With more than one billion active users each month, Instagram has become the marketing go-to platform for small businesses. When you create an account and optimize your profile, it’s like launching a billboard on the busiest street in town. You have an almost limitless opportunity to connect with potential customers, build relationships, and promote your products and services — all while sharing visual stories that boost engagement. If this sounds intimidating or overwhelming, don’t worry! We’re here to show you how to use Instagram as a powerhouse tool for brand building so you can capitalize on its potential and take your business to the next level.
Focus on Engagement
As social media continues to grow in popularity, businesses are constantly seeking ways to increase their engagement on various platforms. Instagram is no exception. The key to building your brand on Instagram is to focus on engagement, not just followers. Instagram likes and followers from iDigic might be a starting point, but they’re only the first step in building a strong brand presence. Focus on building genuine engagement through interactive posts and stories that encourage users to comment, like, and share.
Instead, focus on creating visually appealing and engaging content that tells the story of your brand. This could include behind-the-scenes looks at your business, product demonstrations, or customer testimonials. Use hashtags strategically to reach new audiences and collaborate with influencers or other businesses for mutually beneficial partnerships.
Develop Your Brand Identity and Values
Establishing your brand identity on Instagram is more than just choosing a catchy username or attractive logo. It’s about defining what your brand stands for and how it resonates with your audience. Start by defining your core values and mission statement: this can act as the guiding principle for all your Instagram content, ensuring consistency and authenticity.
Your brand’s personality should also shine through in your posts; be it fun and quirky, or professional and formal, and make sure it’s a true reflection of your brand. This authenticity will resonate with your audience and build trust. In your captions, be open about your brand’s goals and values, and show how they influence your product or service.
Create a Professional-Looking Instagram Account
Choose a high-resolution profile picture that represents your brand — it could be your logo, a mascot, or even a flagship product. Your bio should clearly and concisely convey what your business does and its unique value proposition. You can also include relevant hashtags and a link to your website or latest promotional offer.
When it comes to posting, maintain a consistent theme or aesthetic that aligns with your brand identity. Your Instagram feed should look like a cohesive whole rather than a collection of random photos. Regularly review your analytics to understand what content resonates with your audience and use this to inform your future posts.
Have a Strategy for Posting and Engaging
Sure, you must have a regular posting schedule on Instagram to keep your audience engaged but equally important is the quality of your engagements. Respond promptly and thoughtfully to comments and messages, and take the time to engage with other similar accounts.
Aside from regular posts, leverage Instagram’s features like Stories, IGTV, and Reels to provide varied and dynamic content. Stories are a great way to share ephemeral content or behind-the-scenes glimpses while IGTV and Reels can be used for longer-form content or creative storytelling.
Leverage Visuals to Tell Your Story
Visual storytelling goes beyond mere aesthetics and has the power to make your message more memorable and impactful. When you use visuals, through photos, videos, or infographics, you can bring your story to life. It gives your audience a better understanding of your brand, products, or services while being visually stimulating.
Moreover, visuals can transcend language barriers and communicate your message globally. Leverage the power of visuals to tell your story, and watch as it resonates with your audience and makes a lasting impression.
Make the Most of Hashtags
Hashtags are a powerful tool on Instagram that can make your content discoverable to a larger audience. The key is to use relevant and specific hashtags that reflect the nature of your brand and content.
Even though Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, it’s essential to use them strategically. Too many hashtags can make your caption look cluttered and unappealing while too few may not reach as many users. Research popular and relevant hashtags in your industry or niche, and use a mix of both broad and specific ones to increase the visibility of your posts.
Repurpose Content Across Platforms
To ensure your brand’s message is consistently communicated and reaches a wider audience, consider repurposing your Instagram content across other social media platforms. For example, you can share your Instagram posts on Facebook or Twitter, create a blog post from your Instagram caption, or even turn your stories into highlights for users to view at any time.
If you repurpose content, be mindful of the platform’s different audiences and adapt your content accordingly. The cross-promotion of your brand across multiple platforms can amplify your message and increase overall engagement.
The Power of User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) is an invaluable asset when building your brand on Instagram. It’s essentially any form of content, such as images, videos, blogs, and testimonials, created by unpaid contributors or fans, which you can incorporate into your marketing efforts.
UGC adds authenticity to your brand’s narrative, builds trust with your audience, and can even act as a source of social proof. You can encourage UGC by creating branded hashtags, running contests, or asking for reviews from satisfied customers. Not to mention, UGC takes some of the pressure of creating original content and allows your audience to become co-creators of your brand’s story.
Instagram is more than just a photo-sharing platform; it’s a powerful tool for building your brand and connecting with your target audience. By focusing on engagement, developing your brand identity and values, creating a professional account, and leveraging visuals, hashtags, and UGC, you can effectively build your brand on Instagram and achieve your business goals. Go ahead and get started — the possibilities are endless!