According to data, Instagram is the 4th most-used social network behind Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp.
You’ve heard that Instagram is a great place to grow a brand, but you’re not sure where to start.
With so many brands on Instagram, it can be hard to stand out and get the attention you need.
But don’t worry. By following the simple tips below, you’ll know how to grow your brand on Instagram.
So What Does That Mean for Your Brand?
If you want to be part of the growing digital community, now is the time to act. Instagram is one of the most effective ways to expand your following and interact with new communities—and it’s only getting bigger:
Get Visual
The first step in building an Instagram community is to create good content. It’s easy to get carried away with all the bells and whistles of Instagram, but if your photos aren’t on point, it won’t matter.
Quality should always come first when you’re creating an image for your brand.
Start by choosing a theme that will carry through your channel—maybe it’s summertime recipes or some new tech gear you love. Whatever it is, stick with it.
Visual consistency will help establish your brand as an authority over time. Once you have a theme in place, think about how you can present it creatively using Instagram itself.
For example, try shooting square images instead of the traditional landscape orientation so they look just right on mobile devices—and don’t forget to use a filter!
Comment and Like
Don’t underestimate the power of authentic community engagement. For one thing, it allows you to connect with your fans by sharing a like or comment every once in a while.
That said, it also gives them a chance to engage with you—and with each other.
Taking time out of your day to show some love on Instagram can go a long way towards making your brand seem accessible and approachable without sacrificing an ounce of professionalism.
You can also use an android app for Instagram likes. These types of apps will help you generate new likes and followers for your account.
Use Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags are another great way to get involved with the larger Instagram community—but be careful not to go overboard. Using too many hashtags can come off as try-hard and spammy, so stick with one or two.
If you aren’t sure which tags are the most popular, run a quick search for your subject to see what kinds of results pop up.
You can also check out Instagram’s list of trending tags to get ideas or do some studying in the Explore tab.
Ask for Users’ Stories
Want to learn about your fans and customers on a more personal level? Then ask them!
Keep an eye out for user-generated content that seems like it would fit with your brand aesthetically—and then repost it with attribution by tagging the original poster.
Not only is this good marketing, but showing appreciation through sharing is another great way to build authentic relationships with your audience.
Invite Other Influencers
Building relationships with other Instagrammers is a great way to expand your reach and grow your community. It couldn’t be simpler.
When you find accounts that seem like they would bring value to yours, there’s no need to go through the trouble of reaching out via direct message or email.
You can simply tag them in your posts and ask if they wouldn’t mind sharing them on their channels as well!
This gives you the chance to collaborate without too much hassle—and lets everyone involved benefit from increased exposure.
Try Out New Networks
With so many networks available, many networks could work for your brand. Pinterest, for example, is an ideal place to engage with users who are interested in fashion, cooking, design, landscaping.
If you can manage to establish yourself as trusted source overtime on one more niche network like Pinterest, your brand will benefit from increased exposure beyond Instagram’s borders.
Schedule Your Posts Using Buffer
Buffer helps you plan and automatically distribute social media posts throughout the week. This ensures that your content goes out when people are most likely to be online, leading to increased engagement.
They also provide detailed analytics so you can track progress across platforms over time—including Instagram!
Use Instagram to Tell Your Story
Whether it’s as simple as sharing behind-the-scenes pictures of product development or as complex as documenting the history of your company from its humble beginnings, telling a story offers more authentic content.
It also makes for a cohesive social media presence that users will appreciate spending time exploring.
Offer Rewards and Incentives
A great way to boost engagement is through contests and giveaways that reward real people for being real fans. Think about creating an Instagram contest that encourages users to upload their photos inspired by yours.
This not only gives them a chance to win something but helps you create more engaging content.
For example, if your brand sells handbags, ‘show us how you use our bags in your everyday life might be a fun prompt to give fans ideas—while helping to promote the contest itself.
Get Creative With Hashtags
There’s no limit to the number of hashtags you can add to each post. Even though they’re restricted by character count, it pays off to be thorough.
After all, the whole point of using hashtags is that they increase visibility to search results that are related or relevant to what’s being posted. So go ahead and experiment!
Grow a Brand on Instagram
So, there you have it! A complete guide on how to grow a brand on Instagram. While this may seem like a lot of work, remember consistency is key.
If you can stick to the tips and advice we’ve outlined in this post, your brand will be well on its way to Instagram success.
Want to learn more about branding on social media? Check out our blog!
