You’ve got your Etsy shop up and running—amazing! Now it’s time to get those beautiful products in front of more people. If you’re wondering how to grow your Etsy shop beyond just Etsy search, Instagram is one of the best platforms to help you connect with potential buyers, showcase your products, and build a loyal community. The best part? You don’t need thousands of followers or a fancy strategy to get started!
In this post, I’ll walk you through how to grow your Etsy shop using Instagram, even if you’re a total beginner. Ready to dive into the world of Instagram marketing? Let’s go!
1. Set Up an Instagram Business Profile
First things first—if you haven’t already, switch to an Instagram business profile. This will give you access to important tools like analytics, Instagram Shopping (more on that later), and the ability to run ads if you choose to down the road. It’s free and super easy to switch—just head to your account settings and select “Switch to Business Profile.”
Why it matters: A business profile gives you more credibility, access to insights about your followers and posts, and the ability to add links in your Instagram Stories (once you reach 10k followers). Plus, you’ll be able to add a contact button so people can easily get in touch.
Pro tip: Make sure your bio is clear and concise. In just a few words, tell visitors what your shop is about and why they should follow you. Don’t forget to add a link to your Etsy shop!
Example bio:
“✨ Handmade jewelry for the bold and stylish | Shop unique designs in my Etsy shop! 💍 Click the link below to shop!”
2. Showcase Your Products with Beautiful Photos
Instagram is all about the visuals, so if you want to attract more customers to your Etsy shop, you need to show off your products in a way that catches people’s attention. Don’t worry—you don’t need professional photography equipment! Just make sure your photos are clear, bright, and aesthetically pleasing.
Hack: Use natural light as much as possible, and experiment with different angles and props to create lifestyle photos that show how your products can be used. For example, if you sell printable planners, take photos of the planners filled out on a desk with cute stationery. If you sell handmade jewelry, show someone wearing your pieces in different settings.
Bonus tip: You can use Canva to create Instagram graphics or add text overlays to your product photos, such as “New in the shop!” or “Limited edition.” This can help create excitement and urgency around your products.
3. Post Consistently to Stay Visible
On Instagram, consistency is key. If you post regularly, your audience will become more familiar with your brand, and your posts are more likely to show up in their feed. You don’t have to post every day, but aim for at least 3–4 times a week to keep your audience engaged.
Hack: Plan your content ahead of time to avoid scrambling for ideas. You can create a content calendar that includes a mix of product showcases, behind-the-scenes posts, customer reviews, and tips related to your niche.
Content ideas:
- Product posts: Highlight one of your best-selling items with a close-up shot and an engaging caption.
- Behind the scenes: Show how you make your products or what inspires your designs. People love seeing the creative process!
- Customer photos: If customers share photos of your products, ask if you can repost them. This provides social proof and builds trust with potential buyers.
- Educational posts: Share tips or advice related to your products. For example, if you sell digital planners, you could share tips on how to stay organized.
Bonus tip: Use Tailwind to schedule your Instagram posts in advance. This makes it easier to stay consistent and ensures you always have content ready to go.
4. Use Hashtags Strategically
Hashtags are one of the best ways to get your posts in front of new people. When you use relevant hashtags, your posts can show up in searches or on the Explore page, which means more people will discover your Etsy shop.
Hack: Use a mix of popular hashtags (like #etsyshop or #handmadejewelry) and more specific, niche hashtags that are relevant to your products. For example, if you sell digital products, try hashtags like #printableplanner or #digitalartprints.
How to find the right hashtags:
- Search for hashtags in Instagram’s search bar to see how many posts are tagged with each one. Aim for a mix of widely used hashtags and smaller, more targeted ones.
- Pay attention to what hashtags other successful Etsy sellers in your niche are using.
- Use up to 30 hashtags in each post, but make sure they’re relevant to the content you’re posting.
Example hashtags for an Etsy shop that sells jewelry:
handmadejewelry #jewelrylover #minimalistjewelry #bohostyle #etsyfinds #jewelryaddict
Bonus tip: Don’t just set and forget your hashtags! Regularly switch them up and test different ones to see what brings in the most engagement.
5. Engage with Your Audience
Growing your Instagram isn’t just about posting—it’s also about building relationships with your audience. Take the time to respond to comments, answer questions, and engage with other accounts in your niche. The more you engage, the more visible your account will be, and people will be more likely to check out your Etsy shop.
Hack: Spend 10–15 minutes a day liking and commenting on posts from potential customers and other Etsy sellers. When you engage with others, they’re more likely to return the favor and visit your profile.
Bonus tip: Use Instagram Stories to connect with your followers in a more casual, behind-the-scenes way. Share quick updates, polls, and Q&A sessions to keep your audience engaged.
6. Leverage Instagram Shopping to Make Sales Easier
If you’re serious about growing your Etsy shop through Instagram, consider using Instagram Shopping. This feature allows you to tag your products in posts and Stories, making it super easy for people to buy directly from your Instagram page. While Etsy doesn’t currently integrate with Instagram Shopping, you can create a Shopify Lite store to enable product tagging on Instagram, and link your listings to your Etsy shop.
Hack: Once Instagram Shopping is set up, use shoppable posts to feature your best-sellers and seasonal products. Tagging products in your posts makes it easier for customers to go straight to your shop and make a purchase.
Pro tip: When launching new products, use Instagram Shopping to give your followers early access or an exclusive discount.
7. Collaborate with Influencers and Other Etsy Sellers
One of the fastest ways to grow your Instagram and Etsy shop is by collaborating with influencers or other Etsy sellers. This can help you tap into a new audience that’s already interested in what you’re selling.
Hack: Reach out to micro-influencers (accounts with 1,000–10,000 followers) who align with your brand and niche. Offer to send them one of your products in exchange for a review or a shoutout on their Instagram feed. You can also collaborate with other Etsy sellers for giveaways or Instagram takeovers to cross-promote each other’s shops.
Bonus tip: Make sure to choose influencers or sellers whose audience matches your target customer. The more aligned they are with your niche, the better your chances of reaching the right people.
Bonus Tip: Join the Passive Income Society for Even More Etsy Growth Tips
If you’re serious about growing your Etsy shop, Instagram is just the beginning. The Passive Income Society offers in-depth training and a supportive community to help you build a successful, sustainable Etsy business. Whether you’re looking to master Instagram marketing, SEO, or product creation, the Passive Income Society has all the resources you need to level up your shop.
Final Thoughts
Growing your Etsy shop with Instagram doesn’t have to be complicated, even if you’re just starting out. By setting up a business profile, posting consistently, using hashtags, and engaging with your audience, you’ll start seeing more traffic to your Etsy shop in no time.
Remember, Instagram is a long game—it’s all about building relationships and showcasing your products in a way that resonates with your audience. With a little time and effort, you can turn your Instagram followers into loyal customers.
Good luck, and happy ‘gramming! 📸✨
