Most everyone knows what Instagram is, but there are some who do not. For those that do not know what Instagram is, Instagram is an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing, and social networking service that enables its users to take pictures and videos, and share them either publicly or privately on the app, as well as through a variety of other social networking platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Flickr (as Wikipedia describes).Now, the question for most business owners is "How do I effectively use Instagram as a marketing business tool?" Another question I have seen is "Can and how do you receive clientele from Instagram?". I would like to share some tips and introduce to you a program that can provide you a detailed strategy you can apply to your profile to see the kind of results that turn into business connections and clientele. First, lets focus on the tips I have discovered.
PROFILE
If you are a business owner (which I assume you are because you came this website), please make sure you have made your profile a Business profile. Instagram came out with the business profiles a few months ago. As with any change people of course are hesitant and question it. Here is the reason why I feel you should switch to business. Simply put ... make it easy for potential business connections and prospective clients to contact you. When you switch to a business profile, contact / email / directions buttons are displayed. When clicked it gives the viewer the option to call, email or get directions. This is GREAT if you have a physical location. This allows your audience to directly connect with you vs having to take more than one step to contact you. If your profile is still the personal profile and not switched to business, then to contact you they would click on your profile website link, then click on the website contact tab, then fill out the contact form. This is where many possible connections are lost. We live in what I like to call a "Instant microwave" generation. We want everything instantly at the touch of a button. Increase your chances of being contacted by making the process simple and instant. If you have the right processes in place for your business, it should not matter how a prospective client initially contacts you. To convert to a Business Profile:
Go to your profile and tap '...' in the top right corner to open up the options.
Under Account, Tap 'Switch to Business Profile'.
On the Connect Your Facebook Page screen, you'll see all of the Facebook Pages you're currently an admin on.
On the Set Up Your Business Profile page, review your business's contact information, make any changes and tap Done.
Last tip for your profile, I found its best to have my user name as my company name but my profile name as my name. This creates a personal tone and viewers subtly get introduced to the creator of the profile, instead of having to search your posts for your name.
SETTINGS
In addition to the contact button, under your profile name it will now say a business category (it will match the business category of your business fb page). I love my profile being labeled 'Event Planning Services'. Just another way to instantly let your viewers know what your profile is about. Make sure you link your business FB page to your instagram profile under 'business information'. This is what allows the category to be displayed on your instagram account. To change your Page's category, go to your FB business page:
Click About on the left side of your Page.
Click Page Info.
Hover over the Category section and click Edit.
Start typing a category and select it from the list that appears. Or select for the available drop-down menu. (this depends on how you originally setup your FB business page).
Click Save Changes.
Hover over the Subcategories section and click Edit.
Start typing a category and select it from the list that appears. Or select for the available drop-down menu. (this depends on how you originally setup your FB business page).
Click Save Changes.
As far as your description, make it clear who you are (your profession), what you do (a tagline is great) and a call to action (call us, email us, visit our website etc).
FORMAT
There are 4 parts to an instagram post.
The picture
The Description
The Location -- whenever you can, be sure to tag a location. It will put your post in the feed of that location. So when you visit a venue, vendors office or networking event or hotel... TAG the location. And YES tag your own business location when you are taking shots in your office when you have consultations or meetings. This is one of the most forgotten parts.
The Tags -- if you are with someone else, or at a location be sure to tag their instagram profile! Or is there is someone you want to truly see your post or people you want to notify about your post. Tag them in the photo!!
I hope you find this information useful!! Please do leave a comment below with your feedback!!
I had such a nice time reading all of these details! Actually I also want to focus on the best mobile marketing techniques for my business. I think that along with the online methods, the bulk sms marketing techniques are also very popular nowadays because they can help get instant results if you have the contact numbers of your potential audience. I am also going to give a try to this technique as soon as possible.