Here are the 7 best ways your business can use Instagram.

1. Show off your Products!

Instagram makes it incredibly easy through the use of applying the available filters to create fun and elaborate photos. This is your chance to show off your product catalog by posting pictures of new or upcoming products and features. If you are a service business and do not have any products take some live action shots of what you do, or photograph the tools, machines and equipments that are used in your line of work.

2. Tell your Brand’s Story

Pictures are a great way to tell a story without using words. Take this opportunity not to just spam pictures of your brand, but instead focus on the experience of using the product or service. Show off pictures of your customer’s using your product, how they are being used and where. Also, pictures can be utilized to show how your products are made by taking pictures through the various steps of the creation process.

3. Introduce the Faces behind the Brand

The most successful companies do a great jump of humanizing themselves. As loyal customer’s we feel like we have a connection and know the brand on a personal level. You can utilize photos to take shots of your employees while working, at their desk or to introduce new hires. In the photo caption you can even give a quick introduction when posting pictures of employees.

4. Build the Hype!

Have any upcoming exciting news or product releases? Pictures are a great way to build up hype for new products. Snap some sneak peak behind the scene shots, show off some teaser pictures, introduce new features etc… This can ignite conversation and anticipation until the product is released.

5. Start a Photo Contest

Instagram is a great tool to get customers involved with your product. Start a contest using a hashtag to encourage customers to take pictures of using your product or service. These contests can be extremely popular as customers post pictures they will get shared with their followers and as a result your brand’s photos will be seen by many more people. You can then reward customers that either participate or who have the best shots.

6. Use Hashtags

When posting new photos always try and use a couple relevant hashtags. These will allow your photos to show up in Instagram searches and as a result will bring more traffic to your new pictures. Make sure you don’t use too many as it will become obstructive, and keep them relevant and to a minimum.

7. Find new Fans or Customers

Instagram can be a great way to find people who are already using your product or service and to connect with them. Additionally, you can use it to find people who have similar interests or could be potential customers and to reach out to them as well.

How do you currently use Instagram? What creative ways do you use it to promote your brand or business?

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