Using Instagram for Your Brand

Normally, when I have read enough about a particular topic to draw conclusions, I compile an article with links to various sources, and give action steps.

However, with this Hootsuite article, there is not need.  It is 100% ready to rock, action steps and all.

To be fair, I have been using Hootsuite for 5 years now, so I am obviously a fan, however, it has only been recently that I discovered that the speed of change in social media actually outpaces the technology that supports it, so I have begun reading all of the tweets.  Wow.  Worthwhile.

Anyway, on to the article.  Rather than restating why you should read the article (Click here to read the article on Using Instagram for your brand,) this is their introduction:

If you’re reading this post, you’ve already realized one fundamental thing: Instagram is a critically important social network. The photo-sharing app is not only important for retailers, restaurants, or travel companies; as one of the most effective brand-building tools available today, Instagram is increasingly important for every kind of business.

Instagram is now a hub where regular people find (and judge) the visual identity of a business. Without a strong Instagram presence, companies risk being ignored or forgotten, especially among the next generation of consumers. Among American teens, Instagram is actually considered the single most important social network.

If you do take Instagram seriously, it can open up a world of opportunity for your brand. Forrester has named Instagram the “king of social engagement,” citing the fact that top brands’ Instagram posts generated a per-follower engagement rate of 4.21 percent. That means Instagram delivered these brands 58 times more engagement per follower than Facebook, and 120 times more engagement per follower than Twitter.

So, you now know why your business should be on Instagram. Below, we tackle the “how,” walking you through the process of building an Instagram strategy, setting up your account, and best practices for brands. Read on for our beginner’s guide on how to use Instagram for business.

If you want to know more, Click here to read the article on Using Instagram for your brand.

Issue 9 - Social Media Guides for Small Business

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A Beginner's Social Media Guide for Small Businesses - by Social Media Examiner - 

This is an article that is written for small business owners, about small business owners and in a language that assumes you are not an IT expert, yet is is surprisingly complete.  Some of the topics, but by now means all, are listed below:

• Why Social Media for Small Businesses?
• Do Your Homework
• Coordinate Your Social Channels
• Get Started, but Start Small
• Listen and Share
• Create Your Daily Plan
• Boost Results With Social Advertising

If you want to understand what all the Buzz is about, and how to create your own buzz, read it now.

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10 Ways to Make Your Small Business Social Media

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Activities Rock  - by the  U.S. Small Business Association - one of the traditional enemies of Small Businesses is government. No matter what side of that argument you stand on, it should be clear that the U.S. Government would know more about what makes businesses tick than the average bear.  This article is a collection of that wisdom, collected and presented in a way that is both useful and understandable to small business owners.

Not only do they give you 10 ways to make your social media ROCK, but they also have links to other useful information, including articles like: "8 Ways to Develop Online Content for Your Business – Even if You Hate to Write" and "Never Run Out of Blog Topic Ideas: Here are 36".

Two of the 10 ideas might strike a cord of fear or inquisitiveness: 

• Have an Authentic Voice
• Don’t Overly Automate

One of the mistakes that small business make, according to business publications, is jumping at the chance to "automate" everything, and that leads directly to having a mechanical or inauthentic voice.  The good news is, you can prevent it.  The bad news is, people will notice if you do not.  

Let the US Government teach you some tricks.

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