Using Instagram? Here Are The Basics Of Instagram

You are reading this because you want to join Instagram but haven't done it so far for some reason. If this is the case, you ought to join pronto. Instagram is the platform you need to be on to build your brand and increase your sales. If you want to sign up on Instagram and want a tour of the basics, this article is for you.

How To Set Up Instagram For Business?

Before you worry about hiring an Instagram marketing company, you need to know how to set up your Instagram account. Start by:

• Downloading Instagram from the app store.
• Then, install the app, and hit 'Sign up.' Then, type your email address and hit next. You may also log in using Facebook.
• After this, come up with a unique username, fill in the necessary details and sign up. You will now have a personal account. 

 
Since you need Instagram for business, you will have to create a new account or convert your current personal account into a business account. If you want to convert your personal account into a business account, follow these steps:

• Log in with your personal Instagram account.
• Then, go to the profile icon to head to your profile.
• Click on the icon that shows three lines, located at the top right of the screen. Then, hit Settings.
• You should find an option to click on the Business account.
• After that, add your contact information, including your email address, phone number, or your physical address, and hit done.

What Are The Benefits Of Instagram For Business?

Instagram has a myriad of benefits for business. Here are a few:

Customers Know What You Have To Offer

Since you are using images and videos, you should find it easier to convey a message than you would through blog posts. Images engage the imagination. They are particularly useful when you want to explain complicated topics and statistics. You can use videos and images for unboxing products and tutorials. This way, customers know exactly what they are getting.

Using Hashtags

The fact that you may use hashtags is a massive point in Instagram's favour. You have the option to follow hashtags like you would follow profiles. You will find posts that contain hashtags that you follow in their captions. Brands tend to add hashtags relevant to their products, services, and niche in their posts, hence exposing their brand and content to a new, large target audience. People who are on the lookout for a brand like yours that offer the services and products they are interested in will find you through hashtags.

The added advantage is the provision to create your own hashtag, specific to your content and brand. Custom hashtags work well when you are conducting a giveaway, contest, promotion, sale, and everything else. The best part is hashtags are free to use but can fetch you tons of leads.

Easy To Spread Your Brand's Message

You should have no problem spreading your brand's message given how you can post on your newsfeed and Instagram stories. Instagram is also integrated with other major social media platforms. You can go to settings and link all your accounts together.

When you post something on your news feed, you can expect it to go on your Facebook and other social media walls as well.

Immediate Response and Feedback

Since everyone is on social media all the time, chances are they will see your post and react and comment on it immediately. Instant feedback saves you a lot of time. You can use the feedback you get and tweak your content or marketing campaign or anything else. When you go live, you can expect people to tune in since they get a notification.

What Are The Demerits Of Using Instagram For Business?

Instagram has a variety of benefits. However, it also has its fair share of demerits. Check these out before you go for an Instagram agency:

You Have To Manage With Only Images and Videos

At times, putting out an image or video may not be enough. You may need a space to establish more context. Sure, you have captions, but it is not the same as an actual social media wall. Creating more context is not easy on a platform like Instagram, especially since you have a limit on the number of characters in your caption.

No Clickable Links In Your Posts

This is a major problem with Instagram. You can only include your website link in the bio as a clickable link. However, you cannot paste links in your captions and make them clickable. Your viewers may have to type out the link manually to visit them.

Massive Competition

Instagram has made marketing extremely easy and lucrative for businesses. However, the downside is that you have too much competition. Sure, you can find your niche and target audience. The problem is that you have too many brands within your niche, hammering away at your target audience. Of course, this is also true of most other social media platforms online.

There you have it - before you go for an Instagram marketing service, you need to understand the pros and cons of Instagram and use them to your advantage as you build your brand.