Guide to Instagram for Business

Instagram is a highly visual experience. For businesses, it is a great way to tell your story through captivating photos, videos, and captions. It is also one of the most exciting social media platforms right now! Currently, it is ranked as the second most active social media platform by number of users (just behind Facebook) with over 600 million monthly users.

If you thought that was impressive, take a look at these other statistics:

Latest Instagram Statistics

600 million monthly users
300 million daily active users
20% of internet users, use the app
Average monthly follower growth for users is 16%
Average engagement rate for posts is 11%

If you’re interested in joining Instagram for Business, but you’re unsure how to harness the true potential of the platform, continue reading below.

Tips for Using Instagram for Business

Visual Appeal – Instagram is a highly visual experience, so make sure you are posting high-resolution, good quality images that best represent your business.

Use #Hashtags – If you want to grow your following and expand your reach, use hashtags. Hashtags allow like-minded users to find content that is interesting to them.

Don’t Over Post – There is nothing worse than opening your newsfeed to one account spamming you with their content. Even if you appreciate the content, the high-frequency can result in an unfollow.

Utilize Instagram’s Editing Tools – Even if you don’t have access to Photoshop or other professional photo editing software, that doesn’t mean you can’t post professional looking photos. Take advantage of the editing tools that are available on Instagram.

Utilize Instagram Business Tools – Instagram introduced Business Profiles and Business tools in the summer of 2016. With an Instagram Business profile, you can:

Get real-time metrics on how your promoted posts perform
Get insights into your followers and how they interact with your posts
Add information about your company like business hours, location, and phone number

Interact with Other Accounts – If you want people to engage with your content, try engaging with other users’ content. Don’t be shy, make the first move!

Share your Instagram content on other Social Channels – If you’re active on other social media channels, why not send your Instagram posts there as well? You’ll be able to reach an additional audience, plus you’ll be able to promote your Instagram account.

If you can see the advantage of Instagram for Business, then start an account today!

Instagram Business Profile Set Up

If you are looking for a social media expert to help you with your Instagram account set up and optimization, then collaborating with Longevity Graphics is the right choice for you.

We offer a FREE 1-Hour consultation on all of the services we provide. Contact us today!

Facebook Pixel for Conversion Tracking

A Facebook Pixel is a piece of JavaScript code that you add to your website in order to measure, optimize and build audiences for your Facebook Advertising campaigns. By utilizing the Facebook Pixel, you can better understand the actions people take as they make their way from Facebook to your website.

As Instagram Advertising is connected to your Facebook Ad Manager Account, the Pixel you create for your Ad Account can also be used to track Instagram Conversions.

Facebook Pixel Implementation

Go to your Facebook Ad Manager Account or your Facebook Business Manager Account
Click Tools then click Pixels
Click Create a Pixel
Enter the name of your Pixel (One Pixel per ad account)
Click Create Pixel
- If you work on your website yourself, click Install Pixel Now and copy the Base Code that appears in the box on the screen to each page on your website between the <head> and </head> tags
- If someone else works on your website, press Email Pixel Code. Type in the person’s email and press Send

Standard Conversion Events

Standard Conversion Events allow you to track conversions, optimize for conversions and build audiences. See the Standard Conversion Events listed below:

View Content – Track key page views
Search – Track searches on your website
Add to Cart – Track when items are added to a shopping cart
Add to Wishlist – Track when items are added to a wish list
Initiate Checkout – Track when people enter the checkout flow
Add Payment Info – Track when payment information is added in the checkout flow
Make Purchase – Track purchases or checkout flow completions
Lead – Track when someone expresses interest in your offering
Complete Registration – Track when a registration form is completed

Standard Conversion Events Implementation

Add the Standard Event Code that corresponds to the events listed above
Add the Standard Event Code below the Base Code

Custom Conversion Events

You can use Custom Conversions Events if you are unable to add Standard Conversion Events to your website. If you’ve added the Base Code across your website, leave the code as is and create Custom Conversion Events using URL rules.

Custom Conversion Events Implementation

Go to the Custom Conversions section
Click Create Custom Conversion
Add the URL or part of the URL that represents your custom conversion (ex. URL contains /thankyou.php for a Thank You page after a purchase).
Select a category and click Next
Give your custom conversion a name and description
Add a conversion value $$ if applicable
Click Create and Done

If this sounds like something you would rather leave up to a professional web developer, contact Longevity Graphics today! Our web development team can add the Base Code to each page on your website, add Standard Conversion Events and add Custom Conversion Events. Not only that, our Marketing Department can manage your Facebook Advertising campaigns and provide you with detailed monthly reports outlining your conversion results.

Instagram Stories

If you’re a regular Instagram user, then you’re aware of the platform’s latest feature – Instagram Stories.

So, what is Instagram Stories? It is a Snapchat-inspired feature built into the photo sharing app. It appears at the top of your newsfeed screen and allows you to upload photos in a stream that will expire and disappear after 24 hours. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Instagram’s CEO, Kevin Systrom agrees that the feature is very similar to Snapchat.

How do you use Instagram Stories?

Go to your Instagram newsfeed.
Click on the + in the top left corner of your feed to start a new story.
Tap on the circle button at the bottom of the screen to take a photo or hold it down to record a video.
To edit and add text or drawings to your photo or video, use the buttons in the top right corner.
If you want to add a filter, simply swipe left or right. Currently, there are 7 different options.
Finally, tap the check mark at the bottom of the screen to add it to your story.

More information:

To save a photo or video from your story to your phone’s camera roll, hit the download button on the right of your story.
As this is an Instagram feature, you can utilize Boomerangs and Hyperlapses with your story.
To monitor who can view your story, click on the three dots in the bottom right corner. Then click Story Settings to select any users you wish to block from viewing your stories.
Yes, as with Snapchat, you are able to see who has viewed your story. Open your story and swipe on the screen. On the bottom of the screen, there will be a view counter and the names of people who have viewed your story. Only you will be able to see this information.

So now the debate begins; which platform is better?

Many reviewers are saying that Instagram took Snapchat’s confusing interface and made it more simplistic to use. Each step of the process is clearly labelled with buttons, instead of swipes. For example, instead of swiping on a Snapchat photo to send a reply, Instagram has a clearly labelled Send Message button. This is something that many struggle with when trying to learn how to use Snapchat.

Another thing Instagram has going for it, is that it has an existing community of active users. These people use the app to connect with friends, follower new people and discover new parts of the world all through images and video. This sense of community is something that Snapchat is lacking. How many times have you seen an online personality encouraging their audience to add them on Snapchat? Now, Instagram followers will be able to access your stories from right in the app. There is no need to direct and build a new audience in a different app.

Instagram has always been seen as a place where people can upload the highlights of their life. With the introduction of Instagram Stories, you will be able to see the unfiltered, everyday parts of people’s lives, between the picture perfect photos. With that being said, at one point in time we have all followed that one person who posts way too much. Now, these people will have a place where they can post without overwhelming their followers’ feeds.

So, what do you think? Comment or Tweet us and let us know.

If you are looking for an expert in the ever-changing landscape of Social Media then collaborating with Longevity Graphics is the right choice for you and your business. Contact us today to get a no-obligation quote. We offer a Free 1-Hour Consultation on all social media, SEO, web design and web development services

Are you thinking about starting a business in Port Coquitlam? We’ve gathered some resources to help you get started.

Visit the City of Port Coquitlam Website

The City of Port Coquitlam website is a great place to begin when thinking about starting a business in Port Coquitlam. The website has many resources that will help you, prior to ‘opening your doors’. Click here to visit the City of Port Coquitlam’s Starting a Business page.

Get to know the area… and your competition

If you don’t already live in Port Coquitlam or the Tri-Cities area, it is a good idea to spend some time in the city. This will allow you to get a sense of the successful businesses that are currently operating in the area – including businesses that you will be in competition with. If your business is going to have a store front, you can use this time to search out potential areas for your business to operate.

Create a Website and Social Media Pages

If you’re thinking about starting a business in 2016 – you MUST have a website and social media pages. There is a vast amount of competing businesses in Port Coquitlam and the surrounding areas.

In order to be discovered by potential customers online, you must have an experienced, knowledgeable online marketing company who will be able to optimize your website and social media pages for optimal rankings.

Your online marketing company should be able to:

Help your website gain top position in search result lists
Perform keyword research to discover vital search combinations for your business
Perform meta and title tag development
Establish HTML code optimization
Perform inbound link building

If this sounds like something that you will need help with, contact Longevity Graphics for a FREE 1-Hour Consultation. We specialize in working with local clients and helping them rank for their industry specific keywords.

Are you considering outsourcing your website design?

Below are some Pro’s and Con’s of hiring a local web designer vs. outsourcing your web design.

Pro’s of hiring a local web designer:

Personalized, one-on-one service
It’s easy to get in contact with your web designer if you have any questions
You know exactly who will be working on the design of your website and social media pages

Con’s of hiring a local web designer:

Well, we sure can’t think of any con’s!

Additional Resources

Sign up your business on the Shop PoCo BIZ Directory; Click Here
Join the Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (BIA); Click Here
Join the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce; Click Here
Contact Longevity Graphics for a FREE 1-Hour Consultation to learn about the online marketing services they offer; Click Here

In the four years since its acquisition by Facebook, Instagram has done a lot of evolving. Users have seen various interface modifications, the newsfeed algorithm change and of course, the logo transformation. Earlier this month, Instagram made an announcement that new Instagram Business profiles and tools will be rolling out in the US, Australia and New Zealand in the coming months, and will be available in all countries by the end of the year.

In the announcement, Instagram highlights three new features for business users.

These new features for business owners

Instagram Business Profile
Insight
Promote

Instagram Business Profile

The Instagram Business Profile is a free feature for accounts wanting to be recognized as a business on Instagram. In order to upgrade your Instagram account to a business profile, you will need to have a Business page on Facebook. Once you have linked your Instagram to your Business page on Facebook, you will then see three new tools: a contact button, insights and promote.

Previously, if a customer wanted to get in contact with you on Instagram, they would either click on the website link in your bio, or more often than not, they would leave a comment on one of your posts. If you have a lot of engagement on your content, you know how easily comments can be buried and lost. Using the new contact button, you can decide how you would like your customers to reach you.

They can contact you by:

Calling
Texting
Emailing

The contact button will appear in your bio, to the left of your follow button. This new tool will streamline the process of communicating. Now, customers will have no question as to how to reach you.

Insights

As a business producing content online, you need to know who your audience is and you need to know the best way to reach them. Without knowing this, it is hard to deliver relevant content. Insights on Instagram will provide business users information about their content. You will be able to see who your followers are and what posts are more effective than others. This information will all be available from within the mobile app.

Promote

Using the new promote tool, business users will be able to easily turn a well-performing post into an ad – right from within the app.

You will:

Choose an already shared post
Add a button with a call to action
Decide on a target audience

Once your ad is set up, you will decide what length of time you would like the ad to run. If you want to advertise on Instagram currently, you have to create an ad campaign in Facebook. This new tool is a great addition and welcome change!

Social Media Marketing Summer Promotion from Longevity Graphics

Receive a FREE Social Media Audit and learn more about our Summer Social Media Marketing promotion.

Choose 5 Social Media Marketing Platforms and we will:

Setup
Optimize
Manage

your account.

$1250 $995/month

ACT NOW! Limited Availability

CALL: 604-505-8552 or EMAIL: [email protected]

Platform options: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, Google+, YELP, Trip Advisor, Just Eat, Zomato (Formally Urban Spoon)

Social Media Marketing Services:

Social Media Marketing Setup

We will setup and optimize 5 social media platforms of your choice. By implementing engaging visuals and optimizing all the tools available through the platforms, we will achieve results. A strategy will be developed to ensure a consistent follower growth and engagement with your audience.

Social Media Marketing Content Management

First and foremost, we will perform an analysis of your industry, competition and clientele base. From there, we will make recommendations for the best content, visuals, and times to reach your audience. We will implement these recommendations, which will maximize your influence and generate relevant leads.

Social Media Marketing Reporting

On an ongoing basis, our team will analyze the results and provide a report on a monthly basis. Upon analysis, we will create a summary of our findings, make necessary adjustments and recommendations to ensure optimal results on all platforms.

Don’t delay, take advantage of our social media marketing summer promotion and get started right away. Our team of local experts will work with you and help you deliver your message loud and clear. Get your FREE social media marketing audit today.

Longevity Graphics is located in Coquitlam, BC. We specialize in online marketing services as well as web design and web development. For a list of our services or customer testimonials, visit our website today. We offer a FREE one hour consultation.

In the last post “Pinterest…Pin Your Interests” emphasized on the importance of being visually stimulated. Once again we are going to continue to emphasize how important images are to every business, because we all know we like being visually stimulated.

This time, I am calling out all Iphone and Android owners to download Instagram if you have not already. Instagram has over 27 million users and have been purchased for 1 billion from Facebook. Instagram is a downloadable app and a social network that allows the users to take pictures, edit photos with different filters, and share it through Instagram. You can also share your pictures through Facebook or Twitter. Instagram works similar to Twitter, where you can use hash tags (#) so people can find your photos. In order to create conversations with people you can always use the ‘@username’ to directly create a conversation with someone.

So what makes photos such an important tool for marketing? Photos can be utilized within story telling. Story telling is the foundational strategy to developing and strengthening your brand. If you can tell a great story about your business through text, you can also create a story through images. Since taking photos are easy and instant, it is easier to share it with many people. HubSpot simply states it as “a great way for people to experience brands in a different way, and it elicits emotions that may not have been experienced through text alone.” Some big companies that are using Instagram to build their brand are: Starbucks, RedBull, Marc Jacobs, Tiffany & Co etc. When the big companies are using it, you know there is value to Instagram.

Instagram may or may not be your desired way to market your business, but depending on your business it can be very handy.

Ways to Instagram your Business:

1.) Day in the life of your company: Fans and customers are always curious what you do at work. They want to know what it’s like to work where you work.

2.) Company News: You can promote and advertise new blog posts, services and events on Instagram by taking a pictures of your new blog, or already made campaigns.

3.) Contests: There are fun ways to create contests on Instagram. You can always ask your fans to take a picture with your product and use a hash tag (#) on Instagram to get fans to participate in your contest.

4.) Events: If you create a hash tag (#) with your event. This can encourage people to take pictures and use that hash tag to spread the event pictures around.

So do some social media touch ups and use Instagram to strengthen your brand! Have fun Instagraming!