These IG strategies feel illegal...but actually grow your business

Hey Reader!

Everyone’s out here chasing growth hacks, but the real secret? Treating Instagram like an actual community...not just a content machine.

You have to admit...having 10,000 followers who don’t care? Meh.

100 people who actually want what you offer? Now we’re talking.

Here are 8 strategies that feel illegal… but aren’t:

1. Give a f about your audience. Your followers aren’t numbers—they’re real people. Acknowledge them, and they’ll remember it.
2. Reply to comments & DMs like you would IRL. Imagine asking someone a question and they just walk away. That’s what ghosting your comments feels like.
3. DMs aren’t just for sales. 95% of my business came from conversations—not cold pitches. Just talk to people and build relationships so they can't forget you.
4. Make your account a place people want to come back to. Fear-based marketing? Exhausting. Make people feel seen, not shamed.
5. Tell creators when their content helped you. Everyone loves hearing, “This was exactly what I needed.” Be that person who gives back too!
6. Post like no one is watching (because at first… no one is). Stop overthinking. Your best content comes from doing, not obsessing.
7. Drop the “professional” act. People don’t connect with businesses—they connect with personalities. Talk like a human. Talk like you would to someone new at a party.
8. Say the same thing 10 different ways. You think you’re repeating yourself. Your audience? They probably missed it the first 9 times. Repetition = recognition.

Instagram isn’t about beating the algorithm. It’s about actually connecting with people.

Try these, and watch what happens.

Prathi

PS: Love these strategies but still staring at your screen wondering WTF do I post? You’re not alone. That’s exactly why I created the WTF Do I Post Challenge—so you never run out of content ideas again. Join us here! ​