Instagram Strategy for Business: How to Use Ads and Influencers to Scale Smart

With over 2 billion monthly active users globally, Instagram is a goldmine for small businesses aiming to scale smartly. In a recent podcast, Mr. Bhaskar Thakur, CEO of UpGrowth, shared insights on leveraging ads and influencers to boost growth. 

This blog outlines a practical Instagram strategy for business, guiding industry leaders through paid promotions, micro-influencer partnerships, and profile optimisation to enhance visibility and engagement. With actionable Instagram marketing tips for business, it’s designed to elevate your Instagram marketing strategy for business beyond organic efforts.

Why Instagram Ads and Influencers Matter

Instagram’s visual platform, with 62.4% of users researching brands or products, is ideal for businesses in fashion, food, or wellness. Paid ads amplify reach, while influencers build trust through authentic endorsements. Combining these in your Instagram strategy for business creates a powerful growth engine. This approach, part of a robust Instagram marketing strategy for business, helps small businesses connect with targeted audiences effectively.

Build a Strong Organic Foundation

Before investing in ads, establish an organic presence. Mr. Thakur advises posting 20–25 times in the first 30 days to build consistency. Focus on Reels and Stories, as users spend 56 minutes per hour on Reels. Use Instagram marketing tips for business, like maintaining a cohesive visual theme and clear CTAs (e.g., “Shop now”). This groundwork strengthens your Instagram strategy for business, setting the stage for paid efforts.

When to Start Instagram Ads

After 30–60 days of organic posting, start paid ads to scale. Mr. Thakur suggests boosting Reels with ₹500–1,000 weekly to increase reach affordably. Choose Reels with high engagement (likes, shares, saves) for boosting, as they align with Instagram’s algorithm, which favours short-form video. This Instagram marketing tip for business ensures your Instagram strategy for business maximises ROI without heavy investment.

Choosing the Right Reels to Boost

Selecting the right content is key for your Instagram marketing strategy for business. Boost Reels that already perform well organically, showing high saves or comments. For example, a food business could boost a Reel showcasing a popular dish during meal times (11 AM–1 PM). Tools help identify top-performing posts, making this a smart Instagram marketing tip for businesses to refine their Instagram strategy for business.

Setting Up an Attractive Profile for Collaborations

A professional profile attracts influencers. Mr. Thakur recommends a clear bio with a call-to-action (e.g., “DM for collabs”) and story highlights showcasing products. Add a tool to direct traffic to your website or WhatsApp. This Instagram marketing tip for business signals collaboration readiness, enhancing your Instagram strategy for business by making your profile appealing to potential partners.

Identifying the Right Micro-Influencers

Micro-influencers (10,000–50,000 followers) offer high engagement rates, averaging 3.86%. Choose influencers based on:

• Domain: Align with your niche (e.g., fitness influencers for gym gear).
• Geography: Local influencers for regional businesses, like a Pune-based cafe partnering with local food bloggers.
• Audience Age: Target Gen Z or Millennials, as 60% of Instagram users are under 35.

This approach boosts your Instagram strategy for business.

Reaching Out to Influencers

Contact influencers professionally via email or DM, using their bios’ contact details. Outline campaign goals (e.g., brand awareness) and offer clear terms. For example, propose a Reel showcasing your product for a fixed fee or product exchange. This Instagram marketing tip for business builds authentic partnerships, strengthening your Instagram marketing strategy for business for scalable growth.

Budgeting for Influencer Partnerships

Influencer costs vary: nano-influencers charge ₹800–8,000 per post, while micro-influencers charge ₹8,000–40,000. Start with a small budget to test partnerships, scaling based on results. For example, a jewellery brand could offer free products to a local influencer for a Story series. This cost-effective Instagram strategy for business maximizes ROI, aligning with Instagram marketing tips for business.

Crafting Effective Ad Campaigns

Create targeted ads, leveraging Instagram’s precise audience segmentation. Experiment with:

• Reels Ads: Blend into users’ feeds with quick, engaging clips.
• Shopping Ads: Link directly to product pages for seamless purchases.
• Carousel Ads: Showcase multiple products for higher engagement.

A/B test ad creatives to find what resonates, a key Instagram marketing tip for business for your Instagram strategy for business.

Measuring the Impact of Paid Efforts

Track high-value metrics like saves, shares, and DMs, not just views, to gauge ad and influencer campaign success. Analytics provide detailed insights on reach and engagement. For example, a 2.08% engagement rate on influencer Reels indicates strong performance. This data-driven Instagram marketing strategy for business refines your Instagram strategy for business.

Optimising Content for Ads and Influencers

Create authentic content for both ads and influencer posts. Use trending audio in Reels to boost discoverability and ensure visuals align with your brand’s aesthetic. For instance, a fashion brand could ask influencers to showcase outfits in real-life settings. This Instagram marketing tip for business enhances your Instagram marketing strategy for business for maximum impact.

Leveraging User-Generated Content (UGC)

Encourage customers to share content with a branded hashtag (e.g., #YourBrandVibes) to amplify trust. Repost UGC in Stories or create a “Customer Love” highlight, as 62% of users show interest after seeing brands in Stories. This Instagram marketing tip for business boosts credibility in your Instagram strategy for business.

Building Long-Term Influencer Relationships

Long-term partnerships with influencers yield better results. Work with the same creators for multiple campaigns to build trust, as users need seven exposures to a brand for lasting impact. This Instagram marketing strategy for business fosters authenticity, driving sustainable growth.

Scaling Smart with a 60-Day Plan

In the first 30 days, focus on organic posting to build engagement. In days 30–60, introduce ads and influencer collaborations, tracking metrics like shares and DMs. For more resources, explore deAsra’s blog. This Instagram strategy for business ensures sustainable growth.

Conclusion

A smart Instagram strategy for business combines ads and influencer partnerships to scale effectively. By starting with organic efforts, boosting high-performing Reels, and collaborating with micro-influencers, small businesses can leverage Instagram’s 2 billion users. With Instagram marketing tips for business and analytics, your Instagram marketing strategy for business can drive engagement and sales in 2025.

FAQs

1. How can small businesses attract micro-influencers effectively?

Mr. Thakur advises a clear bio with “DM for collabs” and story highlights showcasing products. This Instagram marketing tip for business signals collaboration readiness, boosting your Instagram strategy for business and Instagram marketing strategy for business for influencer partnerships.

2. How do you choose Reels to boost for ads?

Select Reels with high saves or comments, as they perform well organically. Boosting these aligns with Instagram’s algorithm, a key Instagram marketing tip for businesses to enhance their Instagram strategy for business and Instagram marketing strategy for business.

3. When should small businesses start Instagram ads?

Mr. Thakur suggests boosting Reels with ₹500–1,000 weekly after 30–60 days of organic posting. This Instagram marketing tip for business maximises ROI, scaling your Instagram strategy for business affordably within an Instagram marketing strategy for business.

4. What’s the best way to budget for influencer partnerships?

Start with a small budget (₹800–8,000 for nano-influencers), scaling based on results. For example, a jewellery brand could offer free products for Stories. This Instagram marketing tip for business boosts your Instagram strategy for business cost-effectively.

5. How do you measure the success of Instagram ads?

Track saves, shares, and DMs, not just views, using analytics tools. A 2.08% engagement rate on Reels shows success. This Instagram marketing strategy for business refines your Instagram strategy for business for data-driven growth.