5 Boulder Based Businesses Killing it on Instagram: how they are doing it and how you can too
Here is AMR Digital Marketing's top 5 industry leaders in Boulder, killing it on Instagram. How are they doing it? We break down exactly how these businesses are using their Instagram presence to yield measurable and profitable results.
One of the first steps to any successful social media strategy is researching leaders in your industry and identifying what's working and what's not. You don't have to start from scratch, and you shouldn't because it will put you years behind the competition. All the information you need to be successful is already available to you on Instagram; you just have to know how to find it!
1.
Purely Elizabeth - @purely_elizabeth
Purely Elizabeth is a natural health food company from Boulder, founded in 2009. They offer seriously delicious granolas, pancake mixes, granola bars, and oatmeals that are packed with superfoods and nutrients.
What They Are Doing Right:
The founder and CEO of Purely Elizabeth, Elizabeth Stein, has mastered the art of creating social media content that isn't all about her products. One of the biggest mistakes we see when it comes to businesses with products is they push their products and sales WAY TOO MUCH on social media! No one wants to follow an account that's just about selling a product. Purely Elizabeth uses Instagram to engage with its customers by giving them ideas about how to use her products, recipes, and health and wellness tips. Their Instagram is about more than just selling; it's promoting a lifestyle, which so many Instagram users can relate to. And as a result, Elizabeth has been able to use her brand of healthy foods to market herself as an influencer in the industry.
2.
ECFIT Strength - @ecfit_strength
ECFIT Strength was founded by Boulder-based athlete and coach, Erin Carson. This online fitness program specializes in training triathlon athletes and matches endurance athletes with expert Strength Coaches.
What They Are Doing Right:
While the fitness industry is so heavily saturated, especially in Boulder, ECFIT stands out with its killer social media. For starters, ECFIT focuses on real and attainable fitness goals and plans. ECFIT does a fantastic job of using user-generated content on their feed, as Erin strongly encourages her athletes to tag her and the company's page in their ECFIT workouts and show off their results. And this pays off because it means that the brand has a continuous stream of fresh content ready to show off and brand ambassadors who are willing to promote the business for free. ECFIT also shines when it comes to video content, as the vast majority of their content is in video format. Not only are viewers more likely to notice and retain information from videos compared to stand still images, but Erin also uses videos to pack in the information. In doing so, she gives away tons of valuable tips and tricks right on her Instagram page!
3. Cured - @curedboulder
Cured is a gourmet café and store that offers a wide variety of hand-picked wines, cheeses, meats, sweet treats, and lunch options. We love Curd's Instagram because it perfectly reflects the company's values. With one glance, viewers can tell that this business is committed to bringing its customers the highest quality of delicious ingredients.
What They Are Doing Right:
Curd's Instagram demonstrates how important being adaptive is, especially in the food and beverage industry. They are continuously updating their seasonal offerings, especially during the holidays, keeping their customers up to date. Perhaps the most impressive example of adaptability is evident in how they have responded to COVID-19. Curd uses social media to communicate with customers about the store's latest policies, outdoor setups, and their socially distanced approved picnic options. And consumers are taking note. Their Instagram also encourages collaboration and focuses on highlighting their partnerships, which encourages follower growth and enhances exposure. Cured also does an excellent job of showing their customers exactly how to use their products. This is especially evident with their charcuterie boards and their picnic-ready packages. This type of marketing is seriously geniuses; it simultaneously builds community and encourages engagement online.
4. Avery Brewing - @averybrewingco
This Boulder-based craft brewery was founded in 1993 and is a favorite among locals. Their business model values pushing industry norms to produce eccentric brews while also incorporating Old World tradition.
What They Are Doing Right:
Not only does Avery produce great ales and lagers, but it also kills it on social media. This brewery utilizes Instagram to engage with their community, connect with customers, and expand their reach. How do they do this? Avery uses Instagram to show viewers exactly who likes their products and how to use them. This allows consumers to personally connect with their products and consider how they would enjoy them themselves. They also have a user-generated campaign with the branded hashtag #beerfirst. This encourages customers to tag them on Instagram and share their experiences with products. This gives the company numerous opportunities to feature their customers and engage with their community. The #beerfirst itself also encourages community because it turns the focus on the consumer and highlights PEOPLE, rather than the company itself (this is super important!).
5. Mason Jar Event Group - @masonjareventgroup
Mason Jar Events Group specializes in cannabis-themed events that include everything from meal pairings, music, and cannabis! Mason Jar is unique because they do not actually sell a product; they provide a service.
What They Are Doing Right:
Mason Jar knows exactly who their target audience is, and they use this to their advantage on Instagram. Because they don't sell a product, their Instagram isn't ad focused. Instead, they act as a resource for people in the cannabis community. Their content consists of tips and recommendations for cannabis pairings, shout-outs to new products, and other users' stories. Their job is literally to create super Instagramable spaces for guests to enjoy themselves at. As a result, guests love to share their experiences and take pictures of their events. This yields a huge amount of user-generated content that the company often features on their account. Mason Jar is also very engaged with their community. They are continuously talking with their followers, asking for feedback, brainstorming ideas, as well as highlighting collaborations and partnerships they do with local dispensaries and cannabis brands.
Now that you know what strategies industry leaders are using on Instagram, it's your turn! Does one of these businesses stick out to you in particular? If so, dig a little deeper into their Instagram and see what's working for them and which of their strategies you could apply to your business. As we said earlier, the information is all there. You just need to find it!
Written By: Leah Ross, AMR Digital Marketing, Copywriter