How to Make Your Brand #Instafamous by Using Instagram

How to Make Your Brand #Instafamous by Using Instagram

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• BY JENN SCALIA
• IN GROW · MARKETING & SALES
• — 24 MAY, 2014

Photo: AG Jeans

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If you’re not using Instagram for business, you are leaving money on the table. Instagram is the hottest social platform and with the decreased visibility of Facebook brand pages, what better way to build your brand for free by having fun on Instagram and reaching thousands?

Photo: Entrepreneur, Jenn Scalia

 

True Story: Humble Instagram Beginnings

I’m no social media expert, but I would consider myself a social media junkie and the results I’ve gotten, using Instagram alone, have been nothing short of amazing. Here’s how I more than doubled my email marketing list, got paying clients, and found raving fans without spending a dime.

“I grew my Instagram following by over 12,000 in less than 6 months. The growth was 100% organic — I promise I didn’t buy a single Instagram follower.”In the summer of 2013, I decided to create anInstagram account of quotes, just for me. I wasn’t doing it for business, or to get followers or fans. I was literally just doing it so I had a place to consolidate all of the quotes I liked.

For months, I simply stored quotes there. I was often back and forth between that and my personal Instagram account. I was getting some followers, likes and comments here and there, but nothing major. I wasn’t strategic at all and my posts were totally random. By January of 2014, I had a little over 1,500 followers and I thought I was “big time”.

During this time, my business was ramping up and I decided to start using Instagram for business purposes. I didn’t really know how to start. So, I started out by putting my website link in my Instagram profile. Meanwhile, my coaching practice was growing and going into a different direction. I started to focus on a specific niche (something I neglected to do the previous year in my business).

So, I began posting targeted quotes with my core message (directed at my ideal client) and the response was unbelievable. I grew my Instagram following by over 12,000 in less than 6 months. The growth was 100% organic — I promise I didn’t buy a single Instagram follower. Not only that, but I doubled my email marketing list, created thousands of raving fans, scheduled dozens of consults with potential clients and actually got paying clients. Yes! All of this … from Instagram!

How did I (actually) do it? Here’s a list of tactics that fueled my Instagram awareness growth:

 

• Stay consistent.

  I posted often and kept my page relevant.

• Pick a niche.

  I identified my target audience and I stuck to it!

• Be clear.

  I developed a creative and super clear bio with a link to my site.

• Use hashtags.

  I used relevant and popular hashtags.

• Be original.

  I posted original quotes from my blog and ebook and then drove followers to a free download on my site.

• Create excitement.

  I launched free challenge and encouraged people to sign up on my website to get extra incentives.

• Stay engaged!

  I tried my best to respond to every comment I could.

• Follow other people.

  Trust me, it’s okay. Some people may never even know you exist if you don’t follow, like, or comment on their posts.

 

6 Ways You Can Become Instafamous on Instagram

 

1. Engage even more.

   Like, comment and follow other accounts you find interesting. This will make you relatable and real, not just another random Instagram account trying to get followers.

2. Do some market research.

   See what other people in your industry or market are doing right. See what’s getting a great response and what’s not. Pay close attention to what people with a similar message are doing and take note of which posts receive the most interaction, then post more of that.

3. Brand yourself.

   Be creative, be unique. Use branded content from your website or blog. It’s okay to repost things you like if it’s relevant, but the majority of your posts should be original.

4. Have fun.

   Post a healthy mix of personal, business, and random content. Be creative, think outside the box and do something new, different and unorthodox.

5. Use hashtags.

   Use a combination of relevant existing hashtags and unique hashtags you create solely for your business. Make the hashtag exclusive so you can stand out and reference your hashtags to see who is engaging with you and talking about your business or brand.

6. Create a call to action.

   Put a call to action (CTA) in every single post. Encourage followers to go to your site to find out more, to get something free, or to participate in something fun. In addition to your bio, put your URL in every single post. It won’t directly link, but the repetition of seeing it over and over again will encourage people to actually go there and check it out.

You don’t have to be  a certain type of entrepreneur to see results on Instagram. I was able to find a way to turn my service-based business into inspiration for thousands. No matter what business or market you’re in, you can utilize Instagram to build your platform.

So, what are you waiting for? If you haven’t already — get on Instagram and start building. It works. I am proof. Check out my Instagram page (@awesome_on_purpose) for inspiration on some unique things I did to get my fans talking and reaching out to me directly.

 

Jenn Scalia is a love and confidence coach at Awesome on Purpose, working with women who want to transform their outlook on relationships and love. She connects with her clients by being vulnerable and real. She is also the host of the podcast “15 Minutes of Flame” where she talks about love, life, relationships,dating, sex and everything in between. To find out more about the podcast and her coaching programs, visit www.jennscalia.com. Connect with @jennscalia on Twitter.