Instagram Kinda Sucks. Now What?

Remember when posting a Reel practically guaranteed reach, comments, shares, and a small parade in your honor. Those were the glory days. Now you are lucky if your own mother even sees your posts. If you are feeling defeated by Instagram lately, you are not alone.

More and more small business owners are asking the same question.
Is Instagram even worth it anymore.

This is exactly what inspired this week’s episode. I saw a copywriter on Threads ask whether growing her Instagram following was still worth the effort. She wanted people with massive audiences to weigh in, and the overwhelming response was that even large creators are seeing lower reach, lower engagement, and fewer results than ever before.

So if you are feeling frustrated and uninspired by Instagram right now, let’s talk about it. And more importantly, let’s talk about what you can do next.

You Are Not Imagining It. Instagram Has Changed.

Everywhere I look, business owners are saying the same thing.
Instagram engagement is down. Content is not landing the same way. And visibility is nowhere near what it used to be.

Even creators with forty thousand followers are struggling to reach their audience. One friend told me she went viral years ago when Reels first launched, but now cannot figure out what to post that actually resonates.

It is not just you. Something has shifted.

And while we cannot control the algorithm, we can control our marketing strategy.

Why Your Inspiration Might Be Low Too

I will be honest. I love Instagram as a creative platform, but even I have not posted in weeks. Not even stories, which normally come very easily to me.

My kids are home for summer. My brain is tired. And even though I have plenty to say in email and on Threads, Instagram just feels heavy right now.

If you are in the same boat, please know there is nothing wrong with you. Creativity has seasons. Platforms have seasons. And we are simply in a season where Instagram is not giving what it used to give.

So What Do We Do Now. We Diversify.

If Instagram is no longer the backbone of your visibility, it is time to build a marketing strategy that does not rely on one single platform.

Here are the places I believe small business owners should focus next.

Email Is Back and It Matters More Than Ever

I will say this one loudly.
Every small business owner needs an email list.

No matter your industry, you need a way to communicate with your audience that does not depend on an algorithm showing your content to the right people at the right time.

You can build your list through
• appointment bookings
• online shop orders
• a high value lead magnet
• a discount for first time buyers

Email is stable, personal, and incredibly effective. And unlike Instagram, when you send an email, people actually see it.

Your Website Still Matters

If you do not have a website, you need one. Even a simple one page website is better than nothing.

And if you already have one but have outgrown it, this might be the moment to expand into a three page site with a homepage, about page, and services page.

Your website is your digital home. It is your hub. And it is one of the few things you truly own online.

If you want to level up even further, start a blog. Blog posts give you SEO, visibility, and content you can repurpose everywhere else.

In Person Networking Still Works

We have gotten so used to online conferences and virtual networking that we forget how powerful in person events can be.

Going to local gatherings, business meetups, and industry events allows you to make real connections. And often it is not about meeting clients directly. It is about meeting someone who might refer you later when an opportunity comes up in a room you are not in.

Yes, it requires peopleing. Yes, it may test your introvert or ADHD energy. But the impact can be huge.

Threads Is Becoming the New Low Pressure Hangout

Threads is simple. Fast. Conversational. And honestly, fun.

For those of us whose brains work in quick, witty one liners, Threads feels like what Twitter used to be before it turned into chaos.

If writing comes easily to you, this might be a platform to lean into while Instagram feels stale.

We Might Be Returning to Early 2000s Marketing

Hear me out.
Before Instagram existed, businesses grew through

• websites
• blogs
• email
• local networking
• real relationships

And guess what. Those approaches still work. They are often more stable than social media, and they do not disappear when a platform changes its algorithm overnight.

Maybe this shift is not a setback. Maybe it is a chance to simplify and strengthen the core of your marketing.

If Instagram Is Frustrating You, Here Is Your Permission Slip

You do not have to post every day.
You do not have to make Reels constantly.
You do not have to force inspiration that just is not there.

You can take a breath and redirect your energy toward channels that feel supportive and productive.

Because real marketing is not about chasing trends. It is about making sure people understand what you do and how you can help them.

Instagram is one tool, not the whole toolbox.You do not have to navigate this shift alone. And trust me, you have more options than you think.