Image Source: Inc
Instagram is the future of business and here is why.
Due to differences in their business approaches, entrepreneurs frequently view different social media networks differently. Traditionalists may be risk apprehensive and question whether the time and money spent developing a profile on newer platforms such as Instagram is worthwhile.
For example, when I chatted with one of my entrepreneur friends, she stressed the importance of Instagram to her business due to her enormous following and the status that comes with it. She isn’t the only one: A big percentage of my clients have used Instagram to make up to 70% of their sales.
So, how can you get your company’s name out there on Instagram? Here are three distinct opportunities that Instagram provides for business owners.
1. Instagram allow customers have a glimpse into your personal life
Because Instagram is an image-based network, what you post on your profile will have an impact on how your customers and partners see you. This is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the things that are most important to you, both professionally and personally.
Customers value not only the product or service that a company sells, but also the story that the company tells, according to research. Consider this: there are now two high-grossing films on Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ life and work. There’s a film on Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, a TV show about the origins of ride-sharing software Uber, another about the origins of fast-food chain McDonald’s, and a slew of others. Consumers enjoy learning about the backstories of their favorite companies.
However, this notoriety has the potential to be a double-edged sword. On Instagram, it’s crucial to be sensitive in your messaging, and brands can sometimes go too far in their attempts to be relatable. I recommend focusing on openness, your goods, and sincerity if you want to connect with your customers on Instagram.
2. Expand your professional network
When it comes to networking with other entrepreneurs, Instagram is also a valuable resource. Entrepreneurs used to have to rely on chance encounters with powerful individuals to network – remember business cards?
Instagram and similar networks now allow you to carry about nearly everyone’s business card in your pocket. All you have to do is go to the person’s profile and write them a simple message inviting them to lunch or coffee if they have an account. Established businesses frequently jump at the chance to advise a newcomer (and get a free meal). It’s impossible to predict where a simple message may go.
Location-based posts that show your followers when you’re in town might also be beneficial. A simple geotagged post from a key connection in your city, for example, could provide an opportunity to interact with that individual.
3. Instagram increase your sales
Perhaps most important to any entrepreneur is ensuring that the company receives the sales it requires to stay afloat. Instagram has a lot of potential in this area, and millions of people use it to research purchases and see how items are utilized “in the wild.”
It’s not a coincidence that our clients’ lead numbers have increased by up to 1,000 percent. Even in the B2B world, when selling a product or service, customers want to know that there is a person behind the product who is willing to give it their seal of approval. This is why Amazon and other online sellers take care in presenting a nice face to customers: if you see that they believe in the goods, you’ll probably believe in it as well.
When it comes to selling on Instagram, there’s one thing that every business owner should be aware of. Instagram Checkout, which debuted in 2019, allows users to purchase things straight from within the app. This is a feature you can’t afford to overlook, given Instagram’s higher-than-average engagement rate and user pool.
Because Instagram Checkout doesn’t feature any links, you won’t have to open a new browser tab or navigate away from the goods you want to buy. The purchasing process is simple and straightforward, and the user interface is enjoyable to use, as is the case with almost anything on Instagram.
The facts are clear when it comes to social media for your small or medium business, especially in B2C segments: Instagram is a critical tool for building meaningful connections and developing your brand in a variety of ways.
Both of these objectives are inextricably intertwined. Customers want a personal interaction with you as your brand’s key ambassador since it helps them visualize your product or service in their own lives and shows them that the person behind the company believes in what they’re doing.
When you use Instagram to invite customers into your world, you open up a world of possibilities for meaningful interactions and the long-term success of your business. When it comes to your Instagram strategy, don’t forget to pay special attention to the content generation aspect; don’t just focus on paid ads.
Opinions expressed by California Gazette contributors are their own.
