Becoming an Instagram Guru: Part 1

Instagram tips for Milwaukee business owners

What are the kids into these days? Instagram. The photo sharing social media platform skyrocketed in popularity not long after it was founded, and is still the fastest growing. It grew so quickly, in fact, it was acquired by Facebook a few years ago. That decision led to even faster growth among all different age groups, particularly teens and young adults. They now have over 200 million users!

To put it plainly, if you’re a small business owner looking to get in front of consumers, Instagram is essential – your clients are going to be there at some point. For the younger generations, it’s more common to see them using Instagram exclusively and not having a presence on Facebook and other platforms.

What should you post?

Staying true to your brand is incredibly important. Posting images and/or videos that showcase your product or service is the obvious answer. It’s a good idea to think about the quality of the content as well. Grainy, poorly staged, or text-heavy photos aren’t a great way to showcase yourself.

Don’t forget about hashtags

When you’re working to grow your following, hashtags are key! The hashtag is essentially a clickable search term that allows users to view a thread of photos that were posted with any given term (i.e. #hairsalon, #jacket, #milwaukee). It’s good practice to stick with more general hashtag terms if you’re just starting out, because you want to reach as many people as possible. It’s also a good idea to hashtag your brand name as well. For a more targeted hashtag, you could use your slogan – like Nike’s “Just Do It” or McDonald’s “I’m Loving It.” An important thing to note: punctuation will break a hashtag! If you want to say “you’re here” you need to write it as “#yourehere” not “#you’rehere.”

If you’re looking to get started with Instagram and need a bit of guidance, get in touch with us! Our marketing experts in Milwaukee will help you incorporate this social media channel into your overall strategy!