Instagram for Beginners

1

Static posts

Typically what the platform is best known for, static posts provide an opportunity to spotlight your products with beautiful, crisp photography that shows off just how beautiful they are. Recent updates allow you to set the mood with your favourite song or add a carousel of up to 20 images – perfect when just one picture won’t do the job!

2

Stories

The magical little mini posts disappear after 24 hours and are usually only seen by those who follow you. Story posts are great for giving a behind-the-scenes look at what you’re up to, setting reminders, and even linking out directly to your digital storefront.

3

Reels

Reels are the new content kid on the block and give users the option to upload videos up to three minutes long, adding a unique storytelling opportunity. From giving a tour of your workspace to showcasing your packing process, these are a great way to drive new followers to your brand thanks to the dedicated Reels tab on the app.

4

How do I go about creating content?

Creating content for your business can sometimes feel overwhelming. After all, you still need to design, create and do all the other things that it takes to run a brand, but getting this part right could help drive awareness, sales and even make your brand a household name if you get the formula right.

5

Make a plan

This sounds simple, but having a strong plan of action that you dedicate regular weekly intervals of time to will be key in keeping your Instagram consistent, and consistency is key to social media success. Decide how regularly you might want to post, then work backwards to draft content that showcases your key objectives, such as sales hooks, new products and offers, or even behind-the-scenes content.

6

Content over platform

This may sound strange, but when it comes to content, we always want to take the smarter not harder approach. Instead of creating a Reel or IG Story using the app itself, create content you can share across wider channels. Watermarked content from other platforms is less likely to perform on Instagram, so if you’re looking to cross-post, having a bank of promo-perfect videos and imagery that you can share at any time is key to saving you time.

7

Utilise the trends

When it comes to trends, you have two options: either look at the trending audio and work backwards to explore how to best use it for your own brand, or look see what other people are currently sharing on the wider internet to see how you can create your own version. Either way, putting your own spin on a trend everyone is posting can be a great way to get some visibility.

8

Invest in the right equipment

You don’t need a lot to get started in content creation, but a good base kit will really help make the process as easy as possible. At a minimum, we recommend you have the following:

• A smartphone with adequate storage and a decent camera
• A sturdy tripod for capturing shots when your hands are full
• A selection of backdrops to make sure your feed stays aesthetically pleasing
• Your editing software of choice (we recommend Splice, InShot or Edits)
• A good light source in your shoot space, e.g. a large window or a ring light

9

Are there best practices I should be following?

When it comes to social media, sometimes it can feel like there are a ton of rules you have to follow to be successful and, while it’s true it’s good to have a strategy, there are only a few things you really need to bear in mind.

10

Keep keywords in mind

Instagram is in the process of moving away from using hashtags to show your posts to the right people. Instead, it’s encouraging users to use keywords to make sure their posts trend. Think about your Instagram posts as an email subject. Use the first line as the ‘catchy subject’ to encourage people to read to the juicy details in the main body.

11

Be consistent

It’s a myth that you should post on social media every day to see success. In fact, what any budding social media start should be focussed on is making sure that what they post is high quality and consistent. Start by deciding realistically how many times a week you can post and work to a plan that ensures you stick to that. This way you’ll feel less overwhelmed by having to pull posts out of thin air and you’ll have a strategy you can stick to.

12

Have fun

Believe it or not, having fun on social media (and in your wider business) is totally allowed. What’s more, people buy from people so it’s a great way to engage your existing customers and attract some new ones too!