Instagram has quickly risen as an important social media platform–not only for individuals but for businesses as well. With more than 500 million active users, according to a June 21 internal study, it would be strategic to utilize this popular platform to connect with individuals and promote business on a broader scale.

Here are three tips on how businesses can use Instagram to build their company.

Develop an Instagram content strategy

Determine your business objectives goals. Do you want to increase product sales? Increase traffic to your website? Promote brand awareness?  By identifying these ideas, you can then tailor your photos and captions based on your needs.

Create a schedule for how often you will post content and when. Depending on the demographics you are trying to reach (20-year-olds in the South or stay at home moms in the Midwest), these factors, frequency and time, will differ.

Determining the best post times will require testing to see what works best. Once you find the optimal time, you can create a content calendar and schedule your Instagram posts at your audience’s most active times.

Build your brand on Instagram

Build a cohesive and recognizable brand identity. When you post photos, your goal is to have users stop scrolling once they see your image and engage with it by liking or commenting.

One way you can do this is by creating a style that is easily recognizable, whether it’s use of a certain color palate or filter(s). Use of a common writing style or language for your captions will also make your brand recognizable–this may include making a brand hashtag.

By employing these methods, you can encourage followers to share photos that fit your content and allow them space to participate in the formation of your company’s story.

Post and engage on Instagram

When you post high-quality content, make sure you cross-post your material across social media platforms. This will make sure your content is seen to different audiences. Some of your Facebook followers may not have an Instagram account or a Twitter account. By cross-posting, you will reach all of them.

After you reach them, engage with them. Reply to comments and concerns. Show that there is a real person behind the post.

Your company is valuable and worth sharing with the world. Share your brand’s unique qualities through Instagram effectively. The mentioned tips are a handful of ways that you can improve your audience reach. But keep in mind the most important goal: showcase you and your company’s contributions to your field.

The post Using Instagram to grow your business appeared first on Chattanooga Web Designer | Derek Rogers.

Digital marketing is an investment. It’s purposeful, practical and necessary.

It’s important to understand your audience–the ideal age range, gender, jobs, lifestyles and hobbies, etc. Once you understand whom you’re targeting then, you can begin to develop your marketing plan. See what’s needed. Make a digital marketing budget.

Sometimes, however, your means are not enough make the most of effective advertising. So, how do you market efficiently on a tight budget?

Here are two insights to develop a digital marketing plan on a budget.

Partner in your projects

The power of building relationships is cosmic. Partnering with another company in joint marketing is a way to cut marketing costs by “sharing” marketing opportunities.

Going into sponsorship relationships with other companies or nonprofit organizations may be a good way to increase your reach. It also provides opportunities to get your brand into general awareness of potential consumers outside your immediate sphere.

Cover more ground with more people. See where there is overlap, and develop a plan that is mutually beneficial. You will cut costs and reach new markets.

Leverage free tools: social media

This is one of the most cost effective methods of marketing because it can help you reach new customers outside of your geographic location, promote your content and events, and legitimize your business across a public audience. Best of all: the basic use of these platforms is free.

Social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest even sometimes offer businesses options tailored to create ads or promote businesses at affordable costs to people with related interests.

Drive people to your website with social media. It’s more cost effective than a bill board.

Every business is different. While these tips are generalized, you should create specific strategies for how to obtain your goals within each recommended tip.

How does your company want to network and partner with others that may share similar values? Does your company want to focus on one social media outlet over others, or do they want to diversify?

Do what fits your brand’s vision best. Digital marketing is essential–but it doesn’t have to break the bank.

Be innovative. Make lemonade with whatever lemons are around. Sweeten the mix with your personal flare. Digital marketing can be done well on a budget. But sometimes, you have to think outside the box.

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