Instagram Your Brand: Five Tested Marketing tips

There are now 400 million active users of Instagram, making it one of the most used social media sites on a daily basis. Launched in 2010, Instagram has become more than a photo gallery for personal use. In fact, a lot of companies are now making their brands "instagrammable."

How companies can maximize Instagram depends on the product or service that they offer. It is, of course, impossible for a company dealing with corporate services like banks or airlines to come up with a concept similar to beauty brands. However, this doesn’t mean banks, airlines, and other service-oriented companies cannot come up with creative visuals that they can post on their Instagram account.

Here are other five tips on how companies can use Instagram:

- Have a grid concept or a specific theme. Many people are becoming conscious of how their Instagram accounts look like to achieve having an account that people will also call #feedgoals. Some people decide on a particular theme for their posts, example, white borders or a regular font or filter to use for the photos. Others are getting into grids. Having a theme or key elements in the posts – such as white only background or greenery on all posts – will make an account easier on the eyes, thus attracting more followers.

 Image source: Marketingcloud.com 

- Share a story and be consistent. Service-oriented companies like hotels, banks, airlines, and the like can use Instagram to share their company’s mission, vision, and even customer feedbacks, not only through compelling visuals but brief but straightforward captions. It’s best if these stories are posted as a series or on a regular schedule for consistency.

- Hold a promo or contest exclusive to Instagram. This is one of the fail-safe steps on how to gain more followers on Instagram. It also is a good way to establish a hashtag or geotag for the brand, which customers may use even after the promo. According to BrandWatch.com, posts that have hashtags get at least 12.6 percent engagement, and those with location receive 79 percent engagement. This will be helpful especially for physical shops or restaurants.

Image source: Miva.com

- Utilize the video. So, what if Snapchat’s all the rage lately? Instagram has its own video option that brands can use to make interesting content. The embed option makes it easier for companies to use their Instagram videos on their website or blog too.

Cross-post using other accounts. Instagram have its own unique features, but it’s best used with other sites, too. Linking Instagram to Facebook makes promotion easier. With hashtags, which are also recognized on Facebook, brands can leverage their contests or social media buzz once it’s cross-posted on Facebook. Plus, this can lead to additional followers too.
Read more business-related tips and articles on this Steven Rindner blog.

The Keys To Employee Loyalty

A company that has been in the industry for decades most likely has stable and satisfied personnel. Unfortunately, many businesses today seem to struggle with getting an employee to stay. Here are some tips that will help encourage employees to remain in their current workplace: 

Image source: Businessnewsdaily.com

 

Open up opportunities to grow.

Allow employees to undergo training within or outside the office. Give a chance to those who are struggling but have the potential to become great employees. Whether it is a simple self-image course or offering to pay part of the tuition for graduate studies related to their job, let employees go the extra mile in improving their confidence and skills. 

Set good leaders in place.

Leaders that demand a lot without listening to an employee’s feedback could be the reason a lot of people in the office are leaving. When workers no longer feel valued in their current workplace, that’s when they start to seek other employment opportunities. Instead of the stereotypical manager breathing down an employee’s neck, perhaps it’s time to take a chance on choosing leaders that inspire and motivate. 

Offer chances for promotion

Let employees feel that there is a level playing field in the office. When they realize that those who are evaluating them are impartial, that’s when they will unleash their best side. Once they’ve given up on reaping the rewards in their current company, that’s when dissatisfaction creeps in. To prevent this, affirm employees that they too can succeed in their current company. 

Image source: Linkedin.com

 

Employee loyalty can be difficult to earn. Once it is in place, it will be hard to challenge. Successful companies know how to invest and reward in their employees. It’s time for many others to follow suit in harnessing great talent.

Corporate development executive Steven Rindner has many years of experience in business development and growth strategy across a number of industries including media, technology, real estate services, and healthcare. He is currently working for Belgium-based Besins Healthcare International. For more business articles, subscribe to this blog.