Tips for Selling on Instagram

Instagram's popularity is incredible. It has become a game changer in the business world, and you can say that it is the king of engagement. With over 800 million active users, the only problem you will have on Instagram while selling is making sure that you reach your target audience. According to a study, Instagram has the most engaged and qualified traffic among all social media channels, and I will show you how to sell on Instagram for free.

More than 75% of all online businesses already taken part in it and you don't want to miss out a share of the pie. Fortunately, creating your dynamic storefront on Instagram is a lot easier than you think and I have gathered enough tips and tricks to enable you to do this. Once you discover these secrets, selling on Instagram will be a piece of cake.

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Open and optimize an Instagram business account

Instead of opening a personal Instagram account, open a business account or change your profile into a business one. A business account allows followers to find your platform. Apart from that, the business account comes with a lot of features and tools that enable you to do so much more than a personal one.

Optimize your account profile to include a business profile photo such as the logo your customers will identify you with. Create a well-crafted bio that provides a clear description of the business that lets the audience know exactly what you are offering and a link that leads to your website. The only clickable link you can add on your Instagram page is the one at the URL section of the bio. If you create a unique URL, you will have the ability to track visitors to your website from Instagram.

Post incredible photographs and videos

For you to make sales on Instagram, it is necessary that you first attract the right crowd. Instagram is a visual medium, and you need to upload crisp images that will catch people's eyes. Better yet, upload images that tell a story to the potential buyers so that they can imagine themselves using the products or wearing the clothes, which will compel purchases. Photographs and videos that are engaging will evoke emotion, and you generate more sales when you use the strategy.

Focus on the lifestyle of your users

Instead of trying to sell your products or services, take a different approach to convey the lifestyle of what you sell. If the products are meant to make their lives beautiful, then, by all means, show that to them. If your services are can make customer's experience more comfortable, then entice them by showing them just how easy it can be. In addition to that, have a unique lifestyle theme on your page by ensuring that your videos and photographs are consistent and cohesive. This way, your customers will get a feel of your brand.

Use hashtags but do it wisely

Before you start using hashtags for selling on Instagram, research which ones are suited for your business or products, ensure you choose hashtags related to the products you are selling. Relevant hashtags will open up pathways to more customers and in turn, give you more sales. Once you have the right hashtags, ensure that you include them in all your posts. Doing so will make it very easy for your customers to find your items. You should also create one unique hashtag for your brand, one that people will relate. Go with a minimum of five hashtags for every post, and a maximum of up to 12.

Interact with your customers and followers

Just like all other social media platforms, it is of utmost importance that you engage with your followers. Following them back, re-posting relevant content, and maintaining a two-way conversation is one of the best things you can do for your business. Engage your audience at the comments and answer questions on your posts. Use hashtags, content from your business, as well as location tags.

Always join the conversations on other member posts because when you participate, it will strengthen the relationship between your business and the customers. Selling on Instagram becomes easy when your customers get to interact with you on a personal level. They see your human side, and hence trust you.

Start an influencer relations program

Building an influencer relation program is an incredible strategy that will help your business. You can do this by identifying the competitive accounts in your customer vertical, especially those that have a large following. Start to engage with those accounts through commenting and liking their posts. Once you establish a relationship, it will be straightforward to promote each other content, and it will be easy for you to get in the front line as well as expand your social visibility.

Ensure that your Instagram photos are shoppable

By using the Instagram app, you can enable the ‘shop now’ button and empower your customers to make purchases whenever you inspire them are photos. Take full advantage of this feature so that you can create a seamless shopping experience.

Offer promotions only available on Instagram

Everyone likes to get a discount on his or her products, and your Instagram platform is a perfect place to give promotions. All you have to do is create a post or an image based around your promo code, and this will entice your customers to click to your website. Just remember to pull down the post once your promo code is not valid. Selling on Instagram can be very easy when you are offering your audience promotions and discounts.

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Ensure customer safety

The World Wide Web has increasingly become an insecure place, and you have to ensure that your customers are safe when shopping from you. You need to build your social platform and your business websites so that your customers do not lose their identity in the process of purchasing. You can also encourage the use of third parties such as an escrow program that will assure your customers how safe and secure they are when dealing with you.

For instance, using an escrow program such as Escrow Kenya would be a big plus, because your customers have a guarantee of the safety of their funds. Escrow Kenya works by holding on to customer funds after they make purchases on online platforms, and once they receive the products, then the seller receives funds. This way, your client will be assured that you are trustworthy, and you will be guaranteed of your funds the minute they receive their goods.

Use Instagram advertisements

For you to attract new customers, try advertising on your Instagram platform. It is not only easy to do this, but you will also get the same targeting capabilities that you would on Facebook. Instagram also offers multiple ad formats, such as landscape, multi-image, and long videos. It is also possible for you to promote your posts directly from your Instagram app. As soon as you set up your business profile on the Instagram platform, you can determine how much you would like to spend, where you would want to post your Instagram ad, and how long you would like it to run.

Use client photos on your page

One of the most inspiring ways to tell your story is by posting customer photos using your products. This method provides social proof, something all your customers will appreciate. People are more attracted to the things other people like, which is human nature. When they discover that you already have people who want your products, they will be more confident about making purchases. Selling on Instagram has never been easier.