Seven Ways To Leverage Instagram For Small Business Success

There is a common misconception among the business world that video content marketing is an expensive and time-consuming endeavour. Yet with a little know-how and Instagram’s free video capabilities, you can produce fascinating, informative and entertaining videos for next to nothing and share them instantly on your social media networks.

Instagram started life as a photo sharing service, but incorporated video in the middle of 2013. The fully loaded video service allows users to record, upload and share 15-second video clips. They can also be edited on Instagram and have filters applied to give normal cell phone quality footage an epic cinematic quality.

When you’ve got a new product coming out, shoot a little sneak preview to whet the audience’s appetite. It’ll help create a sense of excitement and expectation. You may even generate some pre-orders!

Here are a few tips to help you capitalize your business presence on Instagram:

1) Film video testimonials - satisfied customers are among the most powerful marketing tools so ask some of yours to film short video testimonials. Positive reviews are marketing gold that will encourage others to buy. You can shoot the short video yourself on a phone or tablet computer or ask your customers to film their own testimonials. Once you have them, upload to Instagram and share with your crowd

2) Compile portfolios of your work - no matter what industry you’re in, whether you’re a gardener creating a new landscaping plan or a bakery showing off your latest cake creations, film the best examples of your work. Send them to your followers and upload them to your main website.

3) Show comparisons - is your product head and shoulders better than your nearest rivals or the industry standard? If so, prove it by pitting them against each other.

4) Be more visible - customers love to see who’s behind their favourite brands. Shoot a series of  behind-the-scenes videos that show your staff at work Try using a short weekly or monthly message where you highlight some of the exciting things you think your customers need to know. You could also spotlight your team members and some of the great projects they’re working on.

5) Create quick tutorials and DIY videos - 15 seconds may not be a lot of time, but that doesn’t have to stop you from creating short, punchy videos that resonate with your followers. Perhaps you could turn your FAQs into short video explanations. You could even ask the audience to send their videos of how they use your products, and post and share the best ones.

6) Don't forget Facebook - videos and photos inspire the most comments, likes and shares on Facebook so make sure you share your Instagram videos with your Facebook followers.

7) Be creative - don't be afraid to break out of your zone. Try something new. Get inspired!

What do you think? Do you see a tip that will make a difference in your marketing? Tweet m3 your thoughts at @misstrendchaser or leave them below.

Why Social Media Is Here To Stay

The funny thing about social media is that, unlike traditional marketing campaigns, there is no beginning and there is definitely no end. Campaigns are limited because, at some point, the postcards will stop being delivered and the commercials will stop airing. There is a sunset on campaigns if you will, while social media provides endless opportunities to get your brand out there.

Here are a few reasons why social media marketing is here to stay:

1) Social Media Is a Function, Not a Campaign

Too many freelancers think of social media as a campaign, something that will be turned on then turned off at a later point. Social media needs to become another department in your organization—whether you develop it in-house or contract it out.
 
2) You Wouldn’t Just Stop Doing Accounting

If you think of social media in these terms, then you already get it. Platforms may come and go (remember Myspace?), but the act of social media marketing is here to stay.
Many consumers use social media to evaluate your entire business. Have less followers than your competition? There must be something wrong with you. Don’t have as many likes as the company down the street? You must not be worth doing business with.
 
3) Timing Is Everything 

 The problem with social media and your business is this: The longer you wait, the longer you think that social media is just a fad—the sooner your business is going to go under.
Let’s jump into our time machine and go back 10 years. You put off the idea of getting a website because you thought the Internet was a fad. You assumed that your clients or customers weren’t online. You were wrong.
Once you stop measuring the impact of social media in days or weeks or months, and start appreciating what it can do for you in the years to come, the better positioned your business will be to survive. 

What challenges and opportunities do social media present for your organization? Share your thoughts with me in comments.