How to Curate a Strong Brand Identity on Instagram
Recent data shows that Instagram has 800 million active users worldwide. The photo-sharing platform, owned by Facebook, is now the world’s third largest social media network (behind its parent website and YouTube). Lately, Instagram has introduced an increased number of ‘recommended posts’ to its algorithm, which shows more accounts that it thinks individuals will like on their feeds.
Therefore, there has never been a better time to master the art of Instagram marketing. With more followers, comes more likes, more suggestions, and more exposure to a network of potential customers. Get your grid looking glorious and watch as your sales skyrocket.
In this article, we show you how to consolidate your brand identity across various channels: from your website, and even your physical premises, to your business’s Instagram.
1) Logo & Brand Design
Do you have a strong, attractive brand logo, font and color scheme? This is the first and most important step to consider. Instagram is a visual platform – everything must be aesthetically pleasing.
If you don’t feel your brand design is eye-catching, consider contacting a specialist design team with experience in marketing, concept-building and brand identity, like Rouge-Media.com. They will deliver an exceptional finished product, as well as offer valuable advice in the field.
2) Display Picture & Posts
Once you’ve got your visuals, you need to apply them. Use your logo as the display picture, and carry your color scheme throughout all your posts. Keep in mind to curate a strong ‘theme’ throughout the pictures you post. Use the same lighting (bright, ideally natural), and always the same filter, if you use one.
Obviously, ensure your photos are of professional standard. This doesn’t mean you have to hire a photographer, just eliminate any blurry, off-brand, or amateur-looking pictures. Symmetry helps when building a grid that’s pleasing to the eye.
3) #Hashtags Are Your New #BFFs
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post – but users find that pretty spammy. We recommend about 10 strong, relevant hashtags per post. How do you find the best ones?
First, search to see how many posts use that tag. The more, the better. (But also, it doesn’t hurt to use a few that are a little less common, to diversify your search hits). Then, check out tags your successful competitors are using, and tags used by people/brands whose feeds are #goals. You may find the site hashtagify.me useful – search for your desired hashtag and it will generate other relevant, popular tags you could also use.
ALWAYS hashtag your business’s name and type of company first! For example: #RougeMedia, #DigitalMarketing. After that, use additional tags that describe your photo.
4) Comment Away
Get more relevant traffic from posting in the comments section of related businesses, brands and influencers’ photos. Leave compliments and praise only! When fans of these brands click your profile and identify you as a similar business with a high-quality feed, you’ll likely get a follow.
5) Update Your ‘Website’ URL
You don’t always need to set the URL in your bio to your website’s homepage. If you create an important new website update, release new products, write an interesting blog post, or even a post a video, set it as your featured URL and let everyone know with a relevant Instagram update.
6) Tell Your Story
Instagram Stories are a great way to promote posts or just share snippets of a day-in-the-life of your company, especially ones that aren’t important enough to post on your grid. Stories gain thousands of viewers, so don’t be shy to use it! Add fun filters, stickers, and doodles while you’re at it.
7) Post Prolifically
…But not three times a day. Once a day is great to remain at the forefront of your customers’ minds, but it doesn’t have to be this often. When your brand is big enough, social media marketing is a full-time job. Consider hiring a trained social media manager if you’re finding it tough to juggle virtual updates with the daily running of your business.
Currently, only 28% of marketers use Instagram for marketing purposes. Get in there before other people jump on the bandwagon and enjoy all the benefits that this free method of marketing can bring your business.
We hope you found this promoted post as entertaining and informative as we did!
