In this series, we’ve been talking about social media marketing tips. Last week we went over Facebook and this week, I’d like to go over Instagram. Instagram can be a great tool to utilize with salon & spas since it’s such a visual market. Tips for Using Instagram as a Communication Tool Photos are the best way to market your salon & spa while showing a vast array of your stylist’s work as well as bringing a light side to your salon with fun photos that align with your brand. ? Use trending hashtags to attract your clients, and future clients, to your Instagram profile. This will allow them to learn more about your salon and your style. ? Pick hashtags that point out your location. Most people these days’ search online for local salon & spas so it’s important to keep your location easy to find. If your salon is in Pleasanton, CA for example, follow your captions with #Pleasanton and #California so that those looking in that area can find you quickly. ? Before & after pictures are so important to showcase your stylist’s talent and Instagram is the perfect platform for this type of media. Use pictures that show transformation and will grab your audience’s attention. ? Instagram is largely used by the millennials so be sure to keep some posts trendy, fun, and quirky. Enjoy posting feel-good pictures, quotes and other engagement that you feel also defines your brand. It doesn’t always have to be a pitch on products or services. ? Take part in Instagram contests. This is a good way to get your audience for engaged. Hold photo contests among your followers such as “Post your favorite fall hair color” with a hashtag for your salon. Offer a free product, discount off a service, or a free basic service to increase engagement and encourage others to share your contest. ? Make followers aware of promotions in your shop with promotional photos. Highlight back to school specials, holiday specials, and special events that your salon does in the community. You can also make exclusive promotions for your Instagram followers only. ? Provide incentives for those followers willing to engage in word-of-mouth for your salon & spa. Offer, for instance, 10% off their next service by using a desired hashtag in a post to increase brand awareness. Word-of-mouth is huge in this industry and referrals are key to picking up new clients. There’s so many channels and social media platforms to engage in. Make sure you are vested in the time on follow-thru so that your salon & spa looks informative and well-rounded.... posting once a year or every few months isn’t going to cut it these days. Need help creating content or even successfully setting up a business page? At SalonCloudsPlus, we can help you build a good social media marketing strategy and give your salon that edge it needs to succeed. Need a new mobile-friendly website or haven’t seen our mobile app in action? Email us for a free demo of the system at app@webappclouds.com or check out the website at www.SalonCloudsPlus.com.