Instagram for Small Business: Expert Tips from Bhaskar Thakur’s dreamBIG Podcast
Instagram has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app into a powerful platform for small businesses, connecting them with over 360 million Indian users. In a recent episode of the dreamBIG podcast, hosted by deAsra Foundation and Yashaswi Udyojak, Mr. Bhaskar Thakur, CEO of UpGrowth, shared practical insights on how to use Instagram for business.
This blog captures his expertise in a clear, engaging guide for industry leaders across sectors, offering steps to craft an Instagram marketing strategy for small businesses that drives growth. Whether you run a boutique, a cafe, or a wellness brand, these tips will help you tap into Instagram’s potential with confidence.
The Rise of Instagram: From Burbn to Business Hub
Instagram started as Burbn, a location-based app, before pivoting to its popular photo-filter feature. Mr. Thakur explains, “Burbn was the original version of Instagram, a location-based networking app. The company was nearly shutting down until the founders realised people loved the filter feature, so they rebranded it as Instagram.” This shift created a platform that’s now a cornerstone of daily life in India, where low data costs and widespread smartphone use fuel its growth.
For small businesses, Instagram’s visual formats, like Reels, make it ideal for showcasing products instantly—think a vibrant kurta or a mouth-watering dish. How to use Instagram for business begins with leveraging this visual power to grab attention.
Why Instagram Is a Game-Changer for Small Businesses
With 360 million active users in India, Instagram is a vital channel for reaching customers who are glued to their phones. Mr. Thakur notes, “The phone in your hand is the most personalised device ever. People share desktops, laptops, or tablets, but no one shares their phone—it’s an extension of you.” This intimacy, combined with rich media like videos and images, makes Instagram for small businesses a unique opportunity.
Visual industries like fashion, food, wellness, and beauty thrive here, as images convey what text cannot. Direct-to-consumer (D2C) businesses can target specific audiences, such as young adults in Mumbai, while traditional businesses use Instagram for branding.
Setting Up Your Instagram Profile: First Steps
For small businesses starting on Instagram, Mr. Thakur outlines key steps to build a strong foundation:
- Switch to a Business Account: This provides analytics and visibility, as 80% of Indian users follow at least one business.
- Create a Clear Bio: Include what you do and a call-to-action (e.g., “DM for orders” or a WhatsApp link).
- Use Story Highlights: Showcase products, menus, or customer reviews to build trust.
- Add a Linktree: Simplify navigation to your website or contact details.
These steps form the backbone of an Instagram marketing strategy for small businesses, ensuring your profile is professional and user-friendly. Mr. Thakur emphasises that a well-crafted bio and highlights are critical for making a strong first impression, especially for small businesses like boutiques or food vendors.
Content Formats: Picking the Right Tools
Instagram offers four main content formats, each with a distinct role in your Instagram marketing strategy for small businesses:
- Reels: Ideal for reaching new audiences, as users spend 56 minutes per hour on Reels. They’re perfect for quick product demos.
- Stories: With a 24-hour lifespan, Stories boost engagement through polls or FAQs.
- Carousels: These drive deeper interaction, great for product lists or guides (e.g., “Top 5 Fitness Tips”).
- Live: Best for walk-throughs or Q&As, though it needs promotion.
Mr. Thakur advises, “For new small businesses with limited bandwidth, focus on Reels and Stories to maximise reach and engagement.” Tools like Canva or InShot help create professional visuals quickly, making how to use Instagram for business achievable even for small teams.
Consistency and Engagement: Building Momentum
Consistency is crucial for Instagram for small businesses. Mr. Thakur recommends posting 20–25 times in the first 30 days with a consistent theme and clear CTAs (e.g., “Shop now”). Focus on engagement metrics like comments, likes, saves, and bio visits rather than instant sales. In the next 30–60 days, aim for deeper engagement, such as shares or DMs. Use Meta’s dashboard to track these weekly, prioritising users who comment or share over those who only view your Reels (e.g., 1,200 views).
Mr. Thakur suggests, “DM them to thank them and share your story, like, ‘I’ve started this new business; let me know what you think.’” This builds connections that power your Instagram marketing strategy for a small business.
Hashtags and Audio: Boosting Visibility
Hashtags and audio are key to increasing discoverability in Instagram for small businesses. Mr. Thakur advises using 5–15 relevant, medium-frequency hashtags to avoid competing with big brands. He warns, “Hashtags are often misunderstood—random ones like ‘#raining’ add no value.”
Search Instagram or Google for hashtags with moderate reach that suit your niche, like #PuneEats for a local restaurant. For audio, check Instagram’s trending section for popular tracks tied to festivals or movies. Ensure your content hooks viewers in the first three seconds to leverage these trends, enhancing how to use Instagram for business effectively.
The Power of Local Language
India’s linguistic diversity makes vernacular content a strength. While English is common, local languages like Marathi or Hindi connect deeply with audiences. Mr. Thakur notes that most of Instagram’s 360 million Indian users don’t primarily speak English, so creating content in your audience’s language builds stronger ties. For instance, a Pune-based boutique could use Marathi captions to appeal to local customers, making your Instagram marketing strategy for small businesses more relatable.
When to Use Paid Strategies
Mr. Thakur suggests keeping efforts organic for the first 30 days, using networks like WhatsApp contacts to promote your Instagram for a small business. After building a base, invest ₹500–1,000 weekly to boost Reels, which offer wider reach than Stories. Micro-influencers (10,000–25,000 followers) are cost-effective for small businesses in sectors like food or fashion.
Choose influencers whose audience aligns with your target market in age, domain, and geography. Signal collaboration interest in your bio (e.g., “DM for collabs”) to attract them. These paid strategies amplify your Instagram marketing strategy for small businesses affordably.
Standing Out in a Competitive Space
With many businesses on Instagram, differentiation is vital. Mr. Thakur advises highlighting your unique value proposition—whether it’s sustainable fashion or artisanal food—in your bio and posts. For example, a kurti brand could emphasise eco-friendly materials with a tagline like “Wear green, save the earth.” Consistent visuals and messaging aligned with your audience’s values help your Instagram for small business stand out in a crowded feed.
Generating Leads and Sales
Does Instagram for small businesses deliver results? A 2023 Meta study found that 60% of surveyed businesses gained leads via Instagram. Niche and local businesses, like sustainable brands or mango vendors, see strong results by targeting specific audiences. Use clear CTAs like “DM for a quote” or link to WhatsApp for quick responses.
Mr. Thakur explains, “A customer might message about a kurti’s price or size, and an active business owner can respond instantly to convert that interest.” Responsiveness turns engagement into sales, making how to use Instagram for business a direct path to growth.
Long-Term Growth with Instagram
Building an Instagram marketing strategy for a small business requires patience. Focus on engagement in the first 30 days, deeper metrics like shares in 30–60 days, and CTA performance (e.g., DMs) thereafter. Businesses with existing followers may see faster results, but new accounts can grow with consistency26 consistency. For more tips, check deAsra’s blog for resources on small business growth.
Conclusion
Instagram is a dynamic platform for small businesses to connect and grow. Mr. Bhaskar Thakur’s insights from the dreamBIG podcast provide a clear roadmap, from setting up a professional profile to using Reels, hashtags, and local content. By starting organically, experimenting with paid strategies, and staying consistent, small businesses can unlock Instagram’s potential. Whether in fashion, food, or wellness, Instagram for small businesses offers a cost-effective way to reach customers and drive sales. Start today to shine in India’s vibrant digital marketplace.
FAQs
1. Why is Instagram ideal for small businesses?
With 360 million Indian users, Instagram for small businesses excels due to its visual formats like Reels, perfect for showcasing food or fashion. Mr. Thakur highlights smartphones’ nature, making an Instagram marketing strategy for small businesses highly effective.
2. How should a small business set up an Instagram profile?
Mr. Thakur advises switching to a business account, crafting a clear bio with a call-to-action, using story highlights for products, and adding a Linktree. This builds a professional Instagram for small businesses for an effective Instagram marketing strategy for small businesses.
3. What content works best for small businesses on Instagram?
Mr. Thakur recommends Reels for reach and Stories for engagement on Instagram for small businesses. Use Carousels for product lists and Live for Q&As. Focus on Reels and Stories for how to use Instagram for business effectively.
4. How can small businesses use hashtags effectively?
For Instagram for small businesses, Mr. Thakur suggests 5–15 relevant, medium-frequency hashtags, avoiding random ones like “#raining.” Search Instagram for niche hashtags to boost your Instagram marketing strategy for a small business and enhance discoverability.
5. When should small businesses start Instagram ads?
Mr. Thakur advises organic posting for 30 days, then boosting Reels with ₹500–1,000 weekly for Instagram for small businesses. This affordable step in how to use Instagram for business scales reach within your Instagram marketing strategy for small business.