Want to know the secret to growing your business without spending thousands on ads? Instagram might be your answer! Over 200 million businesses use Instagram every month, and small businesses in the USA are making serious money from it. Whether you’re running a bakery, a real estate agency, or a clothing brand, learning how to grow your business with Instagram can change everything for you.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to get more followers on Instagram for business, turn those followers into paying customers, and build a brand people love. Let’s dive in!
Why Instagram is Perfect for Growing Your Business in the USA
Instagram isn’t just for selfies and food pics anymore. It’s become a powerful tool for businesses to reach customers, build trust, and make sales.
Here’s why Instagram works so well:
- Visual storytelling: People remember what they see better than what they read
- Massive reach: Over 150 million people in the USA use Instagram
- Free marketing: You can start growing without spending a dollar
- Direct customer connection: Reply to comments, answer DMs, build relationships
- Shopping features: Sell products directly through Instagram posts and stories
A study by Hootsuite found that 90% of Instagram users follow at least one business account. That means your future customers are already there, scrolling and looking for businesses like yours!
Step 1: Set Up Your Instagram Business Account the Right Way
Before you start posting, you need a proper business account. Here’s how to do it:
Switch to a Business Account:
- Open Instagram and go to your profile
- Tap the three lines in the top right corner
- Go to Settings → Account → Switch to Professional Account
- Choose “Business” and pick your category
Why this matters: Business accounts give you access to Instagram Insights (free analytics), contact buttons, and the ability to run ads later if you want.
Optimize Your Profile:
- Profile picture: Use your logo or a professional photo
- Username: Keep it simple and match your business name
- Bio: Tell people what you do in 150 characters or less
- Link: Add your website or a link to book a consultation
- Contact button: Make it easy for people to call, email, or find directions
Example bio: “🏠 Helping families find dream homes in Texas | 500+ happy clients | Free home valuation 👇”
Step 2: How to Get More Followers on Instagram for Business
Getting followers isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. Here’s how to grow an Instagram business account from zero to thousands:
Post Content People Actually Want to See
Your followers don’t care about boring sales pitches. They want valuable, entertaining, or inspiring content.
Content ideas that work:
- Before/after transformations
- Behind-the-scenes looks at your business
- Customer success stories and testimonials
- Quick tips and how-to guides
- Fun facts about your industry
- Day-in-the-life videos
Pro tip: Use the 80/20 rule—80% helpful or entertaining content, 20% promotional content.
Use Hashtags Like a Pro
Hashtags help new people discover your posts. But don’t just spam random hashtags!
Here’s the strategy:
- Use 20-30 hashtags per post
- Mix big hashtags (1M+ posts) with smaller ones (10K-100K posts)
- Include local hashtags like #NYCSmallBusiness or #TexasRealtor
- Create a branded hashtag for your business
Example hashtag mix for a coffee shop: #CoffeeLovers (big) + #ChicagoCoffee (local) + #MorningCoffeeVibes (medium) + #YourCafeNameCoffee (branded)
Post at the Right Times
Timing matters! Post when your audience is online and scrolling.
Best times to post in the USA:
- Monday-Friday: 11 AM, 1 PM, and 8 PM EST
- Weekends: 9 AM and 11 AM EST
Check your Instagram Insights to see when YOUR specific followers are most active.
Engage With Your Community
How to get more followers on business Instagram isn’t just about posting—it’s about building relationships.
Daily engagement checklist:
- Reply to every comment on your posts (within 1 hour if possible)
- Answer all DMs
- Like and comment on posts from your followers
- Engage with accounts in your industry
- Join conversations using relevant hashtags
Spending just 15-30 minutes daily on engagement can double your follower growth!
Step 3: How to Grow Business on Instagram With Instagram Stories
Stories are HUGE for business growth. They appear at the top of the app, so people see them first. Plus, stories feel more personal and fun.
Story ideas for businesses:
- Polls asking “Which product should we launch next?”
- Q&A sessions where you answer customer questions
- Countdowns to sales or events
- Quick tips or advice (15-second videos)
- Share user-generated content from happy customers
Story stickers that boost engagement:
- Question stickers
- Poll stickers
- Quiz stickers
- Countdown stickers
- Link stickers (if you have 10K+ followers or a verified account)
Post stories 3-7 times per day to stay visible without annoying people.
Step 4: Turn Followers Into Customers (Lead Capture & Conversion)
Having followers is great, but you need to turn them into paying customers. Here’s how:
Use Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Every post should tell people what to do next.
Examples of great CTAs:
- “Click the link in bio to book your free consultation!”
- “DM us ‘QUOTE’ to get a custom price for your project”
- “Save this post and share it with a friend who needs this!”
- “Comment ‘YES’ if you want our free checklist.”
Create Lead Magnets
Give away something valuable for free in exchange for contact information.
Lead magnet ideas:
- Free guides or checklists
- Website audit or consultation
- Discount codes for first-time buyers
- Free webinar or training session
Example: A real estate agent could offer a “Free Home Buyer’s Guide” through their Instagram bio link.
Use Instagram Reels to Go Viral
Reels get shown to people who DON’T follow you yet, making them perfect for getting new followers and customers.
Reel ideas:
- “3 mistakes people make when…” (your industry)
- Quick before/after transformations
- Answer common customer questions
- Show your product or service in action
- Share customer testimonials
Reels that are 7-15 seconds long tend to perform best!
Step 5: Run Simple Instagram Ads (Optional But Powerful)
If you want faster results, Instagram ads can help. You don’t need a huge budget—even $5/day can work.
Types of ads that work for small businesses:
- Brand awareness ads: Get your business in front of local people
- Engagement ads: Get more likes, comments, and shares
- Website traffic ads: Send people to your website or landing page
- Lead generation ads: Collect emails or phone numbers directly in Instagram
Start with a small budget, test different images and messages, and scale up what works.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Growing on Instagram
Even with the best strategies, some mistakes can slow you down:
❌ Buying followers: Fake followers don’t buy from you and hurt your engagement
❌ Posting inconsistently: Post at least 3-5 times per week
❌ Ignoring comments and DMs: Engagement is everything!
❌ Using too many sales posts: Remember the 80/20 rule
❌ Not tracking your results: Check Instagram Insights weekly to see what works
Tools to Help You Grow Faster
You don’t have to do everything manually. These tools can save you time:
- Canva: Create beautiful graphics and posts (free version available)
- Later or Buffer: Schedule your posts in advance
- Linktree: Put multiple links in your bio
- Instagram Insights: Track your performance (built into Instagram)
- ChatGPT or Copy.ai: Help write captions faster
Your 30-Day Instagram Growth Plan
Ready to take action? Here’s a simple plan to follow:
Week 1: Optimize your profile, research competitors, and plan 20 posts
Week 2: Post daily, use hashtags, engage 30 minutes per day
Week 3: Add Stories daily, start using Reels, reply to all DMs
Week 4: Run a giveaway, analyze what’s working, adjust your strategy
Consistency is key! Keep showing up, and the results will come.
Conclusion: Start Growing Your Business With Instagram Today
Learning how to grow your business with Instagram doesn’t have to be complicated. Focus on posting valuable content, engaging with your audience, and being consistent. Whether you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, or manager, Instagram gives you a free platform to reach thousands of potential customers.
Remember, you don’t need millions of followers to make money. Even 1,000 engaged followers who love your brand can transform your business!
Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level?
At My Digital Post, we help small businesses, entrepreneurs, and organizations across the USA grow their online presence and generate more leads. Whether you need help with Instagram strategy, content creation, or full digital marketing services, we’ve got you covered.
👉 Book Your Free Consultation Today!
Let’s build your dream Instagram presence together. Click the link below to schedule your free 30-minute strategy call and discover how we can help you get more followers on Instagram as a business and turn them into loyal customers.
📞 Contact us now at 9561871044
🌐 Visit our website at mydigitalpost.com
📧 Email us at info@mydigitalpost.com
Don’t wait—your competitors are already using Instagram to win customers. Let’s make sure you’re not left behind!
