Instagram is a digital marketing powerhouse for all kinds of brands.
But when you think of brands that are killing it on Instagram, you usually think of niches where it makes sense to put visual content front and center.
Apparel brands, travel brands, lifestyle brands, fitness brands…
Instagram is fertile ground for all of these kinds of companies.
But what about a service business, especially one that's primarily B2B?
Relevant imagery might not come to mind easily, and Instagram might seem like an odd choice of social media platform for an accountant, a marketing consultant, or a commercial plumbing company.
But with a little creativity, even the most unlikely of companies can see big returns from Instagram.
In a recent article in Entrepreneur, social media strategist Leslya Yu offers some creative new ways to get active on the world's leading image-based social media platform.
Show your expertise.
People love to follow brands and accounts that they find valuable in some way. What’s a better way to provide value that sharing helpful advice?
To position yourself as an expert in the field, share tips, hacks and shortcuts. While you may think that what you know, everyone knows as well it is not true.
Don’t dismiss any tips as “too obvious,” because again, while it may seem obvious to you, it may not seem obvious to your potential and current clients.
Because you have a constant exposure to the same activity, skill, or industry, you’ve accumulated more knowledge than you know.
You can share tips as overlays on pretty images or as infographics.
You may also record a 15-second video where you talk, or better yet, show the tip.
If you’re not feeling creative, share a nice image and simply put your tip in the caption section.
Inspire with success stories.
As a business owner, you have to have at least a few success stories in your business.
Share your clients’ stories.
It may be as simple as a written or recorded testimonial; it may be a mini-case study where you talk about your strategies for achieving success.
It’s even better if you can share before and after image.
Health and weight coaches, dermatologists, hair stylists, nail technicians, seamstresses can all post images that speak louder than words on their expertise in the field.
Clearly, get a client’s permission first and run with it!
Sell the solution to their problems.
People oftentimes flock to social media for aspirational content.
Think of your brand not only as a list of services you perform, but as a lifestyle you enable your clients to have.
Are they enjoying greater financial freedom? Having better health?
Having more time to spend with their families? Feeling more confident in their own skin?
All of these are great aspirational messages you can portray through images.
You can read about more unique ways to promote your service business over at Entrepreneur.
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