Looking to brand your business online? Make sure you’re on Instagram, the photo-focused social media platform where 300 million active users share and engage 70 million photos every day.

If you’re a local business owner, you might not know where to start when it comes to creating your first Instagram content. Here are a few ideas from established brands to get the creativity flowing.      

1. Leak a new product

Instagram is a great place to announce new products. One way to generate followers is to build a reputation for leaking new products on Instagram before any other channel. Buyers who like to be in the know will start keeping an eye on your account to get the latest information about your company.

2. Show your product in action

Show your product being used in a way that that reinforces your brand identity. Take this a step further by showing a novel use of your product that encourages people to use your product in a new way. Doing so may even convert consumers who didn’t realize they had a need for your product.

3. Show what you can do

Selling a service, rather than a product? Show people what you can do. This post by a moving company gives consumers a real-life example of what they can expect from from the service. Seeing that painstakingly wrapped heavy furniture hauled down a truck ramp is enough to remind anyone how nice it is to get help moving.

4. Show some personality

Instagram is an excellent place to craft your brand identity. But show some personality as well. The fact that the photo above doesn’t fit nicely with the coffee shop aesthetic makes it unexpected and helps it cut through the noise.

5. Comment on a current event

A timely post about a current event can spark engagement from people who might otherwise pass over your posts. The above post inserted the brand into the greater discussion surrounding the Super Bowl, at a time when the subject was top-of-mind for many. Talk about the things people care about, and they just may join your conversation.

6. Make yourself part of a local event

If you’re a local business, engage your community! Show that you care, as much as your customers, about things going on in your area. This post also reminds people of where they can buy the poster’s product while they attend the event being discussed.

7. Build anticipation for an event

Hosting your own event? Post about it as the event approaches to generate excitement and encourage attendance. Instagram can be used to build anticipation for just about anything: product launches, store openings—anything with a date.

8. Let people inside your company

Show people how your product is made or where it comes from. In addition to satisfying curiosity, letting people behind the scenes helps to legitimize your organization and gives depth to your brand identity.

9. Introduce your employees

Show the world that there are real people who make your company what it is. Humanizing your brand is a great way to build trust with consumers.

10. Encourage post engagement

Try posts that ask for user engagement to boost the reach of your posts. For example, this post asks users to identify the location of the photo. Many other options exist that you may recognize from other social media platforms. Ask for opinion: try showing an image of multiple versions of your product (different colors, say), and asking your followers which is their favorite. Or simply run a contest: offer a prize to one of the first 100 commenters.

This is just a small sample of how to use Instagram for business. If you need more inspiration, start following major brands to get an idea of what is possible, and check out others in your industry to get a feel for how you can create a unique voice that stands out from the rest. Good luck, and happy posting!

Want to learn more about how Qebot can help you grow you business? Check us out at qebot.com.

Author: William Hilton, COO, Qebot