How to use Instagram to boost your business
As digital marketing becomes more of a priority for retailers, Shaun Barton, corporate insolvency and business restructuring expert at Begbies Traynor, uncovers how KBB retailers can use Instagram to boost their reputation
Now, more so than ever before, social media platforms are valuable reputation building tools that can drive brand exposure, attract serious customers and help build valued communities.
One of the frontrunners of social media since the early days is Instagram, which has become many business owners’ go-to platform due to its image-first strategy.
While social media for KBB business owners doubles as both a communication platform and a source of creative inspiration, the commercial nature of these platforms has propelled in recent years, opening a gateway to new possibilities for retailers.
The success of any Instagram social media strategy ultimately hinges on brand reputation which is established through captivating imagery, videos, posts, stories and reels, partnered with engaging content that’s informative and relevant to your followers.
Social superstar
To be an Instagram-savvy KBB retailer, you should prioritise:
- High-quality and engaging content – The kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom industry is multi-faceted and performs countless functions. From behind-the-scenes work that’s highly technical and niche, to more aesthetically engaging elements such as product design, fittings and room transformations. Capture images to creatively showcase your processes and breathe life into mundane areas of a job that can serve social media, such as current trends. A high-quality image must accompany a relevant caption that’s easily digestible, clear, and concise. Quality is king and so is creativity, so invest in your tools and people power, and carve out time for your social media efforts.
- Authentic style – Instagram is a notoriously concentrated arena for interior inspiration, so to build brand reputation, produce authentic content. Authenticity is one of the building blocks that will form the foundations of your page and help followers differentiate you from other businesses. Translate your unique selling points into imagery and produce original content to stand out.
- Relevant/current content – Social media captures what’s happening now, so make sure your content is relevant. While trends can vary over time, if you find one that fits your agenda, use this as an opportunity to create relevant and trending content.
- Product/service portfolio – Kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom retailers produce stunning designs that are ripe for the camera. Use your social media profile to create a catalogue of what you can offer to potential clients, including images of completed projects. In addition to original, self-produced content, you can also piggyback customer content through reposts.
Engagement
Social media should be complementary to your website and provides multiple uses as it functions as a point of contact, verifies your identity, engages with your audience, advertises your services and radiates the mood and style of your business.
Over time, a brand’s online reputation can convert followers into prospective customers and generate a measurable return on investment. Instagram for Business even provides a comprehensive tool kit of features and intuitive metrics that allow you to track performance, spot content gaps, and identify opportunities.
When used strategically, Instagram can help you form a tight knit community of customers and potential customers, that engage with your content and support your creative vision, campaigns and innovations, which is key to any successful business in today’s digital age.