Instagram rolling out business tools soon, but what does it mean for photographers?

 

 

Despite starting as a simple photo-sharing social network, Instagram has become an increasingly popular tool for businesses, helping them build brand awareness and advertise their products. With the upcoming launch of Instagram Business Tools, the popular social media platform hopes to help businesses stand out and flourish. What might this mean for photographers, especially those who already use the service to promote their work?

Kishore Sawh, editor-in-chief of SLR Lounge, has offered his take on the new tools as they relate to photographers. I highly recommend checking out his piece on this to see what sort of changes photographers can expect when the business tools roll out this year.

Instagram is unveiling three main features for its new Business service. For starters, you or your business will be immediately identifiable as such with a distinct profile design that includes a new "Contact" button, making it easier for potential clients to get in touch. Analytics, called Insights, will be available right within the app, helping you plan and schedule your content better. Finally, you'll be able to turn your posts into advertisements to reach people that might not follow you. You can select a target audience for your ads as well. For more information, see here.

This last point might worry some photographers, however. What if Instagram is already proving to be a good means for them to connect with potential clients? Will they now have to pony up cash to maintain their exposure?

Photographers won't have to wait long to find out how the new features will change the landscape. Instagram for Business will start to roll out in the coming months for the US, Australia and New Zealand, while the rest of the world will see the new features later this year.

(Seen via SLR Lounge)