Starting Instagram as a New Business Owner: A Step-by-Step Guide
Welcome to the world of Instagram, where your business can thrive, connect with a wider audience, and build a strong brand presence! As a new business owner, stepping into the Instagram scene might feel overwhelming, but don't worry—I'm here to guide you every step of the way.
If you're new here, hi! I'm Allie, and I consider myself a digital marketing wiz. My favorite platform—and where I fell in love with the possibility of growing your audience as a business owner—is Instagram. Below I’m sharing the essential tips and tricks to help you start and grow your Instagram account successfully. Let's get started!
Why Instagram?
Instagram is a powerhouse for businesses. With over a billion active users, it offers immense potential to reach your target audience, showcase your products or services, and build meaningful relationships with your customers. It's a platform where creativity meets commerce, making it an ideal space for new business owners to make their mark.
Step 1: Set Up Your Instagram Business Account
First things first, create a business account on Instagram. This type of account offers features that are essential for business growth, such as insights and analytics, contact buttons, and the ability to run ads.
Download the Instagram App: Available on both iOS and Android.
Sign Up: Use your business email for registration.
Switch to a Business Account: In your profile settings, select "Account" and then "Switch to Professional Account."
Step 2: Optimize Your Profile
Your Instagram profile is your business's first impression. I like to think of your profiel as a social media landing page. The information someone sees first as soon as they click into your profile MATTERS. Make it count!
Profile Picture: Choose an image that represents your brand, such as your logo or a headshot.
Utilize Your Name: Instead of having your name, utilize this space to share your title or what you do, then share your name. For example, mine is “Social Media Manager & Strategist / Allie”.
Bio: Craft a compelling bio that tells visitors who you are, what you do, and what value you offer. Incorporate key words and keep it concise.
Website Link: Include a link to your website or a specific landing page.
Step 3: Develop a Content Strategy
Content is a neat touchpoint with your audience that can make an incredible impression. Having a clear content strategy will help you stay consistent and engage with your audience effectively.
Define Your Goals: Determine what you want to achieve with your content. Are you looking to increase brand awareness, drive website traffic, or boost sales?
Identify Your Target Audience: Understand who your audience is, what their interests are, and what type of content they engage with the most.
Select Your Content Pillars: Choose the main topics or themes that align with your brand and resonate with your audience. For example, your pillars could include industry insights, behind-the-scenes looks, customer stories, and product highlights.
Plan Your Content Calendar: Create a schedule that outlines what you'll post and when. This helps ensure consistency and allows you to plan ahead for holidays, events, and promotions.
Create Diverse Content: Mix up your content types to keep your audience engaged. Use a variety of images, videos, carousels, and Instagram Stories.
Engage and Interact: Encourage interaction by asking questions, hosting polls, and responding to comments. Building a community is key to a successful content strategy.
Step 4: Engage with Your Audience
Engagement is crucial for building a loyal following on Instagram. Respond to comments and messages promptly, showing your followers that you value their interaction.
An easy way to engage authentically is to welcome in new followers. This utilizes DM’s, connects with new people interested in your profile, and is a great way to learn about them in a “no-pressure-to-sell” space.
Simply introduce yourself, thank them for the follow, and ask an open-ended question.
Step 5: Analyze and Adjust
Regularly analyze your performance using Instagram Insights. This tool provides valuable data on your audience's behavior, the success of your posts, and overall account growth.
When you utilize your insights, you’ll quickly learn that this is a great way to plan future content. It tells you exactly the topics and formats your audience resonates with most.
Identify Top-Performing Content: See which types of content perform best and adjust your strategy accordingly. No need to create from scratch! Reuse and repurpose content regularly to save time. If your audience loves it, give it to them consistently.
Continuous Improvement: If videos get more engagement than images, incorporate more video content into your plan. Make it easy for yourself and get inspiration for your content plan from your audience.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to creating an Instagram presence that not only resonates with your audience but also drives your business goals.
Remember, consistency and engagement are the secret sauce to building a vibrant online community.
And remember—you don’t have to do it alone! Social media managers are incredible to work with. They save you time, bring fresh and creative ideas to the table, and keep your content game strong and on-trend. With a social media manager by your side, you can focus on what you love—growing your business—while they handle the social media magic. Cheers to your Instagram success!
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Dive into Social Synergy, where together we transform social media chaos into a clear content strategy. We meet, we vibe, and together we design a 30, 60, or 90-day plan tailored just for you. With our custom templates and guides for reels and captions, creating impactful posts has never been easier.
Our curated content plans are designed to be timeless—perfect for reusing, repurposing, and reposting. We dial in your message and the words that resonate, ensuring your content connects season after season.
No more posting panic, content gaps, or endless scrolling for inspiration.
Consistent, engaging content that highlights your services? That's Social Synergy.
