I feel like this is the question that I get from EVERY coaching client I take on: “How do I get clients/customers using Instagram?!” I wish it were as simple as: “If you post this photo with this caption at this time you’ll make 6 figures!”
Since it’s not that simplistic I have been utilizing a three part process to generate leads and land new accounts using IG. This will be a three part blog series because y’all, I’ve got a lot to say! Before you even read the rest of this blog post I want you to make sure you’ve done the following steps:
- Transition your Instagram into a business account.
- Know who you’re ideal client/customer is.
- Make sure you’re willing to put in the work – we are playing the long game.
Step 1: Awareness
People have no idea what you do unless you TELL THEM! You cannot expect the lady at Starbucks to know that you’re a badass wedding photographer by just looking at you, what if Maria (she’s the barista) is actually looking for a photographer for her wedding next year? I know you’re thinking: “okay, but that’s a lot of ‘what ifs’ how am I supposed to tell everyone what I do?!” Hey, great question! In your every day life, you’d strike up a conversation with Maria because you saw her engagement ring!
You: Thanks girl, I have a long day ahead of me editing photos from a wedding last weekend – I NEED this coffee!
Maria: OMG, are you a photographer?
You: I am! Weddings are my jam, they give me allllll the feels!
Maria: This is so perfect, I was looking for a photographer for my wedding next year! How can I find more of your work?
You: I’d love to work with you and your fiance, here’s my Instagram! I’ll follow you right back! *if you prefer business cards or website give her your card or web address*
Maria: Yay, thank you!!
Are you just going to forget about your awesome convo with Maria the barista?! NO! Of course you aren’t because you now have a warm lead. Maria went from a cold lead – someone who didn’t know/like/trust you, you were a literal stranger; to someone who now knows that you’re a wedding photog with a passion for shooting weddings. AND you guys vibed in line at Starbucks so she also likes you!
It’s the exact same concept but translated onto Instagram! Ask yourself: how do people find you? One super easy way to boost your chances of being found on IG is to put a keyword WITHIN your name (ex. Lindsey Lay – Business Coach) sooooo when someone types in “business coach” in my area there is a much higher chance of me being found! This goes with hashtags as well, don’t use a series of pointless hashtags like OOTD, Instadaily, likeforlike, etc. Use strategic and targeted hashtags that your ideal client will likely be using or searching for! If you’re a Charlotte NC wedding photographer would it make sense for you to simply tag #photographer?! Nope! #CharlottePhotographer however is a fabulous tag to use because a bride would likely search this to find YOU! The same is true for you searching for your ideal client, would you look up #bride? Nope… You’d look up #CharlotteBride.
If you aren’t a location based service provider you have a bit more flexibility in the tags that would make sense for your niche. If you sell childrens’ clothing you wouldn’t search #kidfreeforlife (duh) you’d search for #momblogger or something niche specific! Are you picking up what I’m putting down?
I want you to remember that you aren’t just driving traffic to your Instagram feed, you are ultimately trying to sell your product and/or service soooooo that brings us to our second step. Make sure you subscribe to get Step 2 sent directly to your inbox!!
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