E-Marketing

Instagram is a free photo and video sharing mobile app. People on Instagram want to find and discover things that interest them, including products and services.

You can use Instagram for free to grow your business organically, or you can pay to advertise on Instagram. You can also do a combination of both.

Because Instagram is designed as "mobile-first" - i.e. it is designed to be used and viewed on a mobile phone rather than on a PC - it has full functionality via the mobile app and only very limited functionality when viewed via a web browser on a PC.

Starting a business account is quick and easy

Set up an Instagram business account to give people more information about what you offer. You can also convert your existing account into a business account.

Note: All set-up and changes to your Instagram account must be done through the mobile app and can mostly not be done through a web browser.

Step 1: Download and launch the app

Download the Instagram app from the AppStore, Google Play store or Windows Phone Store.

Step 2: Set up a free business profile

On Instagram, you can convert your account to a business account to get access to features to help establish a business presence and achieve business goals.

To switch your profile to a business account:

1. Go to your profile and tap
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap Account.
   
   
4. Tap Switch to Business Account.
   
   
5. We recommend that you connect your business account to a Facebook Page that is associated with your business. This will make it easier to use all of the features available for businesses.
   
   
6. Add details such as your business or account's category and contact information
7. Tap Done.
   
   

Once you have a business account, you can add in relevant business information, such as opening hours, business address, phone number and a link to your website.

Learn how to start using Instagram for Business in this free Blueprint course.

Here is an example of an appealing page:

On desktop:

On mobile:

Step 3: Post content and follow people or businesses

Start posting content that you'd like to see in your feed using relevant hashtags, and start following similar accounts.

Commit to a regular posting schedule

Once you start building a following on Instagram, your fans will expect to see posts from you on a regular basis. You want to keep them aware of your brand and engaged with your content without overwhelming them to the point that they tune out-or worse, unfollow.

Add professional-looking photos

Make sure that your photos are clear and appealing to make potential clients take notice of your business. Use filters carefully to improve photo quality.

Interact with other Instagram users.

Respond to other users' comments. When people comment on your photos, reply to them with thanks. Follow businesses either in your own local area or your business area of interest - this creates a network that helps you to reach a wider audience.

Use hashtags (#)

Hashtags allow potential customers to find you when they search for a particular hashtag. Even more importantly, if a viewer likes a picture that has a certain hashtag, Instagram will show that viewer other pictures with the same hashtag. So, for example, if somebody liked a picture that had the hashtag #beachholiday, then Instagram might show them your picture, if yours is also tagged #beachholiday.

For more information on this important tool see this detailed instruction on How to Use Hashtags on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Note a few important points about hashtags:

• They must be one word only, with no spaces, eg #beachholiday NOT #beach holiday.
• They can contain letters, numbers and emojis, but no punctuation or anything else, eg #number1beachholiday or #holiday.

Run giveaways and promotions

People are always interested in sales and giveaways and this is a good attention-getter. Provide a unique hashtag for your promotion and ask your followers to share. Search by the hashtag and choose a winner from this list - and be sure to post about the winners.

Also see: Optimise your Profile

Summary

• Instagram is a free photo and video sharing app. People on Instagram want to find and discover things that interest them, including products and services.
• To promote your business, create a free business profile.
• Instagram uses hashtags (#) for search, so all images should be hashtagged with a number of suitable tags.