Building My Instagram Account + My Winning Growth Strategy

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels on Instagram,

I’ve got you. Today, I’m not just spilling the tea on the 4 biggest mistakes I made so you can avoid them—I’m also sharing how to grow an account that’s perfectly aligned with your mission and your ideal client. Let’s save you the time, frustration, and those ‘why-isn’t-this-working?’ moments.

Mistake #1 – Copying Trends Instead of Being Authentic

When I first started, I was taught to lean into side hustle trends. I bought content packs full of viral videos, followed advice to mimic popular creators, and churned out trendy content. But here’s the problem: none of it felt authentic. I couldn’t recommend side hustles I hadn’t vetted, and I didn’t love the actions in the videos. The disconnect was obvious—to me and to my audience. 

What You Should Do Instead:

Your ideal client wants to see the real you. Brand yourself and your business by sharing your expertise, your values, and your unique perspective instead of just following the crowd.

Mistake #2 – Focusing on Follower Count Over Engagement

I made my first multiple $1,000 with just 11 followers. I sold the courses I affiliated for to businesses both on and off-line. I was told that was wrong and I let outside pressure convince me that I needed a huge audience to be successful online. The truth? Numbers don’t equal success—connection does. Building a business in a way that aligns with you, is the best way.

What You Should Do Instead:

Focus on building trust and engagement:

A smaller, engaged audience will always outperform a big, unresponsive one. Prioritize creating value and building relationships with your followers.

Mistake #3 – Using Bots and Follow Trains

When I hired a social media manager, they used bots to grow my followers quickly. I also joined generic follow trains. In just a few months, I had nearly 5,000 followers—but most of them weren’t real or aligned with my niche. My engagement tanked, and I felt like I was shouting into the void. Truth is, you can’t sell to an empty room or a disengaged audience.

What You Should Do Instead:

Grow organically with niche-specific strategies:

Use Instagram intentionally. Follow and engage with accounts in your niche, create content that resonates with your audience, and let your growth be authentic. I write that and then think how generic that sounds. I immediately think of how many times I have been told that exact thing and still felt like I needed specific instructions. No worries! I have a proven step-by-step, hour-by-hour strategy for you to take your followers & sales to the Next Level! (select Next Level here)

Mistake #4 – Not Starting with Clarity & Confidence

You are probably thinking, confidence? I’m new to this online business world! Hear me out…

I didn’t have a clear vision of who I was serving or what I was offering. Without clarity, my messaging was all over the place—and so were my results. Once I clarified who I was serving and what I was offering, I was able to hone my skills to build my confidence in my ability to deliver amazing value to my clients.

What You Should Do Instead:

Start with a clear strategy:

Take the time to define your ideal client (more about that here), your mission, and the unique value you bring to the table. Everything you create—your content, bio, and offers—should speak directly to them. There are real, proven strategies that take you step-by-step through creating everything you need to build your business with confidence and clarity.

How to Build an Instagram Account Aligned with Your Mission

Get Clear on Your Ideal Client:

Who are they? Think Psychographic not Demographic. What problems can you solve for them? What is their biggest challenge right now? What do they need? What solution can you provide for them?

Craft a Bio That Speaks to Your Audience:

Your bio should clearly communicate who you help and how. Include a call-to-action to take the next step.

Focus on Engaging Content:

Post content that educates, inspires, or solves problems for your audience.

Be Consistent and Intentional:

Show up regularly with content that aligns with your mission. Engagement builds over time.

Conclusion: Reflect, Refocus, and Grow

Mistakes are part of the process, but they’re also stepping stones to success. By learning what doesn’t work, I’ve gained clarity on what does. Now, I’m focused on building an Instagram account that aligns perfectly with my mission and attracts my ideal clients—and you can do the same! I am on a growth mission and I would love for you to follow along.

If you’re ready to skip the trial-and-error and start 2025 with a plan that works, that has proven results and the ONLY strategy I have ever seen to take you step-by-step, hour-by-hour to grow your audience and your sales, click here and select NEXT LEVEL! This is the exact strategy I’m using to build my following of ideal clients to 1,000 in the first three weeks of the year. I’ve tried it all, and now I’m sharing what actually works—so you can grow your audience and your business with confidence.

For more info on an online business you are madly passionate about, read this and this!