Lately, I only buy things from people I like. I buy my groceries from the lovely grocer near my house that’s right next to the poké place because it has all the foods my favorite foodie on Instagram buys. Plus, there’s the poké, which another Instagram influencer persuaded me to try and now I’m hooked. I buy undereye concealer from a beauty blogger with no bags, not counting her Louis Vuittons, and my current writing outfit is one I bought because my favorite fashion blogger wore the same one when she was in Paris.
Note: I am not in Paris, but I could be with this outfit.
There’s no denying that Insta-shopping is changing the way we decide to buy things. Yes, people respond to simple, visual-driven content. But is it right for your business?
Some things to consider before you dive in:
- Do you have a business account?If you want to sell on Instagram, you’ve got to start here. According to current rules, you must sell physical goods that comply with Instagram’s merchant agreement and commerce policies. And your business profile must be connected to a Facebook catalog, which can be created on Business Manager, directly on your business’s Page on Facebook or through Shopify or another ecommerce platform.
- Are you selling a product or a service?You can certainly do both, but it’s good practice to determine what your followers want from you. In our experience here at The Found Gen, the best accounts cando both. They use the platform to sell their actual services, from interior design to health and wellness workshops, and also link to products they use and love while earning commissions.
- Decide on your Call to Action.It’s different for everyone. Some want sponsorship deals, but some just crave exposure and another means to capture their customer’s attention. If you post at the right time and use the right hashtags, then your organic reach can grow quickly. That means more viewers, more potential buyers, and more potential income. We work with our clients to decide on micro-goals for their Instagram presence, from building an image to promoting a business and selling services.
More than anything, whether you decide to open up an Insta-shop or not, we can still hone your identity and increase engagement between you and all your potential customers. It’s worth it. Because engagement indicates you’re solving problems for people around you and changing their lives, even if only a bit. That’s the whole point of social media.
I mean, just look at me. I’m totally dressed and ready for Paris. Next step? A ticket to Paris.
Let’s talk more about this, shall we? I’ll meet you at the mall…errrr…on Instagram.