Any time is the perfect time to elevate your online retail business and boost sales. Our team is delighted to present this comprehensive Instagram Guide, designed to provide you tips and tricks on how to sell retail on Instagram.
In this planner, you'll discover practical strategies to harness the power of Instagram and engage your audience effectively, all with the goal of driving sales to your online store.
MAXIMIZE INSTAGRAM PROFILE:
- Use a high-quality photo of yourself or your logo as your profile picture.
- Write a concise and engaging bio that highlights your expertise, services, and location.
- Inject your personality into your bio. Let your tone reflect your style, whether it’s professional, playful, or casual.
- Mention any unique services, specialties, or achievements that set you apart.
- Include a call to action, such as “Shop Online,” and insert your URL link that directs followers to your online store.
- Add in your contact information such as email address or phone number for inquiries. If you are not comfortable with that, let your followers know they can DM you.
- Instagram allows you to format your bio with line breaks. Use this feature to make your bio more readable. You can do this by typing your bio in a note-taking app and then copying and pasting it into your Instagram bio.
- Tag your salon location. This helps people find you more easily.
BEST PRACTICES FOR INSTAGRAM POSTS:
- High-Quality Imagery: Always use high-resolution, well-lit images or professional photos of the retail products. Showcase the product from different angles, and consider featuring it in use or in a salon setting. For example, a close-up shot of a luxury shampoo bottle or a hairstylist using a flat iron.
- Educational Captions: Craft informative captions that explain the benefits and unique selling points of the product. Describe how it solves common hair problems or enhances a particular style. Include any special ingredients or technologies. For instance, “Our revitalizing conditioner with Argan oil for silky, manageable hair. Say goodbye to frizz!”
- Client Testimonials: Share written or video testimonials from clients who have had positive experiences with your retail products. Ask them to discuss what they love about the products and how it has improved their hair.
TOP WAYS TO USE CAROUSELS ON INSTAGRAM TO ENGAGE YOUR AUDIENCE:
- Create a story that demonstrates how using your retail products transformed a client’s hair. 1st slide post a “before” image of a client with a common hair issue like frizz, dryness, or faded color. In the 2nd slide, introduce the retail product you recommend to solve the hair challenge with a striking product image and include a brief description. Next, create a series of slides, each demonstrating the steps of using the product (application, styling etc.) Last image reveals the stunning result! Caption it with something like, “Achieve frizz-free, sleek locks with (name your brand and product)!”
- Choose a hairstyle or problem to solve. Example: “How To Create Effortless Beach Waves” or “Maintaining Vibrant Color at Home.” Create a Carousel by breaking down the process into steps, using each slide for one step. For beach waves, it might include “Prep Your Hair,” “Curling Technique,” “Setting the Waves,” and “Final Look.” In your captions mention the products to use and how to use them and they can purchase them from your online store.
TIPS TO USE INSTAGRAM STORIES TO SELL HAIR CARE PRODUCTS:
- Create Stories that showcase individual products in your catalog. Highlight key features and benefits, including ingredients, and how it can improve customer’s hair. Deep link the product link from your online store into your story to help direct customers to that product.
- Share before-and-after images or videos of clients who have used your products. Authentic testimonials and visual proof of the product’s effectiveness can be very persuasive.
- Use Stories to demonstrate how to use hair care products. Provide step-by-step tutorials on applying, styling, or achieving a certain look.
- Share your personal recommendations for different hair types and concerns. Create short videos explaining which products work best for specific needs.
- Announce new brand and product arrivals! Updating customers through Stories builds anticipation and excitement.
- Always include a clear call to action in your Stories, such as “Shop Now” or “Visit My Online Store.” Make it easy for viewers to take action.
PRO TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL Q&A STORY:
- Let customers know when you’ll be offering your Q&A, promote on Instagram feed, stories and other social media platforms in advance.
- Use the “Question” sticker in your story. This allows your followers to ask questions directly.
- Go live! Try going live on Instagram during your scheduled time. Start by introducing yourself and the purpose of your Q&A.
- Show hair care products you recommend or use during your live session. Visual aids can make your answers more engaging!
- Encourage viewers to like, comment, and share your live video. Ask them to tag friends who might be interested!
- After your Q&A session, save to your highlights so that others can watch it later. You can even promote the saved Q&A on your feed to reach a wider audience.
TOP TIPS ON HOW TO USE OF INSTAGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:
- Product Categories such as shampoo, treatments, styling products, and tools. Showcase individual products in each Highlight, providing details about their features, benefits, and how they address specific hair concerns.
- How to Use Products highlight will demonstrate how to use your products effectively. Share step-by-step tutorials on applying products, achieving specific styles, and addressing common hair issues using your retail products.
- Customer Reviews will build trust! Share before-and-after photos or videos of satisfied customers.
- Styling Tips is a must have highlight that allows you to showcase how your products can be used for various looks. Include tips and tricks to inspire followers to experiment with your products.
- Customer Transformation stories are so inspiring. Highlight their journey, showcasing where they started and how your products made a difference.
- For each Highlight, select an appealing and relevant cover image. Cover images are the first thing viewers see, so they should be visually engaging and representative of the content inside.
HOW TO USE INSTAGRAM REELS TO SELL HAIR CARE PRODUCTS:
- Showcase the transformation your products can achieve! Feature before-and after shots to demonstrate the effectiveness of your hair care items.
- Use Reels to educate your audience about the benefits and proper use of your products. Share quick tutorials or tips on how to get the best results.
- Create Reels that highlight the key features and ingredients of products. Explain what makes them stand out!
- Always include a clear call to action in your Reels. Prompt viewers to visit your online store and let them know about free shipping on orders of $20 or more.
- Keep an eye on trending challenges, music and effects. Incorporate these trends into your content to increase visibility.
HASHTAGS PRO TIPS:
- Utilize hashtags to enhance the discoverability of your retail hair care products online. By selecting relevant hashtags like #HairCareEssentials or #HairGoals, you'll reach a broader, interested audience searching for hair solutions, ultimately boosting your product visibility.
- Engage with relevant haircare communities and discussions by using industry-specific hashtags. This approach fosters connections with fellow hair enthusiasts and potential customers, helping you establish your presence and build a loyal clientele.
- Be deliberate in choosing a mix of broad and specific haircare-related hashtags such as #HealthyHairTips and #SalonFavorites. This strategy ensures that your posts connect with both a general audience and those seeking specific haircare solutions.
- Continually experiment with different hashtags to gauge their effectiveness in promoting your online retail sales. Use analytics to assess which hashtags generate the most engagement and conversions, refining your approach to maximize the impact of your online retail efforts in the hair industry.
#CosmoProfDirect
MASTERING PRODUCT PHOTOGRAPHY:
- Natural light is your best friend, so take advantage of diffused, indirect sunlight. Utilize natural light to your advantage, experiment with different times of the day and angles to determine when your salon gets the most flattering light for your product photos
- Select a background that complements your hair care product. Pay attention to your background choice. Opt for clean and uncluttered settings within your salon. When composing your shots, keep in mind the rule of thirds to create engaging visuals.
- Use your smartphone's macro mode or focus settings to capture intricate product details, such as texture, labels, and unique features.
- Take advantage of photo editing apps like Snapseed or Adobe Lightroom Mobile to enhance your images. These apps offer features to adjust exposure, color balance, and sharpness.
- Many smartphones offer a feature known as “Portrait Mode.” This mode allows you to create a beautiful background blur, which helps your product stand out. To use this effect, place the product close to the camera, and your smartphone will automatically blur the background, making the product more prominent. Remember to adjust the level of background blur to achieve the desired effect.