In 2019, if you’re not using Instagram to market your business, you’re simply falling behind.

According to Instagram, there are now over 500 million active daily accounts. Over 80% of these accounts follow one business. Currently, the average Instagram user spends 59 minutes a day on the platform.

All this attention available to businesses through Instagram could potentially be yours.

Using Instagram as a business requires a different focus and approach than a personal account. You need to have a clear strategy in place and know how to get the most from the app.

1) Use IGTV

IGTV (the shortened name for Instagram TV) is a video sharing platform inside Instagram. Launched in 2018, IGTV is almost like a mini Youtube that allows you to post videos from 15 seconds up to 10 minutes long (accounts with over 10,000 followers can post up to an hour-long video).

This longer-form video content is perfect for business. It allows you to create interest and engagement with your audience directly inside Instagram. It can also create new interest for your business as IGTV now offer previews in the Instagram feed and are searchable by hashtags.

2) Insta Stories

Probably the most popular feature on the platform, Instagram Stories (usually called ‘Insta Stories’ or ‘Stories’) are pictures and videos that only last 24 hours on your account. They are a way to share content more informally. You can feature behind the scenes of your business, and add a little more personality to what you do. On top of this, the fact that the pictures and videos disappear after 24 hours means people want to watch them immediately.

3) Geotagging

When you add your location to an Instagram picture or video post, this is known as Geotagging. This function helps you get featured in more of the searchable content, as Instagram users can look at posts in a specific location. For businesses located in one place (such as a retail space or office), this means you will get featured more often in this location search.

4) Hashtags

Hashtags are the way that Instagram catalogs all the posts and helps users to find the right content. Most savvy Instagram users will add hashtags at the bottom of their posts so that their post appears for those specific topics. Ideally, a good amount of hashtags is about 10-15 depending on the topic.

Instagram also introduced a feature where users can follow hashtags. If your business specializes in a specific topic, you can become known for it, and be featured in the recent and top posts for that hashtag.

5) Engagement

If you want to have more engagement on your profile, you need to engage with users. It’s as simple as that.

Engagement means commenting on and liking other people’s posts. It means asking questions and talking with your followers as much as possible.

Having a strong following on Instagram is what everyone wants. But if you don’t have engagement, your posts will be shared less often, and people won’t always see what you’re sharing. Always be the first to engage and watch your attention grow.

Remember that Instagram is a tool for business as much as for fun. If you know how to use it properly and use it consistently, you will get more attention and grow your business.

Want to grow your presence on Social Media?  Brandastic is a social media marketing agency with offices in Orange County, Los Angeles, and Austin. We help businesses to grow their online reach and increase their sales. Contact us today to get started.