Instagram is a global phenomenon that can be surprisingly great for small businesses. Here’s how to make it work for you.

The Emerald City is not green when it comes to being a tech hub, in fact it’s pretty firmly established. With two of the biggest names in tech (Amazon and Microsoft) and one of the biggest names in Aerospace (Boeing) in very close proximity, this bustling young city has some amazing tech endeavors founded and run by some incredible Seattleites.

Let’s experiment. When it comes to growing my business I’m definitely not one for standing still - I don’t prescribe to the ‘wait and see’ mentality. Instead, I like to try different things all the time.

What’s your small business brand identity? Sure, you’ve got a logo, a website, business cards, signage and perhaps even a storefront – but your brand is so much more than the “look” of your business. While all these can help you project a carefully crafted image to your customers, true branding runs a lot deeper.

Without a social strategy for your business, you could be missing out on reaching a huge volume of potential customers.

If you think marketing is just for the big players, think again. Businesses of all shapes and sizes can use the power of marketing to enhance their brand, connect with their customers and improve their bottom line.

Following on from my second post on marketing your business on Twitter, here’s part 3 of the series on social media with some tips for using LinkedIn.

Following on from my original post on marketing your business on Facebook, here’s part 2 of the series on social media with some tips for using Twitter. According to 2015 Social Media Marketing Industry Report by Social Media Examiner, Twitter is second only to Facebook when it comes to social media popularity. The goal of marketing your small business on both platforms is the same: to actively engage current and potential customers. But Twitter requires different strategies.

Every day, billions of people use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, making them essential for reaching existing customers and reeling in new ones. Do it right, and you’ve got an effective tool for engaging customers with your company. Do it wrong, and you lose the chance to connect.

Just like most other small business owners I know, I’m a fan of anything that can save me time or money – or even better, a bit of both. In my quest to cut down on hours and dollars I must have downloaded hundreds of apps which promised to revolutionize the way I run my company. And while some were swiftly deleted, others have proved invaluable.