It’s not every day you find local, homegrown businesses with a clear social media strategy and nailing the Instagram marketing game. We thought we’d have a little fun and give major props to these six Louisville businesses making their mark using Instagram.
1) Louisville Cream
Louisville Cream is a small batch ice cream company who, by their own account, are “nuts about ice cream.” They have the Instagram presence to prove it — with over 13,000 followers, they’re doing something right.
That something is a combination of exceptional, mouth-watering photography and fun captions that convey the brand’s relaxed vibe.
Follow LouisvilleCream on Instagram!
2) Hi-Five Doughnuts
Another tasty, sugary treat…
We’re not advocating for diabetes, promise!
Hi-Five Doughnuts is a Louisville doughnut shop and food truck where customers can build their own tasty treat with a bunch of different glazes and toppings up for grabs. Much like Louisville Cream, their claim to Instagram popularity are the bubbly, colorful photos and the always-playful captions that convey the brand’s happy feels.
Follow Hi-Five Doughnuts on Instagram!
3) Louisville Tea Company
Love. Leaf. Live.
Louisville Tea Company brings flavor to Instagram as a family-owned, local option for Louisville tea lovers! They do an exceptional job appealing to customers with their colorful, themed photography, especially playing on the different seasons. One great takeaway is they always seem to find creative ways to integrate the product without coming across as too sales-y or self-promoting.
Follow Louisville Tea Company on Instagram!
4) Against The Grain Brewery
Calling all beer fiends!
Against The Grain is a hometown favorite around Louisville — if not for their amazing beer, then for their food at ATG Smoke House. Their Brewery Insta is packed full of thirst-driving beer photography, and they combine that with a laid-back tone that makes you feel like you’re chatting with the guy or gal behind the bar.
Follow Against The Grain Brewery on Instagram!
5) BiteMeals
You don’t get to 105,000 Instagram followers by accident. If there’s anything that screams Instagram, it’s fitness. BiteMeals is a Louisville-based meal planning service that delivers a set number of meals straight to your doorstep every week.
They do a super good job presenting their meals, letting customers know what new meals are being released, and getting their customers to spread the word about BiteMeals (evidenced by the “Tagged” section of their Instagram).
Follow BiteMeals on Instagram!
Taking It To The Next Level
There’s no doubt these Louisville businesses are dominating Instagram, and in especially impressive ways for those that are in a narrow niche like Louisville Tea Company and Louisville Cream.
One big area in which all of these businesses could up their game is pushing more discounts or sales via social media. The data below comes from the 2018 Sprout Social Index and shows an interesting divide between what many brands/marketers think consumers want on social media vs. what consumers state they want.
You’ll see that 72% consumers responded saying “Discounts or Sales” are the top type of content they want to see on social media. So, if you’re running an eCommerce business like Louisville Tea Company or BiteMeals, it’s in your best interests to share discount codes and other offers directly on social media.
Or even better, incentivize your followers to subscribe to your email list in exchange for a specific discount code.
Key Takeaways From These Top Instagram Performers
Bold Photography Wins on Instagram
Photography on Instagram is king. No surprise there. One key element all these businesses have in common — along with every other successful Instagram brand — is their photography is top notch and the style perfectly fits what users of Instagram expect when they log in.
Show Off That Personality
Personality sells. One trouble most brands find themselves in on social media is they deliver plain boredom. Corporate, stuffy, self-promoting content is the opposite of what consumers want to see. If you consider the rest of the data above, besides discounts and sales, social media really boils down to three basic categories: entertain, education, and inspire.
If you look at many of the companies on this list, they have a standout voice in their captions that really captures the essence of the brand, is welcoming, and makes you feel like you’re just talking with your buddy — now THAT’S social media.
Any Other Louisville Businesses You’d Add?
Pop a comment below if there are other Louisville businesses dominating Instagram or other social media channels! We know they’re out there. Self-nominations are welcome!
Jonathan Payne is a Louisville digital marketing consultant, leading as the CEO of JP Digital with nearly a decade of digital marketing experience helping both small businesses and national brands like Old Forester, Early Times, KORBEL, and University of Louisville.
JP Digital exists to replace that feeling of being overwhelmed by digital marketing with confidence and optimism about the future of your business. Let’s chat if you’re ready to be bold with your digital marketing.