More and more business owners are finding that Instagram is a great tool to gain customers and promote your business. Using Instagram for business can be a bit different than utilizing other social networking sites because it’s strictly photo based. However, it can be particularly effective because users engage with the site 15 times more than with competitors. Because of this, it makes a lot of sense to use Instagram in reaching new customers and gaining recognition for your company or brand.

2 Steps to Promoting Your Business on Instagram

How exactly do you go about getting that sort of recognition on Instagram? Follow these 2 simple steps to success.

Step One: Create a Community Around Your Business

There are a few elements to building a loyal following of Instagram users. Particularly you should focus on timing and tactics to acquire followers.
Time Your Posts Well
To create a significant following on Instagram, you need to post when people are actually using network. You can install third-party tools and analytics to determine when your posts get the most exposure. However, some common sense can go a long way as well. People are generally more active on Instagram on Friday nights, the weekends and Monday mornings — in other words, times when people are out doing things or catching up on what others are doing. It is never a good idea to post in the middle of the night on weekdays.
Obtain Followers Strategically
To create an Instagram community around a business, first you need to get people to follow you. Two easy ways to do that are to send an email blast to your email subscribers, and putting a button your website that lets people follow you from there. It is also a good idea to advertise with authority figures in your business’ niche. While you may have to spend a little on advertising, you’ll make your money back when people see that you are associated with a niche authority and begin to follow your Instagram and eventually become customers.
Another way to gain a following on Instagram is to engage with people who follow other companies in the same industry. While this may seem to be a very shady tactic, there is no rule against it and many businesses use this strategy. With it, you can find followers who are interested in what you offer without having to spend anything on advertising.

Step Two: Focus on Conversions

Now that you’ve found some followers and started to engage with them, it’s time to turn them into customers. And here’s how:
Emphasize Social Proof
People tend to assume that others’ opinions and actions will lead them to do the right thing in a particular situation. This is known as social proof, and it is psychologically similar to buying something that a friend is familiar with. On Instagram, this translates to having as many posts and pictures of an item as possible. The more people enjoy an item so much that they feel compelled to post about it, the more likely it is to convert.
Highlight New Products
Posting on Instagram is a great way to let people know about new products you’re offering. By sharing a photo and a short description, customers can stay up to date with your latest wares without having to check the website. This can even lead to immediate conversions when new items are up for sale.
Focus on Scarcity
People are much more likely to want something if they believe that there is less of it. Because of this, it can be very helpful to emphasize the quantity of items available in Instagram posts. When people believe that something they want to buy may go out of stock soon, they are much more willing to purchase it right away.
While establishing a presence on Instagram that improves profits will ultimately take some time, it is definitely worth it in the end. All you need to do is properly implement a plan of action that will differentiate your company from the rest and gain followers. With this, you can easily see how to promote your business on Instagram and turn followers into customers.