An Entrepreneur’s Ultimate Guide to Instagram for Business

As each generation grows more accustomed to modern technology, online platforms such as Instagram have developed into one of the most popularly used applications in the world. While Instagram was initially used to post and share photographs with your network, several new features have been introduced since then. Thanks to this, it has also grown into an avenue to market your company’s brand. 

As of 2021, over 1.074 billion people worldwide actively use Instagram each day to share posts, communicate with friends, and make new connections. Out of this population, 71% consists of users below 35 years old who spend an average of 53 minutes per day scrolling through their feed. 

Due to its outstanding usage, many businesses have adopted different digital marketing strategies, even virtual assistant (VA) services, to boost their sales on the platform. 

If you have yet to create an Instagram account for your brand, it’s never too late to do so to grow and expand your reach. 

Reasons to Use Instagram for Business

Instagram has evolved tremendously over the past few years as it continues to introduce new features and a unique way of experiencing content. With this, your business can gain plenty of benefits by developing strategies around the platform. Here are some of the best things you can gain by using Instagram. 

• Build online presence

Getting an Instagram account for your business is vital these days as more and more consumers expect to learn about your brand online. If you want them to continue caring about your services, you need to establish a reliable online presence so they can access relevant information and updates on your company. 

• Reach greater audiences

Through Instagram, your brand grants you the potential to reach millions of users worldwide that you can turn into prospective customers. Combined with proper digital marketing tactics, such as search engine optimization (SEO) and content marketing, you can attract your target consumers more easily than before. 

• Boost revenue

Posting regularly and interacting with your customers on Instagram can build more interest in your products and services. At the same time, the app has a unique feature that allows your customers to buy your products directly from your page. This not only helps boost your revenue but also allows you to make sales faster. 

• Monitor insights

Instagram has a feature that allows you to view your analytics to know how well your account is performing. These insights also provide you with the necessary information to continuously improve your social media marketing strategy as you better understand and learn more about your target demographic.

• Target competition

Apart from building your brand, you can also use Instagram to keep an eye on your competitors. Through the app, you can easily view how other brands interact with their followers and how often they post content.

• Become more relatable

Having an Instagram account allows you to share content that caters to the interests of your target audience, which can make you appear more relatable to them. As you create these connections, your followers grow more interested in your brand and are more likely to share it with others.

• Encourage creative marketing

Instagram is one of the best social media platforms to get creative with your marketing efforts to stand out from the crowd. Not only can you create content customized to your brand’s vision, but it can also attract a wider scope of followers. 

• Create genuine connections

With social media, you gain a direct link to your customers by engaging with them through their comments and messages. While you get insights on how they feel about your brand, your customers can feel more prioritized as you develop your relationship with them through Instagram interactions.

• Stay updated with trends

Instagram helps you adapt to new consumer trends quicker by sharing what your customers want to see most with a simple click of a button. At the same time, it also shows your efforts to stay connected with the community. 

• Gain valuable feedback

Feedback is essential to know what your brand might be doing wrong. With Instagram, you give your followers multiple ways to express how they feel about your business through comments, direct messages, and stories.

• Any business can utilize it

Instagram can benefit all brands, no matter the industry and size. The platform ultimately stays the same for everyone, with the same features available to your company. So whether you’re a corporation or a small business with a general or niche market, you’re welcome to try Instagram.

How to Set Up an Instagram Business Account

Setting up an Instagram account for your business is a short and simple process. Here’s a step-by-step guide you can follow to get your brand online ASAP. 

1. Create an Instagram account

There are two main ways to sign up for Instagram for the first time—through the mobile application or web browser. 

Using your computer, access the Instagram website and click on the sign up button. This will lead you to a page where you can input your account details. Once completed, verify your account using the verification code sent by Instagram on your email address. Otherwise, you may opt to log in with Facebook instead.

If you prefer to set up your Instagram account on a mobile device, simply download the application from the App Store or Google Play and repeat the process mentioned above. 

2. Go to account settings

Once you have your account registered, head on to your profile and tap the hamburger menu found at the top right corner of the app. Go to Settings and then click on Account to get started.

3. Switch to Professional Account

Next, switch to a professional Instagram account by clicking the button in your account settings. This will help cement your profile as a business on the platform and allow you access to your analytics.

4. Choose a category for your brand

Pick the category that best represents your brand so that users can quickly identify what type of business you have. For example, you may select the beauty, cosmetic, & personal care category if you’re a brand that handles makeup and personal care products.

5. Select a Business account

Once you’ve reached the next step, select the Business option. Doing so will help Instagram determine which tools to give you to help you manage your account better. 

6. Review your contact information

Double-check that all the information indicated is correct and ready to be published. 

7. Link your Facebook business page

This last step is optional. If you already have an established Facebook business page, linking both accounts allows your followers to find your platforms easily. 

Strategies to Maximize Instagram for Business

Instagram opens up several new opportunities for you to build and customize your brand. Below are a few strategies you can combine to maximize your performance and boost your business on the platform. 

• Know your target audience

Knowing your target audience will help you build content that will surely pique people’s interests. As a result, these users will more likely follow and share your brand’s work as you satisfy their needs. 

• Follow a content calendar

A content calendar keeps your team organized when it comes to content creation and posting on your Instagram feed. At the same time, it can also play a big role in planning as you get ready for events such as holidays and campaigns.

• Maintain a visual theme

Visual consistency can help your brand become more recognizable while establishing the type of personality you want to convey to your audience. This can be done by using a specific color scheme, designing a logo, and maintaining a format for your posts. 

• Draft compelling captions

Short as they may be, captions help you catch the attention of your audience. For instance, with an expert social media VA on your team, SEO tactics can be incorporated into your posts, making keywords and related topics linked to your company from just a single search.

• Utilize hashtags accordingly

Many major brands have their own unique hashtag that allows your followers to find your content more easily. These tags can also be used when running a campaign or event. However, be sure to utilize them sparingly, as you don’t want to flood your followers with unnecessary hashtags on your posts.

• Interact with your followers

One of the best ways to keep customer satisfaction high is by engaging with your followers. You can do this by replying to comments and messages or even liking posts related to your brand. 

• Launch Instagram ad campaigns

Instagram ads can be an excellent way to create well-rounded campaigns to promote your brand. At the same time, it helps build better brand awareness for your business as you generate new leads. 

• Add shoppable tags

This feature on Instagram is one of the fastest ways to turn a follower into a customer. Shoppable tags give users a direct link to your store where they can directly purchase in just a few taps. 

• Connect with Instagram influencers

Now, more than ever, social media influencers can strongly impact how most people feel about a brand. When you collaborate with one for your company, you get to expand your market and tune in to an untapped community where you can showcase your products and relevance.

• Track metrics and adjust as needed

Keeping an eye on your analytics enables you to gain insights into your account’s performance at any given time. Through this, you can change your marketing strategy as needed to ensure that your business continues to grow. 

• Get your audience involved

Create campaigns that will get your followers excited to talk about your brand. You may offer exclusive deals for followers that showcase your products in their posts or give out prizes when you hit a milestone in the platform. Come up with fun and engaging activities to retain old clients and attract new ones into your business.

Move Forward with a Click

These days, having a strong digital presence on Instagram can significantly impact your brand’s reputation. Not only do you provide a more accessible way for customers and leads to get to your company, but you also open up several new opportunities for your business to grow and expand its reach.

With the right digital marketing strategy and a reliable VA managing your accounts, Instagram can be one of the many great tools you can use to stay ahead of the competition.