8 Simple Steps to Instagram Success

© 2019 Tree Ring • All Rights Reserved www.TreeRingDigital.com • Denver, CO

8 Simple Tips to Grow Your Business for Free on Instagram

1) Fill Out Your Profile - As you’re growing your

brand, most users are going to be unfamiliar with your business. The first thing they’ll notice is your Instagram profile picture. Then they might look at your Instagram profile, where they should find a comprehensive, but brief (150 characters) description of your business and a link to your website as Instagram doesn’t allow users to post links in photo captions or comments.

TIP: Include hashtags for keywords in your bio description.

2) Use Hashtags - Hashtags are the key to success.

Users click and follow hashtags that interest them to find related photos/posts. This is how they might discover your business and begin “following” you.

TIP: While Instagram allows 30 hashtags, it’s best to limit it to 10 or 15. Use a mix of popular and trending hashtags with targeted long tail hashtags, similar to long tail keywords used in Search Engine Optimization.

3) Add Locations - Users are able to search photo

maps to see where photos were taken. It’s been proven that photos with location tags receive 75% more engagement.

TIP: When posting photos taken at your establishment, be sure to tag your location so users know where they can purchase your goods/services.

4) Like and Comment - Building your brand awareness starts by engaging with others. Search

hashtags or find users with similar interests. Then, comment, like, and follow their posts. Most people tend to return the favor, which will increase your followers, comments, and likes on Instagram.

© 2019 Tree Ring • All Rights Reserved www.TreeRingDigital.com • Denver, CO

TIP: Only comment, like, and follow people you actually want to connect with and who would be interested in your business. Don’t engage just for the sake of gaining followers.

5) Notifications - Instagram notifies users of new profile followers as well as new post likes and comments. It’s natural instinct for users to click on the profile of those who are engaging with them that they don’t recognize. Once they get to your profile, they’re intrigued, look at your photos, and possibly even click your website link. If they like what they see, they’ll begin following you.

TIP: Comment on photos with 5 comments or less

for more impactful engagement. 6) Consistency and Timeliness - It’s important to

post frequently and consistently, just like you would with a blog or other social media platforms, so you can stay in front of your target audience. Users may see and like your photos, but if it’s been a month or more since your last post, they’re likely to forget about your business.

TIP: Spacing out your photos throughout the day and/or week prevents users from feeling bombarded, as they might unfollow you.

7) Share on Other Platforms - Instagram allows you

to link your profile to other social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. While not every image is ideal for every platform, it is important to share your popular image posts on your other platforms.

8) Engage Your Consumers - There are over 1 billion

users on Instagram, but do your clients know they can find you there? Encourage users to use your hashtag and/or tag your business when they’re posting photos.

© 2019 Tree Ring • All Rights Reserved www.TreeRingDigital.com • Denver, CO

How It Works Case Study 1 A user is actively posting photos of a climbing excursion and using hashtags such as #climbing #leadclimbing. A climbing apparel brand is following hashtags that include “climbing” and they like the user’s photo, which notifies the user that they have a new like. Intrigued by the business name, Boulder Denim, the user clicks on their profile, sees pictures of climbers in the business’s gear, and clicks the website link in the profile to learn more about the brand and products. Case Study 2 Standing at the bar, talking with a few friends, a lady is overheard ordering a drink. She asks the bartender if they still have a special eggnog drink. She didn’t know the name of it but saw a picture of it on Instagram. Said it looked delicious and stopped into the bar specifically to try that drink. Instagram sparked this patron’s interest enough to visit and purchase a drink. She will undoubtedly post a picture of the drink to Instagram, thus increasing the brand’s exposure to not just her friends, but others with similar interests. Those who overheard her might be interested in the drink and she’ll also tell her friends, which will generate even more potential customers. Case Study 3 A couple is sitting at a local burger joint called Burger Queen. They see a tabletop menu listing the specials and order the Burger Built for Two. The couple is so impressed with the size of the burger when it arrives, the first thing they do, before even taking a bite, is to pull out a phone and snap an image to share on Instagram. They include #burgerqueenspecial because they notice that hashtag listed next to the Instagram icon on the tabletop menu. Now, all of their followers will see an image of Burger Queen’s unique offering and click on the hashtag to see even more mouthwatering photos of Burger Queen’s specials, leaving everyone suddenly craving burgers. With so many users on Instagram, it’s likely your customers are there. Let them know you’re on Instagram, too. Post the Instagram logo and specific hashtags on menus, business cards, and marketing materials so customers can help you attract new followers, expand your reach and gain exposure.

© 2019 Tree Ring • All Rights Reserved www.TreeRingDigital.com • Denver, CO

Tools for Efficiency

Crowdfire is a great tool to help grow your Instagram following tremendously. You can even find "followers" who don't technically follow you but are engaged with your Instagram feed. (Website and App)

Hootsuite allows you to schedule out posts, freeing up your daily schedule and improving consistency. Instagram doesn’t currently offer the ability to schedule posts, making this tool especially helpful. (Website and App) Webstagram is great for locating trending hashtags and researching popular hashtags related to your business. (Website)

Repost makes it easy to repost your favorite photos & videos on Instagram, while giving credit to the original Instagramer. This is helpful to fill in those gaps when you don’t have anything new to post. (App)

Later is a simpler way to plan & schedule Instagram posts from both mobile and the web. (Website and App)

Display Purposes gives you a bit more control over the hashtags you select for your post. You start with a keyword or an existing hashtag, and it will recommend additional hashtags to use on your image. (Website)

Interested in other ways to double your online presence, visit TreeRingDigital.com today!

Bonus!! Create Jaw Dropping Photos

Capturing user’s attention and gaining new followers begins with stunning photos. Yet, not all of us are professional photographers. Here are a few tools to easily create engaging photos.

Adobe Spark creates impactful social graphics, web pages, and short videos in minutes. (App)

© 2019 Tree Ring • All Rights Reserved www.TreeRingDigital.com • Denver, CO

Toolwiz Photos takes the existing Instagram filters to a whole new level. It’s easy to use, and just as easy to get lost in with all of the fascinating and creative features it has to offer. Add textures, filters, and (App)

Canva offers pre-designed templates with text, which you can edit to fit your needs. Having a sale? Choose one of their templates, upload a graphic, modify the text, and you’re ready to go. Their templates and your imagination make the opportunities

endless to attract new customers. (App) Boomerang takes your images one step further and creates one-second videos (GIFs). The animation attracts the user to look at your post a little longer. (App

You don’t need to use all of these photo editors, but find your favorite. Each has their own benefits to attract new viewers depending on your business and goals.