Your Instagram Business is longing to bloom and grow? We’ve got you!

Hey, hey, hey! Welcome back to the Ask MelRish blog! Want to know how growing your SME or Instagram business is beneficial? 

Well, for starters, it can help you reach a whole bunch of new customers and get your Instagram business out there. Plus, you can create a tribe of followers who love your products and services as much as you do. 

Instagram is also a fantastic platform for showing off your wares with eye-catching visuals and clever storytelling. And here’s the best part: all of that can translate to more traffic on your website and, ultimately, more sales for your Instagram business. You’ll also gain valuable insights about your customers and what they like (and don’t like), so you can make smarter business decisions. 

So don’t be square, get on Instagram and start growing your business today with 4 golden rules that we’ve rounded up for you!

Golden Rule #1:

Know your audience. Who’s your squad? It’s almost like having a secret weapon. Research their interests, behaviors, and preferences, and use this information to create content that speaks their language and wins their hearts. Keep your eyes peeled for who they follow, what they like, and watch their stories like you’re their BFF!

When you are aware of your audience it can help you tailor your content and marketing strategies to better meet the needs and preferences of your target customers for your Instagram business. When you understand who they are, you can create content that speaks directly to them, using the language, tone, and imagery that resonates with their interests and values. This can help you build stronger relationships with your customers, increase engagement and brand loyalty, and drive more traffic to your website. Additionally, understanding your target audience can help you make informed decisions about product development, pricing, and advertising, ultimately helping you to grow your Instagram business in a way that is more targeted and effective.

Let’s say you run a company that sells outdoor gear and apparel. By analyzing your website and social media analytics, you discover that a significant portion of your audience consists of young adults who are interested in sustainable and eco-friendly products.

With this info, you could create content that highlights the environmentally friendly features of your products, such as recycled materials or reduced carbon footprint. You could also develop targeted social media campaigns for your Instagram business, that focus on the interests and values of this audience, and use messaging that speaks to their concerns about sustainability and the environment. A total win!

Golden Rule #2:

Consistency is key. It’s literally the name of the game! Plan your content in advance and stick to a posting schedule that’s consistent and reliable. Your audience will thank you, and your followers will grow by leaps and bounds. Psst, here’s a secret, we use Notion to plan our content, you should try it out – did we mention it’s free? 

Well, it essentially goes like this: if you’re not consistently producing awesome content for your Instagram business, your audience is going to forget about you faster than a goldfish forgets its name. By delivering high-quality content on a regular basis, you’re building brand awareness, developing audience trust, establishing thought leadership, boosting your SEO, and generating leads and sales. It’s like a superpower, but instead of shooting laser beams out of your eyes, you’re shooting great content out of your brand! 

For example, you run a blog that provides tips and advice for small Instagram business owners. If you post new articles irregularly or infrequently, your audience may lose interest and stop visiting your site altogether. However, if you commit to posting new articles every week, you’re more likely to attract a consistent audience and keep them engaged over time.

By producing high-quality content on a regular basis, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry and build trust with your audience. You may find that your readers share your content more frequently, refer others to your site, or even become loyal customers. Isn’t that just convenient?

Golden Rule #3:

Engage with your audience to grow! Responding to comments, running contests, and asking for feedback are just a few of the ways you can build a strong community for your Instagram business on social media. So don’t be shy, get out there and treat it like a party!

When you engage with your customers, you’re creating a loyal fan base that will support you through thick and thin. You’re also gathering feedback that can help you make your products and services even better, and providing top-notch customer service that keeps your customers happy and coming back for more. A total plus is when your customers share their positive experiences about your work with others, you’re spreading the word about your Instagram business and attracting new customers left and right. And let’s not forget that by sharing your expertise and insights with your community, you’re establishing yourself as a profound leader in your industry.

One great way to look at this with a real-life example is, let’s say you run a coffee shop and you’re looking to build a stronger community around your brand. You might start by engaging with your customers not only on social media, through events and networking, or even by having your own loyalty programs for your customers.

By engaging with your community in these ways, you would be building a stronger connection with your customers, which would help to foster brand loyalty, generate word-of-mouth referrals, and establish your brand as a go-to spot for coffee lovers in your area.

Golden Rule #4:

Hashtags are a matchmaker for your content and your dream followers. Use relevant hashtags in your posts to increase your visibility, reach new followers, and bring your Instagram business to the masses. So go ahead, hashtag like a boss! #youvegotthis

Hashtags are a powerful tool for growing your Instagram business. These little pound signs are like magic wands that can increase your brand’s discoverability, boost engagement, and expand your reach to new audiences. By creating a community of users interested in your Instagram business and showing that you’re up-to-date on the latest trends and topics, you can position your Instagram business as a profound leader in your industry and increase its visibility. Just be sure to use hashtags strategically and not overdo it – too many hashtags can come across as spammy and decrease the effectiveness of your posts. So go forth, hashtag warriors, and conquer the online world with your brand!

And the last and final example: let’s imagine we have a small bakery called “Delish-MelRish Bakery” that specializes in vegan and gluten-free desserts. By using hashtags such as #vegandesserts, #glutenfreebaking, and #sweettreats, you can reach a wider audience of people who are interested in those topics. As a result, your posts may be seen by more people who are looking for vegan and gluten-free dessert options, even if they’ve never heard of your bakery before. I’m sure you know this!

Another trick up your sleeve is to use other relevant hashtags that are currently trending, such as #NationalDessertDay or #Veganuary, to increase your brand’s visibility and show that you’re up-to-date on the latest trends. Watch your reach soar!

To conclude, whether you’re a small Instagram business just starting out or an established one looking to expand your reach, Instagram is a valuable platform that can help you reach your marketing goals and achieve long-term success. So don’t hesitate to get started and start growing your SME on Instagram today!

We would love to hear your feedback and if you would like to book a shoot with us, feel free to drop us a message on our socials. See you next time!

*All images are sourced from Canva.