This post may contain affiliate links to items I love, and I am confident you will too! All opinions are my own, however, I may receive a small commission on purchases. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For any health advice I give on nutrition and weight loss, make sure you check with your doctor, as I am not a health professional.
Instagram, as I’ve said in a couple other posts, is my favorite social media platform because it is aesthetic, and I love photos.Many bloggers see Instagram as another method to build a following and traffic source…which it is, but if that’s all you see it as, you’re missing out on a lot. I’ve just gone over the 1k mark. That’s huge when you are just starting out on Instagram, and I’ve been able to work with large brands like JORD Watches, Smile Brilliant, DockATot, Lillebaby, Finn and Emma and more. I’ve also connected with smaller, local brands to work together, where I’ve either been paid to post, or posted in exchange for the product, depending on the brand’s policies. You don’t have to have a large following for the brands you love to be interested in you. My account is proof!
I also launched an ebook that will really help you get started with better photos, what type of photos to take, the stats behind specific colors and more. You can look forward to A TON of great information, and I give you MY EXACT EMAIL to a brand for a paid campaign, which I got well below 1k followers.
First, Instagram is another blog. Its your photo blog, which correlates to your written blog. That means you can find companies and brands who are excited to be a part of your story on Instagram, but don’t necessarily have an interest on your written blog.
Related: Make Any Picture Pretty and Professional For Instagram
Related: Best Photo Tips For Fabulous Instagram Shots
These companies are looking for social shares and high quality photos, and there’s a whole world of companies wanting to work with both Macro and Micro Influencers. There’s a site, Influenster, which I wrote on, and it is a fabulous place to find great free product in the beauty industry. I’m working on a Lancome face peel now.
Finding these companies, when you haven’t hit the massive follower goals yet is daunting, but totally do-able!
I’ve got a great strategy I developed to find large and small brands, who are willing to send me products to post for free. Some pay for posts as well, but as a smaller account, you are more likely to get an exchange.
What if you only have 200 followers? Well I’ve got a great ebook out that will help you get to 1k by improving the aesthetic and photo quality of your account. Many over look that aspect of Instagram, thinking if you follow and engage, as your main focus you will encase your followers, but people are on Instagram to see pretty pictures. You shouldn’t ignore that’s the main point of Instagram. My book is full of all the tips you need to know about making a cohesive and aesthetic feed as well as pitch to brands and grow your following!
Related: How I Got My First Viral Pin
My Massive Traffic Boost: 6k to 40k Page views in Two Months
Pageview Breakthrough: How I Went from 6k to over 17k in One Month
How I Turned $17.99 Into Over $300 With One Blog Post
How I Pin Over 800 Pins In One Week
9 Comments
I’ve been using influenster since November and have received three boxes so far. Looking forward to reading your book. As I only have 844 followers and lookin to work with clothing brands but most of my research has shown me that you need a ton a followers and traffic when it comes to fashion blogs. Thanks for the post!!!
I love Instagram. It’s such a great opportunity to connect with brands as well as other people.
Hi Katie,
What a beautiful website you have!
And your children are gorgeous! 🙂
thanks for this post. Now I’ll be extra motivated to grow my instagram account.
Take care,
Dani
I have almost 2 k and I signed up for influenster but I haven’t receive a box yet. Could you make a blog post about what I could possibly be doing wrong? I’d appreciate it. Love.
Did you do the questionnaire for any of the vox boxes yet? They match you based on how you answer questions, but you have no idea what the product is. Have you reviewed any products you already own? I did some reviews too. I’ve done a few questionnaires for the vox boxes, and haven’t been chosen for them because I didn’t fit what they were looking for. When you say 2k, do you mean followers on Instagram? What’s your handle?
I’m soooo struggling on my Instagram game. I think it’s my pictures and I’m kind of all over the place. Do you plan out your photos or does it just happen organically?
Thanks, this info is helpful. If you start doing promo work for brands in exchange for a product, does it pave the way for future paid posts, or is that really just more to do with follow numbers and follower engagement?
This post was SO helpful! Your article popped up on my Pinterest so I followed you on Insta as well. Hoping we can be mama blogging buddies!
I’m so glad it helped you! I love connecting and making new blogging buddies! Feel free to shoot me an email, so we can correspond there!