Shakespeare might not have had the opportunity to be an Instagram influencer, but we’d like to think that we can still learn a thing or two from the literary genius anyway. He would probably tell us that before we take a selfie, we should avoid eating garlic and onions. He might remind us that if we lose a follower, we just need to Ham-let it go. He would probably be the first one that we go to for insight on our captions, as we know he loved a good pun.
In a world where social media has taken over, it’s crucial for you and your business to not only follow along (pun intended), but also stay ahead of the next big trend. With more than one billion users per month, Instagram is one of the first platforms people look to for a first impression of your business. Since first impressions are vital to your business, setting up a sleek, on brand, and eye-catching Instagram profile is key. You want them falling for your feed at first sight – like a classic Shakespearian love story.
What’s in a name?
Romeo and Juliet may not have believed a name was something of much value, but in the world of Instagram your intro is the first place your audience will go to see what you have to offer. There are three main components to an Instagram intro – your username, your profile picture, and your bio.
When people seek you out, they will find your username and profile picture before even clicking into your profile. Your username should be kept simple and professional, stating the name of your brand. Your profile picture should distinguish your brand, utilizing a photo of your team, if available. If not, use a photo of your logo or product.
Your bio is where you get to express the voice of your brand. Share with your viewers, in 150 characters or less, who you are and what you do. This should be kept informational, while still drawing your users in. While putting together your bio, consider a Business profile. Business profiles allow access to insights and auto publishing, as well as provide more gateways for your audience to contact you with.
Have more than you show…
…on your feed, that is.
Stories and story highlights are essential features that Instagram provides to make your feed look consistent, complete, and polished. Stories allow you to post information and photos that you want to exclude from your main feed because it might not flow with your brand, as well as share content that your business has been tagged in. Highlights are a place for your stories to be available, as well as front-and-center, long after they are posted.
Like your intro, there are three main components to story highlights: the stories themselves, the highlight buttons, and the highlight titles. Highlight buttons are a slick way to organize your content and showcase what your business is all about. The key to keeping your story highlights looking professional is making sure that the highlight titles and cover photos align with your overall look, voice, and brand.
This above all: to thine own BRAND be true.
If you really want to turn your viewers into followers – and potentially turn them into customers – your Instagram feed needs to make them stop in their tracks (or should we say scroll). To do this, aim for consistency and cohesion. Choose a color palette and stick to it. Choose a filter and stick to it. Choose a rhythm and stick to it. This way, your feed is organized, polished, and authentic to your brand and vision. As users reach your page, they’ll think to themselves, “by the scrolling of my thumbs, something winsome this way comes.”
To post, or not to post, that is the question!
That’s up to you. Post what you want, as you like it, as you see it fitting in with your brand, style, and rhythm. Be sure to watch WHEN you post, too. Pay attention to days of the week you receive more interactions and likes – and stick to those.
There you have it. All’s well that ends well.
Now you have the keys to not only creating a profile that pops and pleases the eye, but also one that draws users in and has them coming back for more. There is no limit to the impact you can make with those little squares.
End scene.
