If I had a dollar for every time I heard an ethical, sustainable, circular or slow fashion business founder blame the algorithm for slow sales I'd be in the Bahamas and not writing this post.
Yes, Instagram is tricky to learn and yes, you have to work hard at it but, no, slow growth is not the algorithm's fault.
The Instagram algorithm exists to help us not hinder us. Stay with me and I'll tell you why you need to start loving the algorithm and I'll even show you how to use the algorithm to increase your sales.
It starts with your attitude towards it and the way you approach it. You could blame it and you could give up, or you could lean into it and get determined to figure it out. I believe in using challenges as opportunities for growth so every time one of my posts flop, I sit back, I question why and I pick apart that post to see what I can do better - instead of throwing my hands up in the air and quitting.
Secondly, I stick to the plan but I improve it. When something doesn't work or I get low views or low engagement on a post or a reel, I don't scrap reels and posts from my plan completely - I improve them. Maybe I need to try better music choices, maybe I need to use different hashtags, maybe I need to shorten the length and make my reels more direct. I tweak things and I improve things - I don't throw my hands up in the air and bin the whole plan.
Lastly, I test for at least a month. I try new strategies and new styles for a minimum of a month but usually three months before I analyse them to see if they're working. You have to try new things for a good chunk of time to have enough data to see what's working and what's not, otherwise what you're analysing isn't a true reflection of the potential. Did you give up riding a bike after falling off three times? No, and the same applies to anything new on Instagram. Trying reels for a week and then giving up won't give you enough data to know what's working and what's not, so hang in there my friend.
If you're ready to perfect your Instagram strategy in 2024, increase your slow fashion sales and expand your business growth, you need to join The Fashion Advocate's Slow Fashion Circle. February is all about social media, Instagram and the power of influence to drive sales, so if you're struggling in that business department, I have solutions for you.
It's packed with all the strategies, instructions and plans you need to grow your ethical, sustainable, circular or slow fashion business through social media in 2024. Join here.
And remember... If something isn't working, don't give up. Change your strategy.
Claire x
