8 Creative Ways Startups Can Use Instagram

As a student entrepreneur, you have a lot on your plate. Not only are you juggling classes and extra-curricular activities, but you’re also working hard to launch your startup.

One of the key components in launching a startup includes creating a social media presence that attracts and engages your target audience. But the reality is, building an effective social media presence takes time and it takes work. There are no overnight successes. “If your social-media plan is to just wing it, your fans and potential customers are going to know,” says Amy Porterfield, social media strategist.

Today, let me introduce you to the Instagram presence of one of our #WakeEntreprenurs, Updog Kombucha. Updog Kombucha was founded in 2016 by Yoga enthusiasts Lauren Miller and Olivia Wolff, who had a passion for healthy living and natural products.

Throughout the year, they have worked hard to build their presence on Instagram, a presence that attracts and engages their target audience. Here are some of the key takeaways from their profile that you can begin implementing online for your startup:

• Share colorful, vibrant pictures: One of the first things you will notice when you go to the Updog Kombucha Instagram account is that they inspire through their pictures. Instagram is all about picture sharing and one of the best things you can do for your startup is to share top notch photos that immediately grab the attention of those who see it. You want colorful, passion-filled images that tell the story of your startup.
• Keep it real: One of the best things Updog Kombucha does is share multiple photos that include people; people who have become their brand ambassadors and people who love their product. Not only will you come across photos of people who are enjoying Updog Kombucha on a beautiful day, but also people who are wearing the Updog apparel all around the world. As you launch your startup and build your brand online, you too will have brand ambassadors who will share their photos with you!
• Be Creative: I love the creativity behind Updog’s pictures. Why? Because their creative pictures do the selling without them having to be “salesy.” They share their product in a variety of settings and seriously, who wouldn’t want some Kombucha after viewing those photos? Their pictures do the selling.
• Incorporate video: Another component they add to their account are video snippets which helps change things up a bit. And all of their videos are FUN!
• Use hashtags wisely: If you want a successful Instagram presence for your startup, it’s vitally important that you know what the top hashtags are for your industry, your niche. Hashtags on Instagram expand your reach and allow you to be found by new people. And as you will see, Updog uses just the right hashtags on each of their posts.
• Tag others wisely: Far too often what ends up happening on Instagram is that businesses tag multiple people in their posts, in the hopes of increasing their engagement. But truthfully what ends up happening is that they annoy the people behind those businesses that they are tagging. Updog is very wise in who they tag and when. Every time they tag someone, it’s because that person/business has something to do with that specific post. They are not just randomly tagging others. By tagging those who are a part of the post, they are creating a community of brand ambassadors.
• Host a giveaway: You would be amazed at what a giveaway will do for your engagement. People love free stuff. And Updog has implemented this strategy, perfectly. They hosted a giveaway which increased their engagement while also helping them to create a brand awareness amongst their current followers and new followers.
• Be consistent: Ultimately, it comes down to being consistent with your posts. The more consistent you are, the more others will view you as a “real” startup. There is nothing worse than coming to a social media account and realizing that they haven’t posted in the last 3-months. If you want to grow your brand awareness, reach your target audience and create a community of brand ambassadors, post on a consistent basis.

As you look through the Updog posts, did you notice a theme? Did you notice a very specific “voice” that is shared through all of their photos? Updog has stayed true to who they are, a fun, energetic company that is making a difference in the world of Kombucha!

We are living in a time where as a start-up, you have the opportunity to create an awareness all over the world and Instagram is a great platform that allows you to do just that. And that’s exactly what Updog Kombucha did. What began as an online store via their Instagram account, has turned into a full-fledged business which has spread across North Carolina and beyond.