Tips to Use Instagram for Business in 2023
Posted By Gaurav | 21-Sep-2023 | SMMAs of September 2023, Instagram has around 2.35 billion monthly active users and the number is expected to grow to 2.5 billion by the end of 2023. You can reach many of these users through Instagram if you use the platform wisely. As per a study, Instagram is the top social media platform for building relationships with brands having an online presence. Moreover, around 44% of users shop on the platform on a weekly basis.
You might be missing out on so many potential customers if you are not having a business profile on Instagram. Many potential customers would never get to know about your brand or products if you didn’t post them on Instagram. This is why almost every successful brand is using the platform for business purposes.
If you have still not created a business profile on Instagram, you must do it now. Read on to learn how you can use Instagram effectively to grow your business:
Using Instagram for Business: Essential Tips
Here are some most essential tips to keep in mind to manage your business profile on Instagram for the best outcomes:
1. Do Research For Your Audience
Your first step while creating a social media strategy should be to have a thorough understanding of your audience. You can use Instagram’s audience demographics to get an entire picture of who uses the platform along with the age and gender of the users.
The audience demographics are different for every business. If most of a particular brand’s audience belongs to the 18-34 years age bracket, it doesn’t mean that your Instagram audience will also belong to this age group. You can use Meta Business Suite, Instagram Insights, or other tools to find demographic information about your audience. However, if you are a beginner, you will not have enough followers to gain relevant insights.
You can start by looking at the demographics of your audience on other social media platforms. Though it will not be exactly the same as Instagram, it will give you the right direction for creating and sharing content.
2. Find Your Content Mix
After determining your target audience, you need to decide on what to share with them. It is never a good idea to post random content anytime whenever it strikes your mind. You should instead have a proper content strategy to boost engagement on your Instagram page.
You can post promotional content to make people aware of your products and drive sales. However, it should not be the only thing you do with your Instagram business profile. It is essential to post some engaging content that builds community and helps you connect better with your brand.
For this, you can post user-generated content as people connect better with other people who have similar interests. Also, try to join in on a trending meme if you can relate it to your brand’s voice. Be it a meme or any other trend, just make sure that you only post content that is relevant to your business.
3. Post at The Right Time
There are multiple posting options on Instagram, including reels, stories, and posts. The best social media strategy is what involves regular posting on all three surfaces. You should have a pre-planned strategy of when you are going to post and where. Scheduling all the content in advance is an even better strategy.
Also, you must be aware of the right time to post on Instagram. Posting once in a while or just a few times a week is not enough to grow your business on Instagram. From posts to reels and stories, you can schedule everything in advance using modern social media marketing tools.
If you are targeting an audience from all around the world, try posting at the busiest hours for different time zones. Also, consider the location of your audience and post in the most profitable hours for your business. Posting three times a day is the ideal way to boost engagement on your page.
4. Tag Your Product
When sharing content about your products on Instagram, make sure to tag the relevant products in the post. Tagging products makes it much more convenient for your audience to check the product details and buy it if they want. Instagram allows you to tag up to 20 products in a post.
If you are collaborating with some influencers, you can even ask them to tag products from your brand on their post or reels. Make sure that you make the most out of this feature, but don't tag products unnecessarily.
5. Track Your Performance & Improve
After creating a business profile on Instagram, you get access to its built-in analytics tools. These tools help you understand how different types of content on your page are performing. Track your content’s performance regularly to understand which type of content works best for your target audience.
Check which content is generating maximum engagement, what type of posts are getting views beyond your follower base, and which content is not performing well. You can use this information to improve your content strategy in the future.
How To Set Up Instagram for Business?
Here is how you can create a good Instagram profile for your business:
1. Create a New Business Account or Switch to One
You first need to create a general Instagram account and then convert it into a business profile. If you already have a personal account that you want to convert, you can do that. If you want to keep your personal account separate from your business account, you can create a new profile and convert it into a business account. You can do it using the ‘Switch to Professional Account’ option under ‘Settings.’
2. Add Important Business Information To Your Bio
You only get up to 150 characters to write an Instagram bio. It needs to be small but should describe your brand clearly. Make sure to write what your brand is all about, what type of products you sell, and what are your goals. You can also add some relevant links to your website, app, or other social media channels.
3. Turn On Instagram Shopping
Connect your product catalog to your Instagram business profile and turn on the shopping features available on the platform. Go to Settings>Business>Set Up a Shop, and then click on ‘Get Started.’ You will have to submit your shop for review and once it is approved, simply select your Product Catalogue and click on ‘Done.’
Take Your Online Business To Another Level With Instagram
Using Instagram for business purposes can be beneficial for your brand in many ways. It doesn’t only help you expand your market reach, but you can also build better relationships with your customers. If you are still finding it difficult to start using Instagram for business, you can partner with the top social media marketing service providers like MadHawks.
Also Read - Social Media Trends For 2023