instagram basics

What is Instagram?

Instagram is an online mobile photo-sharing, video-sharing and social networking service that enables its users to take pictures and videos, and share them.

Who Uses Instagram?

• 200 m monthly users worldwide

• 41% of users are between 18 and 24

• 30% of teens think Instagram is the most important social network

• 49%/51% M/F

Using Instagram Strategically

• How does Instagram fit my business needs?• How important are visuals to my storytelling?• Is the audience appropriate for my product?• Will I commit the time to follow through?

What will I stop doing?• Do I have enough content to have a relevant

presence?• Where will that content come from?

Setting Up an Account

• iTunes or Play Store• Profile photo• Description (this is

the only place you can put a url)

• Hashtags

How to Take a Photo with Instagram

• Keep in mind, all photos are square• Use your phone’s camera or save photos to your phone’s

photo roll• Crop• Filters (don’t over-filter)• Caption• Video (possible, not recommended)

Monitoring and Engagement Tools

• PhotoRepost (app)• Iconosquare (.com)• IFTTT (.com)

Hashtags Help People Find Photos

• Search out similar accounts• Be consistent• Reposting (PhotoRepost App)

Building an Audience

• Following relevant hashtags• Follow influential Instagrammers, make a

personal introduction• Commenting on relevant photos• Promotions• Spread the word

Time Commitment

• Ideally, post 1-4 photos per day, depending on your audience and message

• 15 minutes a day finding and commenting on photos to build a community

Measurement

• Engagement is most important (comments and likes)

• Growth in followers• Use of a hashtag (Iconosquare)• No easy analytics, but adding up doesn’t

take too long