Instagram has amassed an audience the size of the United States and with its connection to Facebook, we could be talking about over a Billion with a B. So why is it that many businesses have stuck their nose up to the ‘Gram saying that they don’t see any reason to be posting silly photos on social media?

Let’s all have a moment of silence for those businesses resisting that change and after that let’s celebrate as it’s one less business in competition.

If you’re still around, let me welcome you to the step-by-step guide to using Instagram as a Creative.

What You’ve Missed with Instagram

No Longer for Squares

This update came out around the time of the iPhone 6s release. Instagram no longer requires that your content shape to the 1:1 square ratio. You can now post photos and videos in their normal ratio such as 16:9 Widescreen.

Videos

This video came out quite a while ago but in case you missed it, Instagram can post 15-second videos. They will loop just like on Vine so try to cut your videos where they makes a clever loop.

1. #Hashtags

#Hashtags get a bad rep by most, but I’m gonna need you to see past all of that and embrace them. Instgram uses Hashtags as its main source for keywords search. Think of them like Google Search words: the more you use, the more that your content will show up on different results.

Best Practice with Hashtags: Post your content with a caption.

THEN comment on your own photo with all of the Hashtags. This avoids cluttering your caption but giving your photo ultimate searchability.

2. @Tagging

I’m not talking about the Facebook-style tagging of putting a little name of their face. This is in reference to commenting on content with someone’s @Username. Start a conversation by throwing your friend in the conversation. Start this new conversation now between you, your friend, and the content creator.

3. Mobile-Only, Duh

Ever try uploading your photos on Instagram.com? Yeah, no, because it doesn’t work. Instagram is a mobile-only content platform. The website is almost there just to hold the domain.

So how do photographers upload professional photographs to Instagram?

The Mobile Workaround

Edit Photo/Video Email Content to Oneself Open Email on Phone Save Photo/Video Attachment Upload to Instagram.

4. Engagement

I’ve saved the best last and the most room to preach.

Engagement is THE MOST IMPORTANT PART

(…and the most underrated.)

If posting photos is 50%, then Engagement is the other 50%.

Nobody passed a test with 50%.

This usually goes for all Social Media platforms but if you want to succeed on Instagram then you have to reach out and you have to engage. Don’t be that guy who just post photos all day with going deep with fans. Unless you’re famous, you have to build your fanbase one comment, and one heart at a time. Even Famous people can suck at Instagram.