enjoys working out, marveling at the wonders of modern technology, photography, and spending time with his dog, Miguel, and his boyfriend, Thomas.