Is Instagram’s Declining Reach Hurting Your Business? Here’s What to Do About It

You may have noticed that your Instagram posts aren’t performing like they used to—and you’re not imagining it. In fact, Instagram’s organic reach has been steadily declining, with engagement dropping by as much as 28–30% year over year. That means your content is reaching significantly fewer people than it did just a year ago, even if your follower count has remained steady or grown.

For small business owners, this should be a wake-up call: you can no longer rely solely on the algorithm to get your content in front of the right audience.

What’s Going On?

Instagram, like most social platforms, is increasingly becoming a “pay-to-play” space. Current data shows:

• Organic reach is hovering around 4–5%, and trending lower each year.

• Posts from business accounts often get buried unless they spark high engagement or are backed by ad spend.

• Even followers who want to see your content may not unless they engage through DMs, saves, shares, or Stories.

Some small business owners have even shared that their story views have dropped by 70–90%, despite having thousands of followers. For those who depend on Instagram to generate sales and leads, that kind of drop can be devastating.

What You Can Do About It

Don’t panic—but don’t stay passive either. Here are five strategies to future-proof your growth:

1. Invest Strategically in Paid Ads
   Paid content now guarantees visibility where organic content often can’t. Even small ad budgets can go a long way when properly targeted.

2. Double Down on Reels and Stories
   Instagram is favoring video and real-time engagement. Reels and Stories tend to earn more reach than static posts.

3. Encourage Real Engagement
   Create content that invites DMs, shares, saves, or interactions through polls and questions—these signals help your visibility more than likes alone.

4. Incorporate User-Generated Content (UGC)
   UGC is trusted, relatable, and often performs better than highly polished brand content. Ask your customers to tag you, then reshare.

5. Go Beyond Instagram
   Build your email list. Show up on Pinterest or LinkedIn. Don’t put all your marketing eggs in one (Meta-owned) basket.

What This Means for Your Business

As the owner of Take Flight Social Media Consulting, I’ve had more and more conversations with clients who are confused or discouraged by dropping performance. The truth? Instagram is evolving, and so must your strategy. While this might feel overwhelming, it’s also an opportunity to become more intentional about how you connect with your audience.

Organic reach might be shrinking— but with the right mix of strategy, engagement, and diversified platforms, your visibility and business growth don’t have to.

Want help adjusting your social strategy to match today’s digital landscape? Let’s chat. I offer done-with-you and done-for-you consulting packages tailored to small businesses like yours.

Reach out by emailing hello@takeflightsoical.com or DM us on Instagram @TakeFlightSocial.

Clients Ask: Why is Buying Followers a Bad Idea (and What to Do Instead)?

Clients ask us all the time: "How can I get more followers—fast?"

Small businesses and any one new to social media want those vanity numbers and believe a high follower count equals credibility and success. We get it. The pressure to grow quickly is real, and it can be frustrating when organic growth feels slow. That’s why many small business owners are tempted to take a shortcut and buy followers.

If you’ve ever considered purchasing followers, you’re not alone. But before you click “buy,” let’s set the record straight. Purchasing followers might boost your numbers, but it won’t grow your business. In fact, it can actually hurt your brand. Here’s why it’s a mistake—and what you should do instead to attract a real, engaged audience that actually converts…

The Problem with Buying Followers

At first glance, buying followers might seem like a quick way to boost your business’s presence. After all, a higher follower count must mean more credibility, right? Not exactly. Here’s why:  

1. Fake or Inactive Accounts

Most purchased followers are bots or inactive accounts. They won’t engage with your content, meaning your likes, comments, and shares won’t increase—just your number of followers.   

2. Lower Engagement Rates

Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes engagement. If you have thousands of followers but very few interactions, your content is less likely to be shown to real people.  

3. Potential Penalties

Instagram actively removes fake accounts and can penalize accounts that engage in inauthentic growth, meaning you could lose those followers just as quickly as you gained them.  

4. No Real Business Value

If your goal is to attract small business owners or entrepreneurs who might actually work with you, buying followers won’t help. A fake audience won’t book your services or recommend you to others.  

What to Do Instead: Authentic Strategies for Growth 

If you want real small business owners and entrepreneurs to follow you, the best approach is organic growth. Here’s how:  

1. Engage with Your Ideal Audience

Find and interact with small business owners by commenting on their posts, replying to their stories, and sending meaningful DMs. Authentic engagement fosters real connections and increases the chances of them following you back.  

2. Use Strategic Hashtags and Instagram SEO

Hashtags like #SmallBusinessMarketing, #EntrepreneurLife, and #SocialMediaTips can help business owners discover your content. Also, optimize your bio with keywords related to social media consulting so your profile appears in search results.  

3. Collaborate and Network

Partner with business coaches, industry leaders, or fellow entrepreneurs for live sessions, shoutouts, or collaborations. Cross-promotions introduce you to new, relevant audiences.  

4. Run Targeted Instagram Ads

Instead of buying followers, invest in Instagram ads that target business owners based on their interests and behaviors. This way, you attract the right audience—people who might actually become clients.  

5. Share Value-Driven Content

Consistently post high-quality content that provides real value. Share social media tips, success stories, and actionable advice that helps small business owners grow. The more valuable your content, the more likely people will follow and engage.  

The Bottom Line

A large follower count might look impressive, but if those followers aren’t real or engaged, it won’t benefit your business. Instead of wasting money on fake numbers, focus on building a community of real entrepreneurs who are genuinely interested in what you offer. Authenticity always wins in the long run.  

Are you looking for a strategy to grow your Instagram the right way? Let’s talk! Take Flight specializes in helping small businesses build a loyal, engaged audience—no shortcuts needed.  

Spring Clean Your Social Media: 4 Things You Can Do Right Now

Spring is finally here! Just like opening the windows and adding fresh flowers can brighten up your space, a little digital decluttering can breathe new life into your social media presence. A refreshed, well-maintained social media strategy helps your brand stay relevant, engaging, and effective.

Here are four quick things small business owners can do today to spring clean your social media presence:

1. Refresh Your Profile & Bio

Your social media profiles are often the first impression potential customers get—are yours up to date? Take a few minutes to:
✔️ Update your profile picture and cover photo if they’re outdated.
✔️ Ensure your bio reflects your current business offerings and brand voice.
✔️ Double-check contact information, website links, and business hours.

A fresh, polished profile is like adding a vase of bright flowers to your home—it instantly feels more inviting!

2. Audit Your Content & Remove Clutter

Over time, social media accounts can accumulate outdated posts, irrelevant content, or things that no longer align with your brand. Scroll through your past posts and:
✔️ Archive or delete old promotions, expired offers, or posts that didn’t perform well.
✔️ Identify what types of content your audience engages with most and adjust your strategy accordingly.
✔️ Ensure your messaging, visuals, and tone stay consistent across all platforms.

Think of this as trimming away wilted petals so only your best, most engaging content remains!

3. Reevaluate Your Hashtags & Keywords

Social media trends and search algorithms evolve constantly, so the hashtags and keywords that worked last year may not be as effective now.
✔️ Research current industry hashtags and swap out ones that aren’t generating engagement.
✔️ Optimize captions with updated keywords to improve searchability.
✔️ Test new hashtags and track which ones drive the most visibility.

This simple update ensures your content is reaching the right audience, just like placing fresh flowers in the perfect sunny spot helps them flourish!

4. Reignite Engagement & Community Growth

A clean and refreshed profile is great, but social media is about connection. Take time to:
✔️ Respond to unanswered comments and DMs.
✔️ Follow and engage with new accounts relevant to your business.
✔️ Encourage interaction with fresh polls, questions, or giveaways.

Building relationships online is like nurturing a garden—consistent care leads to long-term growth!

Need Help Getting Started?

Feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to begin? That’s where we come in! Take Flight can help you refine your strategy, refresh your content, and create a stronger online presence. Reach out today, and let’s get your social media in full bloom!