Worldwide, social media has more than 2 billion users. This is almost 25% of the entire planet’s population!

If your target audience responds well to visuals (think cooking, travel, and fitness), then Instagram is an excellent platform.

Businesses are discovering Instagram as a hidden treasure.

Despite Instagram’s popularity, only 30% have an Instagram account.

This, if you think about it, is insane.

Even though Instagram cannot allow links to be included in posts, Instagram can still be a powerful way to grow your brand and increase traffic.

Instagram is a powerful tool for scaling and growing your brand.

Giving people a glimpse into your life is the best way to build your brand.

To allow them to get to know you.

Instagram is the easiest and best way to do this unless you are willing to spend a lot of time on YouTube.

How can you create a successful Instagram account to promote your brand?

What is the secret to success?

You can relax, take out a piece of paper and a pen, and I’ll show you.

1. Be authentic.

Do you remember the things your mom used to tell you growing up?

“Just be you!”

As a child, you probably didn’t believe her. Maybe you still don’t. She had a point.

B.S. can be smelled from a mile away. Even on social media, you can smell it from a mile away.

You must learn how to use Instagram authentically if you want to succeed in growing and marketing your brand.

“Authenticity” is a misused buzzword. Marketing is all about authenticity. There are many ways to prove authenticity. 

Instagram is a great place to begin.

You don’t like selfies? No problem.

If you love posting foodie pics, cool.

You can do it if you’re a gym rat who loves posting “swolefies”, then go for this!

As long as the post is authentic, there is no such thing as a “wrong” post for your brand. Except for “duckface” selfies. Anyway. That’s fine.

Remember that the goal is to allow people into your life, and to give them a glimpse behind the curtain.

Be yourself in your Instagram posts, and people will notice you and your brand.

2. Your posts should have a common theme.

Many entrepreneurs post all over Instagram.

They post about fitness one moment, then market the next and finally, they post pictures from a 5-year ago trip.

Although you have greater freedom regarding the topics of your posts when you run an account for your brand you still need a cohesive account.

Let me show you some examples.

Let’s suppose that you own an online gym.

After working hard for several years, you decide that it is time for some relaxation and to travel, taking in the rewards of your labor.

You have two options when it comes time to make a transition with your Instagram Marketing.

You can take tons of photos and videos, basically making your fitness page a travel gallery.

Or…

Keep your message consistent by combining your overarching theme (fitness), with this new section of your life (travel).

Showing off your skills while on the road @mikefitch

You can post photos of surfing using the hashtag “FUNctionalfitness”

This @fotoalexm photo would be perfect to spice up your exercise page

You could also do crazy handstands on beaches or at world monuments.

It doesn’t matter how you keep your pages congruent. What matters is that they are congruent.

While you can post occasional topic images, it is best to tie your posts back into your main themes.

3. Increase your blog’s visibility.

You should mention your website or blog in every post you publish. This will allow people to follow you up and hopefully become paying customers.

Instagram allows only one link. It must be in your bio.

Only one link

This may seem like a huge hassle, but you can still do it.

When you post a new photo, you should include a brief blurb about a promotion or giveaway you are running.

You should be able to get people to visit your website if your posts are of high quality and your copywriting skills are up to standard.

It is acceptable to include a link in your description that directs people to a landing page if you are running a promotion.

This is something I recommend you only do for a few weeks.

It can be tempting to keep pushing new products.

However, in the long term, your brand loyalty will increase if you send followers directly to your homepage.

4. Use geotagging.

Geotags can be a great way for your content to be shared and also connect with your audience.

Even better:

It is really… very easy.

Simply tap one button.

It takes only a few seconds and, if you use it correctly, opens the door to major restaurants, national parks, or business events sharing your content.

Your audience will be more inclined to reach out to you if they can see you.

Lunch with friends is the best way to build authenticity and strengthen your brand.

5. To improve your photos, use apps and not filters.

Instagram is all about beautiful photos.

If your photos are not good enough, no amount of hashtagging, geotagging, or authenticity will make Instagram successful.

But you also know what’s worse than a bad photo?

A bad photo has been covered with a worse filter.

It’s like having a bad tattoo, then covering it up with something worse.

Do not try to salvage photos that aren’t good or use cliche filters to ruin them.

Instead, you can download some apps that will enhance the quality of your photos and make things look “natural”.

Afterlight and FaceTune are great places to start.

You can also alter your photos by hand if you are tech-savvy.

6. All comments are welcome.

For those with thousands of followers, this piece of advice might not be possible.

You are unlikely to have reached the top if you’re reading this guide.

If you are generating a reasonable amount of comments (less than 50 per post), then I recommend responding to all comments.

Of course, the trolls are not included.

Even a simple thank you is enough to make a difference.

Engagement is key to Instagram’s success.

7. Other brands that have a large following should be included.

Promote other brands and companies on Instagram.

It doesn’t matter how many Likes you get on the post.

If the photo is of high quality, another company or brand may program it.

This will increase your reach, grow your following base, and give authority to your brand.

Win-win-win.

8. Make it personal with It

This is where the key lies: Instagram can help you grow your brand.

So get personal!

Professionalism is a must in most businesses.

Nobody wants to do a deal worth a million dollars with someone who is too personal for business.

Things can be different when you’re building your brand. You shouldn’t just share your life. It’s mandatory.

You don’t have to post anything unless you want to be personal. So post photos about your travels. You can transform your fitness. Photos of you and your partner. You can even take pictures of your dog.

Allow people to see beyond the curtain. Let them see the real you. You are only creating an Instagram account to promote another business.

Conclusion

Instagram can be a powerful tool if used correctly

It can be used to grow your business quickly and share your message with thousands of people.

However, you must first learn how to harness it.

These 9 tips will give you an advantage over your competitors (only 30% of businesses using social media have an Instagram account).

You must take action. These tips must be implemented. You must be consistent.