How to promote your online store through Instagramlaunchgrowjoy.com /how-to-promote-your-online-store-through-instagram/

This is a guest post by Melissa Camilleri, Founder ofCompliment, Inc. and the 21-Day Insta-course

As long as you haven’t been living under a rock thepast couple years, you’ll know that Instagram shouldbe a key component to your online marketing strategy,especially as a product-based business, where whatwe do is so visual!

Likely, you already have a presence on Instagram. Ifyou’re anything like I was when I first started using theplatform, your growth has been slow going and yourreach not quite multiplying in the way you see ithappening for other businesses. It’s frustrating to be inthis space. In fact, I know it well.

It took me one full year to grow my following onInstagram to 1,000. But, I was determined andfocused. I observed and took action. I put in placesome key strategies that took my Instagram from 1000 to 17,000 the following year. These days, I’madding an average of 1,500 new followers per month and get 70% of my website traffic and conversionsfrom Instagram. I’m selling five-figures month after month and my Instagram strategy is a large part of that.

I have no special photography or tech training under my belt. Just sheer will + an iPhone. There are somekey things you can do to make sure your efforts on Instagram are giving you a solid ROI for your time.

Here are four things you can start doing today to give you the foundation tostart actually making money on Instagram:

1. Show up consistently.

It is essential that if you have an Instagram account, you are posting at least once a day to maintain a partof the conversation. Posting consistently will keep you top of mind in your customer’s heads. Did you knowthat studies show that a potential customer has to interact with a brand a minimum of 7 times before evertaking action? The more you post, the quicker this will happen. I do suggest posting no more than 3 timesper day, with your posts at least 3-4 hours between posts. Anything more frequent will just clog yourfollowers’ feeds and get annoying.

2. Get social.

Interact with the people who comment on your photos. @Mention them back. Ask them questions. Shareyour gratitude. And don’t be afraid to leave comments on other people’s pictures, too. Be generous withyour likes. Follow back people who are consistently interacting with you. It’s called a social network for areason! Let people get to know you, and seek ways to get to know your followers.

3. Post with your ideal customer in mind.

What does she like about your brand? What is on her mind at the time of the day you’re posting? Whatdoes she talk about with her friends? Where is she when she buys from you? What are her dreams? Whatare her problems and how does your product solve them? When you write the captions of your photos,keep her in mind. Write directly to her. You’ll find that your engagement will grow authentically with peoplewho are excited about what you’re putting out into the world.

4. Understand that your numbers are less important than engagement.

The number of followers you have is definitely important. Followers act like little votes of confidence andgive your brand credibility. And because people do what they see other people do, the more followers youhave, the more followers you will get.

But, what good is a bunch of followers who don’t ever buy your stuff? (I’ll give you a hint: NO GOOD ATALL.) Numbers aren’t everything. Engagement is what matters most. By putting some key strategies intoplace (like the ones listed above) you can make sure that you are building trust and turning the followersyou do have into raving fans and customers.

Melissa Camilleri is the Founder + Creative Director of Compliment – a gift brand she launched in 2011while she was a full-time high school English and AVID teacher. She credits Instagram for helping her growher business from a production line on her dining room table to the socially-responsible corporation it isnow. At the urging of her business-owner friends who wanted to replicate her marketing success, Melissadusted off her teaching hat and created the 21-Day Insta-course to help others market their products,services, and brick and mortar shops. Tens of thousands have attended her virtual courses, participated inher workshops, and studied under her guidance. She believes we rise by lifting others. She lives and lovesin Northern California. Follow Melissa on Instagram.