Chicago Booth Entrepreneurial Roundtable Downtown Social Media for Accelerated Customer

and Business Development

by Elly Deutch

January 13, 2014

INSTAGRAM OVERVIEW -  Social photo sharing app for iOS and

Android with cool filters

-  Launched as a geo-location app by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger in October 2010 called Burbn

-  Allows you to instantly share your photos/videos to Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr Foursquare and email

-  Currently has 150 million active users

-  Photos generate 1,000 comments per second

-  Video sharing launched June 2013

BEST PRACTICES

-  Photos and videos are the most sharable content on the web, so make them flashy, creative and authentic

-  Have a theme or strategy with your photos

-  Be sure to have someone with an artistic eye create your photos

-  Use borders, filters, tilt shifts and lux to enhance your photo

MAX OUT YOUR PROFILE

-  Fill out your bio information with short, creative verbiage

-  Include a URL to your website (this is the only place that URLs work on Instagram!)

-  Add a profile photo, like your logo

-  Search suggested users for who to follow

POST CREATIVE CONTENT

-  Tell your story in a unique way

-  Share behind the scenes action

-  Become “Explore-worthy”

-  Use UGC to your benefit

-  ALWAYS brand your photos with your logo or tagline

THE GOLDEN TICKET

USE HASHTAGS

-  Hashtags are essential to growing your fan base and connecting with consumers on Instagram

-  Over 80% of Instagram posts by top brands include at least one hashtag

-  Be specific, relevant and observant

-  Use popular hashtags related to your brand, like: #Love, #TBT, #InstaMeet™, and #Chicago

ENGAGE AND DELIGHT

-  Host giveaways, contests or promotions

-  Respond to comments and inquiries

from your followers

-  Search the “Explore” tab for ways to engage in popular conversations and photos

-  Be proactive and engage with your fans by liking or commenting on their photos/videos

QUESTIONS?

Elly Deutch ellydeutch@gmail.com @deutchE on Instagram