Use Instagram to Boost Your Marketing Plan and Score Big

Instagram has grown to own 90 million Monthly Active Users, with over 40 million photos per day. Users love Facebook's free photo sharing tool (and who doesn't want to see all of those cute baby pictures and weird dog tricks?) How can you take this seemingly simple to use app and turn it into a key component of your business's marketing plan? It may be easier than you think.

Why Bother?

You say you've had enough of the social media scene and do not feel like learning yet another new application? Don't overlook the power of Instagram for your campaign. It is a perfect solution for on-the-go business owners who want to spruce up their marketing as they move through the day. It is an excellent tool for all of the free resources it can offer in real time.

How Can You Use It?

Look at a few tips on how businesses are using Instagram to really drive home sales and boost their brand awareness. You may find that you've put off using this tool for too long.

1. It's perfect for product or service promotion. Use real pictures of your products, right there on your store shelves, to get people talking. You don't have to worry about tracking down a stock photo. Customers love real pictures. Get a close up of the finished petals on your cake as a baker and they will flock to your business.

2. Get real and show customers what you are all about.Another way to use Instagram as a marketing tool is all about the behind-the-scenes. People want to know who you are and what you are really doing. They want to see a real person. Social media through this method can work very well. Simply take some photos of the people working in your office. Show them where the magic happens behind the bar at the club. Get them interested in how you are prepping their dish with up close photos.

3. Let your customers do the work for you.Because so many are using this free photo sharing tool, you can encourage them to show how they are using your products and services. For example, perhaps you are a coffee shop with a chic following. Host a contest for the best photos your patrons can produce with them enjoying a cup perhaps with your logo.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7515846

SEO Tips For Using Instagram

Search engine optimization is simply a process of making your blog more visible to search engines for particular targeted keywords or phrases. In other words, SEO is just a popularity contest among websites. The question is always which website is the most popular and relevant for specific keywords or phrases, according to a particular search engine? If the question is placed in this way and not in terms of SEO strategies and techniques, you will realize that SEO goes beyond quality content and link building.

It is not surprising that with the growth in social media networks, many people are utilizing these social media websites to reinforce their SEO efforts. The good news is that you do not need SEO training to make use of these social media websites because it takes very little to get the hang of these sites. Although some big companies hire an SEO company to manage their social media pages, there is no reason why you cannot do it to increase the popularity of your own website.

One particular social media site that has grown in popularity since it made its debut in 2010 is Instagram, a photo sharing social media website. Instagram started out as a mobile application for Apple users but then support was added in 2012 so that Android users can use it as well. Although the effect of Instagram on actual search engine rankings is debatable, it is a great tool for promoting your website, products, services, and basically, increasing your website's popularity and generating organic traffic. Below are some tips to help you use Instagram in promoting your website.

• Create a focused theme. If your Instagram account is for your website or business then make it evident from the get-go. Make sure that another Instagram user visiting your profile page will have no doubt in his or her mind what your account is all about. This means limiting your non-website related posts.

• Describe your images. Since Instagram is a photo sharing service, the only way to put content is to accurately describe your images or photos. Never post a picture that has no description. Even a single-word description is much better than none.

• Make proper use of hash tags. Hash tags are popularly used to associate your image to a particular topic or subject. You can think of these hash tags as keywords in the usual way you would promote your website.

• Engage with other users. Go beyond just posting images. Connect with other users by commenting on images of others and by responding to comments on your images.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7816757

Don't Do These 5 Things on Instagram

The world has gone visual, and Instagram is leading the way with 150 million users.

Yes, this is less than Facebook. But if the two were on a homecoming court, Instagram would take the crown. Why? Because the users are more engaged-meaning more activity for your brand, and more popularity votes!

If that doesn't convince you, here are some other social media marketing stats.. Get ready for the wow factor!

40 million pictures are uploaded daily.
1000 comments are made every second.
16 billion photos have been shared overall.

So what does this mean for your business? You have a major opportunity to tell your brand's story, create relevant marketing, and interact with your customers in a way they will appreciate! (Side note: Customers crave meaningful interaction!)

Before that awesomeness can be created, let's talk about what you shouldn't be doing on Instagram. I asked my fellow teammates for their feedback on the "don'ts" of Instagram, and here is what we determined:

Instagram mistakes survey results graph

1. Hashtags
- Keep them simple and relevant. Typically this involves only one or two words.These allow other users to easily find your photos. If you upload a picture of an ice cream cone, you may want to hashtag #icecream instead of #icecreamyouscreamweallscreamforicecream!

2. Over-Posting
- We know you are super excited about whatever you are capturing. But more than a couple photos uploaded at once-relating to the same thing-goes against Instagram etiquette. Get one or two photos you are proud of and leave the rest for Facebook!

3. Selfies
- I am all for feeling great about yourself and showing the world your best smile, but sometimes a selfie is just unnecessary. Let's say you and your colleagues are attending a conference. Your followers would probably appreciate seeing a group shot of you standing in front of a banner or sitting at a table-rather than just your smiling face in a mirror!

4. Asking for Follows
- This may gain you more followers but not the quality kind. Plus it comes across as desperate. Your best bet is to have your employees follow your profile and followers will come organically through your network.

5. Last But Not Least: Food Photos
- Surely your company has more interesting things to post than just your lunch every day. Unless you are a chef or restaurant owner displaying your piece of work, I would abstain from food pics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8165607

Social Networking Tips: Using Pinterest And Instagram For Your Business

Pinterest facts

Pinterest is a digital bulletin board that users use to pin pictures on. Users can share diverse images ranging from trending shoes, to a cover for their favourite videogame, to a poster of a critically acclaimed art film. They can share literally anything of interest with others to see, like and pin.

Pinterest recently achieved 11.7 million visits in a month from the U.S. during February 2012, after nearly three years of existence. It has been declared the fastest growing independent website in the U.S. While only one fourth of the entire online population is aware of this site, 3% use it, but the ones who do use it, use it frequently. 50% Pinterest users log in everyday, while 60% anticipate using it more frequently in the future. 41% users pin business related content.

Instagram specifics

Instagram's image-sharing method is quite simple. Since it began as a phone app, it allows users to add all types of interesting filters to their photos taken with gadgets and lets them to share immediately on social networks like Twitter and Facebook. Instagram has remained consistent in its basic principles even after being bought by Facebook for $1 billion. However, it now allows users to create online profiles quite similar to Pinterest's boards. Instagram has approximately 15 million users with 400 million images so far. In contrast to Pinterest, only 31% Instagrammers log on every day, 40% wish to enhance future usage and only 35% share business-related content.

Pinterest versus Instagram

Based on the statistics, Pinterest appears to offer more benefits to businesses over Instagram. However, to understand the complete picture, a better understanding of both processes is essential.

Pinterest is based on manipulating people's desires to view images of things they wish to have. These online viewers see many images in a format suitable for browsing that is continuous, resulting in longer visits as they search for users with similar interests.

Instagram offers a personal touch as users upload images of things that provide a glimpse into their lives. Other users can comment and like these images and even follow the users. Images appear one at a time, unlike Pinterest and show in a feed in chronological order. There is no option to share or re-share images because of which visits tend to be brief, where people upload photos, view some others, like and post comments on some interesting things and then log out.

Pinterest facilitates product marketing with its concept of dream board in which people can pin things they have been aspiring to get. Once these users notice your brand has valuable pins, your products can spread throughout the online communities.

Instagram can provide your business a more personable identity. Sharing images of what goes on within your organisation makes people see the human side of your organisation. Also post product images, but in a context related to your audience.

Ultimately, you need to know your target audiences and what your business aims to achieve to choose the social media appropriate for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7653112

Instagram Video Feature: Adding a New Flavor

Instagram has long been popular amongst Facebook users. Rumors immediately started circulating as soon as the invitation started rolling about a big event to launch an idea. Everyone on the technology news media were speculating that Instagram and Facebook are about to announce about a takeover of Vine service. However, the service that is provided to Android and iOS users is about the latest version of Instagram 4.0 with the feature of Video.

Video Service on Instagram

Initially you need to install the update on your device. After the installation is done, an icon will appear on the screen. Instagram works by automatically loading the video once you stop playing it. You need to take action for downloading the video on your device. Additionally, for replaying the video you would need to tap on it as it would not replay in a loop like Vine does. You can click like and add comments on a video. Instagram allows you to view videos directly.

As far as recording a video is concerned, you need to take more than usual steps especially if you are addicted to Vine. Here is what you can do:

• Tap on the icon of Instagram video icon
• This will launch the video recording mode of the app
• Now you have 15 seconds to record a video as against 6 seconds against that offered by Vine.

Recording and deleting a video

The simplest way of recording a video is to tap and hold down the red camera icon until you want to record. A blue line at the bottom of the recording window will appear indicating progress of the video. If after recording a video clip you are not satisfied by results then to delete it you tap the X button, the clip will turn red, then tap the trash button to remove it. Start recording again, when you are done you can choose a filter by tapping Next.

Filters

This new updated version of the app gives you in total of 13 filters that are designed for video. This helps you choose the filter accordingly. Keep taping Next until you find the perfect filter that is required for your video. Additionally, you can choose to turn on or turn off the feature of Cinema for ensuring good video quality.

Choosing Cover Frame

You are allowed to choose a preview frame for your video called the Cover Frame. Select it by just sliding the box alongside the film length. This way you will be able to preview and discover various frames. You are offered a single frame that adorns your video and can be shared across your social network. By choosing appropriate frame, you will be able to gain instant hits and likes. After you are done, you need to share it across the network. The process involved is as easy as sharing a picture and adding a caption to it, this time it includes hash tags too. This will determine where you are about to share it. After sharing the video, it automatically gets stored in the Camera Roll if you are using an iOS device or in the Gallery if you are an Android user.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7951493

3 Steps for Effective Instagram Marketing

Instagram is increasing in popularity among brands as a powerful social marketing tool. People today enjoy being visually stimulated, which makes a social network that is solely based on image sharing so effective.

When you use social media to share images that relate to your business, you will forge stronger relationships with your current fans and customers plus broaden your reach to find new ones. Not only can you share pictures of your products and the people who work hard to keep your business running (even if it's just you and your pet ferret!), but you can encourage your customers to submit their own pictures of your products being put to use.

It is easy to lose track of time when you log in to your social media accounts. This is especially true with Instagram, where you can easily lose an hour just scanning through the wide variety of images in your stream.

Spending time online is important for your business, but if it's not productive time, then it is simply time wasted. Wasted time does not help bring in new sales. This is why you need to have daily goals for each of your social network activity like when you log on to Instagram.

Before you start your day, know how much time you want to allot to social media and each individual network. Stick with that time limit so that you can be sure you are getting the most important tasks done in your time frame and don't allow yourself to get sucked in to the rabbit hole that is the Internet.

Each time you log on to Instagram, make sure you are doing these three things to maintain a high level of efficiency to grow your brand presence:

Add to the number of people you follow

Give yourself about 10-15 minutes each day to start looking for Instagram users in your target market. You can do this by looking at who is following your competitors. Find people who are more engaging with the brands they follow since they are more likely to engage with you as well. Are they leaving comments and liking photos often?

Since social media is all about give and take, make sure that you are following a good number of other people and businesses and bloggers. Do your own fair share of liking and commenting as well.

Share your own content

Take 10 minutes a day to add new unique content to your own Instagram account. People want to see that you have a good amount of interesting content for them to look at if they are going to follow you. If they look at your stream and only see two pictures and nothing new added in the last month or more, they aren't going to see a reason to become a follower.

If you don't have any unique content to share, set up a time each day to simply focus on taking pictures to share. It can be shots of your products, your office, employees, etc. If it relates to your brand and business, take an interesting shot of it and edit it to your liking and share.

Be interactive

It's no surprise that when you have a social media account, people expect you to be, well, social. Don't simply sign up for an account and then wait for people to start following you.

To be successful in your Instagram marketing, you need to be actively engaging. Reply to comments left on your images, even if it's a simple thank you. Ask questions and encourage a dialog with your followers.

Visit your followers' streams and those of the people that you are following and like images and leave comments. Showing that you will be interactive with other users will go a long way in building your own brand's following.

Instagram will be around for a long time. To be the most effective, you need to be ready to spend time with your account and be productive with that time.

Is your business using Instagram to market your brand? How is it going?

Dawn Pigoni of Be Social Worldwide is a certified social marketing specialist and a social media virtual assistant. Dawn offers superb social networking, social marketing and social bookmarking to WAHMs, Small Business Owners, Internet Marketers, Affiliate Marketers, and Coaches who desire to bring stunning internet presence through social networking to their businesses. Get Dawn's free report, Social Networking today & see how she can assist you with being Social Worldwide!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8195873

5 Ways Instagram Helps Market Your Business

With its recent launch on Android last year, Instagram has seen a steadily growing popularity as a social network. It is an easy way for fans to engage with their favorite celebrities and brands in addition to their own friends and followers. Data from Instagram's press page shows that there are 1,000 comments and 8,500 likes every second and its 100 million monthly users are posting 40 million new pictures every day.

As a business, including Instagram among your social networking cache can be a huge boost in forming bonds between your brand and your fans. You can use it as a platform to introduce new products and promote your existing ones to your target audience.

There are several ways that you can use Instagram to help market your business in order to grow loyalty from fans and gain more exposure for your brand:

Photo Contests

If you want to see a quick spike in followers on Instagram, holding a contest is the way to do it. The key, though, to keeping those followers is to encourage engagement. You can offer a prize of one of your own products and ask followers to post a photo of their own marked with a unique hash tag or company name.

Create a contest and offer prizes that make sense for your business. You want to promote your own products and not someone else's. So, while you could definitely see a huge increase by offering an iPad as a prize, you will only be earning short-term followers.

If you are a custom jewelry designer, offer one of your pieces as the prize. For the contest, you can ask followers to post a picture of them wearing their favorite accessory. Remember, the goal is to build a strong fan base, not to just give away expensive gifts.

Photo-a-Day Engagement

Something that has grown in popularity with Instagram is the "Photo-a-Day" Challenge. Many bloggers and businesses will create new lists and post them at the start of the month, encouraging followers to create new photos every day. You can easily find samples of these photos a day lists online to get some inspiration. You can also tie a contest in with these challenges to gain even more exposure for your brand.

Unique Hashtags

Twitter has long-used the hashtag to make it easy for users to find tweets that refer to a specific topic. Instagram uses hashtags in much the same way. They make it easy for users to enter contests and for businesses to locate those entries. Find hash tags that fit with your business and any contests. You can find a list of the most current popular hashtags with sites like Top-hashtags.com.

Cross Promote

When you set up your Instagram account, it is a good idea to link up your other social networks to it as well. For instance, linking to your Facebook account and Twitter will allow your photos to be posted to those accounts automatically. This means increased exposure and higher user engagement.

Personalization

Instagram gives businesses a simple way to personalize their brand. It gives users an inside look at their favorite brands and celebrities. In addition to photos of your products, use this platform as a way to give your followers an inside look into how you operate. If your small business is in your home office, share pictures that shows your workspace, your cat included. If you are a larger business with a brick-and-mortar location, shoot a few pictures of your employees at work. Give your followers an inside perspective of how your business runs and you will create more of a bond.

Has your business been using Instagram to grow a strong following? What are some of the ways that you use the social network?

Dawn Pigoni of Be Social Worldwide is a certified social marketing specialist and a social media virtual assistant. Dawn offers superb social networking, social marketing and social bookmarking to WAHMs, Small Business Owners, Internet Marketers, Affiliate Marketers, and Coaches who desire to bring stunning internet presence through social networking to their businesses. Get Dawn's free report, Social Networking today & see how she can assist you with being Social Worldwide!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7762902