Photo sharing has received a major social upgrade thanks to the introduction of Instagram. The Instagram platform has become very popular with more than 80 million users who enjoy modifying their photos with special effects and cool filters before sharing them with friends and followers.
Businesses can start using this new type of social media as a way to market their business and build a following. People love strong visual images, so posting images of products and even employees will make them feel closer to you. This type of marketing is what helps build brand loyalty.
So how can your business use Instagram for marketing? Here are some examples:
Geotagging
In Instagram’s latest update, users now have the option to tag a specific location with their images, which are saved to a personal photo map. These can be shared with your followers.
This is great if you have a physical location or even if you’re traveling across town, state, or country. If you have booths at local craft fairs or other vendor events, you can take a photo and tag your location so your followers know where they can find you.
inside look
The idea behind social networks is to share. Your fans and followers give you the opportunity to reach them on a more personal level, so make sure you give them the same. Take pictures of staff in the office. Snapshots of upcoming products to give you a sneak peek. If you’re on the trail, take some photos along the way. Give followers a real sense of what things are like behind the scenes to help them feel part of the brand.
use hashtags
If you use Twitter, you know how effective hashtags can be for sharing. You can use the same in your Instagram photos. Use hash tags that relate to your business or industry to make it easier for people to find you. For example, if you make jewelry, you can use hashtags like #rings, #customjewlery, or #necklaces. Find popular hashtags that are being used by similar brands and add them to your images.
Encourage user images
People who are already using your products should be encouraged to take a photo of themselves wearing them and tag it with one of your hash tags. This will show people how to use your products and show how many people are happy with your company.
hold contests
People love the chance to win prizes, and using Instagram to run a photo contest is an exciting way to give them what they want. You can ask fans to submit a photo of themselves wearing your product, and then pick a winner from among them. You could also take a different route by asking them to submit an image that demonstrates something more abstract, like what summer means to them.
There are many ways to get creative and get more followers by running a contest on Instagram. Your followers will share with their friends, who will also want to join in the fun.
Market your events
If you’re going to be at a trade show or convention, take photos and tag your location so your followers know what’s going on with your business. If you’re running a big sale, take a photo of your sales flyer for your followers to see. This is also a good way to make your followers feel more special because you can offer them a VIP discount that only Instagram users can get. Get creative with them!
Instagram was acquired by Facebook for around a billion dollars. That’s a sure sign that this is an important part of social media. When you implement it in your marketing strategy, it is one of the most important tools to have.
People love to get involved and share with the businesses they love. Join this age of sharing and you can expand your reach and strengthen your brand with just a few camera snaps.
Have you already signed up for Instagram? What are you doing to market your business with the latest social app?