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.

Steven Rindner Enlists Many Types of Gear to Run Marathons

The average runner is most concerned with having the right shoes, which are important for preventing injury. If you go for a 30 minute run a few times or even several times a week, you might have to replace your sneakers every few months, which can get very expensive. Fortunately, you do not need to replace other gear, such as singlets, shorts and socks as often. Steven Rindner, a frequent marathoner, keeps a chafing protector among his gear, too. There are many brands out there, but this balm will protect from painful rashes that could cause a runner to stop early.

Another product frequently used by long distance runners is energy gel. During long weekend runs, runners can hit a wall if they deplete their carbohydrate stores. Steven Rindner carries with him a few packs of energy gel that he can suck down during his run. He also runs with a lightweight pack that carries water because he has to stay hydrated.

Image Source: consciousbusinessblog.com

Steven Rindner loves using technology to help him train and stay competitive. One of the pieces of technology that offers help and support is his smartphone and the many useful running apps. Fortunately, many of these apps cost nothing. One interesting app is called Map My Run. It will track your run, show it on a map, and tell you the distance, number of calories burned, the time necessary and the pace. It allows for inclusion of many types of running, including sprints, treadmill and cross country.

If you are carrying a lot of gear, you need something in which to put it. Some folks opt for a simple backpack or gym bag. Others get more elaborate. Do not forget to have a way to carry critical items during your runs. Drivers license, a bit of money and car keys are important. You might decide to use the pockets in your shorts, or you can add a small pouch on your shoes.

Fortunately, when it comes to running gear, there are many choices.

A Better Run Might be as Simple as Using this Alternate Lacing Technique

In the running world, there is a popular term called “lace creep”, or an ill-fitting shoe not properly laced to meet the unique needs of a person’s foot. If you are feeling discomfort or “hot spots” on your feet after using your running shoes, do not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Simply try an alternative lacing system first, before buying a new shoe. There are many simple alternatives to the traditional crisscrossing lacing technique and finding the right one for you can make all the difference when hitting the pavement, trails or treadmill.

Running shoe designer, Altra, suggests the following approach for runners with a wider forefoot, or those just looking for more space for their feet to relax. It is both their own and their customers’ favorite lacing system allowing for the forefoot to expand and breathe while securing the heel and preventing lace creep:

1. Start by running the lace straight across the bottom, over the tongue and downward into the shoe. Make sure both sides of the remaining lace are equal.

2. Without crossing, skip under to the second set of holes, then over to the third set of holes.

3. From the third holes to the fourth holes, cross the laces over the top of each other and insert downward into the holes on the opposite side. Continue this crossing technique until you reach the second-to-last set of holes.

4. String the lace into the last holes upward from underneath. Create a small loop with each end by threading the lace back into the same hole.

5. Slide the remaining lace from the opposite side into the hole.

Image Source: womenshealthmag.com

Other lacing tips:

• The laces over the top of the arch/instep are loose enough to comfortably fit your finger after the shoe is tied.

• The lacing should fit snuggly at the heel, relaxed over the arch and roomy at the forefoot.

• It may feel "too loose" at first, but the foot will learn to spread out and relax.

For more on marathon running and related tips, please visit Steven Rindner's homepage.

New Running Shoe is the “Sensible Alternative to FiveFingers”

At only a few years old, Colorado-based running shoe company, Altra, is a relatively new addition to the industry. But do not let their youth fool you. Their visionary products are being touted as some of the best technical shoes a runner can find, designed specifically to help an athlete run with proper form and posture to minimize not only injury, but wear-and-tear on the shoe. Altra is becoming most known for their innovative “zero drop” technology, as the “sensible alternative to FiveFingers” barefoot running.

Altra’s zero drop became what it is today (one of the Top 10 running shoe brands) out of years of observation at Golden Harper’s family's running store in the Wasatch Mountains. A competitive runner himself, Harper says that he wanted to do more for his customers complaining of knee pain, shin splints and recurring foot pain. He began melting the outsoles off of traditional running shoes with a toaster oven to level the cushioning to a "zero drop" position where the heel is at the same level as the forefoot. (Traditional shoes typically have a 2:1 heel-to-toe ratio.)

Image Source: zogdo.com

This approach worked so well at reducing injuries for over 1000 happy customers, that Harper began designing his own line of running shoes. Vibram’s FiveFingers, the glove-like footwear that has become nationally popular and sparked the barefoot running movement, also offers zero drop; however, according to their own website, the shoe was never intended to be a full-distance running shoe. Many believers in natural running have therefore become injured in the process.

In addition to the fully-cushioned zero drop and a more natural foot strike, Altra running shoes have three other characteristics that set them apart from FiveFingers:

1. A very wide toe box meant to offer a more relaxed foot and therefore a more natural posture while running.

2. Incredible flexibility and durability in their choice of materials. The shoes can be bent in half and twisted – something a traditional shoe typically cannot do because of its rigid structure.

3. Gender specific designs to meet the physiological differences between the male and female feet/gait.

For more on Marathon running and related tips, please visit Steven Rindner's homepage.

Steven Rindner on What to Expect on Race Day

You've worked hard to prepare yourself, mentally and physically, for the big day – your first marathon! Part of that preparation is in knowing what to do in the days leading up to the race, and what to expect on the day of the race.

• To begin with, about two weeks before your race, give your body a break by scaling back on the distance and the difficulty of your training runs. This will help your body to be ready to run the long distance of a marathon.

 • Make sure you are well-hydrated in the days leading up to the marathon. Drink lots of water before bed on the night before the marathon, and lots of water first thing that morning.

• A few hours before the race, eat a high-carbohydrate breakfast.

• Don't overdress. The day may get hotter the later it gets. Also, on the subject of clothing, don't wait for the day of the race to try out that new pair of shoes!

Image Source: utahvalley.com

• If you are used to running with headphones and would like to do so during the race, ask ahead of time if this is allowed. However, keep in mind that being able to hear people cheer you on may give you a much-needed mental boost.

• Get to the race with time to spare – you may be nervous enough without having to worry about getting to the starting line on time.

• If you're not going to carry your own water, take advantage often of the water and sport drinks that are offered at aid stations along the route.

• Start slowly so you don't burn out right away. You have plenty of time to pick up speed later.

Perhaps the best advice is to enjoy yourself and to imagine how great you'll feel when you cross your first marathon finishing line!

For more tips on running, check out Steven Rindner's website.