According to a study by Roost.com, photo posts on Facebook received 50% more impressions than any other post type or media type. Photos are also the most liked content on Facebook and great looking, artistic and interesting photos have a much higher rate of going viral or being shared than uninteresting pics.

Recently I read the an article about how to tell your brand’s story using Instagram. I hadn’t even thought of using Instagram for marketing until that point. As someone who recently  made the switch from Android to iPhone and quickly discovered (and fell in love with) the free Instagram iPhone app, that article got the creative juices flowing.

I’d like to share some ideas on how to use Instagram to sell your brand and why it makes sense…

First, just in case you’re not familiar with Instagram, here’s a recap:

Instagram lets you apply various filters and effects to photo’s with amazing results. Instagram differs from many other photo edit apps in that it has an integrated “feed” that lets you share your Instagram photo’s with the Instagram community, as well as to many popular social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. People can follow your Instagram photo feed and vice versa, “heart” your photo’s, leave comments and share them. Instagram also implemented the use of hashtags earlier this year. Many brands like Starbucks, and Kate Spade are already using Instagram successfully as a brand-building tool.

There are so many creative marketing strategies being employed every day through print, multi-media, social media and other means, that it’s nearly impossible for a small business to build a a new successful brand without utilizing some creative and memorable marketing strategies. Status quo is not good enough anymore. And doing so without breaking the bank can be even more difficult.

Instagram has the power to be an effective brand-building tool for any small business or creative professional (freelance designers, I’m talking to you!) that they can include in their marketing arsenal. Here’s a few ideas to get you started:

Instagram Marketing Tips:

• Creative professionals and those who produce creative works (printmakers, Etsy artists, photographers, t-shirt and fashion designers, hair stylists, make-up artists, etc.) – share sneak peaks, new products or works of art and new designs. Consider sharing sneak peaks to your most loyal and active followers as a reward for their loyalty.

• High-end restaurants and bakeries can use Instagram to share pics of new, drool-producing dishes and treats. Nothing creates hunger like a delicious photo.

• Instagram is the perfect platform for outdoor, travel and lifestyle brands to tell their stories through interesting photos.

• Locally-based companies – host a contest online with your local Instagram followers – take obscure, creatively-composed and/or hard to guess photo’s of a secret location, giving small clues in each photo. Whoever can guess that location first wins a prize, or, consider hiding the prize at the secret location!

Do you have more ideas on how to use Instagram to market your business? Please share them!

Did you like this article? Then you might also be interested in “How To Use Postagram To Market Your Business“.