Promote Your Brand Using Instagram

In today's business social marketing platforms are crucial tools for any small business. And there is no doubt that social networking is an important weapon in your arsenal.

While Facebook and Twitter has always been the giants, the world of social networking is constantly evolving; thus we're now seeing smaller and newer networks such as Instagram has some great opportunities to offer.

If you don't already know, Instagram is a photo sharing application, with a social networking component. Since pictures are easy to take and have a low barrier of entry, they also make it a wonderful tool for promoting your brand without a ton of work.

If you're planning to use Instagram to promote your brand; here are some effective ways to use Instagram:

1) Show off your products.

A picture is worth a thousand words. We all know this quote and Instagram is the perfect practical application for promoting products with visual appeal. For some brands Instagram is used much like a catalog. All you find on their profile are photo products. While that can be effective, a better approach is to demonstrate your products in action.

For example, cosmetic companies could showcase customers using and wearing your products. These photos help the customer visualize himself using your products.

2) Demonstrate the end results.

With some products, the customer is only interested in the final visible results they will get. Weight loss products, for instance, are a classic example. Try taking pictures before and after using weight loss products; this will help you to accelerate building your brand.

3) Liven it up with your personality.

If you have a business that provide a service or something that isn't easily photographed, nor look appealing when photo graphed, that doesn't mean you can't use Instagram. Take and use photos that showcase your human side. These can be photos of you and your team in action. It doesn't have to be serious all the time either. Add a fun or thought-provoking caption to these photos. Finally, don't forget, post photos of your employees or clients along with brief profiles.

4) Get your community to help.

One of the very useful tactics to use on Instagram is photo contest. These are great for getting noticed on Instagram. First, come up with a theme. Next, ask users to post images using a unique hashtag. Whether you offer a price or feature the best photos on your site is up to you. Although one would think you'd get better traction with a prize. For some businesses the idea of running a contest isn't affordable. In this case I would rather suggest sending emails to your customers asking them to show you a photo they took using your product. Give them a mention and shine the spotlight on them. This helps create a better connection between you and your customers and takes almost no time or money.

Unlike many other social networks, Instagram is among the few that doesn't require a large amount of time or commitment. Do you already use Instagram? Show us how you do it. Share your best photo.