Are you in the process of creating a brand with Instagram to make your brand stand out? If so, you have come to the right place. Instagram has a strong user base nearing 1 billion. It’s no wonder Instagram is one of the leading social media apps in the world. You can find just about every major company utilizing Instagram in some shape or form. And with the user base growing daily, it’s safe to say Instagram is here to stay.

But what if you’re a small company getting started, and you want to build your brand from the ground up, what do you need to secure a solid user base? Below are a few steps to help you out.

1. Creating awesome photos – Instagram is all about photos. But taking photos of random things, food, cats, and buildings is not all it’s used for. You can also use it to showcase new products, upcoming events, and even showcase videos. Attract your growing fan base with photos that have an inspiring story behind it!

2. Contests and giveaways to build your brand – Contests and giveaways are a great way to promote your brand. I’ve seen companies do this quite often and usually generates a huge response in terms of likes and comments. Maybe the contests are hosted on your website, post a photo or design explaining the contest and lead them over to your site. Try it out. It works!

3. Engaging with your fan base – One of the most important things when building a solid brand on Instagram is engaging with your fans. It goes beyond posting photos. When people have questions or comment with feedback, make sure you respond back. Follow others, like their photos, etc. This will greatly increase your chances in gaining a more active fan base and shows people that you’re not some robot just trying to get people to buy your product.

4. Invite your fans into your work space – When I check out other brands on Instagram, the ones that stick out the most are the ones who are able to capture their work space. I love when start-up companies invite you into their workspace. Showing you how their building or working on new products. It brings out a personal side and fans really enjoy that.

5.  Love what you do – And most importantly, love and enjoy what you do.