If I were starting my Instagram page from scratch in 2025 (or trying to grow it), this is what I would be doing.
These are actually the same strategies I am using myself on my own account @thelittledesigncorner (with more than 215K followers at the time of writing this) - so I know they work! :)
1: Create a “binge-able” feed
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think like Netflix - create a feed that people get immersed in and want to keep reading and watching
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create posts that contain quick, actionable transformations (e.g. get them from Point A to Point B in each post that you share)
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If you’re not sure how, try as many different content types as you can (reels, stories, carousel posts etc.) and see what people enjoy from you (and what you enjoy making)
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make more of the types of content that get the highest engagement (you can check this in your insights if you’re got a business account, which I recommend you have)
2: Get better at story telling
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people are sick of surface-level, how-to content (it’s everywhere) - it’s also easy to replicate by ChatGPT and other AI models
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weave your story and experience into your content
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share more “how I” content rather than “how to” content
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put yourself into more of your content - show up face to camera regularly in your stories and in some of your reels as well
3: Know your content categories
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Make a list of 8-12 topics that you will talk about with your content
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Here’s some of mine:
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branding
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Canva
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client experience
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content creation
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design tips
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lead generation
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finding a niche
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business operations
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marketing a design business
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Notion
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pricing
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productivity
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SketchUp
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sales
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systems
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4: Create content types
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Make a list of the type of content you’ll create
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Here’s some of mine:
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behind the scenes
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list
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POV
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resource
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social proof
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student projects
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stories
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tip or tutorial
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unpopular opinion
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I then put all this into a matrix in Notion and can use this to easily brainstorm content ideas.
This is a system that I adapted after taking a course by Justin Welsh on content creation (which I found helpful).
You can get my Notion content templates in my shop if you’re interested.
5: Get known
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when you start your new page nobody is going to know you
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so you have to go out and get known
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here’s some ideas:
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go to the creators in your niche who you enjoy
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comment on their content
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reach out in the DMs
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share their stuff to your page
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build relationships with people in their comments area by posting helpful responses to their questions
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You then need to do the steps described in this post over and over again, day after day (even when you aren’t seeing any progress).
It takes time to get traction on Instagram, so be patient and put in consistent effort and remember to keep iterating and improving what you do each day.
I hope that gives you some ideas!
Thanks for reading and catch you in my next post :)
Clare x
Dr Clare Le Roy
