1. Listen To Instagram

Instagram itself is a great source for business tips, with some stellar advice on their blog geared towards that very subject, so go check it out.

2. Balance Work With Play

Of course you want to sell your product or service, but you’ll quickly find yourself losing traction if all you do is try to sell sell sell. Mix in some fun photos related to your industry so that you don’t come across as an emotionless marketing machine.

3. Present Various Aspects Of Your Business

A great way to represent your company via Instagram is to let your followers in on what’s going on behind the scenes. Demonstrate all aspects of your business, from manufacturing to sales to delivery. People will enjoy getting an inside look at what goes into the creation and distribution of their favorite products.

4. Present Your Employees And Customers

Highlight the people who are keeping the wheel running. Followers almost always enjoy seeing a happy employee performing an interesting task or a customer happy with their purchase.

5. Show Your Product Or Service In Action

A great way to sell something via pictures is to show its uses to possible consumers. If done right, fans will be so enticed by the imagery that they need to purchase it for themselves.

6. Dress It Up

You don’t want to show a typical day at your business, because, frankly, a typical day probably isn’t all that exciting. Shine a light on moments that make your company seem like a constant source of wonder.

7. Don’t Just Take Pictures

Instagram’s 15-second videos are a major part of the social media platform, so be sure to utilize them. 15 seconds doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but it’s long enough to entertain potential customers and possibly interest them in your product or serve.

8. Document Key Moments

Don’t be shy about recording your company’s milestones for all your Instagram followers to see. Your fanbase will appreciate the opportunity to get a first-hand look at momentous events in your business, further investing them in your success.

9. Don’t Go Overboard With Filters

Filters are fun, but a lot of people and companies go way too far with them. Be sure to only use them on your photos when they serve a clear purpose. I would go as far as to say that if you still consider yourself a beginner, at photography you should hold off on them altogether.

10. Hire An Expert

Of course, there are people who can tell you when filters make sense. In the cascade of mediocre photographs on Instagram, well-shot ones will really stand out from the pack, so consider finding someone who can make your photos really appealing. Even an intern with a strong sense of design can go a long way.

11. Be A Part Of The Community

Don’t be a social media leech. An important Instagram business tip is to interact with your followers and other businesses by following them and commenting on their photos. By taking part in the larger Instagram ecosystem you’re much more likely to cultivate a loyal group of fans.

It’s amazing what a difference a hashtag can make. By contributing to trends your brand can be exposed to a whole new audience of users.

13. Connect Your Account To Facebook

You’re using Facebook to promote your business, right? If not, you really should be. Link Instagram to Facebook so that you can cross-pollinate followers.

14. Reward Your Followers

Give people incentives to follow your brand on Instagram, such as by offering regular prizes to your followers in exchange for publicity. If you offer them small tokens of appreciation, people will be more than happy to put the word out there.

15. Learn From The Best

The number one way to figure out how to stand out from the flocks of Instagram accounts is to draw inspiration from the successes that came before you. Look at the best of the best uses of Instagram, many of them shown in this article on Business Insider. Featured photo credit: AFGE via flickr.com