Instagram is a marketing powerhouse for both solopreneurs and small business teams. From sharing scroll-stopping captions to crafting engaging carousels and leveraging DMs to grow your email list, Instagram offers tools that can help you launch your brand, build your audience, and drive growth within your first year of business. In this guide, we’ll look at ways to write and design short-form content – including an overview of using Instagram marketing for new businesses.
Write Captions Within Instagram’s Character Limits
Instagram captions can be up to 2,200 characters, but only part of that will show at first glance. Only the first 125 characters are visible before followers need to click “More.” This makes your first line crucial for grabbing attention.
Tips for Writing Captions
- Hook them early: Start with an intriguing question, bold statement, or relatable moment. Example: “Struggling to find time to market your business? You’re not alone.”
- Provide value: Share a story, tip, or insight that resonates with your audience. Example: “Here’s how I gained 50 new leads using Instagram Stories (and how you can, too).”
- End with a clear CTA: Encourage your audience to comment, save, share, or click a link. Example: “Save this post for later, and try these tips this week!”
Bonus Tip
Break up long captions with line breaks and emojis to make them more visually appealing.
Design Engaging Instagram Carousels
Instagram carousels allow you to share up to 20 images or videos in a single post, making them perfect for storytelling, step-by-step tutorials, or delivering multiple points in one go.
How to Create Effective Carousels
- Start with a bold cover slide: Use a question, shocking fact, or striking visual to grab attention. Example: “5 Mistakes Small Businesses Make on Instagram (and How to Fix Them).”
- Focus each slide on one idea: Keep text minimal and visuals consistent with your brand.
- End with a strong CTA: The final slide should encourage action. Ask your audience to save, share, comment, or visit a link on your profile.
Design Tools
Use platforms like Canva to create polished, on-brand carousel slides. Canva templates make it easy to design professional visuals even if you’re not a graphic designer.
Use Stories to Highlight Your Content and Others’ Posts
Instagram Stories are one of the most engaging features on the platform. They disappear after 24 hours (unless saved to Highlights), making them ideal for timely, authentic content.
How to Use Instagram Stories for Your Business
- Promote your content: Share sneak peeks, new product announcements, or behind-the-scenes glimpses.
- Engage your audience: Use polls, quizzes, and Q&A stickers to interact with your followers.
- Highlight others’ posts: Share customer/client testimonials, shoutouts from collaborators, or complementary content from your niche.
Bonus Tip
Save your most impactful Stories to Highlights so new followers can see them at any time. Use categories like “Testimonials,” “Behind the Scenes,” or “Tips” for easy navigation.
Use Instagram DMs to Build Your Email List
Instagram DMs are a powerful tool for several business functions, including growing your email list. Personalized messages through Instagram DMs help build trust in ways that content alone does not. DMs also allow you to share lead magnets directly with followers.
How to Use Instagram DMs for Email List Growth
- Respond to comments and stories: If someone comments on a post or replies to your story, thank them and offer a freebie. Example: “Thanks for your comment! I actually have a free checklist on this topic. Would you like me to send it over?”
- Create DM-friendly CTAs: In your Instagram posts or Stories, ask followers to DM you for exclusive resources like templates, eBooks, or discount codes. Example: “Want my free guide to Instagram captions that convert? DM me the word GUIDE.”
- Automate responses: Use tools like ManyChat or Instagram’s built-in auto-reply features to provide instant signup links when followers message you.
Example Script for a Lead Magnet
Follower: “I’m interested in learning more about [XYZ process or tool]!”
You: “I’m so glad to hear that! Here’s a link to download my free [XYZ] Workbook. [insert link].”
FAQs: Instagram Marketing for New Businesses
Focus on the first line, provide value, and end with a clear CTA.
Aim for 5–10 slides to keep your audience’s attention while delivering meaningful content.
Use stickers, GIFs, and interactive features like polls or quizzes. Add Highlights to keep important Stories visible.
What We Covered
Instagram offers solopreneurs and small businesses a dynamic platform to connect with audiences, share stories, and drive sales. By writing captivating captions, designing engaging carousels, using Stories strategically, and leveraging DMs for list building, you can turn Instagram into your most effective marketing tool.
Further Support from Kat Quintana: Ready to take your Instagram marketing to the next level? Book a Power Hour Coaching call with me, so you can identify the most effective ways to use Instagram in 2025 and beyond.
