Feeling Stuck in the Algorithm? 3 Ways to Maximize Instagram for Your Business (UPDATED)

You may have already successfully completed all of the first steps of establishing your business:

• Decided your business name 
• Registered your business 
• Set the foundation for paying your taxes
• Created your business website
• Found your supportive online community to help you through entrepreneurship
• Downloaded our FREE PDF for helping you maximize your discovery calls

And that means you’re more than ready to focus on your marketing and start getting clients!

But if you’ve already spoken to all the friends, family, and neighbors you can think of and you’re ready to branch out further into the world, social media is your next big step!

Harnessing the power of Instagram can be a powerful way to find new clients, discover new streams of income, or even determine the right niche for your business. To get you started quickly in your social media journey, here are the ABCs of maximizing your Instagram for business.

1. Authenticity is Key for Business on Instagram

When we think of Instagram, many of us think of curated feeds, filtered images, and Photoshop edited faces. The idea of the perfect “grid” can be intimidating, especially when you’re just starting out on Instagram.

But I have good news for you -- the more perfect you look to your audience, the less connection you will make with your audience. 

The truth is, curated feeds and perfect images aren’t what your audience is looking for. They’re looking for YOU -- your skills, your personality, your creativity, and most importantly, what you can do for them.

Narrow down your authentic voice by asking yourself a simple question: “How do I want my audience to feel after they view my content?” Do you want them to feel entertained, inspired, educated, or a combination of these things? 

If you have a bright, bubbly personality, don’t stumble over trying to be more “serious” to your audience. On the other hand, if you have a more straightforward personality, don’t try to entertain your audience with an inauthentic voice. 

If you don’t, you risk drawing the wrong audience to your page. In the long run, you don’t want to work with clients who don’t like the real you. Build your business with your authentic self from the start. It is the key to attracting the right clients for your business to ensure a long successful future.

2. Building a Recognizable Instagram Brand for Your Business

One of the biggest challenges many business owners face is creating a standout brand for their business. Building a brand is more than just a logo and a color palette -- it’s the look, feel, and personality of your business.

The best way to approach building a unique brand for your business is by looking at your personality and making sure your brand reflects exactly who you are. Using simple color psychology can help guide you with the choices you make as you design your brand. 

For example, if you’re a light-hearted personality who loves to inspire others with a carefree attitude, your brand palette probably shouldn’t be gray or neutral tones.

Choose a vibrant color palette like pink and red or orange and yellow. If you’re an eco-conscious business owner who loves nature, neutral earthy tones or a green palette will help communicate your unique personality.  

Once you have determined the foundational look and feel of your brand, consistently create content with your foundational elements in mind -- your brand colors, fonts, logos, and your overall personality. Using these elements consistently in your posts will create a recognizable brand identity.

Try to avoid changing the color palette, fonts, and logos unless you are redesigning your entire brand. Consistency is key in getting clients to recognize your brand.

It can be very tempting to design a brand based on how we want to be perceived versus who we really are. In the long run, this can cause a lot of frustration, heartache, and even resentment with your business.

A sustainable brand can only be created when it is built on your authentic self. When you stay true to who you are, your brand can grow and expand but not lose sight of your mission, values, and purpose.

3. Creating a Network for Your Business on Instagram

Once you’ve established your authentic brand, creating the right network for your business can be based on your personal values rather than a marketing formula.

While there is endless social media advice on the internet about beating the algorithm, the truth is, no one knows the algorithm, and neither can they promise you success with their secret formula. 

Especially when the algorithm changes so quickly...

Expanding your business on Instagram is not based on the perfect hashtag recipe, the perfect time to post, or even the most perfectly curated image. Spend time finding the clients you want to serve, and begin to learn about their needs. Comment on their posts, interact with their daily stories, ask questions, and curate your content based on what your ideal client needs. 

If they are busy being full-time parents and full-time employees, talk about time management and how your services can specifically save them a certain amount of hours per week or month.

If they are frustrated with learning a new skill, talk about your expertise and how your services can solve their problems without causing them any more frustration.

Always lead with your ideal client’s needs in mind.

Finally, the most important thing to remember when trying to maximize Instagram for your business is to never sacrifice your audience for the sake of the algorithm.

Genuine connections will always be more important than likes, follows, and shares.

When you create valuable content that is targeted to your ideal audience, seek out genuine interactions, and listen deeply to what your audience is saying, you will find the ideal clients who are right for your business.   

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