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A way to attract customers by being where

they already are online, including Instagram.

Allows sellers to increase sales and reach new

customers by extending their online

footprint.

Instagram, which initially built itself around photo-sharing, has grown to be a staple in successful e-commerce.

◦ Growing audience. Instagram currently the fastest-growing social network.

◦ Creative product marketing. Instagram gives you more flexibility to reach customers with funny and unique marketing strategies.

◦ Instant updates on promotions and offers. Simply snap a photo and describe your new promotion or offer.

If you don’t currently have an Instagramaccount for your business download the app for your phone.

Choose a username that is recognizable. ◦ Ideally, your username is the same as your

business name making it easier for customers to find and follow your business.

When filling out your profile, make sure to keep the biography brief and don’t forget to link to your business website.

Cross promote to any other social networks where your business has a presence.

Include an announcement at the bottom of your newsletter.

Find and build relationships with social influencers in your industry. ◦ Provide incentives for social influencers to post images

of them using your product (find out how Soldsie can connect you with social influencers).

Use geotagging to put down roots in your community as well as find customers who have visited your business. ◦ Take a photo and tap “Name This Location”.

◦ Once your photo is live, tap the location name to see photos tagged with the same place.

◦ Follow notable fans, comment on pictures, and engage your online community.

Leverage hashtags to expand your reach.◦ Use Websta or Populargram to find popular hashtags

related to your niche.

Hashtag ideas to build your following:◦ Use hashtags to find like-minded

people to follow.

◦ Try hashtags about huge events (#WorldCup or #Superbowl2014).

◦ Organize Instagram contests.

Example: Ben and Jerry’s #CaptureEuphoria

Users respond to beautiful images so make use of photo apps/filters to jazz up your pictures and create a consistent aesthetic.◦ VSCO allows you to create photos that mimic film.

◦ Pic Stitch allows you to create a collage with over 230 different layouts.

◦ Whitagram fills photo background with white space allowing you to upload photos in their original aspect ratio (Instagram default is a square aspect ratio).

◦ Over allows you to overlay images with text (think motivational or thought-provoking quotes) and artwork.

“Instagram is the preferred channel for some of our fans. We saw a different type of response here when we put up some of our most popular products-it was a much more leisurely shopping experience, and fans loved it” - Corey O’Loughlinand Nina Vitalino, Co-Founders of Prep Obsessed.

Once you’ve built a loyal following on Instagram, it’s time to plan your first campaign! (Using Soldsie you can directly sell on Instagram).

• Post compelling products for sale - ideally cost is less than $50 per item.

• Post one item at a time and no more than three a day – it’s important to strike a balance between selling and posting engaging content.

• Announce your sale – get the word out about your Instagram sale by utilizing all your marketing channels.

• Build a buzz – post sneak peaks, create short videos, or run promotional contests to build buzz around Instagramsale.

Ensure a smooth sales experience with the following steps:

1. Guide your customers - monitor your sale in case of questions or concerns from your fans.

2. Use analytics - Iconosquare or other apps can give you insights about your followers, best times to post, and your best performing hashtags on Instagram.

3. Debrief – Using analytics, assess how your sale went and adjust accordingly to ensure continued success.

Luxury jewelry designers Lulu Frostcreated an exclusive Instagram sale to celebrate the launch of their Flora Fauna collection at NYFW.

◦ Using Soldsie, Lulu Frost offered a bracelet, necklace and earring style from $188 to $350.

◦ The sale invited fans to join Lulu Frost at NYFW through social media.

◦ Using Soldsie’s app on Instagram, Lulu Frost was able to complete several thousand dollars in sales as well as register loyal fans as customers.

Social Media Today: Independent blog managed by industry professionals that contains insightful posts.

Boom Social: Kim Garst’s blog offers practical and quick tips on managing your social media outlets.

Jon Loomer: Resource for those looking to improve on their Facebookmarketing skills.

Splash Media: Get advice on online brand marketing from industry experts.

Hootsuite Blog: Aside from being a great tool to manage all your social media accounts, Hootsuite also offers insightful knowledge on their blog to help you stay on the cutting edge of social media.

Soldsie: Aside from giving you the ability to sell on Instagram and on Facebook, we also offer insights to best practices for social commerce, small business tips, and other useful information for online sellers.

Lighting: Even, natural lighting is ideal to avoid harsh shadows.

Angles: The mobility of a camera phone allows you to grab moments of spontanaeity. Shoot at unusual angles to create interesting, engaging shots.

Caption over photos: Add motivational or thought-provoking quotes to your images to increase engagement

Demonstrate fit: When selling clothes, use live models or mannequins so potential customers can see how the clothing fits.

Sell Out Completely, Without Overselling Manage your inventory and product list Accept pre-authorized payments so that late-payers and

cancelled orders won’t hold up your inventory.

Leave the Posting, Invoicing and Payment Reminders to Us

Real-time, automatically-issued invoices make sure every comment gets an invoice as they’re made.

Schedule reminder emails to get more payments. Schedule your auctions ahead of time – anytime – from

anywhere.

Shopper-Friendly Features Help to Grow Your Business and Establish Your Brand

Create and manage coupon codes. Accept credit card payments. Customers don’t have to leave their email addresses in the

comments – it protects their privacy. Customers can select add-ons at checkout.