May 2019 - Southern View Media

Just about everyone these days has a social media account, and chances are Instagram is one of them. This app is more than just scrolling and liking photos…it provides a unique ability for you to interact with your followers. The question is “Are you getting the most out of Instagram and its tools?” Here are three essential marketing hacks for Instagram.

Utilize Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories is a fun feature and it’s easy to use. It gives your audience a little behind the scenes action of your company, something followers love! Similar to the popular app, Snapchat, Instagram Stories allows you to take a short video with the ability to add text, emojis, hashtags, and polls to the clip. Studies have shown that profiles with active Instagram Stories have an overall increase in user engagement. A simple trick to boost engagement is to post your latest feed post to your Instagram Story.

Geotagging Your Location

Geotagging is a helpful tool, especially if you have a local business. Studies have shown a higher engagement success rate with photos and posts that are geotagged. Simply post a photo with comments, including hashtags, tap the Add Location icon and type in your business’ name. If you already have a Facebook business page then your information should automatically populate. Now when someone uses the Places tab in the Instagram search feature, your posts and profile will show. This can instantly increase a user’s interest in your business because of what they’re seeing.

Another added benefit of geotagging is that it leaves out the guesswork for your followers. They can easily locate your business by clicking your tagged location. A map will appear showing your location. You can also add your business’s contact information and website. Photos people have posted with your tagged location will also appear. Geotagging simplifies things for your followers, which is something they can appreciate!

Perfect Your Profile

When you first sign up with any social media app one of the first requirements is to set up a profile. While it may seem tedious at first, having a social media profile plays an integral part in gaining followers. It not only serves as your brand’s image, but it also provides all the information a potential customer will need to know about your services or products. Tips for creating the best profile:

Use a clear photo or logo of your business.
Create a username (also known as a “handle”) relevant to your business or services. You may use your company’s name or attract your audience faster by using a name specific to the services you offer (for example @mobilecupcakesqueen will populate users looking for cupcake bakers in Mobile).
Include all contact information such as addresses, phone numbers and website links.
Link your other social profiles to your Instagram profile. This is will not only increase engagement but followers on those platforms as well.

Get online and see what Instagram can do for you and your business! These simple tips will help you get the followers you need to get your business off the ground!

Check us out and see how we can help with your business’s digital presence. Visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-517-9425. “We Put You Online So You Don’t Get Left Behind.”

You might think designing your own website sounds easy enough, right? It may seem easier and more cost effective to use a template site for your business but will you actually gain referrals and entice customers to choose your business? Here’s proof why hiring a professional to design your website is better than doing it yourself.

Guaranteed Views

Just because you have a website doesn’t mean everyone will see it. Why? Because the internet is flooded with sites of every kind and design. Hiring a pro will guarantee your website gets seen because they understand the importance of updates and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Updating your site regularly will improve your rank which means your website will be among the top views in people’s search engines. Also, a professional is familiar with placing keywords in the right area and knowing when to use text or a photo to your website so it will end up in a search result.

Professional Appearance

Consumers will typically judge a company based on its webpage. You could offer the best products and services but if your website appears unprofessional, or unresponsive, you could easily lose potential customers. If your website has misspellings, broken links or has an outdated look, viewers will likely leave your page and move on. A professional will be there to manage all the aspects of your website, guaranteeing a professional appearance.

Artist Touch

Designing a website isn’t just for techies. It really takes an artist’s eye to develop a stylish website. Gone are the days of a simple landing page. Today, people value websites that look sleek and simple. Navigation such as headers that highlight when your mouse scrolls over them are gradual changes that can elevate the look of your website.

Pros Improve the Experience

A digital marketing company knows what makes a great website tick and what adjustments are needed. They can run analytics and configure it so you will get more hits and more traffic. These professionals have experienced the highs and lows of website design and are less likely to have beginner mistakes. Also, digital marketing companies have technical staff that can handle the big issues. Responding to the server going down or how to recover if the server gets hacked and starts redirecting traffic from your web site to another. These are real issues that plague both big business and small business alike.

Allows You To Be The Boss

You started your business because you have a passion for entrepreneurship. But if you spend a majority of time reading DIY website design books or learning to code, then you could lose focus on your company. Hiring a pro allows you to put all your attention on your business so you don’t have to worry about design, uploads or updates. The pros are there to do it for you allowing you to spend time on what you enjoy doing most!

It’s important to remember that these professionals not only make websites, but they also make GREAT websites. You want visitors to continue clicking through the pages and a professional can make that happen.

Contact us to find out how we can help with your business’s digital presence. For a free consultation to formulate a strategic and affordable plan, call us today at 251-517-9425 or visit www.southernviewmedia.com. We are a Google Trusted Agency and will be happy to answer your questions.