Instagram is one of the biggest social media platforms small businesses should have to grow an engaged following. Since Instagram content is highly visual, many companies can take advantage of featuring their products and services through posts, reels, and stories.
If you are new to social media marketing, perhaps you are wondering how you can grow your Instagram account. Since there are many features unique to the Instagram app, being familiar with the specific strategies can help you gain a solid footing. In this post, you will learn the tricks and tools of the trade to reach your target audience on Instagram.
Instagram has three different types of accounts: Personal, Creator, and Business. It is ideal for small business owners to activate the Instagram business accounts as it unlocks certain features that can help you promote your brand.
To activate or convert your business account, simply go to account settings, and there will be an option to switch to a professional account. Depending on your needs, you can choose to have either a creator account or a business account. The business account will have specific features such as:
To put it simply, small businesses will benefit by converting to this account type as it will have specific features that are useful to those who want to grow their brand on Instagram.
Each social media platform has unique features that will allow you to maximize how you can display your business. For businesses on Instagram, it is crucial to optimize one’s profile to contain as many ways to engage your target audience.
Many small businesses can benefit from these Instagram bio strategies:
Many brands get engaged audiences if they focus on the message and image they portray on social media. This strategy is called building brand awareness, and it is all about the combination of your content and visuals on Instagram.
What aspects of branding strategy should small businesses be aware of?
Creating a branding strategy for your business on Instagram may take some time and effort, but it will pay off great results in the long run when done correctly.
Gone are the days where businesses are “faceless.” People engage with brands that have a personal touch to them, such as those with relatable characters or influencers within the sphere of social media.
You can add a personal touch to your Instagram business account by either introducing yourself as an owner, sharing your client’s testimonials, or utilizing influencer marketing to improve your reach. Adding a face behind the business helps you stand out and allows the user to become more familiar with your brand than knowing another person.
Some ways to implement adding personality in your Instagram content include:
You might have heard many digital marketing experts say that video is the future of social media. If you are looking for another easy strategy on how to increase followers on Instagram for small businesses, using features such as live video, video stories, or reels can significantly help.
Here are some audiovisual media ideas you can use to get more followers:
Thinking of new content from each platform, such as your website, newsletter, and social media, can be overwhelming for some business owners. Social media management can be a whole new work and may take time off from other significant things you need to care for in your business.
Thus, one of the best ways to increase followers on Instagram for small businesses is to repurpose content from other platforms. Some strategies can include:
Instagram also has a sponsored post feature that allows you to be in front of people’s feeds, stories, or reels. Local businesses can benefit from this by using the settings which gather data from people’s current locations.
Sponsored posts can be shown to people who are currently within your city or community or those who are searching for information related to your business. This is a laser-focused strategy on finding clients who are already warmed up to the idea of products and services related to your industry.
If you have a business account, you can start creating your own sponsored posts through people’s feeds, stories, or reels. You can also promote an influencer’s content with a link back to your Instagram account or website.
Many other strategies can be implemented that are specific to Instagram growth. Other ideas you can do for your account or in partnership with others include:
The tips and tricks mentioned above are not just fads that come and go but strategies that have stood the test of time. Implementing an Instagram strategy that includes many of the things mentioned above can serve your business well in gaining more followers.
Are you looking for a digital marketing agency in El Monte, California? E-Marketing Associates handles the digital marketing needs of El Monte, CA businesses and beyond. With a dedicated in-house team that can work on content marketing, web design, PPC, social media, and more, we can help your small business grow.
A Business account unlocks analytics, scheduling, shopping tags, link stickers, and ad tools. These features help you understand audience behavior, promote posts, sell products, and appear more credible, which collectively speed up follower growth for small businesses.
Include a clear one-line value proposition, two to three niche hashtags, a clickable website or Linktree, and tags to related profiles. Use branded emojis or spacing for readability. This setup tells visitors who you are, what you offer, and how to engage, converting profile views into followers.
Combine educational posts, behind-the-scenes photos, user testimonials, and visually consistent graphics. Mix carousels for depth, Stories for daily touchpoints, and Reels for discoverability. Consistency in color, fonts, and tone builds brand recognition, while varied formats keep audiences engaged and encourage new users to hit follow.
Yes. Reels are prioritized by Instagram's algorithm and shown to users beyond your follower base. Posting short, high-energy videos that highlight products, tips, or trends can quickly reach new audiences, generate saves and shares, and drive profile visits, leading to accelerated follower growth for small businesses.
Aim for at least three to five quality posts per week, supplementing with daily Stories and occasional Reels or Lives. Consistency trains the algorithm to feature your content and gives followers regular touchpoints without overwhelming them, sustaining engagement and steady follower growth.