How to use Instagram for your business?

You may, as many marketer and business owners, have opened an Instagram account , which was on your list of social media. But the account has been "abandoned" by now, or neglected because of low visible ROI. Instagram, as a reminder, is the the social network that allows you to take pictures with your smartphone, and to share them directly with people in your own network. You can even add filters to your pictures to improve their look. But what is the use for my business? I used instagram before and I didn't see any increase in sales.

First of all, as all social media, Instagram's first use for a business is to work on your brand awareness. What is so important about brand awareness? Brand awareness is the "aura" that surrounds your company and that will make it the customer's choice when the time to purchase has come. So in simple terms, brand awareness is the cool factor of your business, which increases the potential of sale. So basically it brings money. In this quest of brand awareness improvement, Instagram is a perfect way to improve the image of the company by communicating directly the image you want your audience to have of your business. And with more than 150 million users, the social network now part of Facebook is not a rookie player. 

Brands like Nike (1st on Instagram), Starbucks, Ben and Jerry's and Ford are ruling instagram, with pretty similar strategies. Nike is posting pictures of sporting events, showing their products in action, when Starbucks posts pictures of coffee environments, and Ford has pictures of cars. The concept seems simple but the key to an efficient Instagram campaign is in the user involvement. On top of showing your products and your company in beautiful pictures, you need to take advantage of the user experience. Get your followers to post pictures related to your business. A picture contest on Instagram is the best way to create engagement. Get your followers to post pictures of your products in situation on instagram, and you will see your brand awareness increase.

Nike Instagram Page:

Starbucks Instagram Page:

Ford Instagram Page:

Last but not least, the use of hashtags is primordial on Instagram, to categorize the pictures you post in the good category. Use the hashtags to create engageemnt and broadcasts promotions, like a discount for the person using the hashtag, or even a gift for any purchase. Instagram, as well as Pinterest, are very graphic social media because they are based on the pictures the users are posting. The advantage of Instagram is that it is in the instant, one click on your smartphone and you have fresh content.

To summarize, creativity is what will bring you the key of an Instagram success. It is the most creative social media and, with the right funny/trendy approach, it can really improve your brand awareness and improve the ROI of your social media efforts. But keep in mind that this kind of social media is mainly used by a young audience, which explains the "fun" aspect required to make it work for your business. Be young, be fun, be trendy, post pictures, and take it EZ.