Instagram launched its first ever conference dedicated to #Instapreneurs and brands present on the social media in Paris on Saturday 17/06 as the platform is becoming an important channel for businesses looking to engage their customers with visuals like photos, video and stories.

Around 60% of the 700 million Instagram users say they have discovered a new product or service on the image sharing platform.

Instagram Instapreneurs event in Paris @FrancineBeleyi 800px 2

Jim Squires, Instagram Head of Business, launched this event dedicated to small businesses with brands across fashion, sports, art, decoration, food, beauty, health and baby products.

‘We chose France because a great diversity of brands is already present on our application and show the scope of possibilities on Instagram,’ says Mr Squires.

Among the 50 small businesses handpicked to showcase how they use the social media to grow their business and meet their fans was Shantybiscuits, a personalised biscuits business, started by Shanty Baehrel, 28.

Shanty left her job in aeronautics in 2013, 6 months after starting her venture to run the business full-time. She credits Instagram for playing a key role in the rapid development of her company as clients and fans around the world shared the images of her inspiring biscuits. She said that in the past month, most of the traffic to her website came from Instagram rather than Google. It’s worth reminding that Instagram now belongs to Facebook.

In my interviews with entrepreneurs and professionals from all walks of life, I’ve collected many stories and examples of how they are using the various social media to attract lucrative opportunities and partners. I share those stories and how to choose the most relevant social media for your specific activity in the Pillar #6, Connect with Authenticity, one of the 7-pillar framework outlined in my book Personal Branding in the Digital Age, to be published in Autumn 2017.

To get a free e-copy of the book on the release date, click here.

Which social media outside LinkedIn you find most relevant to your professional activities? Post your comment below and share this article with your friends.

Sources:

http://www.strategies.fr/culture-tech/5-histoires-dentrepreneuriat-francais-sur-instagram

http://www.lepoint.fr/high-tech-internet/un-salon-a-paris-pour-les-instapreneurs-17-06-2017-2136110_47.php#xtor=CS3-194

About Francine Beleyi

Francine Beleyi is a bilingual French-English digital strategist, business & communication consultant and speaker who helps people and businesses thrive in the digital age. She is the author of upcoming book ‘Personal Branding in the Digital Age’ and you can enrol in her free course How To Package Your Passions, Interests & Skills To Become A Highly Paid Expert.

Francine spends her days speaking with and studying the most successful entrepreneurs and leaders in the new economy, and sharing her findings with her clients and those who want to understand and master the new rules for business growth. Need fresh insights to grow your business? Book a Strategic session with Francine.

Visit nucleusofchange | @FrancineBeleyi.