Using Instagram Stories To Connect With Dream Customers
Welcome back to Daring Made! Today, we’re going to dive deep into strategies that can immediately help you start building profitable engagement on your Instagram account.
Whether or not you’ve attended our masterclass, these techniques will equip you with the tools to connect with your dream customers and open up new opportunities for growth.
But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s talk about what “profitable engagement” truly means and why it’s a game-changer for your business.
What is Profitable Engagement?
Profitable engagement refers to the art of outbound engagement—actively reaching out to others to build connections and create opportunities.
It’s a strategy that goes beyond passive posting; it’s about proactively seeking out the right people and engaging with them in meaningful ways.
This approach has been a cornerstone of my business success since 2019, when I launched my first venture, a spray tan salon.
At that time, I was relatively new to the world of influencers and social media strategies, but I was determined to make connections that would amplify my business.
By focusing on outbound engagement, I was able to establish relationships with key influencers, bloggers, and potential clients, which significantly contributed to the growth and profitability of my business.
Building Connections with Bloggers and Influencers
When I first started my business in Philadelphia, one of the most impactful strategies I implemented was connecting with local bloggers and influencers.
In 2018 and 2019, beauty influencers, fashion bloggers, wellness bloggers, and even food bloggers had a significant influence on their followers’ purchasing decisions.
By engaging with these influencers through genuine, meaningful interactions, I was able to grow my spray tan business into a thriving venture.
These connections led to incredible opportunities, such as being featured in Philly Magazine and collaborating with influential individuals who helped me reach a wider audience.
This experience taught me an invaluable lesson: building a strong community is more powerful than any content strategy alone.
Content vs. Community: Why Community is Key
“But don’t lose your mind over your content strategy. Because the number one thing that's going to help you to grow your business is not content. It's community.”
In today’s social media-driven world, it’s easy to get caught up in the constant pressure to create more content. However, the truth is that while content is important, it’s the community you build that will truly drive your business forward.
Your content should be consistent and should attract, nurture, and convert customers, but it’s the connections you make within your community that will ultimately determine your success.
Think about it—those connections you make with people in your industry, in complementary industries, with potential dream clients, or with influencers, are invaluable.
These relationships are built on trust, mutual respect, and genuine interest, which is why they are so much more impactful than just posting content for the sake of it.
The Power of Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories have become one of the most utilized features on the platform, offering a unique opportunity for businesses to connect and engage with their audience in a more personal and authentic way.
Stories allow you to showcase your personality, offer a behind-the-scenes look at your business, and provide entertainment value—all while building stronger connections with your followers.
Unlike traditional feed posts, which are often carefully curated and edited, stories provide a more intimate space where you can share your daily life, thoughts, and experiences in real-time.
This authenticity is what resonates with people and fosters a sense of community.
Using Stories for Outbound Engagement
Outbound engagement on Instagram Stories involves more than just responding to comments and DMs—it’s about actively reaching out to others and engaging with their content in meaningful ways.
By doing so, you can build genuine connections, start conversations, and establish relationships with potential customers, collaborators, and influencers.
Here are some actionable strategies for using Instagram Stories to build connections:
1. Meaningful Engagement
When you watch someone’s Story, take the time to watch it again and identify at least two connection points. Instead of leaving a generic comment like a heart emoji or a simple “love this,” try asking a question, sharing something about yourself, or offering support.
This approach creates a reason for the person to respond and engage with you.
For example, if someone posts about a challenge they’re facing in their business, you might respond with, “I totally get where you’re coming from. I faced a similar challenge last year—here’s what helped me. Have you tried anything similar?”
This not only shows that you’re genuinely interested in their experience but also opens the door for a deeper conversation.
2. Nurture Relationships
Building meaningful connections takes time and effort. After engaging with someone’s Story, don’t let the conversation end there.G
o back to their profile a few days later and continue engaging with their content. Ask more questions, create additional connection points, and show genuine interest in what they share.
For instance, if you’ve connected with someone over a shared interest in wellness, keep the conversation going by engaging with their future posts about wellness, offering tips, or even suggesting collaborations.
This consistent engagement will help solidify your relationship and position you as someone they can trust.
3. Don’t Overlook Infrequent Posters
Even if someone doesn’t post consistently to their feed, they may still be active on Instagram Stories. Keep an eye on their Stories and continue to engage with them there.
This is especially important for connecting with people who may not react to comments on their feed posts but are more likely to engage in a Story conversation.
For example, if someone rarely posts to their feed but frequently shares Stories about their daily life, use those stories as an opportunity to connect.
Comment on their latest adventure, ask for their opinion on a topic, or simply send a friendly message to show that you’re paying attention.
The Power of Story Conversations
“Those connections that you make with people in your industry, in complementary industries with potential dream clients, potential people you can create a strategic partnership with or collaborate with, even influencers, they’re so used to getting these empty comments all day long, empty compliments.”
Instagram Stories are where the real connection and conversion happen. Unlike the public feed, Stories provide a more intimate space where people share their daily lives, thoughts, and experiences.
This environment is perfect for fostering meaningful conversations and creating a sense of community.
When you engage with someone’s Story, you’re entering their personal space, so to speak. This makes it easier to build a genuine connection and have a conversation that goes beyond surface-level interactions.
Take advantage of this by engaging in thoughtful conversations and showing genuine interest in the person behind the account.
Community Building: The Foundation of Social Media Success
At the heart of every successful social media strategy is a strong community. Whether you’re a small business owner, an influencer, or a brand, the relationships you build within your community are what will sustain your growth and success over time.
Building a community takes time, consistency, and authenticity. It’s about showing up regularly, being yourself, and genuinely caring about the people you’re connecting with.
When you prioritize community building over content creation, you’ll find that your content naturally becomes more engaging and effective because it’s rooted in real connections.
Outbound Engagement: Your Secret Weapon
Outbound engagement is your secret weapon for community building and social media engagement.
By actively reaching out to others, you can create opportunities, build relationships, and grow your business in ways that go far beyond what content alone can achieve.
So, how can you start implementing outbound engagement in your social media strategy today?
Identify Key Accounts: Make a list of key accounts in your industry, complementary industries, or accounts of potential dream clients and collaborators. These are the people you want to build relationships with.
Engage Regularly: Make it a habit to engage with these key accounts regularly. Watch their Stories, comment on their posts, and send them thoughtful messages.
Be Authentic: Don’t just engage for the sake of it—be genuine. Show real interest in what they’re sharing, ask questions, and offer value wherever you can.
Follow Up: Don’t let the conversation end after one interaction. Follow up, keep the conversation going, and continue to build on the relationship.
Conclusion: The Power of Connection
In this blog post, we’ve explored the power of using Instagram Stories for outbound engagement, community building, and social media engagement. While content is important, it’s the community you build that will ultimately drive your business’s success.
By actively engaging with others and nurturing connections through Stories, you can create opportunities, establish yourself as a trusted resource, and grow your business in meaningful ways.
Remember, building profitable engagement takes time, consistency, and authenticity. Start implementing these strategies today, and watch as your business grows with the power of connection.
Don’t just focus on creating content—focus on creating a community.
Thank you for joining me on this journey toward building a thriving, engaged community on Instagram.
If you have any questions or want to share your own experiences with outbound engagement, feel free to reach out on Instagram @sashafedunchak or leave a comment below. Until next time, happy engaging!
Using Instagram Stories To Connect With Dream Customers