Instagram

How to Develop a Successful Instagram Business Page

Instagram is a powerful tool that has changed the way we communicate with consumers. Through its user-friendly, interactive platform, Instagram provides businesses the opportunity to reach and connect with thousands of consumers across the globe. As many people have come to expect their favourite brands to be present on Instagram, we thought we’d share some tips and strategies for developing a successful Instagram business page!

1) Set Up a Business Account

Whether you’re starting from scratch and setting up a brand-new Instagram page, or switching from a personal to a business account, here are some steps to help you set up an Instagram business page.

  1. If you’re starting from scratch, download the Instagram App and follow the preliminary steps to create an account.
  2. From your profile, go to your settings through the dropdown menu in the top right corner.
  3. Tap Account, scroll to the bottom and tap Switch account type, thentap Switch to business account.
  4. If you want to connect your Facebook page to your Instagram business account, follow the steps to connect your pages.
  5. Select your business category, add your business’ contact information, then tap Done.
  6. There you go, your business account is all set up!

2) Complete and Optimize Your Profile

Next, you need to complete and optimize your Instagram profile to ensure full visibility of your business. Begin by clicking Edit profile and filling out your company information (specifically your website and contact options). Doing so will ensure that consumers can easily access your website, as well as contact your business through the click of a button. Quick tip – if you have multiple website links that you would like to share on your profile, you can create a Linktree account, which is a free bio linking tool that allows you to add multiple links to share on your profile. Also be sure to upload your logo as your profile photo, so when consumers are searching for your brand, they know they have reached the right Instagram page.

Don’t forget to optimize your bio! Users who are reading your bio were interested enough to search your business, so hook them with an engaging bio that will have them curious for more. As your bio is limited to 150 characters, make sure to be strategic in showcasing what your business is and how it benefits consumers. You want people to click your bio link, so tell them why they should! If you have additional space for hashtags, it’s always a good idea to include a few to express what your business is all about. Below is a sample of what a completed and optimized Instagram business profile looks like.

Develop a Strong Social Media Strategy

3) Define Your Target Audience

Establishing your target audience is extremely important for reaching and connecting with the right consumers. As your content and campaigns will be based on the wants, needs, and lifestyle of your target audience, you should have a strong understanding of who your audience is before you start posting away. Doing so will put you in a better position to create content that speaks to consumers, and ultimately drive them to convert. Check out our blog How to Find Your Target Audience for tips on how to properly define your target audience so that you can tailor your marketing efforts efficiently and effectively.

4) Create a Social Media Calendar That Works

Once you have a good understanding of your target audience and who you are creating content for, you can begin to craft your social media calendar. Having a well-planned social media calendar will help you stay organized, consistent, and on track throughout the entire month. It will also ensure you are creating valuable content that resonates with consumers instead of rushing your content and posting on the fly. We recommend creating your social calendars a month in advance to ensure you have sufficient time for content creation, review, approval, and scheduling. There are a lot of moving parts that go into creating a successful social media calendar, so make sure to give yourself enough time for the entire process. Head over to our blog How to Create a Social Media Calendar That Works for strategies that will ensure a successful social media calendar each and every month.  Remember to keep your goals and objectives for your brand top of mind as they will be the purpose behind your content and campaigns.

5) Use the Right Hashtags

Hashtags can go a long way when it comes to reaching a larger audience and growing your brand awareness. Because hashtags are searchable, they make both your content and your profile easier to find. When people click or search a hashtag, all of the posts that include that specific hashtag will appear, in which hashtags are an effective way to get your content in front of users who don’t already follow you. You may even want to consider creating your own branded hashtag so consumers can share photos and content relevant to your business. Doing so will encourage followers to partake in your Instagram community and create user-generated content for your brand.

6) Utilize Instagram Features

There are a ton of Instagram features that you can use to mix up your Instagram content. Along with the monthly social calendars that you’ll be creating, you can also take advantage of the many Instagram features available to you such as Instagram Stories, Reels, IGTV, Instagram Live, and Instagram Guides. These features allow you to engage and interact with your audience by more than just a simple Instagram post. They open up the dialogue for two-way conversations, as well as connect you with consumers on a more personal level.

7) Grow and Engage with Your Audience

Community management plays an essential role in growing your Instagram page. You should constantly be checking your notifications and DM’s to ensure you are actively engaging with your audience in real-time. At the very least, you should be responding to comments and messages to help build your relationships and show your followers that you value their engagement. Take your community management a step further by continually following, commenting, and engaging with relevant businesses, posts, and accounts. Doing so will show that you are an active member within your industry who values the interactions and relationships you have with those related to your business. Ultimately, the more you put into your community management efforts, the more your Instagram page will grow in terms of developing your audience, growing your account, and creating meaningful relationships for your brand.

8) Get Professional Marketing Help

Does creating an engaging and effective Instagram business page seem a bit out of reach for you and your business? Do you need extra support in launching your social media efforts? Here at Bailey Creative, we have over 22 years of digital marketing experience, and we can support you in bringing your social media strategies to the next level. Our Social Media services will help you build your brand with engaging social media content that reflects your values and captures consumers’ attention. Contact us today to build a winning social media strategy for your business!

Check out our Copywriting, Social Media, and Branding services to learn how our team can bring your business to the next level! Please feel free to fill out our contact form, give us a call at 519-837-8333, or send us an email at info@baileycreative.ca to get started!

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