Instagram for Business

How is Instagram being used for business

Putting a link in your Instagram bio is beneficial to your business. As people are skimming through your Instagram they are going to be curious as to where or what your business is, this is why it is important to include your website link within your Instagram’s bio.  Adding a link to your bio will add traffic to that website and allow the user to get the most out of their Instagram. Make sure that link is a track-able link to ensure you can follow the amount of times someone has clicked on the link or how many people a day have clicked on the link.

Having an Instagram makes people trust you and feel they know you on a personal level.  People will buy from the people they trust.

Because Instagram is such a simple and easy to use social media platform, it is ideal for business. This is because everyone can use it, every age, every interest, everyone.  When everyone can use something it opens up the potential for that something to be a prime place to sell a product or service. Almost every walk of life is going to be able to use Instagram and be able to see your products or services.

Instagram is entertaining. No one wants to sit and read a boring article about a business, they want to look at fun interesting engaging photos. Instagram provides that for your business.

Brands that use Instagram:

Ben and Jerry’s, they use Instagram to post mouth watering photos of their ice cream.  This is such a great way to get people to notice what they want them to notice.  They want to showcase their rich creamy ice cream with all different flavors and toppings. Instagram is perfect for them because it allows them to utilize the beauty of their product.

Starbucks, they utilize the ability to connect to their customers through Instagram.  They will re post pictures of users that posted pictures using the hashtag “Starbucks”.  This not only connects to the customer and makes them believe they have a chance at being something big like Starbucks but it gets their name out there.  Everyone person that posts that hashtag is adverting Starbucks.  This is a win win for Starbucks.

Christian Louboutin, the famous shoe designer.  Christian Louboutin has used Instagram to aso connect to his followers.  He does this by posting works in progress.  He will post a picture of a show that it in the design stages or that is maybe getting finishing touches added on to it.  This lets viewers see and feel what it is like backstage the shoe show.

Oreo’s, Oreo’s are a basic cookie but use Instagram to utilize the infinite cookies abilities.  They will post images of different crafts or creative things you can do with Oreo’s.  Different ways you can cut them or different toppings you can put on them, just fun interesting things people wouldn’t typically think with Oreo’s.

Social Media and Restaurants/Retailers

Social Media and Restaurants/Retailers

Restaurants:

1. Chop Shop is a health restaurant that serves fresh pressed juices.  Chop Shop utilized Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.  On Facebook they post the menu and special events.  Every Wednesday night Chop Shop with host a comedy show then post pictures on Facebook. On Twitter, a customer can post about their experience at Chop Shop.  If someone had a bad experience they can tweet to Chop Shop and they will receive a free gift card.  On twitter they also post about what new items they have to offer.  Chop Shop has very artistic looking food so they encourage customers to follow them on Instagram, so they can post what new and in season foods they carry and in what locations.
2. The Mellow Mushroom is connected through Facebook, Twitter, Pintrist, Instagram, Google+, and YouTube. On Facebook they post about new locations and new food items on the menu. They also upload the cartoon videos that they post on YouTube on Facebook as well. On twitter they ask customers interesting questions about the items on the menu in hopes to engage with the customers.  Instagram and Pintrist are used to post photos of the unique pizza the mellow mushroom has created.  Google + is used to connect on a business level.  People also use The Mellow Mushroom’s google+ page to post photos and write reviews on the pizzas.
3. Five Guys offers connection through Facebook and Twitter.  For both Twitter and Facebook Five Guys will post updates on specials and make tweets to celebrate holidays.
4. In and Out Burger, Facebook is the only way they stay connected. In and Out used Facebook to sell clothing to help promote the business.  The Facebook page has only young adults and teenagers, this is most like because they want to connect to the younger audience.  From my personal experience with In and Out, this has been working.  There are predominantly young people in In and Out.
5. Two Brothers Brewery utilizes Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.   Uses social media to connect with people that may be traveling.  Because they have locations in Wisconsin Chicagoland and Arizona, they reach a large group of people.  Two Brothers encourages customers to post pictures eating their food when they visit a new Two Brothers location.

Retailers:

1. Urban Outfitters, they use Instagram heavily.  Because it is a clothing brand that markets to young creatives, it is very popular on Instagram.  They use Instagram to promote their clothing by having hipster models wearing them.  Urban Outfitters uses Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pintrist, YouTube, Google+, Vine, and Tumblr.  Urban Outfitters aesthetic is all about Tumblr and Instagram.  They create this image of creativity and being a hipster by heavily using these social media websites.
2. Forver21 uses Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pintrist, and Instagram.  They use Pintrist to create “DIY” pins of outfits put together by Forever21 clothing.  Their Twitter right now is all holiday related.  They post pictures of the models wearing the new holiday clothing, not really twitting to anyone or responding to tweets.
3. Banana Republic has a Twitter, Instagram, Pintrist, and Facebook.  The Instagram is used to post creative pictures of outfits.  Not all modeling picture, they seem to all be monotone.  This is goo because it helped the customer visualize clothing being worn in an outfit.  Links are provided in the descriptions of these post so the customer can get inspired and then directly to the item and purchase it.  So Banana Republic uses social media to make a living and socializing website. They use social media to sell their clothes, but they do so in a more creative way that connects to the people on a deeper more relaxed level.
4. Victoria Secret, mainly uses Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pintrist, and YouTube.  Instead of just posting outfits on social media Victoria Secret posts the models doing everyday activities.  When they try to show off a new workout they will post models wearing the work out gear actually working out.  They make the photos look like selfies or relaxed photos that every average person can take.  This makes Victoria Secret more like the customers.
5. Aldo Shoes, uses Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Pintrist, and YouTube.  Aldo uses social media to show collections for either the seasons or holidays.  They show basic videos on YouTube of their collections of clothes, shoes and accessories.