5 Tips For How to Build your Instagram Community

Is your business’ Instagram account everything it could be? If you want to compete in the modern business world then you had better make sure it is. About 67% of the top brands on the market today are using Instagram to connect with their customers around the world.

This article will provide you with 5 tips on how to best engage and build your Instagram following so that you can keep up with (or get ahead of) the competition.

1. Optimize Your Profile

Let’s start with the most basic part of your Instagram account; your profile.

Your profile page should be simple, clear, and easy to find. Use your company’s logo as the profile picture and your company’s name for your username. This should be the same or similar to the name you use on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to include a link to your website so that anyone interested can find more information easily.Don’t forget to write a concise description of your company.

Most Instagram users will view your page for only a few seconds before deciding whether to follow you or not, so you want to make sure that all of the information is there and accessible.

This advice may seem simple, but it is important if you want your page to look professional, and give your followers a quick outline of who you are.

2. Be “Part” of Your Social Network

Instagram is, at its core, a social platform, so, if it’s being used to market a company, it should be used accordingly. Get personal with your followers to engage them and to spread to new followers.

Build your client-based following by knowing who your projected community is, and showing that you have similar interests to them. Think from the community’s perspective. What would they like seeing? What would they enjoy?

If your company sells sporting goods, then you should post pictures about living a sporty lifestyle. Take a look at this picture posted by the Columbia sportswear company.

To bring your followers even closer, show them more of the personal side of your company itself. Post pictures of your employees, of landmark achievements, even make use of the Instagram video feature to bring your followers right into your office.

If you want to show your followers that you really care about them, you should follow them in return, respond to their comments, encourage dialogue by posting open questions on your pictures. Show them that you’re not just a business looking for clients; you care what they have to say, you want to speak to them.

3. Promote Your Instagram Account on Other Platforms

As mentioned, Instagram is a social platform. It isn’t meant to stand alone. You should draw as much attention to your Instagram as possible by linking it with your Facebook and Twitter accounts. Post Instagram badges on your website and blogs. Include them in the e-mails and advertisements you send to your clients. Make sure that in every social and professional outlet you have, you are always promoting your Instagram.

By linking with your Facebook and Twitter accounts you can easily share photos across all platforms to promote more responses. You can also work the other way around. Promote your Instagram by tweeting about it, or posting in your Facebook status. To create an Instagram Tab on Facebook in 2 clicks visit StoreYa.

4. Reward Your Followers With Competitions and Prizes

One of the best ways to engage with your followers is through promos, competitions, and giveaways. Tip 2 discussed how you can show followers your personality; in this tip you’ll find how you can benefit from enabling your followers to show you their personality.

Reward avid followers with discounts, or coupons. Have competitions for the most creative picture of your product and award prizes to the winners. Bring in followers by giving them positive reinforcement for what they love doing – following posts, uploading pictures, and, of course, getting free stuff – and in exchange you will receive a major boost in the marketing of your product and in your following.

Let’s look at Dunkin Donuts as an example. Last year Dunkin Donuts held a Halloween photograph competition. Followers posted their spookiest pictures of Dunkin Donuts products under the hashtag #DresseDD for a chance to win a Dunkin Donuts gift card.

Using this method of engaging followers plays two roles. It engages current followers, and it advertises your brand, giving you the potential to gain new followers.

5. Use Analytic Tools

In addition to the methods that have been already listed, there is a very scientific, and precise way to improve your Instagram – Instagram analytic tools. Tools like IconoSquare, and Simply Measured can help you break down the numbers behind what is happening on Instagram.

If you want to know which hashtags are most popular, what time is the best time to post and image, or even which filters are most popular, you can use these tools to find out. They will help you to match your posts with what is currently trending, which will then lead to more people finding your pictures.

Additionally, these tools help to break down how your own account is faring. You can review how many followers you have, how many people liked or commented on a specific picture, or even how many people followed you during a specific time period.

This information can be very helpful in creating a posting schedule. You don’t want to post too much or too little, so this will help you to find the balance. You can also use these tools to find how many users have posted pictures related to your company. This is a good way to track your growth and popularity.

In short, analytic tools can be utilized to both predict what type of pictures you should post in future, and also show how your past efforts have done.

To Sum Up

Instagram can be a very powerful instrument for a company if used correctly and efficiently. When you use Instagram as a marketing tool make sure to remember these 5 easy tips.

1. Keep your profile clear and simple.
2. Be as personal with your followers as possible.
3. Link your Instagram to all of your other accounts (Facebook, Twitter, etc.).
4. Have promos and competitions to engage your users.
5. Use analytic tools to optimize your Instagram account.

If you follow these tips then you will be well on your way to a successful Instagram account.

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