For business, Instagram can be a powerful tool to help drive business goals. The new features, can help drive you closer to those goals. (Including the beloved analytics! What can we say? We're creative folks who love numbers!). Let's break down the new updates: 

1. The Contact Button:

If you are a business on Instagram, you should have been prompted to update your account to include the new business features. One of these new features is the Contact button. This is an easy way for followers to get in touch directly via phone or email. They can even get directions to your physical store or location. Make sure to have these details added in your profile settings for customers or potential clients to reach out rather than visiting your website using the "link in bio." Make it easy for folks to get in touch to help your business grow.

2. The Analytics: 

It's about time, are we right?! Any Social Media Manager and Business Owners know that analytics are vital to success on social. The new Instagram analytics can be accessed at the top right of each business profile and directs to key details including the following:

• Top posts
• Days and times when followers are engaged
• Gender breakdown of followers
• Age range of followers
• Location of followers
• Number of impressions this week
• Number reached this week
• Number of click-throughs to website

Be sure to use your analytics to optimize post times, reach and engagement. 

3. The Stories:

Instagram Stories launched this week and if you use Snapchat, the familiarities are very similar - Minus the cool, flattering filters. Stories allow for still photos and videos to stream along the top of the feed. Only those you follow will show. What we've really enjoyed about this update is seeing our Instagram come alive and become more dynamic. The people we follow are no longer limited to still photos in the feed, but can use videos to provide live updates which are both in the moment and display the personality behind each brand. 

We'd love to hear you thoughts on the recent updates in the comments below. Got questions on how to use these updates? Get in touch.

The Team at Chipperfield Media LLC.

Original Article