How To Get Clients on Instagram
My simple strategies to transform your Instagram into your powerful client-finding tool.
Trying to get clients on Instagram nowadays can feel like you’re shouting into a void and hoping some, anyone, will see your posts.
I actually started my photography business many years ago solely using Instagram. So while I know of its powerful potential, I’m also well aware of how different the platform has changed since then.
We often feel following the next big trend is how we’ll get noticed—but that’s not always the case. The truth is, getting clients on Instagram isn’t about chasing trends or having thousands of followers. It’s about connection, clarity, and consistency: the magic trio that turns scrolling strangers into dream clients.
And when you pair that with captivating visuals to stop those thumbs mid-scroll, Instagram suddenly becomes your favorite marketing tool instead of your biggest headache.
Let’s break it down!
Don’t be a billboard, but create connection
Clients don’t hire logos. They hire people.
When you show your face, share your story, and speak like a real human and not just some AI-churned slop, you instantly stand out. Think about it—whose posts do you stop for? If it’s not a funny puppy video, then it’s probably the ones that feel genuine and tell a story.
Your visuals are your first impression. They’re the handshake before the hello, setting the tone longgg before anyone reads your captions.
You need imagery that feels polished, cohesive, and unmistakably you—and you don’t need to hire a designer or do an expensive brand photoshoot to get it.
That’s exactly why I created Shamblen Studios—to make make that part effortless, because I’ve seen how important it is to make that connection.
When your visuals look intentional, clients assume your business is, too.
Find common frustrations and talk about ‘em! This helps creates relatability and connection. Then, tell your potential clients how you can help solve some of these issues. But first, grab their attention with your imagery.
You need imagery that feels polished, cohesive, and unmistakably you.
Tell sticky stories
OK, I know that sounds gross. But what I mean is telling stories that are memorable. Don’t be the person at the party telling a rambling story with no plot or punchline.
When someone lands on your profile, they should instantly get who you are, what you do, and what it feels like to work with you. That happens when your posts flow like a story—not random snapshots, but connected chapters.
You don’t need to overshare or have to be the most interesting person in the world with crazy stories. Just weave small narratives into your posts that are true to you, like:
That “aha” moment that inspired your business
A mistake that taught you something valuable
The behind-the-scenes peek showing your process
Stories build emotional bridges, and those emotional bridges can help bring clients over that river of frustrated tears 😉
TIP: Use templates so your visuals match your story’s energy with your branding—with half the effort to actually create it.
Stay consistent
Ah yes, the word we all despise: consistency.
We hear it everywhere—post consistently!—but what no one tells you is that consistency doesn’t mean just posting everyday.
It means showing up regularly with intention.
If you post once a week but do it thoughtfully and on-brand, you’ll build far more trust than someone posting daily just to check a box.
And consistency also goes beyond that: it should extend to your visuals. Ensure that each image fits your brand vibe.
You can do that by sticking to the same colors and voice, or tone, for each post. This a very common brand mistake—I even wrote a whole post about it here.
You’ll build far more trust posting thoughtfully than posting daily just to check a box.
Optimize for connection
Think of your Instagram bio as your elevator pitch: it should instantly tell visitors who you help and how you help them… and it helps to write it as if you’re explaining to a friend.
Instead of: “empowering entrepreneurs through creative visual storytelling.”
Try: “I help small business create thumb-stopping content that sells.”
Your Story Highlights are equally as powerful! Think of those as mini landing pages:
About: introduce yourself and what you do
Clients/work-in-the-wild: showcase your projects or where your work is being used
Offers: make it easy to people to hire you or shop
Behind-the-scenes: a peek into your process + personality!
This way, you’re not just building a profile, but creating a lil’ brand experience that quietly whispers you can trust me. 🤝
TIP: utilize keywords in your Instagram bio! Think of what your ideal client/customer would be searching for and naturally integrate in to help you show up in search results.
The best way to connect with your audience is letting your personality show! Use your photo as the attention-grabber and your caption for the conversation.
Let your visuals do the heavy lifting
You don’t need a $4,000 camera or a perfectly curated feed. You just need visuals that are clear, cohesive, and recognizably unique.
The goal? Have someone scroll, see your post, and know it’s you.
Color and personality is one of your biggest assets here! Whether you lean bold and bright or soft and neutral, stick with a palette that reflects your brand’s personality. It helps people remember you and makes your content feel intentional—something that instantly builds credibility.
That’s why I make every Shamblen Studios template emphasize color and customization. You get to create content that’s visually powerful and true to your brand vibe, without starting from scratch every time.
Play the long game
Unfortunately, getting clients on Instagram doesn’t happen overnight. But I promise, it does happen. Or else I wouldn’t be in business 😉
Every post, comment, and story adds to your brand’s foundation. And over time, those quiet lurkers turn into loyal clients.
Someone who’s been watching your stories for months suddenly books a session. Another reccomends you to a friend. This is how organic growth happens—through genuine, consistent visibility.
This is because, just like real life offline, building relationships takes trust + time. And the more streamlined your visuals and process are, the easier it becomes to stay visible without feeling drained.
Building business relationships online takes trust + time… the more you streamline your visual content, the easier it becomes to show up consistently.
Let’s put it all into action 🎬
Here’s some steps you can start applying now to attract more clients on Instagram without spending more time:
Review your profile: does it clearly show what you offer and who you help?
Choose your visuals wisely: pick 3–5 templates that represent your brand vibe
Batch create: plan ahead so you can stay consistent… aim for a week of posts in one sitting
Engage with intention: comment, reply, and connect—be a human!!
Rinse & repeat: consistency builds recognition, and that recognition builds clients
TL;DR
Getting your clients on Instagram isn’t about outsmarting the algorithm… but about showing up with clarity, confidence, and content that connects—consistently!
You already have the story, the skills, and the spark. You just need visuals to help bring it all together effortlessly.
Turn your posts into client magnets
Explore Shamblen Studios templates and start creating content that reflects your personality, attracts your dream clients, and actually makes you excited to post again.
Instead of shouting into the void, you’ll be shining in your lane—right where clients will see you. 🤩
YOUR TURN: What’s the hardest part of getting clients on Instagram for you? Tell me in the comments—I’d love to share some tips in an upcoming post!
