How to Start your Handmade Business on Instagram Today? Get your Questions Answered.

Starting a small business always seems like a huge decision, doesn’t it? I bet there are so many questions running through your mind whenever you think of starting a small business. Some may look like this:

• Where do I even start?

• So many people are already selling these items. Why would someone buy from me?

• What if no one buys and I'm left with my whole inventory?

• I don’t even have money to invest right now. How can I buy all the equipment?

• What if I don't make any money?

My love… It gets better! I promise. When (not if) you put in the work, it will all figure out ITSELF. You just have to take the first step and show up every day! And you know I’m here to help you with that; that’s why you’re reading. So let's go and don't forget to learn the last point by heart.

Is Instagram Really the Best Option?

Have you heard people say that you should not depend on Social Media? Yes, that’s right! You should have multiple ways to present our business at all times. But in India, Instagram and Facebook are the perfect platforms to START an online small business and make a presence for it. Eventually, you can own a website and drive your customers to your email list. Until then, let’s learn how you take the first step today with Instagram.

CREATE A BUSINESS PROFILE

There are two types of Instagram accounts - Professional and Personal; where Professional is for us. Now, you can choose Creator under this type if you are aspiring to be an Influencer but we are talking BUSINESS BABY! So, we are going for the Business Option.

The last step is to choose the Entrepreneur category. This will get you access to all the fun features of Instagram, including the whole music library.

Image Credit: www.instagram.com

WRITE AN EFFICIENT BIO

Your bio is your introduction, the one thing that every successful business owner on Instagram uses for a presentation on IGTV or IG Live. You just have to compress it within 150 characters. Make sure your bio has these included.

• Your name, duh! Don't let the people call you by your business' name. You are a person and everyone should know you by your name first and then your business.

• Relevant keywords; e.g., Crochet and Knit Maker, Business Coach, Macrame Artist, Doily Designer, etc. You get the idea, right?

• Give an incentive for why people should follow you. Tell them specifically what you do.

• Your contact information other than your Instagram DM.

• Location of your business because so many people don't even know if you are from India and not everyone can understand the ".in" in your username or website.

Instagram Bio of my Handle - @letscrochetandknitt

A WELCOME POST

Once you have your account set, welcome the new followers. Anyone who has an interest in your brand's name would want to know more about you and your work. Some ideas, of course:

• Post a reel with your introduction.

• Make a snippet (more of a trailer with Reels) of all the products in your inventory.

• Share your terms and conditions so that it's said and done for everyone.

Tip: Give them an idea of a date of when they can expect your launch.

FIND PEOPLE IN YOUR NICHE

And start engaging with their content. You don't have to do everything on your own when you can learn from observing others. Start learning the following things from them.

• Post, Reels and Stories trends

• Hashtags

• Engagement

• Photography

Remember if you are inspired by anyone's work, NEVER STEAL OR COPY IT. Recreate it in your own way, with your brand colours, your tone and voice. YOUR hard work should show in your work and not someone else's.

MAKE CONNECTIONS

This is by far the most important aspect of being on Social Media. If you are not social on Social Media, it doesn't even matter why you're on there. Your ideal customer should be comfortable sending you a DM.

So, there you have it! All the basics in one place so you can finally stop researching and start today!

Now, drop some questions (if any) for me in the comment section below and tell me what is stopping you now from showing up on Instagram. I'd love to help and answer any or all of your questions.