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Using Instagram to Promote Your Business? Avoid These 8 Common Mistakes

Posted: 12 Jul 2019 05:27 PM PDT

By Aniruddh Parmar

A picture is worth a thousand words, and through photos Instagram has revolutionized the way brands interact with consumers. With a simple interface and 1 billion monthly active users, this photo-sharing app should be at the top of your list for reaching customers.

If you haven’t already taken advantage of Instagram in your company’s marketing, there are certain things to avoid so that you are successful. The following is a list of common mistakes companies make with Instagram.

1. Lack of a plan

Your first step should be to decide why you are using Instagram. Whether it is to create brand awareness, interact with your consumers, or to showcase your product or services, keep one thing in mind: the content you share must add value to your customers' feed and is not spamming it. Share what your company is doing, through either photos or videos, and plan ahead what you’re going to upload. People don't like random content, and a clumsy profile could put your brand in a bad light.

2. Poor content

Most people will scroll through their Instagram feed and pause only when they encounter something different. So when every company is trying to build its brand on social media, how can you make your message stand out? The answer is by providing quality content. Design your content in a way that users will stop to engage with your posts rather than scroll down. Also share high resolution photos and videos which will convey your business believes in quality.

3. Not being consistent

Consistency is key. That said, there may be times when you will be overloaded with other work, but that does not mean you shouldn’t be posting anything new on your account. It’s important to stay in the eyes of your customers, and this doesn't mean spamming their feed with just any content. Once you are noticed by your target audience, it is imperative to maintain a consistent presence in their Instagram feed. A well-planned feed that posts regularly is sure to give you a good return on the time you invest.

4. Not using the full potential of hashtags

Hashtags can be annoying, but that doesn't mean they aren’t useful. If you hardly use hashtags, or maybe don’t use them at all, it's time to start using relevant ones that will increase your posts’ engagement. Create a hashtag that represents your brand, and also use popular ones that can help you get discovered, too. The more hashtags you use, the more likes and comments you’ll receive on your posts. You can use up to 30 hashtags on Instagram, so start using the right ones and see how your engagement improves.

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5. Buying likes and followers

You can buy Instagram followers, but this is not the preferred way to increase your numbers. Many of these “followers” are fake accounts, and recently Instagram has gone after and taken down several such accounts. Your goal should be to improve your organic reach, and the best way to gain new followers is to post quality content consistently and to actively engage with your customers.

6. Failure to use followers the right way

Your followers are your brand ambassadors. But many businesses fail to realize this and miss out on gaining new followers through their existing ones. Take advantage of your loyal followers by asking them to use your branded hashtags or share your content. Doing so will help you reach the friends of your customers, thus resulting in an increased number of followers organically.

7. Posting too much promotional stuff

Put yourself in the shoes of your customers and see if you would like to receive only promotional posts advertising sales or discounts on your Instagram feed. While promotions are important for your business, there are better ways to connect with your target audience. Share photos of your office work culture, or show customers how much effort goes into designing your products. You can even highlight different ways your business gives back to the community. Sharing these types of photos and videos will definitely put your company in a positive light.

8. Not engaging with customers

Customers need a platform to engage with your brand, so when they take the time to reach out to you, don't run away. Many companies make the mistake of not following back their followers or replying to their comments or taking a look at their mentions. Actively interacting with your customers will help you to gain their faith in your brand, which in turn can give you indirect publicity through their word of mouth. Also follow your customers to know the type of content they like and share so you can modify your posts accordingly.

RELATED: Social Media Marketing: 7 Steps to Make It Work for Your Business

About the Author

Post by: Aniruddh Parmar

Aniruddh Parmar is a blogger and software analyst at SoftwareSuggest and loves to dig deep into various new technologies. Aniruddh is ready to grab a cup of coffee anytime if you want to talk about tech, cars, business, or cricket.

Company: SoftwareSuggest
Website: www.softwaresuggest.com
Connect with me on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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How Small Businesses Can Support One Another to Succeed

Posted: 12 Jul 2019 07:30 AM PDT

Where do you buy products and services for your business (and yourself)? When you need to purchase insurance, buy printer paper, or get someone to help you revamp your website, do you go online and look for the cheapest price you can find? Or do you spend a little extra time to shop at small businesses that sell what you're looking for?

A couple years back, I read an article about an African-American couple who decided that for the next 12 months, they would only buy products or services from businesses that were African-American owned.

It made me think about how often, as a small business owner, I buy products or services without even considering whether they come from a small business. I'm willing to bet you rarely think about that, either. (No fair pointing out that Amazon and Walmart started as small businesses.)

Why you may not shop at small businesses

Supporting small, independent local companies has gotten more difficult due to:

  • Increased competition. There's more competition than ever from bigger chains, both online and off. It's difficult for many small brick-and-mortar businesses to battle the giants, and some entrepreneurs have been driven out of business.
  • Price consciousness. As small business owners, we all need to watch our budgets to maintain our profit margins. I have to admit that I often make purchases based on cost savings.

However, shopping with small businesses has also become easier in a couple of important ways:

  • Ease of e-commerce. If no small businesses in your neighborhood sell the widget you need, go online and you can probably get it from a small company across the country or across the globe.
  • Greater transparency. Transparency has become a must in the business world. That means it's a lot easier than it used to be to discover exactly where your money goes when you buy from a business.

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Where to find small businesses to buy from

If you are determined to shop at small businesses, here are some easy ways to do so:

  • Start online. If you want to support a particular kind of small business, start by looking online for directories. For instance, if you want to buy from women-owned businesses, Hispanic-owned businesses, or LGBTQIA businesses, you can find directories devoted to these types of business owners.
  • Start local. Buying from businesses in your city benefits your community in a lot of different ways. Your money goes back into the community, helping to pay employees' wages and create jobs. Sales taxes from the purchases help to finance your community and make it a better place to live.
  • Start with your connections. One of the easiest options is to buy from business owners you already know. For instance, if you belong to the local chamber of commerce or business networking association, make it a point to purchase from and work with other entrepreneurs in that network.

Working with people you know can benefit your business in many ways. My company recently started working with a local entrepreneur who designs and runs websites. The relationship began when he redesigned our website. Now he refers my company to his clients who need content creation, and I refer him to my clients who need website design or search engine optimization services.

Helping other entrepreneurs succeed

As an entrepreneur, you know how much small business owners contribute to the U.S. economy. If you think entrepreneurs deserve support, why not put your money where your mouth is? Whenever you can buy from a small business instead of a big company, make it a practice to do so. When you can't find a small business to buy from, look for a franchise—most of them are operated by individual business owners.

Sure, it may cost a bit more to purchase from a small business than a big one, but you could build lasting relationships that are mutually beneficial. And you'll have the satisfaction of supporting entrepreneurs just like you—who could turn out to be the next big thing.

RELATED: 5 Checklists to Help You Run a Better Business

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