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.

How to Make Social Media Work When You Hate Being on Camera

Let’s get one thing straight: Reels and video still rule the social media world—but that doesn’t mean you have to be front and center every single time.  

If the idea of hitting “record” makes you want to disappear into your blanket cocoon with a cup of coffee (or wine, no judgment), you are not alone. Most of the time, those of us behind the business accounts are in our jammies or pleasure wear, hair in a bun, definitely not dolled up and “camera-ready”.

And sure, you could argue that’s the most authentic version of ourselves—which it totally is—but let’s be real: we’re all a little vain. We want to show up as the best version of ourselves, or at least with a little lip gloss and decent lighting. We get it. The pressure is real.  

So, what if we told you there are plenty of ways to show up without actually showing up on camera?

Here are some creative, faceless video ideas and tips to help you stay visible—without stepping too far outside your comfort zone:

1. Voiceovers Are Your New Best Friend

Record your voice sharing a tip, story, or answer to a frequently asked question. Pair it with:

• A screen recording of you working in Canva or packaging an order

• A timelapse of your workspace or daily routine

• Stock or branded video clips

Pro tip: Use Instagram’s built-in voiceover tool or record in your phone’s voice memo app for a more casual vibe.

2. Lean Into Text-Only Storytelling

Reels with trending music + bold text are still engaging. Try:

• “3 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting My Business”

• “I said yes when I should’ve said no—and here’s what happened.”

• “What I’d Tell Any New Business Owner in 10 Seconds”

Use animated text, fun transitions, or Canva’s video templates to make it pop.

3. Let Your Products or Services Shine

Create videos that focus on what you do, not what you look like:

• A hands-only tutorial or packaging video

• A quick before-and-after

• Behind-the-scenes of your process, shot from behind or overhead

4. Repurpose Content into Reels

Turn an old blog post, caption, or testimonial into a Reel using tools like:

• Canva’s “Talking Presentation” templates (you don’t have to show your face!)

• InShot or CapCut for dynamic text + stock footage mashups

5. Use Templates + Trends Thoughtfully

You don’t need to memorize a script or be an improv star. Try:

• Lip-syncing a trending audio that fits your niche

• Using the green screen tool to talk about a visual (not yourself)

• Following a “this or that” trend using just on-screen text

And remember: Most of us aren’t nailing it on the first take. Or the fifth. Or the twelfth. Creating content takes time. It’s messy. It’s full of retakes and do-overs. But that’s normal.

You don’t have to be “on” to show up for your business. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s connection. If your content helps just one person feel seen, learn something, or laugh a little, it’s already done its job. So go ahead, post that faceless Reel. Your lip gloss can wait.

Need help bringing these ideas to life? Reach out to Take Flight—we’ll walk you through these strategies (and more!) to help you confidently promote your small business without ever stepping in front of the camera. Let’s make social media work for you.