Instagram is fascinating. It’s hard to remember what people did with their photos before the social media platform was created. In June 2018, Instagram reached 1 billion users. Only Facebook and YouTube have more users logging in. Its daily user count is impressive as well. Over 500 million people check in each day to view photos and Instagram Stories with snazzy filters.
Aside from the personal appeal of Instagram, it’s incredibly useful for brands. Of the top 100 brands in the world, 90 percent have a presence on Instagram. And it’s understandable why they wouldn’t want to miss out. Brand engagement on Instagram is 10 times higher than Facebook, 54 times higher than Pinterest, and 84 times higher than Twitter.
With these statistics in mind, there’s no question that your brand should be on Instagram. But it’s also clear that the competition is extreme. To stand out, you need an optimized profile that attracts users and entices them to stay. Here are five tips for perfecting your Instagram profile.
1. Choose a quality photo that aligns with your brand.
Your Instagram profile picture should represent who you are. Because a photo of yourself might look out of place, choose your company logo instead. People will see your logo and instantly recognize you. Plus, this helps you stay consistent across social channels. Make sure your image is high in quality, too. Instagram’s dimensions are 110×100 pixels on mobile devices.
2. Include a keyword along with your name.
When people search for your name on Instagram, they’ll enter in your company’s name. Therefore, the name you use on Instagram should be your real name and not your Instagram username. To increase searchability, add a keyword next to your name. This way, people who search for these keywords will find your account. Keywords can include hashtags, specific locations or other industry related terms.
3. Add keywords in your description.
Another place to add your keywords is in your description. This is usually the first place that people look to get a feel for your account and the posts you share. Make your description easy to scan by using simple keywords and emojis. Your branded hashtag also fits well here, as well as any other profiles or pages you want to be associated with.
4. Add action buttons and CTAs to your latest offer.
Action buttons connect your Instagram profile with other online services so that customers can complete an action without leaving your account. Action buttons are similar to CTAs, except they are more specific. For example, if you want to sell tickets to an upcoming seminar, you can sell them through Eventbrite. Or, if you want customers to leave a review, you could add a button through Yelp. You can also use CTAs to drive traffic to your latest content and offers.
5. Update your name, address and phone number (NAP).
Keep your contact info consistent with your other social channels and local directories. Tap Edit Profile and open the Business Information section. From here, you can update your NAP. The benefit is that these fields also show up on your Instagram bio, making it easy for people to get in touch with you. You don’t need to update all of your contact options, otherwise you could cut out important info in your bio.
A presence on Instagram is a must if you want your brand to remain competition on social media. With only a few seconds to make an impression, it’s important that your profile is well-optimized. By following the five tips above, you’ll be well on your way to getting noticed on this brilliant social app.
