How to grow your brand on Instagram? 10 ingenious tips

Social media is an integral part of brand building and marketing, and Instagram is one of the most popular channels. Instagram offers a unique opportunity to reach a large audience with visual content.

1. Optimize your profile:
   Start by making sure your Instagram profile is in perfect shape. Use a clear and attractive profile picture, write an engaging bio, and include a link to your website or other important content.
2. Create attractive and high-quality content:
   Quality content is the key to success on Instagram. Share images and videos that are visually pleasing, informative and engaging. Also invest in stories, which is an effective way to engage the audience.
3. Use the correct hashtags:
   Hashtag tags help you reach a larger audience. Do your research and use the most relevant hashtags for your brand and content. Avoid using overly common or competing hashtags.
4. Develop collaborative relationships:
   Collaborate with other similar brands and influencers. By using the power of influencers, you can reach a new audience and increase your visibility. Make sure that the collaborations are authentic and fit your brand values.
5. Participate in Instagram communities:
   Actively participate in Instagram communities related to your industry or products. Comment and like other users' content, share your own content in relevant discussions and build interaction with others.
6. Organize contests and raffles:
   Contests and sweepstakes are a great way to engage your audience and grow your followers. Encourage people to participate by sharing your content, using specific tags, or signing up for your newsletter.
7. Use advertising strategically:
   Instagram advertising offers an effective way to reach a new audience and increase the visibility of your brand. Use advertising strategically, targeting ads to the right audience and utilizing attractive visual elements.
8. Take advantage of Instagram's features:
   Instagram offers many useful features such as IGTV, Instagram Live and Instagram Shopping. Use these features to your advantage by creating rich content and providing an easy way to purchase your products.
9. Include user-generated content:
   Encourage your followers to share your content and incorporate user-generated content into your marketing strategy. User-generated content creates authenticity for your brand and can help increase engagement.
10. Analyze and learn:
    Track the performance of your Instagram account with analytics. Research which posts get the most engagement, which hashtags perform best, and which are the best times of the day or week to post content. Use this information as a starting point for continuous improvement and optimization.

To grow your brand on Instagram successfully, you need to provide quality content, be active in communities and take advantage of the features the channel offers. Also, be sure to track and analyze your performance so you can learn and continuously improve.

Starting a business - 10 tips for those considering starting a business

Have you dreamed of starting a business, but you're not quite sure where to start or what to consider? No worries! We have gathered together the 10 most important steps to start a business. Starting a business is an exciting and challenging process, but with these you can realize your dream of owning your own business and control your own work.

1. A clear business idea

Before starting anything else, make sure you have a clear business idea. Think about what kind of products or services you want to offer and to whom. It is also important to know how you produce your product or service and how you can stand out from your competitors. A clear business idea helps you visualize the whole and understand what kind of demand there would be for your company.

2. Business plan

Your business plan is an important starting point when starting a business. The purpose of your plan is to justify your idea to yourself and to potential investors, that your company is profitable and can make a profit. A good plan includes cost mapping, customer mapping and budgeting. The saying "well planned is half done" is very true when it comes to a business plan, because the plan is one distinguishing factor between your business activity and your hobby activity. Even if your dream is not to get rich, your business must be profitable.

3. Company form

When starting a company, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right company form. The choice of company form is influenced by, for example, the capital required by the company, the scope of operations and taxation.

One option is a business name, which is a good company form for a small company that does not need large acquisitions. A business name is easy, fast and inexpensive to set up, but the entrepreneur is responsible for the losses themselves, and personal funds and company funds are the same thing.

Another option is a limited company, which is suitable for a company that needs large investments. In a limited company, the shareholders are liable with the capital they have invested in the company, and are not personally liable for the company's debts. The limited company has a board of directors elected by the owners, which takes care of the company's operations.

Light entrepreneurship is also a popular option. A small business owner invoices the customer through the invoicing service, and does not need a Y ID. Light entrepreneurship is an easy way to test the profitability of a business idea, and invoicing services take care of all financial matters.

It is important to consider the company's needs and goals when choosing a company form. Choosing the right company form can affect the company's success and growth. It is also important to take care of proper accounting and taxation, whatever the company form. Despite everything, you can change the business form later, especially as the company grows.

4. Licensing

In some sectors, a separate official permit is required to establish a company, although in general in Finland it is allowed to establish a legal business without major permits. For example, restaurants, shops and repair shops need inspections and permits from the health authorities. Remember to familiarize yourself with the requirements and, if necessary, notify the authorities about starting your company.

5. Company name

A company name is an important part of business operations, and it should be memorable and distinctive. You can use your own name or an invented name in the business name. The name of the company must not mislead or give false information about the activity. Depending on your business form, the name also needs to be approved by PRH, i.e. the Patent and Registration Board. Their website (www.prh.fi) is a budding entrepreneur's best friend, and you should get to know them carefully.

6. Funding

Financing a new business can be tricky, but securing it is especially important. If necessary, get financing in the form of a bank loan, start-up money or funding from Business Finland, for example.

7. Accounting

You can handle the accounting of a small business yourself, but many have outsourced it to a professional. Paperwork can be really complicated and challenging, but it's good to learn a little about the subject so you understand your company's cash flow. Remember to carefully monitor your company's finances and record all transactions.

8. Statutory pension insurance

An entrepreneur living and operating in Finland must be insured against old age, disability and death. YEL insurance is statutory and it provides security in case of illness, unemployment or retirement, for example. Those who become entrepreneurs for the first time receive a 22% discount on YEL payments for the first four years. It is worth noting that the insurance premiums are tax deductible. If you have employees, you are also responsible for their insurance.

9. Personnel

Think about whether you need personnel, for example, for a certain deadline, during peak times or for an employment relationship that is valid until further notice. If you need personnel, remember to take care of the side costs of the salary as well. Overall, labor costs can be up to 40-50% of the result, depending on the industry.

10. The courage to start

With these things in mind, you are ready to start your business. Remember to develop your plan regularly as your business develops and be bold in making your dreams come true. Starting a company requires a certain kind of self-discipline, and you shouldn't write your dream completely ready on paper before starting. Believe in yourself and let go!

Good luck!

Digitalization is changing business - a successful company must stay up-to-date

The importance of digitalization has significantly increased in recent years, becoming essential for successful business as it enables companies to quickly respond to changing customer and market situations. Processing information and utilizing it can now be done faster than ever with smartphones readily available almost all the time.

Competing companies have had to reform their operations to remain competitive as digitalization and modern solutions create new business opportunities. Completely new digital innovations include virtual reality, robotics, and artificial intelligence. To keep up with the demands of the digital age, a successful company should invest in fast-paced experimentation and innovative combinations. Ideally, experiments can facilitate the adaptation of an old operating model into a new one.

Digitalization has also affected consumer behavior. It has shifted from browsing newspaper ads to online shopping and has become a significant factor in purchase decisions. Innovative service concepts aim to balance industries regarding price-conscious customers who surf online stores. With the availability of information, products, and services speeding up from brick-and-mortar stores to a few taps on smartphones, companies must offer their customers solutions that exceed their needs to stand out from the crowd. Nowadays, a rational purchase decision is not enough - the contactless payment chip requires more flirting!

Social media influences our buying behavior and sometimes makes us want something that is irrational. This is challenging, but smart companies are helped by knowing their customers' emotions and trying new ideas before launching them. However, this trickery should not be underestimated.

Focus and time are now almost as rare as finding unicorns. Therefore, a modern company must offer ease and simplicity to keep customers on board. Timing and proper resource utilization are crucial to achieving success. Digitalization has also shaped entrepreneurship, and for example, remote working is now commonplace. Therefore, in the future, successful companies will be those that stay up-to-date and adapt to changes. If you feel like updating your business operations to this millennium, do not be afraid. You are in the right place!

Don't cut your marketing budget - harness the power of digital marketing

Marketing is essential for a business's success, especially in a competitive environment. And while marketing may seem expensive, it can actually help a small business save costs in the long run. When a business invests in marketing, it can attract new customers, improve its brand, and grow its business.

A downturn can be a challenging time for many businesses. It's important to find ways to save costs and ensure that the business remains profitable. But one area where businesses don't want to cut their budget is marketing.
One way that businesses can streamline their marketing efforts and save costs is by using digital marketing. Digital marketing is productive and cost-efficient, and it can help businesses reach potential customers online.

This is where Mana Digital can help. Mana Digital offers versatile digital marketing services to businesses, such as website design and optimization, search engine optimization, social media marketing, and advertising planning. We can help businesses achieve better results in digital marketing, save costs, and grow their business.

So while a downturn may be a challenging time for small businesses, cutting your marketing budget is not the solution. Instead, businesses should consider leveraging digital marketing and finding a partner who can help them succeed online. We're the type of wingman who can help businesses score big and get better game.

Why Outsource Marketing?

Marketing can be a challenging and time-consuming task. Companies may have limited resources and expertise, making outsourcing to a professional marketing agency a sensible option. In this text, we will examine reasons why businesses should consider outsourcing their marketing tasks to professionals.

Expertise and Knowledge: Marketing is a diverse and constantly evolving field. Companies that specialize in marketing have up-to-date knowledge of different marketing channels, trends, and best practices. They also have the necessary tools and resources to effectively execute marketing campaigns. By outsourcing marketing to professionals, entrepreneurs can leverage their expertise and ensure that marketing is carried out efficiently and effectively.

Saved Time and Resources: Investing in marketing requires time and effort. Whether it's a sole proprietor or a small business owner, they need to focus on various tasks such as product development, customer service, and business management. By offloading marketing responsibilities, time and resources are freed up for other important tasks. A marketing agency can handle the planning, execution, and monitoring of marketing, allowing the entrepreneur to focus on core business activities.

Broader Perspective and Creativity: An external marketing agency brings a fresh perspective and creativity to marketing strategies. They can objectively evaluate a company's strengths, competitive situation, and target audience's needs. Professionals can plan and implement marketing campaigns that stand out from competitors and attract potential customers. Outsourcing also enables the utilization of various marketing channels, such as social media, search engine marketing, and content marketing, to reach a wider audience.

Cost-effectiveness: While outsourcing marketing may seem to incur additional costs, it can actually be cost-effective for businesses in the long run. Marketing agencies already have the necessary resources and tools in place, eliminating the need for the company to invest in its own marketing team, training, or marketing tools. Additionally, professionals can efficiently utilize the marketing budget and allocate resources to the right channels and campaigns. This way, entrepreneurs can achieve the best possible return on their marketing investment.

Flexibility and Scalability: Marketing needs may vary based on company size, seasons, and market conditions. Outsourcing provides entrepreneurs with the flexibility to scale marketing efforts as needed. Outsourced marketing allows for quick responses to market changes and adjustments to marketing strategies. Moreover, outsourcing enables testing and optimization of marketing investments, helping the company achieve the best possible marketing results.

Competitiveness: In today's business landscape, marketing is essential for companies of all sizes to succeed. Entrepreneurs gain a competitive advantage by leveraging our marketing expertise. Professionals can develop target-oriented and effective marketing strategies that help entrepreneurs stand out from their competitors.

Overall, outsourcing marketing to a marketing agency can be an excellent decision for entrepreneurs. It saves time, resources, and money while offering expertise, creativity, and a competitive edge. Outsourcing allows entrepreneurs to focus on core business activities while professionals handle marketing efficiently and effectively. By working with a professional marketing agency, entrepreneurs can achieve better results and grow their business. Outsourcing provides a valuable strategic partnership that helps entrepreneurs achieve their goals in the market.