Sharmadean Reid’s catchily titled WAH nail salon in London is always booked. And she has only one thing to thank for it: Instagram. Reid started her nail salon almost as a side project. Now it is one of the biggest in London with book deals and even partner shops popping up internationally. Global Resources LLC consultants examined how Instagram could make a tiny nail salon into such a major success.

We often find that small businesses use social media channels like Instagram just for the sake of it. Reid shows that savvy thinking and creativity can make a channel like Instagram a major real-life traffic generator for business. This is what Reid did that other small business can learn lessons from:

Choosing the Right Social Media Channel – Reid hit it big with Instagram largely because Instagram is the perfect social media channel for her business. Nail salon customers want to see photos of the products, not read about them. By choosing the biggest photo sharing site out there, Reid directly tapped into the heart of her target audience.

Publishing Posts with Personality – The photos WAH salon posts on their official Instagram account are not always professionally photographed. But each is packed with the unique personality the brand embodies.

Impressive Creativity – The photos are very artful and creative. It’s a strong indication that art really does pay off, so even other brands not involved in the arts sector can reap more benefits by hiring creative talent.

Showing Products in Real Life – The WAH salons nail art is not shown as marketing material, but as actual products in the customers’ hands. The salon posts pictures of finished nail art without adding any additional cause. There’s a realness to the pictures that customers can trust and be engaged with.

Getting the Customers Involved – The salon occasionally posts pictures of satisfied customers showing off their nail art. It definitely increases customer engagement.

If you want to build your brand in a similar manner, start rethinking the Instagram account in a creative way. Hire creative talent to your marketing team and think outside the box. Also, focusing strongly on the most relevant channels will also help. If you need more personalized advice, contact us at GR-US.com.