Your brand will set you apart from others in your field.
There are reasons to create an Instagram account for your brand. “Instagram is a free social networking service built around sharing photos and videos” (Stegner, 2021).
- We are living in times where the content we like to consume is highly visual. Instagram is a great place to showcase products and services that are visual. As you scroll through your newsfeed, you are probably viewing more products and services than you realize. Instagram is a popular platform for bakers, cosmetologists, artists, and fashion designers (just to name a few).
- It is easy for a user to find photos or videos they might be interested in. Simply entering what they are interested into the search bar will populate a whole list of visual content that is prevalent to what they want to see.
- Instagram makes it easy to follow accounts. Just a simple tap of a follow button.
- Through the content you post, you can easily share the personality of your brand. You may decide the pictures will all have the same type of vibe. Maybe you’ll find luck with Instagram Reels because you can talk about your brand and share your passion easily.
- Instagram makes it easy to see what others like you are doing. You can learn from those who are crushing and learn what not to do from those who need a little help.
Instagram Profiles Matter
Let’s review some examples of Instagram accounts that are in various stages of building their brand.
Lynsee Sharpe’s profile on Instagram.
Lynsee Sharpe (lynsee_sharpe) is an established hair stylist in Northwest Ohio. Lynsee utilizes her Instagram profile as the central hub for her business across the internet. Her profile shares with the world what is important to her: being a mother, a wife, and a stylist. It also has a link to the salon she works at, indicates she is accepting new clients, and relates to individuals how to contact her to schedule an appointment.
From reviewing her profile, we can see she has a large following. These are individuals who like what she is sharing on the social media platform. Lynsee showcases her work and a bit about her life. It is easy to understand who Lynsee is and what she is wishing to share with the world.
Additionally, Lynsee takes advantage of Instagram Stories and Reels. These are great ways to share her passion for health and beauty to the world.
Waterville Sweets profile page.
Now let’s take a look at a company that is just starting out, because remember, we all have a beginning. Waterville Sweets (watervillesweets) is a bakery in Waterville, Ohio. This bakery began late 2021. The owners primarily use Instagram to advertise and showoff their delicious desserts.
Given this is a company, whereas the last example was for an individual, we will notice some differences right away.
- Waterville Sweets has a brief description of who they are.
- They have their website listed.
Being that the company is new, they are doing a great job with a consistent presence and aesthetic of their treats. By remaining consistent, Waterville Sweets will surely grow their follower count quickly.
Instagram Posts Matter
Using the same two accounts, let’s take a peek at one of their posts more closely.
An Instagram post from Lynsee Sharpe.
In this post of Lynsee’s, she is showing off a haircut, color, and style. You can see by the dots below the picture there is more than one picture in this post. Additionally, we see she uses a lot of hashtags. By doing this, she is ensuring her picture will be found when people are searching those words (also known as keywords).
Upon further inspection, we see this post received several reactions and even a few comments. Lynsee has taken care to respond to all of the comments this post earned that are not spam (because of course there is spam, it’s the internet!).
This post receives a GOLD STAR from this marketer! Good job, Lynsee!
This post from Waterville Sweets is beautiful! It showcases their vibe and their delicious treat in the most beautiful way possible! The cake being
Waterville Sweets Instagram post showcase their aesthetic.
sliced into with the knife, the crisp white plate, marble counter top, and two glasses of champagne appeal to the eye. This post would definitely grab attention of not only a foodie, but an individual who enjoys beautiful pictures.
When we look at the description of the picture, we see what type of cake this is and how to order it. Both are important pieces of information. I would recommend adding some hashtags to ensure this post gets seen. Some examples of a good hashtag would be #lemonpoundcake, #bakery, and #dessert. When we look below the picture, we see the dots again. Waterville Sweets included multiple pictures of the cake, this is always a nice touch.
We see Waterville Sweets earned fourteen reactions to this post. That is really good for an account just starting out.
As you can see, both accounts are doing some great things given how established they are. And we only looked at the regular posts they have shared. Not even their Reels and Stories. I invite you to check them out on Instagram and join me in watching these two grow.
What do you need help with? Do you need content ideas? Help setting up your profiles? Let me know in the comments, I’ll be happy to help! And you never know, maybe what you comment will lead into the next blog.
References
Stegner, B. (2021, July 9). What is Instagram and how does it work? Make Use Of. https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-instagram-how-does-instagram-work/