Promoting a small business on social media can be overwhelming, very time-consuming and just plain confusing. However, if you can set aside about 15-20 minutes every day, you can attract an engaged audience through your Instagram account.
Instagram has 1 billion active monthly users – 1 billion! I would venture a guess that most of your clients are scrolling through Instagram at least once a day and you want to make sure you get in front of them as often as possible.
Growing a following from scratch is difficult and slow going and it may be tempting to buy followers or install a bot to grow your following quickly. However, if Instagram catches you using either of these methods, they may shadow ban (make your account nearly invisible) or permanently disable your account.
So, where do you start? The following 6 steps will put you on the right path to reaching clients on the Instagram platform.
1. Complete Your Bio:
This is a simple step, but it is often overlooked. Don’t forget to completely fill your bio so that your followers know how to contact you. Keep your description engaging and include your contact information and website address.
2. Follow the Followers:
Search out your competitors and follow their followers. These are people that are already interested in your line of business and will be very likely to follow you back. According to Stormlikes, you should plan to spend 15-20 minutes each day liking and commenting on posts. People will be much more likely to engage with your content if you make the first move.
3. Hashtags:
Hashtag selection is the most important factor for success on Instagram. Do your research to select the best hashtags to reach your audience. You can use a combination of the hashtags your competitors are using, industry and location-specific hashtags. Create 2 or 3 lists of 20-30 relevant hashtags and save them in the Notes folder on your phone. Alternate the hashtags lists so your posts reach a wider audience.
4. Consistency:
You should strive to post between one and three times per day, but make sure whatever goal you choose is realistic. Posting on a regular schedule is crucial. Studies show that posting less often, but more consistently builds an audience faster than an irregular posting schedule.
5. Networking & Engagement:
Second to hashtag selection, this is the most important aspect to growing your following. You must engage with your audience. Check your account often and make sure to reply to comments on your posts. Equally as important: reach out to other Instagram users and comment on their work as well. Keep in mind that the comment section of another account is not the place to promote your own business. Your goal should be to build relationships and network with the online community with genuine commentary.
6. Instagram Insights:
A hard-to-find feature and only available to business profiles. This is an invaluable tool to assess your post-engagement rates and reach. It also allows you to view the times and days that your audience is most active, allowing for a clearer idea of when a post will be most effective. To find Insights, tap on your profile in the app, and then select Instagram Insights.
It can take up to 6 months for you to see noticeable results in your follower count, so stay patient and stick to a regular schedule. Keep networking and engaging your follower. Your efforts will be repaid with an appreciative and growing audience.
