In today's digital world, starting an online business is easier than ever before. In fact, many budding entrepreneurs use social media platforms like Instagram to start and run their businesses. It’s free to create an account and post content, and when used correctly, it can be the primary driver of your business.
Influencer
The most popular business trend on Instagram is that of an influencer. These are accounts with large, active followings that advertise products to their audience. To start a business as an influencer, you'll need to build an organic following that actively engages with your posts and content. This attracts businesses to advertise with you.
Influencers make money by partnering with companies that want to expose their product or services to the influencer’s followers. Their posts are typically personal and written in a way that appears genuine rather than pushy. Typically, influencers operate within a niche so their content is tailored to a very specific audience.
[Read: A Quick Guide to Marketing Your Business on Instagram]
Photographer
Instagram is a visual platform, so if you're a photographer, this platform is a great way to showcase your portfolio. Posting beautiful images and videos, along with the appropriate hashtags, can get the attention of clients who want to hire you. While photography can be a crowded space, there are many subcategories and niches your business can target. For instance, you can advertise yourself as a product photographer, photojournalist, portrait or event photographer, travel photographer and more.
Online educator and coach
If you are an expert with years of experience in your industry or field, you can use your knowledge base to educate and engage with others as an educator or coach on Instagram. This platform is a great way to advertise the online classes or coaching programs you're offering while building a community around your area of expertise. You can even upload short lessons and tutorials to IGTV to give viewers a small taste of what you offer and what they can sign up for.
[Read: How to Use Instagram Stories to Promote Your Business]
No matter what type of Instagram business you decide to start, be sure to focus on creating engaging, visually appealing photo and video content, interacting with your followers, and providing them with a reason to keep coming back to your feed and Stories.
Artist or maker
If you are an artist or create handmade items, social media platforms like Instagram can help you showcase and sell your work. Instagram artists and makers can use their accounts to show off high-quality photos of their pieces and products, as well as set up shoppable posts to sell directly to their followers. Once you've built an audience, you can even offer commissions so your followers can have their own personalized pieces of your handiwork.
Personal trainer
People may turn to Instagram and social media for help with their fitness journeys. You can monetize your background in fitness and love for helping people get in shape through Instagram. Curate and post videos of your best workouts and health tips to create an audience that comes to you for inspiration. From there, you can offer your services as a personal trainer or fitness instructor to clients who want customized plans and experiences.
Cooking or baking business
Cooking videos and time-lapse posts have the potential to generate massive amounts of engagement. If you're an experienced chef with an eye for presentation, you can generate a following on Instagram and build a business from there. Your Instagram content can promote more in-depth cooking blogs, books and products, or it can advertise catering services.
Pet sitter and dog walker
There are few things on Instagram that draw more attention than photos of cute animals. If you’re an animal lover who’s looking to reach local pet parents for sitting, walking and other animal care services, this could be the right platform for you. Post photos of your furry “clients” enjoying their time in your backyard or out on a walk with you. Optimize your posts with local hashtags to help people find you and you’ll be well on your way to running a thriving pet business with the help of Instagram.
[Read: How to Build a Brand on Social Media]
No matter what type of Instagram business you decide to start, be sure to focus on creating engaging, visually appealing photo and video content, interacting with your followers and providing them with a reason to keep coming back to your feed and Stories. Get more tips for selling on Instagram in our guide.
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