Social media is the trump card that changed the expectation of customers with whom you do business. With a tap of a button on your Smartphone screen, social media takes you behind-the-screen lives of Celebs, Entrepreneur's even Politicians.

With social media, small business owners have more to do than you once thought. It is like putting a face to your business. You might have hit the three musketeers of Social Media – Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. You might think to have a rich social presence. However, you are not finished yet. Though, text-based information leads the digital market, but visual media is also becoming a way by which people can consume content online.

Instagram is a popular visual social site unlike other social platforms is a photo and video sharing platform, coupled with a variety of supporting apps. It is a platform providing exposure to small business owners.  Now Instagram is on Facebook, where you can easily set up an account, follow and get followed.

You will come across a number of ways to share photos and number of platforms for sure. However, looking into the behavioral pattern of your daily customers you will find that they are savvy with Instagram. Forbes claims that today 40% of the world's topmost brands are on Instagram. At present, Instagram have 100 million registered users say Business Insider.

Yet, why will you use Instagram, instead of posting images on Facebook? Instagram filter and allows giving your images a look and feel that matches with your brand. Not that, integrating Instagram images to the social media accounts is a simple task, but it's no doubt a big crowd puller.

Initially the big brand recognized the Instagram platform to promote their business visually. Now it's time for the small business owners to get more sociable with Instagram. How will you drive traffic with Instagram… feeling clueless? Here is a short guide for beginners to drive traffic to the small business websites.

• Instagram Teaches You How To Use Instagram

Instagram can teach you how to use Instagram… feeling confused. Instagram offers tips on brand spotlights and new on Instagram for Business, their official blog. You must check it out regularly to stay updated on everything about Instagram.

• Share Widely

As time goes by, you will find that you have gained a large number of followers on Instagram. (If you follow the right steps to gain followers, what are the right steps?) It works when you follow customers in return and pay attention to their other interests. This other interest may be good for you to tap customers showing interest in your business. Say, they express interest in attaining accounting services, you need to post images related to money, taxes, invoices, transactions etc. However, at times, the followers may also show interest in investment, stock market, and timesaving tax schemes. It will be helpful for the followers to find photos of old stock certificates, NYSE trading floor or tickers, business travel destinations etc.

• Save And Share Other's Post In Your Instagram Profile

When you come across hashtags that connect your business, you will likely come across some amazing videos or images that are informative, interesting or provocative. Reach out to that person who posted it on Instagram and seek permission to share content with your own followers. Piggyback enriched contents now!

• Make Videos On Instagram

Video on Instagram is giving a tough compete to Twitter Vine. The most notable 15 sec video feature is filter-enabled and has editable video function if compared to 6 sec Twitter Vine.

What will you share through the video? – Can create a unique brand experience, can highlight brand advocates, co-create content with your audiences, highlight a cause, preview products, through the video you can patronize brands, add visual content on upcoming product releases, share news, flag promotional awareness and make videos on fan appreciation. Create 15 sec magic and earn potential customers now!

• Blog Post The Instagram Videos

Instagram released a new embed feature for the web browsers in 2013. Why do they introduce it? Since, you are not aware who will share your video on social channels. Embed the videos in your blog or website to extend the reach of your content.

• Use Of Instagram Apps Makes Sharing Easier

In order to enhance photo-sharing experience on Instagram, you will come across some trendy apps on the Web. Gramgrab, Quickgram, Gramfeed, Copygram, Instagrille etc are apps that allow users to print images, search tags and keywords, get a subscription to Instagram profiles via email, and download Instagram photos in a single archive and many more functions. Use these apps to make Instagram a significant part of your social media marketing strategy.

• Move With Trendy #Hashtags

Search or #hashtags that are relevant to your business, this will help you to find out what people are talking about specific topics. Whenever you post something on Instagram, make sure you include one or two hashtags related to your business. People who are interested in your business can easily find your photos through those hashtags and will lead to Instagram posts and finally to your business.

FIVE KEYS TO UNLOCK RELEVANT # HASHTAGS

1. Select the keyword that a customer might type into search the relevant product/service
2. Make new #hashtags for every product, service, event or topic on which you post.
3. Keep #hashtags precise, sweet and easy to spell.
4. Create memorable #hashtags
5. Verify each #hashtags before you use it to make sure that they are not associated with negative contents.

• Include Brand Logo

In order to reinforce your brand, you should include the brand logo or some essential visual signs of your business in as many of the images you can. This will help your brand to get a better sweep and win potential customers.

Implement these ideas to gain profitable customers and small business lead through Instgramming in no time.


Author Bio
Felicia is a successful school teacher presently living and working in New York City. She also works as a freelance digital marketing strategist specializing in brand identity, social media management, web analytics, SEO, content strategies and more. Besides doing her work, she loves to spend time with mentally challenged children and helps them lead a happy life.