How to Get Clients with Instagram - Cold Outreach
When it comes to getting clients on Instagram through cold outreach, most articles out there offer the same surface-level advice. But what if we approached this from a fresh angle? Instead of sticking to the usual tips, let's dig deeper and explore some unconventional strategies that go beyond the basics.
In the crowded world of Instagram, getting noticed by potential clients can feel like trying to shout over a thousand voices. But what if I told you that cold outreach, when done right, could be the key to cutting through the noise? The truth is, cold outreach on Instagram isn't about bombarding strangers with generic messages—it's about building relationships, providing value, and standing out from the crowd.
The Power of Personalization: Stop Being Generic
Everyone talks about personalization, but few actually do it well. Let’s be real: nobody wants to receive a DM that feels like it was copy-pasted and sent to a hundred other people. To truly make an impact, you need to make each message feel like it was written specifically for the recipient. This means doing your homework. Before reaching out, take the time to engage with their content. Like a few posts, leave a thoughtful comment, and get a sense of who they are and what they value. When you finally slide into their DMs, reference something specific about their work or recent posts. This shows that you’re not just another random account trying to sell something—you’re someone who genuinely cares about what they’re doing.
Leverage the Power of Stories
Stories are often overlooked as a tool for cold outreach, but they can be incredibly powerful. The key is to use stories as a way to engage your potential clients in a casual, non-intrusive manner. For instance, you could share a story that directly relates to their industry or interests, and then tag them in it. This gives them a reason to check out your profile and engage with you. Or, if they post a story, respond with something thoughtful that shows you’re paying attention. The goal here is to build a connection before you even send that first DM.
The Art of Soft Selling: Don’t Go for the Jugular
One of the biggest mistakes people make in cold outreach is trying to close the deal too quickly. Imagine you’re at a party and someone you’ve never met walks up to you and immediately asks you to buy something—awkward, right? The same logic applies to Instagram. Instead of jumping straight into a sales pitch, focus on starting a conversation. Ask questions, offer free advice, or share a helpful resource. The idea is to build rapport and establish yourself as a trusted advisor, not just another salesperson.
Believe it or not, the timing of your outreach can significantly impact your success rate. Sending a DM when your potential client is likely to be online and active can increase your chances of getting a response. Use Instagram’s analytics tools to get a sense of when your audience is most active, and time your outreach accordingly. But don’t just stop at that—consider the context. For example, if they’re an e-commerce business, avoid reaching out during their busiest sales periods. The more thoughtful you are about your timing, the more likely you are to stand out.
Use Video DMs: The Secret Weapon
Text-based DMs are great, but if you really want to stand out, consider sending a video message instead. Video allows you to convey tone, emotion, and personality in a way that text simply can’t. Plus, it shows that you’re willing to put in the extra effort to connect. A quick 30-second video introducing yourself, mentioning something specific about their profile, and suggesting a way you could work together can be incredibly effective. It’s personal, it’s engaging, and it’s something that not many people are doing. This is effective if you're reaching out manually to a few people and not in a large scale.
Automation: A Double-Edged Sword
Automation tools can be a godsend when it comes to scaling your outreach efforts, but they should be used with caution. While they can help you send out more messages, they can also make your outreach feel less personal if not used correctly.
The trick is to use automation to handle the repetitive tasks, like sending follow-up messages, while keeping the initial outreach as personalized as possible. If you do decide to automate, make sure your messages still feel human. Include variables like the recipient’s name, and make use of the insights you’ve gathered from their profile to craft a message that feels tailored to them.
The Long Game: Building Relationships Over Time
Finally, remember that cold outreach is often a long game. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get a response right away. Continue to engage with their content, offer value, and stay on their radar. Over time, you’ll build a relationship that could eventually lead to them becoming a client. And even if they don’t become a client, they may refer you to someone who does.
Getting clients on Instagram through cold outreach isn’t about spamming as many people as possible. It’s about making meaningful connections, offering value, and standing out from the crowd.
By personalizing your messages, using stories, timing your outreach, leveraging video, and playing the long game, you can turn cold leads into warm clients and build a thriving business on Instagram. And if you’re looking for a way to scale your efforts without losing that personal touch, tools like AutoIGDM can help you automate the process while still keeping it human.
Now, go out there and start turning those cold DMs into hot leads!
