Top 7 Must-Know Instagram Tips for New Businesses

You’re a new business owner and finally got around to opening that new Instagram account to start marketing your business on social media. Now you’re ready to go viral. But…it’s not going to be that easy. Also, going viral shouldn’t be the goal. Social media has made large followings something that’s idolized and almost expected if you want to be successful. But, there are many small businesses making great margins with a couple thousand followers. People seem to forget that there are people behind every. single. follower. A couple thousand more eyes on your business is GOOD. And you never know when that one post will go viral and get you a couple thousand more. Follow these tips to get your Instagram game going strong:

1. Find & follow people you know

Friends. Family. Previous coworkers. That girl you see in your Pilates class every Tuesday. More than 50% of the time, if you follow people you know, they’ll follow you back. Don’t expect people to follow you first, especially if you haven’t posted content yet.

Which brings me to my next point…before you start following a bunch of people, have at least 9 posts up. Post 3 pieces of content a day for 3 days until you hit that magic number. Then follow more people to have them follow back.

Also, don’t be an insta-snob. If someone you know follows you, follow them back. Support others and they will support you.

2. Include your business in “name” section

The line in your bio that asks for your name is what comes up when people search for a business on Instagram (IG). There are more than 2.35 billion active users on IG and 80% of them use the platform to search for a product or service. So you want your business name or profession to be included in the search bar. Many people have their name and their business. If your name is Sally Mae and you’re a hairstylist specializing in color treatments, here’s what your name section can look like:

Sally Mae | Hair Stylist & Color Specialist

If you’re John Smith and you’re a business coach: John Smith | Business Coach

It’s a good idea to have your Instagram handle be your business name, too!

3. Link website

Get traffic to your website by adding the link in your bio section. You can also post stories and add a link to your website in the stories. Make sure you hire a web designer to create your website and a professional copywriter to do your writing.

You don’t want to have misspellings or use incorrect grammar on your website. AND… you want someone who knows how to write engaging content, optimize SEO, and get people to do business with you.

4. Post content regularly

One time a friend told me Instagram is like having a relationship with someone. The more you give, the more it gives you. I’ll never forget that. If you want to grow on Instagram, especially in the early stages of your account, post content as much as possible. You can post up to 2-3 times a day without being considered spam.

If you’re overwhelmed, I understand. Marketing is a full-time job. Invest in hiring professionals to take it off your hands and allow yourself to focus on serving your clients.

5. Use stories to increase engagement

Before you post on your feed, add a couple of stories so people start engaging with your account. This will attract people to your profile and get more people to engage with your post when it’s up! Make your stories engaging with polls and questions, and use hashtags to optimize them.

When you post on your feed, use other accounts you have or ask close friends to share your post in their stories. The more your post is shared, the better it will perform.

6. Answer everyone back

Someone commented on your post? Comment back. Someone asked you a question in your direct messages? Answer back. You’re not a celebrity. Don’t act like one. The more relatable you are, and the more people like you, the more likely they are to do business with you. It also helps your algorithm and reach!

7. Optimize reels

With people’s attention spans shortening by the minute, 5-7 second reels with trending or original audio will get the best reach. Insert a cover photo for the reel on Instagram separately. Don’t drag and choose a frame from your video—it will perform better. And remember, 50% of reels that go viral have viral HOOKS. So hire a copywriter to write them for you!

I hope these tips help you grow your Instagram account. If you’d like to discuss outsourcing your content creation, or having your account managed, reach out to me for a complimentary consult to discuss your goals!