Ever wondered how to run your Instagram more strategically and make enough money from it to call it a goldmine, like many marketing specialists and business owners out there? Well, I firmly believe you can do it as well. Want definitive proof? I will share my Instagram journey as well as my clients’ ones with you all along the way. I’ve been learning marketing and analyzing Instagram for so many years, and I’ve helped many business owners scale their business with Instagram. So many cases seemed almost impossible, and I thought to myself: it’s gonna be hard. But we did it. So I’ve gained this clarity that it’s possible for everyone through practice, and now I have NO DOUBT.
I will walk you through the entire Instagram growing process (we’ll discuss everything step-by-step), analyze how to attract your perfect audience, polish your strategy, make the platform work for you, and the list goes on. I’m so excited to share my well-kept secrets. Let’s go!
I remember it like yesterday – a few years ago, I had a hard time creating content for the Gram regularly. I felt strongly about sharing a little here and there about my social media insights and about what I was learning as a young marketing specialist, but to be honest, it was pretty much impossible for me to stay consistent. But that desire still burned deep in me to help aspiring creators and business owners, to encourage them through the things I’ve learned on my way, and to help in developing their marketing skills. And now I’m here! I’ve combined my personal mission with a professional career, and throughout the last years, I’ve been helping individual creators, freelancers, and ambitious business owners level up their Instagram game. And now it’s time to level up yours!
Ok, we’re on board! Today, we’ll start with discussing the number one thing you should be aware of when investing your time in Instagram marketing and your content creation: why is it worth it? Will you get a quick ROI? Why should you put so much energy here, and why Instagram wins with Twitter, Pinterest, and Tiktok for me, my clients and most probably for you as well?
In today’s post, I’m going to list a few of the main reasons why I always choose Instagram, hoping that you’ll see how great it can be for you too.
Common misconceptions about Instagram
Let’s start with commonly repeated misconceptions that are stopping so many people, and are making them stay away from the platform, which has the potential to change their income, their lives, and the future of their businesses. I hope you’re not one of them, and you don’t believe in these myths, but just in case – let’s debunk them!
- Only women are on Instagram (fun fact: women make up most of the audience, but hey – 49.2% are male!)
- Instagram users are only interested in entertaining fashion-related content (every other niche is big too! Research shows people are looking for educational content and inspiration, entertainment is only one of many pillars people need)
- My target audience isn’t on Instagram (68% of people come to Instagram to interact with creators and business owners – are you sure you don’t have ideal followers among them?)
- I’m too busy for another social media platform – are you saying you’re too busy for an effective source of income and boosting your sales?
Who Is on Instagram?
Let’s take a look at the most up-to-date data. With more than 1.074 billion active monthly users on the platform,, here is some insight on their demographics and fun facts, straight from the source I trust – eMarketer 2021.
- There are 140 million Instagram users from the US! 71% of US adults aged 18-29 use Instagram
- But hey, there are also MANY users outside the US! In fact, 87% of users are outside the United States
- 73% of teenagers say Instagram is the best way for brands to reach them about new products or promotions.
- Instagram users spend an average of 30 minutes per day on the platform in 2021
Now that you know a little about Instagram users, let me shed some light on what exactly they do while visiting the platform:
- 70% of shopping enthusiasts turn to Instagram for product discovery
- 200 million+ Instagrammers visit at least one business profile daily
- 1/3 of the most viewed stories are from businesses
- 37% of Instagram users interact with influencers
- 60% of people say they discover new products on Instagram.
Instagram Converts Followers Into Clients
My personal experience and my clients’ experiences speak for themselves. The Gram is GREAT for marketing. By running your profile, you open new doors to interact with your potential customers or potential business partners. Another huge advantage? People there will give you the most honest feedback on what they need and want from you.
Instagram literally helps you reduce additional steps from discovery to conversion – its users are more likely to convert into leads or sales much quicker than from any other social media platform. Sometimes it’s good to think of Instagram as a big, visual playground, full of content and different creators! People turn to Instagram for inspiration, knowledge, entertainment, and a source of emotions.
If you’re creating and posting content that your audience likes and needs, they’re likely to buy your products and services. Good content on Instagram starts with delivering what your target audience needs and is interested in.
Authenticity and Personality Matters
Even though Instagram is a massive spot for sharing, generic content isn’t enough anymore.
Users love people who have personality and their own charm – and those who aren’t afraid to be a bit weird at times!
Having a tribe of like-minded people is one of my favorite parts of being an Instagram creator.
Because look – you have your unique insights, knowledge, and experiences. You have a unique voice. And you probably have an intriguing personality that will attract people who need to hear about your perspective and your experience.
Running your own Instagram allows people into your life.
If you think of your favorite influencers or online business owners who run their profiles, chances are you feel like you know them really well, on a somewhat personal level – that’s the magic of social media. It has HUGE power. One of the most common reasons users come to Instagram is to interact with like-minded users and find inspiration. They want to discover how their role models live, what they’re doing to be successful, what they’re recommending, which means that they’re open to investigating new concepts, services, or products.
Another powerful thing? You can share your story ON YOUR OWN. The way you see it, the way it is. You don’t have to depend on magazines, PR agencies, and journalists. When you are writing about your mission, you can decide how to exemplify your experiences, what facts to include, and what information isn’t necessary. Owning your Instagram profile and growing it allows you to ensure that all facts about you and your business included in the profile are factual.
Sure, you’ll get some occasional mean comments (let me tell you, at first you’ll be hurt, but some of them will be hilarious and make NO SENSE), but you’ll shake those off and remember about your mission. Your goal is to attract as many people from your target audience as possible with this profile—people who need your words and insights.
Getting thankful DMs, comments, and shares from your followers and loyal members of your community is the best feeling ever, I swear. Realizing that you’re helping people, encouraging and inspiring them – this is what matters. To stay on top of this mission, you need to be constantly researching something, learning new things, and growing as a person, and with your business, of course. It’s worth it.
It Helps You Establish Authority
Having a thriving Instagram profile and sharing insights that are relevant to your target audience establishes yourself as an authority in your niche. It extremely enhances your image and professional vibe! Right now, a well prospering Instagram profile is what a business card was 5-10 years ago.
Instagram profiles are the new business cards.
Instagram profiles are the new resumes.
Sharing content about a topic you would like to be considered as an expert in, sends a signal to your followers, business partners, or dream employers, that you are knowledgeable and have precious skills. You can show your profile to potential investors as a sort of portfolio that showcases your expertise in the subject.
Is your mind a repository of insight about your niche? In all likelihood, somebody needs to hear it. Somebody who can benefit from the learning you can provide.
This way, you’re building trust as well. Use this POWER.
Gain trust by being a trustworthy source of information.
It gives you a powerful voice. Business owners who run their Instagram are able to comment on the industry trends and facts – so become an active participant instead of being only a casual observer.
Create a buzz around you, your brand, your services or your products.
If you’re a small business owner, it’s crucial for you to let your personality shine through in what you’re creating!
In-depth Insights and Data Analysis
I love it. With Instagram, your market research becomes SO MUCH easier. You ask for feedback, and you can get hundreds of comments and meaningful advice. You can analyze your target audience’s needs. You’re so close to them, closer than you’ve ever been before.
Instagram is informative. It’s analytics allows you to get to know your community really well. You can analyze their demographics their common interests. This way, you can strategically communicate with them. Some business owners have even said that Instagram feedback and information from statistics allow them to estimate upcoming demand for different physical products better. And reduce losses!
What is the most extraordinary thing about Instagram? Why is Instagram the best social medium?
The truth is, I don’t have just one single answer to this question. Although I tried to come up with just one!
One of the most beautiful things about Instagram is using it to see what people love and need right now. You can have a first-person look into somebody’s mind. Somebody’s from your target audience. Instagram gives you the fantastic opportunity to see and understand what people like and use that information to position your brand, services, or products.
Top Cons of Instagram
Oh well. Of course, it’s not all cute kittens and breath-taking rainbows; there are some downsides to the life of someone who’s putting their whole heart into the Instagram thing too!
- An overnight success doesn’t exist. It takes some time to grow your profile and see a high ROI. You know, most jobs pay you as soon as you start giving your energy and working, and running an Instagram isn’t exactly like that. You’ll need to consistently work on your profile for 5 – 20 hours EVERY WEEK for some time before you start seeing satisfying results from it. This can be a bit frustrating at first, and it makes many people give up right before success.
- New Instagrammers sometimes wonder if they’re wasting their energy on the platform that is so complicated, plus there are so many competitors. But the key is to use proper hashtags, create engaging content, and stick with it. This is also where I can share one of my best kept secrets with you – there are several tools which can make this process much easier! Most of them you already know, that’s more than sure: Canva, Planoly, Later… But there’s also the one that’s a bit less popular, but extremely powerful: IQ Hashtags with its Hashtag Peformance feature. This feature gives you a superpower – you can monitor how well your hashtags are performing. Hashtag performance, put in a nutshell, is all about positions your hashtags reach in each one’s explore section. Are they reaching top positions? The higher position they reach, the better visibility your posts gain = higher chances for engagement, valuable interactions, and new followers. Protip: This feature helps you track your progress as you experiment with new hashtags.
- Many Instagram creators struggle with work/life balance, and to be honest, I’m not 100% guilt-free and immune to it as well. Getting the perfect photo, recording the ideal Reels takes time. The key is to take time away from your mobile phone and have a well-deserved rest.
Every great thing comes with some obstacles, but they get smaller as you go further. As you can see, Instagram is full of opportunities for business owners of many sizes and many niches, and hell yes – it should be a focus of your online marketing strategy.
Have you seen success with Instagram? I’d love to hear them!
