Let’s be real: Instagram isn’t just for sharing vacation photos anymore. With over 2 billion people using it every month, it’s where your next customers are hanging out.
Here’s why it matters for your business:
- 90% of people on Instagram follow a business
- 70% of shoppers look at Instagram before buying something
- Reels (those short videos) get twice as many views as regular posts
“But here’s the problem: most businesses post random stuff and hope for the best. That’s like throwing spaghetti at the wall. Instead, we’ll show you exactly what to do based on what people actually search for on Google.”
1. Fix Your Profile So People Actually Find You
Your Instagram profile is like your online storefront. If it’s messy or confusing, people will just keep scrolling. Here’s how to set it up right using keywords people search for:
Switch to a Business Account (It’s Free)
Google search: “instagram business profile setup”
- Why: You get free tools to see what’s working
- How: Go to Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account
- What you get: A “Contact” button, email/phone display, and stats about your posts
Write a Bio That Makes Sense
Google search: “instagram bio ideas for business”
Your bio should answer:
- What you do (use simple words)
- Who you help
- How to contact you
Example for a bakery:
“Fresh cupcakes & cakes made daily
🎂 Custom orders for birthdays & weddings
📞 Call us: (555) 123-4567
📍 Downtown Springfield
👇 Order online below”
Pro tips:
- Put your main service first (like “cupcakes” in the example)
- Use emojis to break up text (🎂📞📍)
- Add your location if you serve local customers
Use Your Link Wisely
Google search: “instagram link in bio ideas”
You only get ONE clickable link. Make it count:
- For online stores: Link directly to your shop
- For services: Link to your booking page
- For multiple things: Use a free tool like Linktree or Beacons to share several links
Organize Your Highlights
Those circles under your bio are free advertising space. Make covers for:
- Products (show your best stuff)
- Reviews (happy customers build trust)
- How to Order (make it easy to buy)
- Behind the Scenes (show the real you)
Why this works: A clear profile makes people 3 times more likely to follow you (according to Instagram’s own data).
2. Post Stuff People Actually Want to See
Stop posting random photos! Here’s what to share based on what gets attention:
The 4 Types of Posts That Work
Google search: “instagram post ideas for business”
Real Examples for Different Businesses:
Coffee Shop:
- Helpful Tip: “How to make iced coffee at home” (short video)
- Behind Scenes: “Watch us roast today’s coffee beans”
- Customer Photo: “Sarah enjoying our new lavender latte ☕”
- Special Offer: “Happy Hour: 2-for-1 lattes today until 3pm!”
Clothing Boutique:
- Helpful Tip: “3 ways to style our new summer dress”
- Behind Scenes: “Unboxing new arrivals!”
- Customer Photo: “Tag us wearing our clothes for a feature!”
- Special Offer: “Flash sale: 30% off all dresses this weekend”
Simple Rules for All Posts:
- Show your face (people connect with people)
- Use real photos (not just perfect stock images)
- Write like you talk (no fancy words needed)
- Ask questions (“Which color do you like better?”)
Hashtags That Actually Help
Google search: “how to use hashtags on instagram”
- Use 5-10 relevant hashtags (not 30!)
- Mix popular ones (#smallbusiness) with specific ones (#springfieldbakery)
- Make a list of 20 good ones and rotate them
What works best: Reels (short videos) get 2-3 times more views than regular posts. Even simple phone videos work!
3. Reach More People With Ads and Helpers
Sometimes you need a little boost. Here’s how to get more eyes on your business without spending a fortune:
Instagram Ads That Don’t Cost Much
Google search: “instagram ads for small business”
Why try ads?
- You can show your posts to people who don’t follow you yet
- You pick exactly who sees them (location, age, interests)
- You can start with just $5 per day
Simple Ad Types That Work:
- Reel Ads: Show a quick video of your product in action
- Photo Ads: Your best product photo with a clear message
- Story Ads: Full-screen ads that appear between stories
How to start:
- Pick your goal (get website visits or more messages)
- Choose who sees it (women 25-45 in your city who like similar things)
- Use your best photo or short video
- Write a simple message: “Get 20% off this weekend only!”
- Set your budget ($5-$10/day is fine to start)
Work With Instagram Helpers (Influencers)
Google search: “how to find instagram influencers”
What is an influencer? Just someone with followers who might like your stuff. You don’t need big celebrities!
Good options for small businesses:
- Local helpers: People in your city with 1,000-5,000 followers
- Niche helpers: People who post about your type of product
- Happy customers: People who already love your stuff
How to work with them:
- Find them by searching hashtags your customers use
- Check if their followers seem real (not fake accounts)
- Send a friendly message: “Love your posts! Would you try our product for free?”
- Ask them to share their honest experience
Example: A pet store could work with local dog walkers who post about their furry clients.
Why this works: People trust real recommendations more than ads. Studies show it can bring in 5 times more sales than regular marketing.
4. Talk to People (Yes, Actually Talk!)
Instagram isn’t a TV channel – it’s a conversation. The more you talk to people, the more Instagram shows your posts to others.
Simple Ways to Talk to People:
Google search: “instagram engagement tips”
Every Day:
- Reply to all comments (even just “Thanks!”)
- Respond to messages within 24 hours
- Like comments on other people’s posts (especially in your field)
Once a Week:
- Ask a question in your post (“What’s your favorite flavor?”)
- Run a poll in your Stories (“Which new product should we make?”)
- Share a customer’s post (with credit!)
Once a Month:
- Do a Q&A (“Ask me anything about our products!”)
- Host a contest (“Tag a friend who’d love this!”)
- Go live to show something in real-time
Real Conversation Starters:
- “We’re thinking of adding a new flavor. What should it be?”
- “Show us how you use our product!”
- “What’s the biggest problem you have with [your industry]?”
Why this matters: Instagram notices when people talk to you. The more conversations you have, the more they show your posts to new people.
Real example: A coffee shop started asking “What should we name our new drink?” and got 200 comments in one day. Their next post reached twice as many people!
5. Check What’s Working (So You Do More of That)
You don’t need fancy reports. Just look at these simple numbers to know what’s working:
The Only Numbers That Matter:
Google search: “instagram analytics for beginners”
In your Instagram Insights (free with business account):
-
Reach: How many people saw your post
- Good: More than your number of followers
- Bad: Less than half your followers
-
Saves: How many people saved your post
- This is gold! Means people want to come back to it
-
Website Clicks: How many people tapped your link
- Good: Going up each week
- Bad: Stuck at zero
-
Follower Growth: Are you gaining followers?
- Good: Steady increase
- Bad: Losing followers or stuck
Simple Weekly Check (5 Minutes):
Every Monday, look at your last 7 posts and ask:
- Which got the most saves? → Make more like that
- Which got the most comments? → Ask more questions like that
- Which got the most website clicks? → Use similar offers
- Which did nobody care about? → Don’t waste time on that again
Real Example of What to Look For:
- Post A: Your product photo → 50 likes, 2 saves
- Post B: Video showing how to use it → 200 likes, 45 saves
- Post C: Customer review → 150 likes, 30 saves, 12 website clicks
What this tells you:
- Videos work best (do more Post B)
- Customer reviews bring website traffic (do more Post C)
- Plain product photos don’t work well (skip Post A)
Putting It All Together: Your Simple 3-Month Plan
You don’t need to do everything at once. Here’s how to start:
Month 1: Get Your Profile Ready
- Switch to business account
- Fix your bio and link
- Post 3 times per week (mix of the 4 post types)
- Reply to every comment
Month 2: Start Reaching More People
- Try one small ad ($5/day)
- Find 2 local helpers to work with
- Ask questions in every post
- Check your stats every Monday
Month 3: Grow Faster
- Double down on what worked in Month 2
- Try a contest or giveaway
- Go live once
- Make a simple plan for the next 3 months
Real Businesses That Made This Work
The Local Bakery:
- Posted behind-the-scenes bread making videos
- Ran a “name this pastry” contest
- Worked with food bloggers in their city
- Result: Doubled their weekend customers in 2 months
The Online Clothing Store:
- Showed real customers wearing their clothes
- Used simple Instagram ads targeting women 25-40
- Asked “What should we design next?”
- Result: 40% more website visitors in 90 days
The Fitness Trainer:
- Posted quick workout tips videos
- Shared client success stories
- Responded to every comment within hours
- Result: Booked out 3 months in advance
Your Turn: Start Today
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to start. Pick one thing from this list and do it today:
- Fix your Instagram profile bio
- Post one helpful tip about your business
- Reply to all your comments
- Try a $5 ad for 3 days
- Ask your followers a question
Remember: Instagram rewards businesses that are real, helpful, and consistent. The more you show up and talk to people, the more customers you’ll get.
What will you try first? Let us know in the comments!