Chances are, you use Instagram and other social media platforms in your life. That may be for personal use, like sharing yet another picture of your fur baby. Or it could be for professional use, like promoting your business or the company you work for in a social media role. However, unless you are, in fact, a marketing professional in terms of your career, you likely don’t spend a lot of time thinking about Instagram or other platforms as tools for achieving your goals. Nevertheless, these may very well be some of the most valuable resources at your disposal.
Set your account up for success.
Before you can make the most of your Instagram profile, you will have to make sure that it’s ready to be used for your intended purposes. For example, if you’re using Instagram as a way to promote your entrepreneurial efforts, you’ll want to ensure that your graphics, photographs, and other posts are of the best possible quality. In that case, an Instagram template might be beneficial, particularly if you’re trying to set a particular theme for your Instagram or other social media feed. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re working to build an audience through hashtags and other methods, as well as to build a relationship with that audience. Ensure that they know exactly what they’ll be getting from your account, especially as you transition into a professional and personal resource.
View your profiles as a VIP might.
This doesn’t necessarily mean you’re expecting a Kardashian to scroll through your Instagram page. However, there are other important people in your own life that might turn to it. Consider if your grandparents were to view your Instagram profile—would they be happy with what they see? Alternatively, perhaps you’re trying to find a college counselor, or get into college in the first place. You don’t want to have pictures of you and your friends drinking alcohol as underage high school students, for instance, or other posts that might not show you in the best light. Whether it’s job searching, college admissions, or something else entirely, you want to make sure that your Instagram profile is showing you to be a good fit, keeping your goals and other efforts in mind. Look at your page as someone else might, particularly if that someone could affect your future. Ask yourself what they might think when they look at your posts and the profiles you’ve set up. Will they be impressed? If not, consider what you can tweak, delete, or add to make your online presence more appealing to these VIPs.
Set a distinct goal for your social media.
If you’re planning to use Instagram and other social media platforms as the resources they are, you need to have a set goal in mind for doing so. If you’re hoping to promote a professional endeavor, for instance, what is it that you want to do with your account? If you want to build a more highly engaged audience and make sales, you’ll have a slightly different approach to your efforts than you would if you’re trying to build a brand from scratch or to develop brand recognition overall.
When you start your Instagram brand in university, make sure you share the university spirit on your feed. UC premium college apparel is a must if you attended the University of Cincinnati, so you can show your school pride and show your Bearcats team spirit as well as look great while doing so.
Whatever your goals are for Instagram and other social media, they can indeed be an invaluable resource in your personal and professional life. Whether you’re taking the time to build an Instagram presence for your brand new company or you’re posting to your personal page knowing that college counselors may see what you post, know what it is you hope to accomplish with your Instagram page, and in life overall, and how your Instagram posts can impact those goals.
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