This document provides tips for using Instagram for public relations and marketing purposes. It recommends posting a balanced mix of business and personal posts, engaging with other users by liking, commenting and following them, and using relevant hashtags to increase reach. Additional tips include embedding Instagram videos on websites, connecting offline with companies on Instagram, hosting contests, including company information in bios, and using hashtags and third-party tools to find similar brands.

1. Trade Tips:
Using Instagram
Helpful hints for public relations
and marketing professionals

2. Instagram…
 is a photo and video-sharing social network
 enables users to take pictures and videos and
apply filters
 allows posts to be shared on other social
networking sites such as Facebook, Flickr and
Twitter

3. Optimize Instagram for your
business with these helpful tips

4. Have Balance
 Post regularly with an equal number of
business posts and fun posts
 Implement an image posting plan to prevent
saturating your feed

5.  LIKE and comment on posts
 Follow users on Instagram
 Connect your Facebook and Instagram
accounts
Engage People

6.  Utilize trending hashtags (#) to increase
reach and market your brand
Hint: Use popular hashtags, such as #TBT
(Throwback Thursday) and #TT
(Transformation Tuesday), to draw attention to
your profile
Gain Followers

7.  Embed your Instagram videos onto your
website
 Connect with the companies you want to
connect with offline
 Host photo and video contests
Gain Followers

8. Final Tidbits
 Include your company’s information in the bio
section
 Add your brand’s hashtag to posts
 Use Iconosquare (formerly Statigram) to find
similar brands to connect with

9. To learn more about McKinney & Associates, visit www.mckpr.com
McKinney & Associates was founded in 1990 with a commitment to
social justice that has prevailed for nearly 25 years. From the beginning,
McKinney has passionately and skillfully practiced public relations with a
conscience for local, national and international organizations.