So you’ve decided to sell your cooking passion to the public and let others enjoy the delicious food you’ve made; however, you need to figure out where to start. Creating an Instagram business is very quick. This article will show you how a planned approach to content development is required if you want to grow your food Instagram business. Here are some pointers to help you expand your brand with appealing content quickly:
Define your niche: Choose the particular area of the food industry you wish to concentrate on. It may be baking, vegan food, wholesome dishes, or any other speciality. This will enable you to focus on a certain audience and position yourself as an authority in that field.
Convert to a business account: Create an Instagram business account; this will appear more professional.
- Download the Instagram app from your device’s app store.
- Open the app and tap “Sign Up” to create a new account.
- Enter your email address or phone number, and create a username, and password.
- Complete your profile by adding a profile picture, bio, and contact information.
- Convert your personal account to a business account by going to Settings > Account > Switch to Professional Account and follow the prompts to select the appropriate business category.
Consistent branding: Develop a consistent visual style and theme for your Instagram feed. Choose a colour palette, fonts, and overall aesthetic that align with your brand. Consistency in your branding will make your content recognizable and help you stand out. If you’re stuck, head over to Canva and search ‘Logos’. This will give you an idea of the type of logo you would like. Consider the style of your business, for example, rustic, modern, minimalistic or playful. Choosing your style will help you tell a story from your Instagram posts. Sticking to one style is essential as it allows your audience to buy into your brand image.
High-quality food photography: You don’t need to break the bank and buy a high-end digital camera, but it is advised to refrain from taking photos from a mobile. You can purchase cameras for under $100 that will shoot high-quality photos. A good photo size is 1280 x 720 pixels. Learn the basics of food photography via YouTube; this will give you an idea of how to hold the camera and the lighting you should use. Pay attention to lighting, composition, and presentation. High-quality, delicious photos will attract more followers and engagement.
Create short video reels: Use Instagram’s latest feature to your full advantage and create fun 15-second video clips of your food. Viewers love to see the process from beginning to end, so keep that camera recording. Reels are videos made available to the public, as opposed to stories. Include details, such as the ingredients and equipment you use. Teach others how to make the same food too! You will reach a wider audience and increase engagement by consistently posting video reels. A good rule of thumb is to post 2-3 reels per week. Be sure to reply to comments, as the boost in engagement tells the Instagram algorithm to show your video to more users.
Utilize hashtags strategically: To enhance your visibility and attract a larger audience, research relevant hashtags and utilize them in your postings. Use both well-known and specialized hashtags to appeal to diverse user demographics. Try several hashtag combinations to see which ones work best for your content.
For example, if you are running a bakery business, here are some hashtag ideas you may use:
General bakery-related hashtags:
- #bakery
- #bakedgoods
- #freshlybaked
- #sweettreats
- #homemadebaking
- #pastrylove
Ingredient-specific hashtags:
- #chocolatelovers
- #vanillabaking
- #fruitpastry
- #nuttybakes
- #caramelcravings
Dessert-specific hashtags:
- #cupcakesofinstagram
- #cookiesofinstagram
- #cakestagram
- #macaronlover
Occasion or seasonal hashtags:
- #birthdaytreats
- #holidaybaking
- #valentinesdaydesserts
- #eastersweets
- #thanksgivingbaking
Location-based hashtags (if applicable):
- #yourcitybakery
- #localbaker
- #bakeryin[cityname]
- #[cityname]cakes
- #[cityname]pastries
Brand-specific hashtags:
- Your bakery’s name or a unique branded hashtag that represents your business.
Lastly, keep in mind that Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but using a moderate number (around 10-15) is recommended to maintain a clean and focused caption.
Collaborate with complementary businesses: Partner with other local businesses that may use your service, for example, an events planner or decor company. Ask if you can be added to their preferred supplier list. Partnering adds authenticity to your brand and validates that your business is legitimate. Other partnerships can; local restaurants/ cafes, food bloggers, farmer’s markets and cooking schools. To show your partnership, you can post each other’s accounts or feature each other’s products. Such collaborations expose your content to a new audience and create growth opportunities.
