Creating a cohesive brand and profile for your small business on social media can help increase your reach, attract new customers, and engage with your existing followers. Here are the top ways to create a cohesive brand and increase your following on Instagram:
Step 1: Define your brand identity Your brand identity is the personality of your business. It includes your mission, values, and unique personality. When defining your brand identity, consider the following questions:
What are your business's core values?
What is your business's unique personality?
How do you want your business to be perceived by others?
Once you have a clear understanding of your brand identity, you can use this information to guide the tone and style of your content and maintain consistency across your social media platforms.
Step 2: Choose the right platform Different social media platforms have different audiences and uses, so it's important to choose the platform that is most appropriate for your business. Instagram, for example, is a visual-driven platform that is ideal for businesses in the fashion, beauty, food, and travel industries. Facebook, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive platform that is good for businesses in a variety of industries, including B2B businesses.
Step 3: Establish your aesthetic The visual aesthetic of your Instagram profile is crucial for building a cohesive brand. This includes choosing a color scheme, font, and overall look and feel for your profile. Your visual aesthetic should be reflected in your posts, stories, highlights, and even your profile picture. Having a consistent aesthetic will help your brand stand out and make a lasting impression on your followers.
Step 4: Create valuable content The content you post on Instagram should be relevant to your target audience and add value to their lives. This could be in the form of tutorials, behind-the-scenes photos, or promotions. Consistently posting high-quality content will help you establish a strong presence and build trust with your followers. When creating content, consider the following:
What are your target audience's interests and needs?
How can you provide value to your audience through your content?
Step 5: Engage with your audience Engaging with your audience is an important part of building a community on Instagram. Responding to comments, answering questions, and sharing user-generated content are all great ways to engage with your followers. This will help you build a relationship with your audience and keep them engaged with your brand. When engaging with your audience, consider the following:
How can you make your followers feel valued and heard?
What kind of content do your followers enjoy interacting with the most?
Step 6: Use hashtags and geotags Using relevant hashtags and geotags can help you reach a wider audience on Instagram. Hashtags make your content discoverable to people who are interested in the topics you're posting about, while geotags make it easier for people to find you when they're in your area. When using hashtags and geotags, consider the following:
What are the most popular and relevant hashtags in your industry?
How can you use geotags to connect with people in your area?
Step 7: Collaborate with other accounts Collaborating with other accounts, either within or outside of your industry, can help you reach a new audience and build relationships with other businesses. You can collaborate by hosting a giveaway, doing a shoutout, or creating content together. When collaborating with other accounts, consider the following:
Who are the most relevant accounts to collaborate with in your industry?
What kind of collaboration will add value to both your audiences?
Step 8: Utilize Instagram's features Instagram is constantly adding new features, so it's important to stay up to date on the latest tools available to you. For example, Instagram's IGTV feature allows you to post longer-form video content, while Instagram Stories can be used to share behind-the-scenes content or promote your products. Utilizing these features can help you reach a wider audience and keep your followers engaged with your brand.
Step 9: Post regularly and at optimal times Posting regularly and at the right times is important for building a strong presence on Instagram. Research has shown that the best times to post on Instagram are on weekdays, during lunch hours and after work. Posting regularly will help you stay top of mind with your followers and keep them engaged with your brand.
Step 10: Track your results Tracking your results on Instagram is important for understanding what's working and what's not. You can use Instagram's built-in analytics to track your engagement, reach, and followers. You can also use third-party tools, such as Hootsuite or Sprout Social, to track your performance and make data-driven decisions about your content strategy.
By following these steps, you can create a cohesive brand and increase your following on Instagram. Remember, building a strong presence on social media takes time and effort, but the results will be well worth it