Step-by-Step Guide for Setting Up an Instagram Account for Small Businesses
Small businesses have to get clever when it comes to marketing, and Instagram is a great, free marketing tool that you can use to your advantage.
This photo-sharing app is an excellent way to show off the personality of your small business, and we're going to offer hints on how to create a professional account that attracts loyal followers.
There is a substantial and growing group of people who enjoy using Instagram to follow small businesses, and there are many things that your business could offer the Instagram world, not to mention the fact that you can make your profile visually intriguing.
There are plenty of other apps that can help you become more popular on Instagram with some additional features, but for those of you who are new to the app, this guide is all about how to set up a profile that represents your small business in the best way possible.
We offer some general guidance on how to put your business on Instagram, but there is plenty of room for creativity and to make your profile unique.
The above advice follows general rules for how to get a professional account off the ground, then you can go ahead and style it however you like.
Throughout the guide, we've also offered examples of businesses that have created a profile that boosts their brand image.
All of the advice we give is public, and the suggestions we provide should give your business the edge on Instagram.
1. Creating an Instagram Account
With the Instagram app downloaded, it is time to create an account.
If you want your business to have a true presence and be taken seriously on Instagram, it will require creating a separate account from your personal one.
It will also require the creation of a separate email address.
The Instagram app makes it simple to create a distinct account.
Once you launch the app, tap the "Sign Up" button located on the start login screen.
A series of screens will then ask for your name, phone number, email address, and date of birth.
The app will then ask if you want to link your new Instagram account to your Facebook account.
If your personal Facebook and Instagram accounts are already connected or you haven’t yet created a Facebook page for your small business, leave this option turned off.
Your business’s Instagram and Facebook pages should be linked in the future, but during the startup phase of your Instagram account, you should keep them separate.
The last information you will need to provide on the Sign-Up screen is a username and a password.
After filling in this information and confirming that you are not a bot, the account will be created!
2. Optimizing Your Profile
2.1. Choosing a Profile Picture
When selecting a profile picture, be aware that users will be looking at the image even before they read the caption, so your profile picture will be their initial impression of your business.
It is important to remember that Instagram is a social platform and to use either a logo or a photo of the owner, like on LinkedIn.
Aim to have an inviting profile photo that welcomes users into your Instagram account. To add a profile photo, click on the text where you want to add a photo.
On handheld devices, you are given the options of taking a photo or selecting from the library.
Users who have a business account have an additional option of choosing a professional account.
To choose a photo to be your profile image, it must be an image saved to the camera roll on your handheld device.
Once you’ve picked the photo, there are options to zoom in and adjust the crop of the image, which is useful for the design.
After you’ve decided on the photo that you’d like, save the changes and continue with the sign-up process.
2.2. Writing a Compelling Bio
Even though Instagram allows more characters in the bio now, it is still a very short piece of text.
You have to make it succinct.
When someone clicks on your bio link and arrives at your account, they have to know that they are in the right place.
Using your niche or products, something catchy, or some wordplay are good ways to achieve that.
Make it clever and witty, keep it light.
A friendly 'vibe' is almost always going to be attractive to an audience. It helps them further connect with your brand.
Use their language and talk to them as if you are friends. Help you see you as the person-to-go to when they need something. Your bio is the key to cracking this door.
3. Understanding Instagram Features
3.1. Exploring Posts, Stories, and IGTV
Posts – When compared to Stories, the regular posts are meant for a different purpose altogether.
These posts can be images or videos that you want to stay on your business profile for a longer time.
People who are interested can see the posts at a later time even after the time of posting.
Make sure to post these images in good quality and in the right aspect ratio specified.
You can also use up to 30 hashtags to identify your posts.
However, using hashtags is discouraged by some people.
So, do your research and understand what works for your business niche.
Either way, adding a location from where you can see your post can be extremely useful for reach.
To post regular images on your account, tap the plus icon from your profile page.
Choose an image from the gallery or click a new one.
After that, editing the image is simple.
You can also tag products or people, add a location, or add text to the image.
Don't forget to write a caption for the image.
Finally, publishing the image is the next and final step. I
In addition to the regular posts, Instagram also supports video posts.
Similar to the image posts, you can do regular editing on the video posts and update tags, captions, and details like location at the bottom of the screen.
Finally, the share option is used to publish the video posts on the business account.
When it comes to Stories, the goal is different from the regular posts.
The idea behind Stories is that the posts are live for 24 hours for your followers to see.
To access Stories, swipe left from your profile or just tap the camera icon.
Using the camera, there is a lot more fun in building Stories by capturing media like Boomerangs, Superzoom, Rewinds, and other effects.
Your Stories can contain text, drawings, stickers, polls, and many more.
Once you are done with creating the Stories, click send at the bottom of the screen.
The next method is to share both long and short videos on Instagram.
The long videos go on Instagram TV, and this is also used by a large number of people, especially influencers.
IGTV allows people to watch the videos from their favorite celebrities whenever they want, making the platform personalized.
As a small business owner, make use of this to share a long video that offers value.
This could be behind the scenes, a video detailing every product in your newest collection, etc.
You can use the platform smartly to anticipate the needs of your customers and allow viewers to navigate from one topic to the next.
Since only those interested may dive deep into the IGTV, use it wisely to communicate with them. Use the IGTV icon in your Instagram app to share a long video post for your business.
You have the option to utilize Plugger for creating Instagram Story Templates or Instagram Post Templates. By using Plugger, you have the ability to produce top-notch content.
4. Engaging with Your Audience
4.1. Interacting with Followers
When interacting with your followers, remember you are presenting your business and should try to react in a fair manner and respond to some comments.
This does not mean you have to write an entire novel back, but at least thank them in a comment.
This can encourage further engagement, which is something very important for your Instagram profile.
New accounts can be harsh in the beginning, and every interaction is important.
If this interaction is returning to other profiles, don't just write comments that only consist of "Love it," "Great," or something to that effect.
Try to be honest or give a compliment.
When you write comments, you want them to be engaging but also something you want your own brand to be remembered by.
Then more people will check out your profile, and thereby your profile awareness can be raised at the same time.
Use your time spent on Instagram wisely, but be sure to prioritize time spent socializing with people in the form of comments and likes every single time in the beginning. It is interaction that counts the most.
4.2. Using Hashtags and Tagging
After perfecting your post content, it is time to use hashtags in your caption or the first comment to promote your picture.
Hashtags are one of the most effective ways to increase the number of organic followers and to increase the amount of instant interaction.
Instagram has a specific place and usage amount for hashtags.
Up to five hashtags can be added to the post's caption, and up to 30 hashtags can be tagged in the first comment.
The most efficient number for hashtags is said to be between 25 and 27.
This figure automatically varies according to the user and the use of the platform.
There are many sites and applications that analyze hashtags and help you determine which hashtags are trending and relevant for your business.
It is very important to choose the correct hashtags because popular hashtags are also quickly filled with others.
This causes your post to stay at the top for a very short period.
A soon-to-be-forgotten post causes organic follower growth and lowers your interaction rates.
It is also very important for the followers to interact quickly and intensely with your post after the first sharing.
Instagram evaluates the post according to the interaction rate, so do hashtags.
A popular post creates a high organic interaction on the number of followers.
In this respect, using popular hashtags in the first shares to increase interaction rates might be useful, but do not forget to include the relevant ones.
It is very important and useful to use the hashtag groupings that you have already separated in line with the frequency of use and the relationship with your content.
5. Conclusion
Finally, Instagram is a great medium on which to highlight your strengths and make your business relatable.
You may have gotten into your business because you're passionate about it or because there is a great story behind it.
Use Instagram to share your story and how you got to where you are.
Behind-the-scenes content is great for this; let people know how things are made, where they are made, and who is making them.
This kind of content helps to show that you're a real person running a real business. It also helps to build your brand identity.
If you're a caterer who only uses locally sourced food, let people know.
If you're an illustrator who only creates designs in her pajamas, let people know.
Chances are those people are also in their pajamas, wishing they could live your life.
Showcase your benefits both on your Instagram bio and within your posts; detailing exactly how you managed to get to where you are now acts as a golden carrot to people who are either looking to invest in, work for, or use your services.
Which is why Instagram is good for startup businesses – if done correctly, your business can become an aspirational figure for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs.
It becomes a memorable, trusted, and relatable figurehead of a benchmark of your sector and is top of everybody's shopping list.
Do you want to learn more about the best practices for Instagram Stories and Instagram Posts?
10 Best Practices for Creating Instagram Stories That Convert
