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I hate to admit it, but Instagram is still one of the best tools for growing your branding studio 😭 It was the case for me back in 2020 when I was first starting out, and it's still the case today! BUT the game has changed. The algorithm is unpredictable and weird and confusing and it seems like every account is about "hacking the system" 💻 but Alyssa, I don't want to hack the system! I just want to post my designs and get cool clients and not feel like a content creator! Me too, pal. Me, too.
So, how do you make Instagram work for your branding biz in 2025? It’s all about strategy, showing up consistently (without burning out), and making sure your content is actually getting in front of the right people. Easy! 💀 But really, let's take the complicated and leave it to Avril Lavigne. Here's my guide to making Instagram your B*TCH this year—from showing off your portfolio to mastering micro-selling to everything in between.
I know that was a lot of arrows but there IS a hierarchy when it comes to how to approach your posting strategy. In my opinion, I think it's WAY better to be posting less but to always have high quality, well-thought-out stuff. You could be posting consistently, but if only 1 out of every 5 are worth sharing, then it's a waste of your time AND your audience might ignore your content because they're aware of this pattern, too. We see SO much online these days that only the things that really ~do it for us are going to stick, so think about that! 🤔
The goal isn’t to show up more, it’s to show up with something worth people’s time. Every post should either educate, inspire, or showcase your expertise. If it doesn’t? Rework it. The algorithm rewards content that actually holds people’s attention, so focus on making each post worth the scroll. Obviously, if you can post high-quality content consistently and often, that's freaking awesome and I would definitely do that. But, if you're trying to live your life and not become a full-time social media manager, you might want to prioritize one (and spoiler: I would choose quality!)
Throwback to when branding designers used to flood Instagram with client projects 🥹 that's what I call the good ole' days. Do y'all remember when we all suddenly stopped in favor of memes and personal brand-building content? Same. Darn time-space continuum! If only I could turn back the hands of time and say "noooo you don't know what you're doing to the space!"
Well, good news pookies, portfolio work is back (and honestly, it should’ve never left)! Potential clients want to see your design skills, your process, and the transformations you create. Posting your work isn’t just a flex, it’s proof that you know what you’re doing! I think people are a little tired of the lifestyle content and meme culture because it doesn't actually prove anything about your skillset or talent, so give everyone a refreshing TBT a post that project!
Here's a little twist: the best way to do this? Show your process. Share a before-and-after transformation. Break down the strategy behind a color palette or a font choice. Walk people through your mood boards. Clients don’t just want to see the final result, they want to understand why it works! Remember how fun it used to be to watch the "How It's Made" channel that would randomly be on? Like that. The more you showcase your expertise, the more you attract clients who align with your style and approach (and that trust you!)
Reels are still one of the best ways to grow, but here’s the catch 🎣: WHO sees your content matters just as much as HOW MANY people see it. If you’re a branding studio trying to book clients, but all your Reels are relatable design memes, the Instagram algorithm will start showing your content to more designers instead of potential clients. Then what?? You're posting those "now booking" stories to designers who are...you guessed it! Also booking 🫠
There’s nothing wrong with creating fun, community-focused content, but be intentional about balancing it. A reel showcasing a branding transformation or a behind-the-scenes look at your process will attract potential clients, while a meme about client feedback is more likely to attract other designers. Both types of content have value but if booking clients is your goal, make sure you’re speaking to them! (Also, a little side tip: no client wants to come on your profile and see threads or reels making fun of other clients. I mean, let's be fr lol, who would? So be careful with your content subject matter y'all!)
According to this new Instagram resource on their new algorithm, they're pushing reels out to a small group of both followers and non-followers, and then showing to more audiences as the reel gets more engagement. This means reels are one of your best bets for reaching new people that could become potential followers! It also means that you can't rely on your current following to carry your views and numbers. So, this means your content (cough cough at tip #1) needs to be enough on its own to bring people to your profile, and your profile should have enough interesting/high quality content on it to make people SMASH THAT MF FOLLOW BUTTON 😤
Hate repeating yourself? "I'm tired of this, Grandpa!" 🗣️ "Well that's TOO DAMN BAD!" Instagram isn’t what it used to be, and even if people follow you, they probably aren’t seeing every post (re: tip #3^) This means you need to be repeating your key messages wayyyyy more than you think. I used this metaphor in my podcast episode about this, but it was so good, it needs to be in writing too: your profile is a cute local diner. You have a special dish on the menu (aka your offer). You only told the people in the diner on Monday about the special dish, but didn't talk about it the rest of the week. What if you had people who would've ordered the dish on Tuesday or Friday? Well, they didn't order anything because they didn't know about it! You could have your potential client view your story just once, and if you neglected to share your offers on that day, say bye bye project 🤗
If you’re launching a service, don’t just post about it once and assume people saw it. Keep talking about it, in different ways, across different formats! Repost your best-performing content as a trial reel with a fresh audio track. Post it to Threads! Turn a post into a carousel. Mention your offers in your stories. Visibility takes repetition y'all! If you feel like you’re saying the same thing over and over, you’re finally doing it right.
No one wants to feel like they’re constantly being sold to, but...Alyssa, we're in the sales business!!! Girl, I know, this is where micro-selling comes in: small, subtle ways of weaving your services into everyday content. Stories are the easiest way to do this imo and the least time consuming! Instead of a full-on sales pitch, share behind-the-scenes clips, quick client wins, or a “did you know we offer this?” moment. Drop casual call-to-actions in your captions. Talk about your services like you’d recommend something to a friend. 😌 You can use these varying formats to talk about aspects of your offers that you wouldn't put in a carousel or a sales page—little things that add to the experience but aren't exactly selling points. The more naturally you integrate your offers into your content, the more effortless your sales process becomes and the easier it is to talk about it consistently and often (a recurring theme, you see).
First impressions matter!! In this attention economy or whatever, you only have a couple seconds of people's time (and that's when they decide if they want to follow you or mark you down as a designer option). When a potential client lands on your page, they should instantly understand who you are, what you do, and whether you’re the right fit for them. Your bio should be clear (it can still be cute I promise ) but has to say exactly what you do and who you help. Your highlights should be curated, not random! This is prime real estate to showcase your portfolio, client wins, offers, etc. Your pinned posts should be your best content, the things you want every new visitor to see first. And of course, your overall feed should reflect your style, aesthetic, and expertise. Think of your profile as the window display of your business, make sure it’s inviting!
The key to Instagram in 2025 is intentionality. Show up with purpose, showcase your best work, repeat your key messages, and make sure your content is actually reaching the right audience! It sounds complicated, but it really isn't! It's basically this: post good stuff, talk about your offers a lot, use reels to grow, and keep your profile welcoming and informative. Hope this was helpful, and if you have any questions or are interested - shoot us an email or head over to our website alongside our branding services, we curate resources (Courses! Workshops! Templates! A podcast!) to help our community stay inspired, curious and hungry for more. Scroll through our creative buffet and help yourself to useful tools that feed the creative parts of your brain in all the right ways. 🧠
(P.S. I recorded a super fun little podcast episode about 2025 Instagram tips, so check it out!)
Love,
Alyssa
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