If you’re on Instagram, you’ve probably heard it all before: “Post three times a day!” “You have to use trending audio!” “Don’t post on weekends!” It seems like everyone has a secret algorithm hack, but the truth is, most of it is just noise. These so-called “rules” change weekly and often lead to burnout without any real results.
What if you could stop chasing these myths and start focusing on a core strategy that actually works? What if you had a clear roadmap to grow your account, build a loyal community, and turn followers into customers—no matter what the algorithm does?
That’s what this guide is all about. We’ve stripped away the fluff to give you the 10 non-negotiable rules for conquering Instagram. These aren’t temporary tricks; they are timeless, proven strategies that will help you grow your brand and business for the long haul. Ready to stop stressing and start winning? Let’s dive in.
Rule #1: Tell a Story 📖
This isn’t about publishing random posts; it’s about crafting a narrative. People don’t connect with products; they connect with the stories behind them. Think about why you started your business.
What problem are you solving? What inspired you? Share the journey, the struggles, and the wins. When you tell a story, you make your brand relatable and memorable.
Instead of just posting a picture of your latest product, tell the story of how it came to life. Talk about the late nights, the challenges, and the moment you knew it was perfect. This creates a human connection that builds trust and loyalty, turning followers into a genuine community that cheers you on.
Rule #2: Figure Out Your Goal 🎯
You can’t “win” at Instagram if you don’t know what winning looks like for your business. Are you trying to drive traffic to your website? Build an email list? Increase product sales? Or simply build a community? Every piece of content you create should have a purpose tied to one of these goals.
Before you post anything, ask yourself: “What’s the one action I want my audience to take after seeing this?” When you’re clear on your goal, you can create content that is focused and strategic.
For example, if your goal is to grow your email list, your posts should consistently have a call to action that directs people to a free guide or resource that they can only get by signing up.
If your goal is to drive sales, you’ll want to focus on content that highlights product benefits and includes a clear link to the product page. Clarity in your goals will save you time and ensure every post is a step towards success.
Rule #3: Provide Value, Don’t Just Sell 🤑
This is the most common mistake small businesses make. They treat their Instagram feed like a constant sales flyer. But people don’t go on Instagram to be sold to; they go there to be entertained, educated, and inspired. If you’re always pushing a product, your audience will quickly tune you out.
Instead, follow the 80/20 rule: 80% of your content should provide genuine value, and only 20% should be promotional. That value can be anything from a quick tip, a behind-the-scenes look at your business, a relatable story, or a funny meme that resonates with your audience.
When you build trust and provide helpful content, your audience will be far more receptive when you do decide to promote your product. They’ll already see you as a trusted resource, not just another brand trying to get their money.
Rule #4: Work With What You Have 🤳
The biggest myth in content creation is that you need a professional camera, expensive lighting, and a fancy studio. Wrong. The best content is often the most authentic, and you can create incredible, high-quality content with just your smartphone. The key is to focus on your message, not the production value.
Use the natural light from a window, a clean background, and the power of a simple app like Canva or CapCut to edit your photos and videos. Your audience wants to see the real you, not a perfectly polished version of a celebrity.
Embrace the raw, a little bit messy, and authentic look. It’s what makes you relatable and builds a genuine connection with your audience. Don’t let a lack of fancy equipment stop you from creating and sharing your story.
Rule #5: Reels, Reels, Reels! 🎬
If you’re serious about growing your Instagram account in today’s landscape, you have to be creating Reels. It’s the most powerful growth engine the platform has right now.
The algorithm is heavily favoring this short-form video content, and a single Reel has the potential to reach thousands or even millions of people who don’t already follow you. This is your number one tool for gaining new followers organically.
Reels don’t have to be complicated. You can use them for quick tips, behind-the-scenes glimpses, funny skits, or to answer a common question from your audience.
The key is to deliver your message fast and in an engaging way. Don’t overthink it; just start creating. Experiment with trending audio, different editing styles, and a mix of content types to see what resonates most with your audience. The more you practice, the easier it gets.
Rule #6: Show Up on Stories 💬
While your main feed is for polished content, your Stories are for daily, authentic connection. Think of your feed as the magazine cover and your Stories as the behind-the-scenes documentary. Stories are where you build rapport, share personal updates, and engage in real-time conversations with your audience.
Consistency is key here. Post daily. Share your thoughts, ask questions using the Q&A sticker, run a quick poll, or share a customer’s review. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about presence. Showing up on Stories consistently signals to the algorithm that you’re an active and engaging account, which can boost your overall visibility. Plus, the more people see you, the more they trust you. It’s an easy, low-effort way to stay top of mind with your followers.
Rule #7: Have a CTA (Call to Action) 🗣️
Your content can be amazing, but if you don’t tell your audience what to do next, you’re leaving a massive opportunity on the table. Every single post you create should have a clear, direct call to action (CTA). Don’t make your followers guess what you want them to do.
A CTA doesn’t always have to be “buy now.” It can be a simple prompt to start a conversation, like “What’s the one thing you’re struggling with on Instagram?”
It can be a way to boost engagement, like “Tag a friend who needs this tip!” Or it can be a way to drive traffic, like “Link in bio to read the full guide.” By telling your audience what to do, you guide their journey and get them one step closer to your ultimate goal. Make it impossible for them to be confused about their next step.
Rule #8: Engage With Your Target Market 🤝
You can post the best content in the world, but if you’re not engaging with your community, you’re missing out on a huge growth opportunity. Instagram is a social platform, so be social! Don’t just post and ghost.
Spend at least 15 minutes a day engaging with other accounts in your niche. Leave thoughtful comments on other people’s posts, respond to all your DMs, and reply to every comment you get.
This not only builds a genuine community but also signals to the algorithm that your account is active and valuable. When you show genuine interest in others, they’ll be more likely to show interest in you. Building these one-on-one connections is far more powerful than any short-term viral trend.
Rule #9: Use Intentional Hashtags 🔍
Hashtags are not just random words you slap at the end of a post. They are a powerful tool for discovery, acting like a search engine within Instagram. Using the right hashtags can get your content in front of a new, highly-targeted audience who is actively looking for content just like yours. But the key is to be intentional, not just to use the most popular ones.
Instead of using super-broad hashtags like #marketing or #business, try to find more specific, niche-relevant hashtags like #smallbusinesstips or #instagramforcoaches.
These are often used by people who are looking for a very specific type of content, which means they are more likely to engage with your post. Use a mix of hashtag sizes: some with high usage (100k+), some medium (20k-100k), and some small (5k-20k). This gives you the best chance of appearing in multiple searches and attracting your ideal audience.
Rule #10: Stop Listening to Algorithm Myths 🤫
There are countless myths floating around about the Instagram algorithm: “You can’t post on Sundays,” “Don’t use more than three hashtags,” “Engagement bots will help you grow.” The truth is, the algorithm is constantly changing, but its core purpose remains the same: to show users the content they are most likely to enjoy and engage with.
Instead of obsessing over these so-called hacks, focus on the fundamentals. The algorithm rewards three things: relationships, relevance, and timeliness.
This means it prioritizes content from people you interact with most, content that is highly relevant to your interests, and content that is new. So, rather than worrying about whether you can use a certain type of emoji or post on a specific day, put your energy into creating high-quality, valuable content and engaging with your audience. This is the only “hack” that will lead to real, sustainable growth.
Conclusion: Your Turn to Conquer Instagram
You now have the 10 non-negotiable rules for conquering Instagram. This isn’t a list of short-term hacks; it’s a strategic framework for building a brand that lasts. By focusing on storytelling, providing real value, and showing up consistently, you will stop playing the algorithm’s game and start winning by building a loyal community.
So, where do you start? Pick one of these rules—the one that feels most important to you—and focus on it this week. Then, add another rule next week. Before you know it, you’ll have a powerful, comprehensive strategy that works for you, not against you.
Ready to put these rules into action? Comment “GROWTH” below and I’ll send you my free Instagram Content Checklist to help you plan your first week of content!