Introduction to the tool
Instagram is a social media tool where you can post videos, photos and reels, it can be used for connecting with friends, persons of interest or as it is in this case, using Instagram to work and market your business.
Using Instagram in the tourism industry and finding your target audience
Instagram is a great tool to show potential customers what kind of services do you provide. It helps you to be more in contact with the costumers and easier to respond to costumer feedback and questions.
You can choose if you want it to be personal account or business account either right in the beginning when your making the account or later in the settings. In the business account you can put information of your company example location, your website and phone number.
The content you load to the account depends on what is your idea of what costumers are looking for and what you want to achieve. It also reflects how you want your business to be presented.
It might take time to find your own thing and what to post, you need to check what the demand is and how your followers are reacting for example what post gets likes and shared.
How to start using it
Now that you know a little bit about how Instagram can help your business, it’s time to find out how you actually use it!
Your first step is to create your profile. If you haven’t yet created a profile, follow these few and easy steps to get started!
Great! Now that you’ve created your profile, you might be wondering on the basic functions of Instagram. Watch the video below to learn about basics
Now you’ve learned how to navigate around Instagram, and how to see posts by other people, watch next this short video below on how YOU can make a post.
Communication with your followers and potential customers
Now you’ve learned how to start an account for your business on Instagram and how to create posts on that account. Now it’s time to learn what are the basics of good communication on Instagram between you and your account’s followers.
Basis for good communication is formed for example by:
- Making connections quickly by liking or commenting.
- Introducing and maintaining the character of the company in discussions
- And by tagging your commenters who you are chatting with, so remember to mention customers and corporate partners!
While communicating with your followers, use simple language and avoid difficult expressions or slang words so the customers understand what are you talking about. When discussions keep on going in the comments remember to move, especially negative ones, to a private conversation between you and the customers also known on Instagram as “direct messaging”.
In business, it is also beneficial for the company to take note on what are the most asked questions of your customers so you can create quick answers for them. This helps a lot with customer communication.
What kind of metrics does the tool offer?
The tool offers different types of metrics that offer useful information for your business, like the amount of followers your business gathers, how many followers your competitors have and also information on product popularity can possibly be assessed by the amount of likes a photo from a new product receives.
Special tips: biography
Instagram biography should have personal touch in it, but it should also cover all the basic information. Biography’s basic information should include location, email and the business website as a link or to the reservation system. Don’t use too much emojis or make the text too long, keep it simple.
Examples of successful Instagram business profiles
You’ve now learned how to use Instagram for your business! For further inspiration check out the accounts of these businesses that we think have excelled in creating successful business profiles on Instagram!
Now all you need to do is create your Instagram profile and start increasing your online presence!
Authors: Marika Saukkoriipi, Saara Siivonen ja Jouni Satta
Sources:
Instagram: How do I create an Instagram account?
Instagram business team: How to communicate effectively with customers
Youtube = Tech Insider: How To Use Instagram
Youtube = Tech Insider: How To Post On Instagram