6 Ways to Jumpstart Your Business on Instagram

BY ELLIS CHUNG

If you’re a budding business owner, it’s unlikely you have the time (or budget) for an elaborate marketing plan. But you don’t need a marketing degree to create engaging content that will draw people into your business online. Instagram, the fourth most popular social media platform in the world and the second most popular among young adults, has become a breeding ground for small businesses, creating supportive communities and advertising opportunities without the extra cost. Taking advantage of the audience and navigating the patterns Instagram provides is essential to growing your business, especially for young entrepreneurs. If you lack experience in marketing (or are looking to get your business out of a rut), here are six easy ways to grow your small business through Instagram:

1. KEEP THINGS SHORT.
Users are impatient. When scrolling through the Explore page, where your content is most likely to go viral, users are more likely to watch a quick, 20-second clip than a 5-minute video. If they like it, they’re more likely to visit your account. They also don’t want to put in extra work - limit text in your posts and focus on visuals, as about 65% of people are visual learners. Pictures and drawings for your business will be eye-catching and attractive to a greater number of users, not lengthy text boxes.

Credits: @chunks.shop and @shopcider

2. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE.
Articles like these always tell you to know your audience. But what does that really mean? For starters, look for the accounts of successful businesses that sell products similar to yours. What patterns do you see? What makes their Instagram page so popular? Consider using those patterns for your own account. Next, understand the tone those accounts have and determine the tone you want. For example, art shops tend to be casual and approachable, while certain clothing shops are more formal. Finally, use the trends to connect with your audience. Use relevant hashtags, post at optimal times (which you can find in Insights), and utilize popular sounds for your videos. While anyone can get on the Explore page, it’s unlikely you’ll go viral without knowing your audience. 

3. STAY CONSISTENT.
With business accounts posting an average of 1.6 times a day, it can be hard to keep up. Consistency in both posting and visuals is essential to growing your business. This means posting at least every few days and multiple times a day if your business is in the early stages of growth. It also means establishing a color palette and cohesive style to show your potential followers that your business is put together. But don’t fall into the trap of repetition - if your content is monotonous, users won’t be inclined to follow or interact with you. Without consistency, the harsh Instagram algorithm will be less likely to promote your content on the Explore page, which will, unfortunately, keep you from going viral.

4. INTERACT WITH OTHER ACCOUNTS.
After finding accounts in your Instagram niche, it’s important to interact. Find accounts you admire and like, share, and comment on their posts. Building connections with accounts that may share your own posts and interact with your own content is vital. Commenting can also help others see your username and increase your visibility, especially on bigger accounts with more followers. Reply quickly to comments and messages, and thank those who share your content to show that you’re on top of things.

5. USE INSTAGRAM SHOP.
Once again, users want ease, putting in the least amount of work possible to get what they want. That’s why utilizing Instagram Shop is so pivotal. Shop allows you to tag your products for users to click on directly and purchase, providing a number of benefits. Without Shop, users may enjoy your products but don’t want to go searching for them. Tagging your products for instant purchase provides the ease users crave and will likely increase your number of buyers. Selling your products through visuals to people already in your Instagram niche will also increase interest in your shop, as potential buyers aren’t steered to an external website where captivating visuals are less apparent.

6. FIND REPRESENTATIVES AND INFLUENCERS.
The last thing you can do to grow your business lies in other people's hands. Sending your products to accounts bigger than your own can increase awareness of your brand and provide another platform to promote it. Host “rep searches,” establishing rules for joining like sharing the rep search and tagging others. This can increase your engagement and spread, as well as help you find the best representatives possible. Representatives can post weekly with your products and share important business updates, aiding the growth of your business.

Even after using these tips, remember: growth takes time. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not seeing immediate sales or flourishing on social media. Establishing your business and developing your account takes time and patience, and Instagram’s ever-changing algorithm doesn’t make it easier. Be on the lookout for ways to grow your business through TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and more in the near future!