Benefits of Using Instagram

By Pat Smith

Many business owners are unfamiliar with the benefits of using Instagram. This mobile social platform makes it easy to share photos of everything related to a company. It can be used to showcase products, company events, employees, and behind-the-scenes activities.

To fully maximize the benefits of using Instagram, owners will need to become educated in how to integrate the program into their online marketing plan. As with all marketing endeavors it's advisable to learn the ins and outs of the Instagram platform and gather tips for creative uses.

It should be noted that Instagram was acquired by Facebook in April 2012. Combined with this social media giant, Instagram currently has over 100 million active users and is growing bigger every day. In other words, it can be used to reach the masses through mobile marketing and social marketing platforms.

Furthermore, there are dozens of apps which can be used in conjunction with Instagram. These programs help to further enhance photo-sharing opportunities by creating slideshows, list layouts, horizontal timelines, and custom tabs for Facebook business pages.

To get started involves creating a free account; setting up a user profile; and connecting with other third-party accounts such as Twitter. It's advisable to select a username that coincides with the business. When possible, use the company name. At the very least, choose a username that represents the brand.

User profiles should include a photo, company bio, and the company's website URL. By connecting to sharing sites, users can easily network with their friends and followers who have connected their Instagram accounts.

Photos can be viewed directly on Instagram, via the web, on mobile devices, and through social media. The potential for having photographs go viral through the Instagram platform is great due to its extensive reach.

However, owners need to utilize SEO methods to maximize results. This includes optimizing photos, files, and titles with keywords, along with using hashtags to identify categories.

Hashtags are associated with RSS feeds which make it easy for anyone interested in the category to subscribe. Combined, these strategies help owners reach a much broader audience at a faster rate than other types of marketing practices.

In essence, this platform lets owners produce a window-shopping experience to showcase their products or services. When creating Instagram marketing plan be certain to consider the best ways to engage followers. This is the place to get creative and think outside the box.

There are countless ways to use Instagram to market a business. Along with showcasing products, owners can publish slideshows on how products are made or the different ways they can be used.

Other options include:

• Provide a virtual tour of company headquarters or manufacturing facility
• Introduce employees
• Share pics of satisfied customers
• Virtually take followers along to trade shows and industry events
• Provide sneak peeks of new products
• Create photo contests

With Instagram, creative marketing is the key. With that said, it's important to follow the rules and optimize content to enhance link building and search ranking.

At Online Marketing DNA, we understand that marketing a company via the Internet can be overwhelming and confusing. Our blog offers extensive information about SEO, link building, mobile marketing, search marketing, and much more.

OMDNA is a full-service marketing agency that caters to small business owners and entrepreneurs who want to expand brand awareness. Click here to learn more about our services and find out how to get started.

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Published on June 11, 2013

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