Ok so here’s the thing. Everyone thinks they know how to do Instagram marketing because, what, they have an account? They post a picture, throw some hashtags on there, and then wonder why no one cares. I’ve been at this for years, and I’m telling you—most people are doing it wrong.
First off, stop making everything look like an ad. No one logs into Instagram to be sold to. They’re there to scroll, get distracted, feel something. If your content looks like a billboard, people will scroll past it faster than you can say “link in bio.” What actually works? Stuff that feels real. People love behind-the-scenes shots, messy desks, “I spilled my coffee while brainstorming this” kind of content.
Reels Are Non-Negotiable
Reels. Yeah, you have to do them. I don’t care if you hate video. Instagram pushes Reels like crazy, and if you’re not using them, you’re fighting the algorithm instead of working with it. The key? Don’t overthink it. Grab your phone, film something raw—your process, your workspace, you rambling about why your product is actually useful. That stuff works.
People Follow Personalities, Not Just Brands
Another thing—people don’t follow brands, they follow personalities. Even if you’re selling a product, you need a voice. Are you funny? Sarcastic? Super knowledgeable? Pick a tone and stick with it. People come back for brands that feel like someone is behind them, not just a faceless company trying to make a sale.
Hashtags? Don’t Overcomplicate It
Oh and hashtags? They don’t work like they used to. You don’t need 30 of them. Pick a few good ones, make sure they actually relate to your post, and move on. Spending an hour researching hashtags is a waste of time—use that time to make better content instead.
DMs: The Secret Growth Hack
DMs. You need to be in them. I don’t mean spamming “Hey check out my page!” to strangers (don’t do that, please). But if someone comments on your post, start a real conversation. If someone tags your product in a story, reply to them. The more Instagram sees you actually talking to people, the more it pushes your content.
Aesthetics Matter, But Not How You Think
And let’s talk about aesthetics for a second. Your feed doesn’t have to be perfect. You don’t need a crazy color-coordinated grid with every post matching. Just make sure your posts look good individually—that’s what people actually see when they scroll.
Play the Long Game
Last thing: stop expecting instant results. Instagram marketing is a long game. You’re not going viral overnight unless you get insanely lucky. Keep posting, keep experimenting, keep talking to people. The ones who stick with it? They’re the ones who win. The ones who give up after two weeks? Yeah, they just go back to complaining about the algorithm.
So yeah. That’s what actually works. Now go fix your Instagram.
Picture Credit: Freepik