A Simple Instagram Checklist for Your Business

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Creating an Instagram account for your business is easier than you think! In this post, we’ll cover 4 reasons you may want to jump on the Instagram bandwagon now, even if you’re not ready to fully commit to managing an account. Then when you’re ready, use the 12 steps in our checklist to set up and optimize your account.

4 Reasons to create your Instagram account now:

1. To reserve your username

If you’re not quite ready to commit to Instagram full-time, consider creating your account as a placeholder for now: make sure you get the username you want, and when the time is right you can put a strategy and posting schedule in place.

2. To “test the waters” with market research

Set up your account and start looking for current customers, peers, and top prospects. Connect with current customers to keep in touch in a more “informal” way, start following peers/competitors/industry leaders to get ideas on what’s working, and search for prospects in your target audience.

3. To expand your Facebook Page

Since Instagram integrates so easily with your Facebook Page, you can optimize both accounts. Instagram posts are shared to your Facebook Page with one click, and posts are added to both sites simultaneously.

Attract attention on Instagram (with hashtags and strategic content), and then send people to your Facebook Page for more in-depth content and information on your business, products or services.

4. To be ahead of competitors when Instagram Ads become available

Instagram just announced upcoming Ad options and features, and if your target audience is using this platform, then establishing a community now will mean you’re ahead of the competition when business Ads are available.

Learn more from this post on Marketing Land (click here), which also links to Instagram’s blog.

Checklist: 12 Steps to Get Your Instagram Account Set Up or Optimized

1. Define your marketing goals

   As we recommend for any social media site, it’s important to define your goals before using the platform. Why would Instagram be a good fit for your business? What do you hope to accomplish with your business account?

2. Decide what type of content (and in what form) to share

One nice thing about Instagram is that it’s not necessary to post more than once or twice a day – which is great news for time-starved business owners.

So organize your content ideas – what topics or content “buckets” will your posts fit into – and then consider how you’ll share them. Mainly photos? Videos? A Combination?

3. Determine your available resources

Align your Instagram strategy with your available resources:  will you be managing your own account or out-sourcing? Do you have a team or assistant to take and edit photos/videos? Do you have a few time-saving Apps lined up before you begin posting?

4. Choose a username that is easy for people to remember (or attribute to your business)

When setting up your account (or re-branding), pick a username that makes it easy for people to find you: use your business name (or your name for personal branding),  your Twitter handle, the name you use on Facebook or Pinterest, etc.

5. Optimize your Bio and Settings

Make sure your account is set to Public if you want to build a following. Include keywords (for your interests/topics) and a short description of what you’ll be sharing and posting. Adding emojis  is another effective way to make your Bio stand out.

6. Upload a good profile photo

You may decide to use your company logo if the account is strictly business, or use a photo of you/your team to make the account more informal and personable.

7. Add a website/landing page link to your Bio

Put your website (or most important) URL in your profile since it is the only spot for a “clickable” link. Links are not clickable in posts, although you can add the text so people have the option to copy and paste it.

8. Use unique hashtags and niche-related hashtags

Create several hashtags that are unique to your account so you can track them when others include them in posts.

Choose your niche’s top hashtags: make a list of the top 5-10 hashtags for each topic you’ll be referencing, and then use them on a consistent basis.

9. Geotag your posts if location is important

Adding a location to all or some of your posts can be strategic if you are a locally-based business or if you are attending events and sharing photos.

10. Watermark your own images (with Apps)

Make sure you are adding a watermark to any original photos, so people will easily recognize it as yours. Your watermark can be your website, name or unique hashtag. There are a variety of Apps available that add text or signatures to your images.

11. Promote your Instagram account on your website and social sites

Put a Badge or Gallery on your website so people can easily find (and follow) your account. You can create a badge on Instagram (click here)

Iconosquare is a free desktop tool that helps you create badges, galleries and Tabs for your Facebook Page.

12. Engage with other users and connect with new people

Just like any other social media site, success on Instagram relies on how effectively you are engaging with your community. Monitor your account consistently and then reply to comments.

The 12 tips in this checklist will get you off to a great start when you decide to focus on Instagram.

If you want to learn more about a custom strategy for your business, then let’s talk! We offer a free consultation so you can learn the next best steps for your business’ Instagram marketing plan.

Click here to contact us about your free Instagram Consultation today!

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Image courtesy of (and derived from) donterase / Pixabay