MAKE YOUR BUSINESS STAND OUT
If you don't know what to post, we're here to help! Don't sweat creating the perfect images. Pictures and videos don’t need to be formal, professional visuals. You can create content that is authentic and casual, but still fun and interesting, right from your phone.
Here are some posting tips to help you get started:
When setting up your shot, remove distractions from the background and pay attention to the lighting.
Using natural light is a great way to take photos – you don’t need to set anything up. For a softer look, consider taking photos just before sunset, when there's less light.
Colors can make your product or focal point pop! Place your object on patterned tiles or find a mural in your local neighborhood to stand in front of.
If you don't have many photos just yet, consider recycling your website photos or use publicly available stock photos with simple edits like text overlay or Instagram filters.
Even if you only have a few products or services, take a variety of photos or videos to post.
Try different angles with close-up shots, side-by-side comparisons, or highlight your object by placing it next to other props.
Show your product or service in use. Take a photo for each way someone could use your product or service, or shoot different people using your product.
Play with apps like Instagram Layout, which lets you remix your own photos in a single post.
Video helps you capture people’s attention while they’re scrolling through feed on their mobile phones.
Videos don’t need to be long – try to keep your video less than 15 seconds.
Keep it simple. Try creating a video that looks like a moving image using Instagram features like Boomerang and Hyperlapse.
Animate or edit your shots right on your phone with third-party apps like Legend, Videoshop or Ripl.
It’s important to make sure your photos have a consistent look and feel as you build your business presence on Instagram.
Once you've taken or uploaded a photo or video, you can edit it by applying filters: Tap the filter you’d like to apply, adjust the strength using the slider bar, then tap done to save.
Tap Brightness to make your photo brighter or darker.
Tap Contrast to make the bright areas of your photo brighter and the dark areas darker.
Tap Saturation to increase or decrease the color intensity of the image.
Stay top of mind with customers and fans by posting regularly. Try to post at least 2-3 times per week to keep your business top of mind.
Consider adding hashtags when you post to help potential followers and customers find you. When users search for a hashtag, your post may appear alongside other visuals with the same tags.
Think about what people might be searching for when they come across your posts. If you’re a salon owner, think about hashtags like #nailart or #hairstyle. Keep in mind that more specific hashtags will reach a more targeted audience.
When posting visuals of your storefront or business, use your business’s location tag, so potential customers nearby can find out where to visit you.
See how businesses like yours are posting on Instagram:
and introduce them to your community.
by taking a picture on a simple background.
by showing them some appreciation or recognition.
in your caption to encourage interaction with your business.
We recommend that you approach your photo and video creation process as an ongoing test. Come up with some ideas, post them, and then review your post insights to see what performs well. Use your learnings to help you create more content similar to your best-performing posts.
Next time, we’ll show you other ways to help you reach more people on Instagram and get discovered by new followers and customers.
