Let Instagram Help Boost Your Marketing (June 16, 2023)
Does your social media marketing include an active Instagram presence? If not, it is something you will want to think about. The popular photo sharing app and social network has some stellar usage statistics under its belt. Consider the following:[1]
- Instagram boast 2 billion active users, making it the fourth most used social network.
- Instagram is now the fifth most visited website
Instagram gives you the opportunity to convey information about your services visually, which is extremely important to millennials and Gen Z users. They have what could be called “a love affair” with taking photos of just about everything. So naturally, they gravitate to a platform that visually conveys how a visit to your spa or massage practice will help them look and feel better.
Instagram goals for your business
There is a lot of content you potentially could post on Instagram and as a result spend more time than you might need to. That is why you want to set your goals to help define your Instagram strategy. By setting goals, you narrow your focus, which makes it easier to determine what content to post. Your goals can include:
- Increase awareness of your services
- Drive website traffic
- Increase customer base
- Improve loyalty to your brand
- Establish business partnerships
Getting started
Some of the basics to get your business off on the right foot on Instagram
Choose a user name: Choose one that is recognizable and close to the name of your spa or massage practice. This will make it easier for people to find you when they search on Instagram.
Profile picture: Choose a photo that people associate with your business. Your logo is probably your best bet.
Company description: You only have 150 characters to create a bio about your business, so choose your words carefully to convey who you are, what you offer and what sets you apart. Make sure to add a link to your website.
Check out competition: Once you are set up, you will want to do some research to see what others in your market are posting. Learn from their posts what resonates with followers.
Create compelling content
Imagery: Post high-quality images of your spa or massage practice that generate an emotional response. If possible, hire a professional photographer for the imagery. If that is not in the budget make sure to use a quality camera and do not skimp on lighting. Lighting can make all the difference even if using a cell phone camera.
Use filters sparingly: Filters are one of Instagram’s most famous features. Filters change colors and shading to enhance or change the mood of your photos. However, do not overdo filters at the expense of losing the natural look of your photos. Keep color and contrast normal in most of your photos.
Post frequently: Frequent posts keep followers interested. Consider posting every day or every other day.
Schedule content: Take a lot of photos so you will have a steady supply of ideas for content. Keep a calendar of what you plan to post to avoid rushing at the last minute.
Interact with followers: Reply to follower comments. Check out their accounts and “like” some of their photos. Also start conversations. For example, ask “What are your thoughts about CBD and massage or “What is the number one reason clients come to you.”
Do not overuse hashtags: Hashtags are a great way to increase your reach on Instagram, but do not overuse them. Keep them at minimum and only use hashtags that are relevant to your business and the photo content.
A picture is worth 1000 words. Let Instagram help your spa or massage practice do the
[1] Zote, Jacqueline, “Instagram statistics you need to know for 2023,” Sprout Social, March 6, 2023. https://sproutsocial.com/insights/instagram-stats/