Instagram Growth Strategies: Turning Followers into Customers 

Let’s talk about Instagram.

With a forecasted 1.44 billion users set for 2025, this social media platform is an incredibly powerful tool for business growth. But gaining followers is only part of the digital marketing puzzle. To drive real success, turning those mysterious numbers into loyal customers is crucial.

Here’s the thing: Many businesses today are getting Instagram wrong. They’re focusing only on growing their Instagram audience, while overlooking a clear and effective strategy for engagement or conversion. 

But with so many moving parts to consider, where are you supposed to start with owning your Instagram growth strategy and gaining an audience on social media to get great results? 

If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur wondering this exact question, consider this guide your one-stop shop for everything you need to know! 

In this blog post, we’ll be breaking down the best ways to attract, engage, and convert Instagram followers into paying customers, along with how ScoreApp can simplify the entire process for you. Lead generation just got a whole lot easier… 

Step 1: Optimize your Instagram profile for conversions

When a user lands on your Instagram page, the first thing they’ll see is your bio, highlights, and a trackable link. You can use this as a chance to create a strong, clear profile that encourages casual visitors to turn into smoking-hot leads.

The best way to do this? Keep it simple and straight to the point, tapping into your target audience’s needs and what they’re looking for in a business page.

For example, if a fitness trainer was looking to gain more clients through Instagram, they could include ‘Easy workouts for busy people. Try a class for free!’ Accompanied by testimonials, workouts, and healthy eating tips, this is the perfect way to drive high-quality conversions. 

How to do it:

• Use a clear and compelling bio with a direct CTA (e.g., “Take our free business growth quiz today!”) to encourage immediate interaction. 
• Add a trackable link (e.g., a ScoreApp quiz or lead magnet) in your bio instead of a generic website link to gather valuable data from your audience. 
• Use Instagram highlights to showcase testimonials, case studies, and product benefits, to boost trust with your audience. 

ScoreApp integration:

• Link to a ScoreApp lead magnet quiz in your bio to encourage followers to take action immediately.
• Example: “What’s your marketing strength? Take the quiz and get personalized insights!”

Step 2: Create engaging content that builds trust and authority

The bottom line is this: If your audience doesn’t trust you, they won’t want to buy from you. That’s why staying consistent with delivering valuable, relevant content is key for building credibility with your followers. 

How to do it:

Nothing says ‘scroll on’ like a predictable, static Instagram page. Be sure you use a mix of formats to keep your content engaging, day after day. This includes:

• Carousel posts: Educational step-by-step guides
• Reels: Quick, engaging tips and behind-the-scenes insights
• Instagram Lives: Direct Q&A sessions or expert interviews
• Stories: Daily engagement, polls, and quizzes.

To gain your audience’s trust, it’s important to show them real proof of how your products or services can benefit them. Collect a series of testimonials and success stories to incorporate in your content plan and showcase your brand.

ScoreApp integration:

• Use ScoreApp surveys and quizzes in Instagram Stories to engage your audience while collecting valuable insights. This will allow you to create even more effective content moving forward. 
• Example: “Take our 60-second assessment to find out how to improve your Instagram strategy!” 

Step 3: Leverage Instagram DMs to nurture leads

The most underused way to build relationships with potential customers? Sliding into their DMs! While this might sound a somewhat unusual way to engage with your followers, don’t forget that conversations lead to conversions. 

Instagram DMs let you directly connect with your dream customer, giving your brand a more ‘human’ element and making users feel more valued and appreciated by you—the face behind the screen. 

How to do it:

• Automate a welcome message for new followers with a link to your lead magnet. You could also add ‘Let me know how you do!’ to keep the conversation going. 
• Users who engage on your posts are clearly interested in what you do. Send them a personalized message to find out more about their needs and how your services could benefit them.
• After sharing a story that features a sticker or a poll, be quick to follow up with them in their DMs to show you care about their thoughts and input. 

ScoreApp integration:

• Use a DM-based lead funnel, where engaged followers receive a direct link to a ScoreApp quiz encouraging them to take the next step.
• Example: “Hey [Name]. I saw you liked our post on Instagram growth. Take our free quiz to get tailored insights!”

Step 4: Use Instagram Ads to target the right audience

There’s no doubt about it: Sustainable organic growth doesn’t happen overnight. To supplement your strategy, Instagram Ads are the perfect solution for amplifying your best content and driving more qualified traffic to your lead funnel.

This way, you’re not adding extra work to your crammed content schedule. You can simply promote the great work you’ve already done!

How to do it:

• You want to use ‘lookalike’ audiences based on your followers to reach similar people. Think people who share demographics, interests, and preferences and will interact with your page. This is also known as social media audience analysis.
• Test different ad formats:
  • Story Ads with a swipe-up link to a ScoreApp quiz. (This makes it incredibly easy for users to land on your page!)
  • Carousel ads showcasing success stories and testimonials for social proof.
  • Reels Ads with an engaging hook and a clear CTA. You can also add a ‘Shop now’ button to link directly to your product.

ScoreApp integration:

• Run Instagram Ads that drive traffic directly to your ScoreApp quiz or assessment to qualify leads instantly. 
• Example: “Find out how ready your business is for Instagram growth. Take the free quiz now!”

Step 5: Convert engaged followers with Instagram-exclusive offers

Creating discounts, early access, or special content for your Instagram users is a surefire way to drive conversions. After all, who doesn’t love an exclusive offer?

Be sure to keep them relevant and topical and what your audience needs. So, whether it’s a free discovery call, a discount on a new product, or a complimentary eBook, there’s plenty you can do to offer your audience ‘more’ than just daily posts.

How to do it:

• Offer your followers a limited-time deal when they complete a ScoreApp quiz to encourage more participants (and leads!).
• Create Instagram-exclusive bonuses for customers who purchase through your Instagram page—like 10% off their next purchase.
• Announce pre-sale access for engaged followers to show them your thanks and appreciation for their loyalty.

ScoreApp integration:

• Use ScoreApp segmentation to identify Instagram-driven leads and send them targeted offers.
• Example: “You completed our Instagram Growth Quiz. Enjoy 10% off your first consultation!”

How ScoreApp helps turn Instagram followers into customers

• Lead magnets that convert: Quizzes and assessments capture Instagram followers as leads, allowing you to find out more about them and nurture them further along the sales funnel. Hello, new paying customers!
• Personalized follow-ups: ScoreApp segments leads based on their quiz responses, making follow-up messages relevant, personal, and engaging.
• Automated engagement: ScoreApp’s CRM and email integrations help nurture leads without manual effort. This means you can focus on the other core parts of running your business knowing your audience communication is staying strong.
• Trackable results: ScoreApp analytics measure the effectiveness of your Instagram strategies, meaning you can refine and improve your content strategy on a regular basis. 

Turn Instagram followers into customers today

Hopefully after reading this post you feel more confident in not only building an audience on Instagram, but also monetizing it for long-lasting success.

And the great news is, this doesn’t require costly tools or additional resources! 

By using optimized content, direct engagement, strategic ads, and lead magnets (such as Scoreapp quizzes), you can convert your Instagram followers into engaged and loyal customers. 

Try ScoreApp for free today and start turning Instagram engagement into real business growth.