Here are 10 ways to get started using Instagram.

Instagram is one of my favorite tools to use to market my business online! So, how does it work and how can you use it in your business?

Here’s how to get started.

• First, you need to download the application and then choose a username that applies to your business. Cute and clever is okay but it’s best to be clear as it’ll be easier for people to find you.
• Next: Optimize your Instagram bio (or profile). Write one complete sentence or use single words which describe what you do. Here are two examples.

Young Living Essential Oils US
Health/Beauty
Official Instagram account of Young Living Essential Oils U.S. with tips, tricks, and info about using #essentialoils everyday. #yleo
linkin.bio/youngliving

You’ll notice one shows “LINKIN.BIO and one shows a website URL. There’s a difference here. If you click the Linkin.bio it’ll open a mini website built into your IG profile. It’s dynamic, user-friendly, and helps you measure real-time results via the insights dashboard. Start by using the free plan before choosing to buy-in to the paid standard plan.

• Now, you’re ready to post your first photo. Just click the + button on your IG home page and it’ll open your photo library. Follow the prompts to post your photo. IG uses a “grid portfolio” that portrays photos in rows of three each. When I create a new IG profile, I like posting 12 photos before I share my new IG page with others. I want them to see content to encourage them to follow me and 12 photos is better than posting just one!
• Invite your fans, followers, and friends to your new IG page. Leverage your existing channels—Facebook, blogs, newsletters, etc.—to share your news.
• Next, find others to follow and engage with. The success of every social media platform is built on engagement. If you don’t follow others or react to their posts, and if you never comment on posts, your engagement will be dismal. I estimate that if you post daily and spent at least 10 minutes engaging with others, your IG impressions will grow.
• Now, think about the content you’re writing. Be sure it’s meaningful. IG content tends to be more familiar, friendly, and folksy than content written on other platforms. I might post the same image to IG and FB but my content will differ.
• Research hashtags that are relevant and targeted and use them. Why? Hashtags are used to categorize content and make it discoverable by users. Hashtags are the best way to organically drive your IG campaigns. They’re highly effective for increasing followers, engagement, and brand awareness. According to research, IG posts with at least one hashtag get 70% more likes than those without hashtags. You can include hashtags within your post, at the end of your post, or in your comments. The narrower the scope of a hashtag, the more likely users will engage with it. You’re allowed 30 hashtags per post; try avoiding using that may though. It’s better to use several well-researched hashtags than 30 meaningless ones. Here’s an example.
• Use tags. What’s a tag? Let’s look at two examples that contain both tags and hashtags. Tags have an “@” in front of the name/brand/product. By using the “a” (tagging feature) IG sends a notification to the company you tagged which ensures they see your post.
• About 200 million IG users log on daily so it’s best to post your content at times when your fans are online. Research “best times to post on IG” to help you strategize when your content is more likely to be seen and engaged with. If you discover your fans are online in the evenings, but you work in the daytime, use a scheduling tool like Later or Hootsuite, or Facebook Creator Studio to schedule your posts at the most opportune times.
• Now that you’re more familiar with IG remember the importance of being a storyteller! Be creative and entertaining. Be authentic and sincere. Inspire, educate, and humor your fans and followers! Be sure your words are meaningful and that you’re posting content your followers want to see.

Once you’re familiar with the basics of using Instagram, start exploring some of their super-fun options like Stories, Reels, IGTV, and be sure to use their filters when posting your original content. Filters add POP to posts so give them a try.

If you need more ideas or additional help, please schedule a coaching call with me by calling 303-478-7863 or booking online at PICKTIME and we’ll collaborate on a marketing strategy for you.