Hardwood Floors June/July 2018

BUSINESS BEST PRACTICES MARKETING

Instagram: Why It Matters (PART 1)

Photo by freestocks.org.

Created in 2010 and sold to Facebook for $1 billion in 2012, Instagram is an image-driven mobile app and social network, also accessible on desktops and laptops. More than 500 million people use Instagram daily, and more than 25 million businesses are on the platform, according to Instagram. Further, more than 40 billion images have been posted to Instagram, with 95 million photos being uploaded every day – up from 70 million in 2017. Instagram is growing. But is it right for the wood flooring industry? Probably! Several leading wood flooring companies are leveraging the benefits of this powerful medium to engage with customers, share information, and build their brands. WHY INSTAGRAM MATTERS

Because Instagram is such a visual platform, it gives hardwood flooring craftsman a showcase for their work that often goes unseen in private homes or organizations with limited exposure to the public. Because Instagram also includes the option to write content, users can caption their photos, offer tips, and demonstrate techniques and processes using photos and videos. Although current customers might not have warmed up to this more youth-oriented platform, many future customers are already using it – more than 50 percent of men and women ages 18 to 34. Instagram can give you an “early in” with these future homebuyers and remodelers.

Finally, even if you don’t use Instagram to reach customers directly, the platformmakes it easy and convenient to share photos of your work and others’ with customers. Just pull up Instagram on your iPad, notebook, or laptop and let the ideas flow.

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