Instagram is one of the world’s most popular social media platforms, and for good reason. With its ease of use, massive user base, and partnership with yet another social media giant (Facebook), Instagram has all the tools you need to grow your business and reach the right people.
Every business should have an Instagram account because businesses depend on great advertising to ensure their current customer base remains loyal and that new customers keep pouring in. Keep learning to learn more about why every business needs an Instagram account and how the platform can benefit you whether you’re a startup or an established corporation.
Unprecedented Reach
Social media has connected the world in ways we could have only dreamed of just a century ago. Where a hundred years ago the telephone was just starting to make waves in communication, now social media is the go-to for social interaction. Just about everyone in the world is on one social media site or another, with Facebook alone boasting a user base of about one billion people; that’s a seventh of the entire population of the world!
Since Instagram was acquired by Facebook in 2012, the site has grown exponentially. As a business, you have the potential to reach millions of people from a single site, which was almost unheard of twenty years ago.
Traditional marketing has evolved with the digital age, and social media marketing is now crucial to the success of businesses of all sizes. If you’re not on social media, you’re not reaching as many people as you could. Your business growth literally depends on your social media skills!
If you could reach millions of people with a single ad, you would save thousands on advertising costs; not to mention, the majority of social media sites, including Instagram, are free to use. Anything you post, any advertising you do on your page (aside from paid ads) is completely free, making it an incredibly worthwhile investment. There’s no monetary risk!
Growing your page takes time and effort, however. It usually involves hiring an influencer to advertise your products or a service. You’ll also need to use the right hashtags so that your customers can actually search for and find your content.
Personalization
Nowadays, people want a genuine connection with the brands they support and the products they love. There’s been a gap between giant corporations and the consumer for decades, and Instagram offers a unique opportunity to put a “face” on your brand.
Your Instagram will showcase your products, offering high-quality images for customers to enjoy and content that is compelling and useful. This is incredibly valuable when you’re running a business, as it helps to bridge the gap and foster trust among potential customers.
The more personalized and unique your content is, the more likely it is that people will connect with it. Think of it this way; if you can invoke an emotional reaction from your customers, they’re ten times more likely to invest in your brand than if you just throw ads at them. The products, content, and company they’re supporting should mean something to the customer. When you’ve established this connection, they’re also more likely to refer you to their friends and family!
Staying up to Date
What are your customers interested in? Where do they go for news? What other products do they support? “If you don’t know the answer to any of these questions, it’s time that you got up to speed with what your customers are doing,” says the team at ViralRace. “Staying up to date with current trends can ensure that you’re not left behind when customers evolve.” Instagram is a hub for all things current and trending, so not having an account is detrimental to your business.
Interesting Stories are More Impactful
Would you rather read a static post, or see a beautiful image that tells a story all by itself? The fact is, in our fast-paced digitalized world, people like quick fixes. That’s what Instagram offers; you simply scroll, see hundreds of images, and like/share/comment on your favorites. This allows for some pretty unique stories to be told in a way that’s a bit different from other social media sites. A picture is worth a thousand words, but a good picture on Instagram is worth twice that; with the added bonus of attracting new customers to your brand!
Stories are always a better way to market a product than static ads. They invoke that crucial connection we talked about earlier and speak to a deeper part of your customers than just their eyes. When you reach their hearts and minds, they trust you more, connect on an emotional level, and have a good reason to endorse what you do. That’s invaluable to any business owner.
Feedback
Every successful business has a good relationship with feedback, whether it’s bad or good feedback. Self-reflection is the best path to personal growth, and when you’re running a business, you simply can’t escape the feedback loop. You’ll need to pay close attention to what your customers are saying in order to not only serve them better but to increase your reputation as a customer-care-oriented brand. This is what truly sells your products.
Don’t ignore negative comments on your Instagram page. Take them into consideration, analyze what the issue is (aside from someone just being rude for the sake of being rude) and work to fix it. When a customer sees a brand that actively works to improve based on customer feedback, they know they can trust that brand with their money.
Remember that customers are making a small investment when they purchase your products or services, so you want to ensure you’re offering them a safety net for their money. If they’re not happy, make it right if it’s within your power to do so. No business that ever ignored customer feedback has been successful for long!
