How to grow your brand successfully on Instagram
Instagram is one of the top social media platforms. It’s no surprise that it’s so popular; people like sharing photos. Most companies use Instagram to improve their brand awareness and generate likes and engagement that often leads to business growth.
Promoting your company on Instagram is rewarding and a lot of fun. However, there are some pitfalls. Here are seven major mistakes you should avoid on Instagram.
- Posting low-quality or uninteresting images.
Instagram is all about visuals like videos, photos and infographics. Using a variety of high-quality interesting images will attract followers. Remember, people don’t want to see only pictures of your cat. Or, even worse, the same pictures of your cat over and over again. Your audience would like to see different images and videos – some of you (personal), some of your brand (promotional) and some of your cat (funny).
- Making your account private.
Instagram allows you to make your account private. This means you control who can see it. It’s a really nice feature for personal Instagrams; however, it won’t do you any good in attracting new followers and bringing you new customers.
- Not optimizing your bio.
Your bio on Instagram is one of the most important things. Make sure that all information about your business is accurate and that you provide a link to your website.
- Not using analytics.
Posting content that doesn’t resonate with your readers will not bring you any business. You need to know what content is the most popular with your followers and post it. You also want to know when your audience is online. This is the best time for you to post.
- Ignoring your followers’ questions and comments.
After you post, your followers will interact with you by asking questions and commenting. You want to convert your followers into clients and customers. For that you need to engage them by answering their comments and by keeping the conversation going.
- Not using hashtags.
Hashtags, if used correctly, are a great way to increase your following. Many companies underestimate the importance of hashtags for increasing their chances of prospects discovering them. Do research to find the best hashtags for your niche.
- Being overly promotional.
Instagram is a platform where people interact by sharing their lives and stories using images. No one wants to see the same promotional sales posts all the time. Use a variety of angles and approaches to make your story interesting and captivating for your readers.
Instagram is a powerful and fun social media platform to increase your brand awareness, get more clients and customers and find more leads. With some research, planning and a consistent posting strategy, you’ll be able to get more followers and convert them into loyal customers.
Axia Public Relations has a professional approach for using social media to grow your business. We suggest you start with downloading our The Essential Social Media Management Guide to help you grow your brand’s social media presence.
Yulia Dianova is a public relations professional who is skilled in building relationships with target audiences. She provides counsel to organizations that seek PR help to further their growth and reach their goals. Yulia earned a master’s degree in public relations management from University of Maryland University College. She is fluent in Russian and English and is always looking for a new challenge. Yulia has worked for Axia Public Relations since July 2015. Learn more about Yulia Dianova. Connect with Axia on Twitter @axiapr or tell us what you think in the comments below.
Featured image credit: 123rf.com
Topics: public relations, online public relations, shared media
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