With the developments that continue to plague the world (covid — the “work from home” initiative) it’s no surprise that social networks are beginning to improve their networking formulas. There is a continued desire to keep with the times — a novel idea for anyone looking to compete in an unquestionably competitive market.
I would argue that the same mindset is required by anyone looking to run a business. It is imperative to scout for opportunities wherever they may arise and keep an eye out. If you’re one such person, well, you’re in the right place 🙂
As the title suggests, I’m going to be diving into Instagram today. I’m going to explore some of the features available that are likely to be beneficial to go-getters such as ourselves. Stick around, you might just learn something new.
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So, Instagram…
Known for all the models, food and travels blogs. But of course, Instagram offers more than that. Used wisely, Instagram can be a powerful marketing tool for any business.
I believe this to be true because about one billion people use Instagram every month. 9 out of 10 of those one billion follow businesses on Instagram. By that estimation, a business (your business) can reach 900 million people every single month.
But enough with the foreplay, let’s get down and dirty by figuring out how we can capitalize on these stats with the tools and features Instagram has on offer.
This guide will show you:
- How to create an Instagram Business Account
- The Benefits of an Instagram Business Account
P.S. Below is my IG Business page. Be sure to follow and come hangout with me there. You’ll get tons of valuable and up to date info!
Create an Instagram Business Account
No, your Personal account does not count as a Business account.
If you’ve been using your personal account, it would be in your best interest to convert it to a Business account. After-all, doing so gives you access to an expanded list of features that help promote your business. And you wanna know what the best part is? Switching accounts is completely free, so there’s literally no excuse not to do it.
A business account allows you to add business hours and store addresses in your bio for seamless accessibility. There is also an option to add a Call to Action (CTA) button below your bio with messaging and emails that personal accounts don’t have access to. Furthermore, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous (and you should be) your business account allows you to tag products in posts. I don’t need to mention how much fluidity this offers potential customers or clients.
The last thing anyone needs is to have customers go through a cornucopia of clicks before getting where they need to go. It’s simply not fun for anyone involved.
“How Do I Switch To A Professional Account?”
You can do that in 4 Easy Steps:
- Log into your Instagram account, go to “Settings”
- Press “Account”
- Go to “Switch to Professional Account”
- Select “Business”
It’s also important to note that there’s an alternative called a Creator account that you can select on the last step.
Creator accounts are especially good for influencers, public figures and creatives.
What Are The Benefits of an Instagram Business Account?
Before I sound like a zealot peddling you cyber-shrooms I’m going to outline specific benefits that come with considering a Business account (These are unavailable on a Personal account by the way).
Running Ads:
You can start promotions and even reach new audiences as you build your business. With a business account you can even use programs to run targeted ads.
Think of it as a highly effective fish-net — conceptually and not literally of-course. The metaphor is already ethically ambiguous without the lovely fish involved 😀
Insights:
You will have access to in-depth data that shows you how your posts are doing, what time of the day you get the most traffic and which content your audience gravitates towards.
No-one wants to waste their time believing they’re doing the right thing for their business. If your guiding philosophy is “The customer is Queen/King” I believe the insight angle is well worth looking into.
A Friggin “Call to Action” Button:
This may sound small to casual Instagramers but having an easily accessible button at the top of your profile to help clients reach out is a sweet, sweet deal. And did I mention it’s completely free?
Now, you may be wondering how you can switch your Instagram Personal account to a Business Account. I’m going to show you how to do it — it’s real easy actually. Afterward we’ll get into the juicy stuff — setting up your business account.
“I’ve switched to a Business account. Now what?”
Once you’ve switched to a business account as we’ve done above; the next step is maximizing the account’s potential. We can do this in a number of interesting ways:
Adding contact information:
Might seem obvious to some, but you’d be surprised how often this detail is overlooked. There’s no point in having a Business account if there’s no plan to engage with the customers. You can insert your email, phone number and address — whichever you are comfortable sharing. In case anyone has any questions.
Select your category:
What category best represents your business? There’s a wide range of options — including but not limited to: Personal Blog, Art, Product/Service, Shopping & Retail, Band or Health/Beauty. Choosing your category and having it reflected in your bio increases your potential reach. It also helps customers know what to expect if they choose to engage with your products or services.
Consider good copy:
It only takes one misplaced line to kill any potential your posts might have. Consider hiring a good copy writer to capture your voice and to keep things fresh on your page. For more information on why it’s important to have a copywriter look here
Connect your other pages:
If you have a Facebook page for example, you can connect it to you Instagram Business account. This particular combo is handy when for when you use the “story” feature. Posting a video or advertisement on your Business account will have it automatically featured on other platforms recognized by Instagram.
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Despite everything I’ve shared today, I’m curious to know what your experience has been like using Instagram for your business. My hope is that we all gain insight into the ins and outs of the platform, that way we know we’re maximizing out potential.
If you’re looking for a skilled copywriter to help you settle into a groove look no further. In a few easy steps I’ll help build engagement for your posts with a voice of your choosing. If you are skeptical (and I encourage you to be) check out my endorsements to see what my previous clients thought of my services.
If you have any questions (or just want to say “hi”) please don’t hesitate to leave me a message in the comment section. I would love to hear from you 🙂
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