Building a clothing brand on Instagram is like building a capsule wardrobe—with a little planning and patience you’ll start seeing the benefits in no time. By using the best photos and engagement strategies, you can build an apparel brand on the ’gram that will attract your audience, boost sales, and help you succeed.
When it comes to businesses using Instagram as a marketing approach, it's a competitive, fast-paced world with many benefits. A brand-forward Instagram strategy could boost sales, drive traffic, and attract a community of loyal followers. A good Instagram strategy for clothing should use various tools to share experiences by telling a story to captivate an audience. The challenge lies in making your product visible as competition is high—and the fashion world is fast growing.
How to start a clothing brand on Instagram
1. Plan your business
Create a business plan with goals, budgeting, and a marketing strategy. Use this process to define your niche and target audience, as well as conduct market research on competitors.
You’ll also want to build a brand identity, including a mission, values, and unique selling proposition (USP). Elements of your branding may include a business name, a logo, a color palette, and established tone and voice.
2. Create your designs
Create unique clothing designs that align with your brand identity. Find reliable manufacturers or suppliers who can produce your clothing at the desired quality and price point. Order samples and prototypes to ensure product quality before committing to a larger order.
3. Sign up for an Instagram business account
Create a business account on Instagram, complete with a professional profile picture (logo), bio, and contact information. Choose a username that’s easy to remember and aligns with your brand name.
4. Submit your account for review
You can begin using Instagram Shopping once you’ve established your online store in Commerce Manager. You’ll ned to submit your account for review and turn on Instagram Shopping to begin using your shop.
To submit your account for review:
- Go to your Instagram profile settings.
- Select Sign Up for Instagram Shopping.
- Follow the steps given to submit your account for approval.
- Visit Shopping in your Settings if you want to check the status of your application.
Instagram may take anything from a few hours to two weeks to assess and approve your account for product tagging.
After Instagram has approved your account you can begin connecting your product catalog to your Instagram Shop. Go to Instagram settings and select the Business option. Select Shopping. Choose the catalog of goods you wish to link up with. Tap Done.
5. Choose a look for your grid
Besides consistently creating highly engaging content, having a unique Instagram grid is an effective way to convert a more significant percentage of profile visitors into followers. The first thing people do when discovering an Instagram account is to scroll through it quickly while unintentionally accessing their bio, how the grid looks, and some followers.
A carefully crafted Instagram grid won't make more people discover your page. But it will boost the percentage of people finding you who eventually convert into new customers compared to a page that provides something similar without an effort to create a differentiated aesthetic. Over time, that slight boost in conversion can bring thousands of new followers. in a highly competitive Instagram environment, that is something.
6. Upload your products
In the sales channels section, choose the Instagram business account you want to link to your store. You can connect your Facebook and Instagram accounts by checking the box next to your account.
Choose the product catalog you want to use for your store. You can create a catalog if you don't already have one. Take a look around the store. If everything checks out: send it over to Instagram for review. Instagram will notify you when the Shop is approved.
Product catalog pictures should be simple and uniform. Ensure the product content you upload to the catalog complements the visuals on your website. Keep backgrounds simple and tidy so products stand out. Introduce one product with as little distraction as possible.
After you’ve set up your shop, you can use pictures and videos to highlight your products. You may draw more attention to specific goods in your feed and stories using product tags. Instagram users can see the names and prices of your products without leaving the app.
7. Shoot your clothing product photography and videography
Instagram is an empire of beautiful, high quality photos. Everyone expects you to produce high-quality pictures and videos in your Instagram feed, even if you don’t sell apparel.
Bear in mind Instagram’s specs and requirements during video and photo shoots. Prioritize vertical images and videos to accommodate users’ viewing experience. It’s helpful to coordinate all of this in a shot list to ensure you capture all the content you need.
Keep the following tips in mind:
Tell a story
A picture is worth a thousand words. any photo that can tell a story gets the most engagement on Instagram – pictures that challenge people's minds.
Look at it this way: A simple photo of a t-shirt won't pass a message across. but a photo of someone wearing the t-shirt and holding the sleeves is a little story already. Why? Because it’s relatable.
Use high-resolution photos
High-resolution pictures are critical to Instagram photography—nobody likes to engage with low-quality, blurry photos. So if you want to build your clothing brand, use an excellent camera to enable your pictures to stand out.
{{studio-ad="/external-components"}}
8. Include captions and hashtags
An image alone won’t be compelling without catchy words to reinforce action. Add action words like tag a friend or double tap to drive more engagements. Look for the right hashtags that fit your target market and industry. You might look at the hashtags your audience, competitors, or complementary brands are using.
Even though there’s no direct clue of people using the hashtags, you’ll know your followers’ demographics through analytics. Checking Instagram’s free analytics will help you know if you’re attracting the right people.
9. Make your feed shoppable
Say you own a beautiful brick and mortar clothing store with an attractive window display pointing out on a busy street. Each product is well arranged in an appealing composition, and by creatively highlighting their best points.
But, there’s still a problem.
Even though your display window may attract people, they might still pass by your shop without visiting to buy if they’re just not ready. Disastrous, isn't it?
Instagram works similarly! So, it would be best to make your clothing brand Instagram shoppable from the onset. Many people don’t know how to sell clothes on Instagram Shopping—a feature that allows people to shop your videos and photos. Instagram offers brands a mesmerizing storefront for potential buyers to explore your best products. You can tag products in Reels, feed posts, and live broadcasts once Instagram Shopping is enabled.
You can begin this process in Commerce Manager or another supported platform.
Choose a checkout method where customers can complete their purchases. Businesses in the United States can benefit from Instagram’s checkout feature because it allows customers to buy things without leaving the app.
You can create calls to action for your prospects by adding clickable links to your eye catching bio. This will take them straight to your website. You can also use apps to make products on your pictures buyable or make it easier for them to buy from your feed through Instagram Shopping.
10. Use Instagram features and tools
Use Instagram Stories and Reels to create engaging, short-form content. These options can help boost visibility among new and existing followers. Instagram Live is another great way to drum up excitement and real-time interaction.
11. Run cross-platform promotions
Don’t just post content to Instagram and call it a day. There are tons of other ways to reach your audience. You can—and should!—cross-promote across several other platforms. Whether you use paid ads, link a Pinterest Pin back to an Instagram Reel or promote your latest Instagram drop on TikTok, it’s good to use your existing audiences on other channels to build your Instagram. Your audience knows who you are, likes you, and may already own an Instagram account.
Why use Instagram for your clothing brand
Instagram is a driving force for several fashion brands, making way for new trends and clothing inspiration. Because of this, its trendsetting prowess isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Many clothing brands are reaching their target audience through Instagram shopping. These businesses use features like influencer marketing and shoppable posts to showcase their brands on Instagram. From t-shirts and trousers to gowns and sheer skirts, the modern fashion trends have a viral impact on Instagram.
We can’t deny that several clothing trends emanate from celebrities’ red carpet looks and supermodels on the runway at fashion weeks. Yet, Instagram still leads a significant amount of clothing-forward conversations and trends. For brands, Instagram is taking center-stage concerning their promotion, awareness, and driving sales. Since Instagram is helping to modify the trends that dominate the streets, it’s time to build your clothing brand there with the following tips.
Let soona help you build a clothing brand on Instagram
There are several ways you can build your clothing brand. But good product photography is the foundation for all of them. Working with soona gets you access to a professional, on-demand, and reliable photographer or videographer at a fixed, affordable rate.
{{studio-ad="/external-components"}}
Start a clothing brand on Instagram FAQs
How to start a clothes business on Instagram?
- Define your brand’s niche, identity, and target audience.
- Conduct market research to understand competitors and your audience.
- Create a business plan outlining your goals, budget, and marketing strategy.
- Design unique clothing and find reliable manufacturers.
- Set up a professional Instagram business account with a cohesive profile.
- Create high-quality visual content and develop a consistent posting schedule.
- Engage with your audience, use relevant hashtags, and collaborate with influencers.
- Utilize Instagram features like Stories, Reels, and Shopping to enhance visibility.
- Launch your brand with teaser posts and promotions.
- Analyze performance and adjust strategies based on feedback.
Is Instagram good for selling clothes?
Yes, Instagram is excellent for selling clothes due to its visual nature, large engaged user base, and features like Instagram Shopping. It allows brands to showcase their products through high-quality images and videos, engage directly with customers, collaborate with influencers, and facilitate easy purchases within the app.
How much does it cost to start an Instagram business?
The cost to start an Instagram business varies. For a small-scale operation, expect to spend between $500 and $2,000 on product development, DIY photography, and basic marketing. Medium-scale ventures may require $2,000 to $10,000 for professional photoshoots, moderate marketing efforts, and a larger product range. Large-scale businesses could spend over $10,000 on comprehensive marketing strategies, high-quality content production, and extensive inventory.
How do I open an Instagram boutique?
- To open an Instagram boutique, create a business account and complete your profile.
- Set up a product catalog using Facebook Commerce Manager and enable Instagram Shopping.
- Design a visually appealing storefront and post high-quality content regularly.
- Promote your boutique through Instagram ads and influencer collaborations.
- Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages.
- Use Stories, Reels, and Lives to keep followers engaged and run promotions to attract customers.
Building a clothing brand on Instagram is like building a capsule wardrobe—with a little planning and patience you’ll start seeing the benefits in no time. By using the best photos and engagement strategies, you can build an apparel brand on the ’gram that will attract your audience, boost sales, and help you succeed.
When it comes to businesses using Instagram as a marketing approach, it's a competitive, fast-paced world with many benefits. A brand-forward Instagram strategy could boost sales, drive traffic, and attract a community of loyal followers. A good Instagram strategy for clothing should use various tools to share experiences by telling a story to captivate an audience. The challenge lies in making your product visible as competition is high—and the fashion world is fast growing.
How to start a clothing brand on Instagram
1. Plan your business
Create a business plan with goals, budgeting, and a marketing strategy. Use this process to define your niche and target audience, as well as conduct market research on competitors.
You’ll also want to build a brand identity, including a mission, values, and unique selling proposition (USP). Elements of your branding may include a business name, a logo, a color palette, and established tone and voice.
2. Create your designs
Create unique clothing designs that align with your brand identity. Find reliable manufacturers or suppliers who can produce your clothing at the desired quality and price point. Order samples and prototypes to ensure product quality before committing to a larger order.
3. Sign up for an Instagram business account
Create a business account on Instagram, complete with a professional profile picture (logo), bio, and contact information. Choose a username that’s easy to remember and aligns with your brand name.
4. Submit your account for review
You can begin using Instagram Shopping once you’ve established your online store in Commerce Manager. You’ll ned to submit your account for review and turn on Instagram Shopping to begin using your shop.
To submit your account for review:
- Go to your Instagram profile settings.
- Select Sign Up for Instagram Shopping.
- Follow the steps given to submit your account for approval.
- Visit Shopping in your Settings if you want to check the status of your application.
Instagram may take anything from a few hours to two weeks to assess and approve your account for product tagging.
After Instagram has approved your account you can begin connecting your product catalog to your Instagram Shop. Go to Instagram settings and select the Business option. Select Shopping. Choose the catalog of goods you wish to link up with. Tap Done.
5. Choose a look for your grid
Besides consistently creating highly engaging content, having a unique Instagram grid is an effective way to convert a more significant percentage of profile visitors into followers. The first thing people do when discovering an Instagram account is to scroll through it quickly while unintentionally accessing their bio, how the grid looks, and some followers.
A carefully crafted Instagram grid won't make more people discover your page. But it will boost the percentage of people finding you who eventually convert into new customers compared to a page that provides something similar without an effort to create a differentiated aesthetic. Over time, that slight boost in conversion can bring thousands of new followers. in a highly competitive Instagram environment, that is something.
6. Upload your products
In the sales channels section, choose the Instagram business account you want to link to your store. You can connect your Facebook and Instagram accounts by checking the box next to your account.
Choose the product catalog you want to use for your store. You can create a catalog if you don't already have one. Take a look around the store. If everything checks out: send it over to Instagram for review. Instagram will notify you when the Shop is approved.
Product catalog pictures should be simple and uniform. Ensure the product content you upload to the catalog complements the visuals on your website. Keep backgrounds simple and tidy so products stand out. Introduce one product with as little distraction as possible.
After you’ve set up your shop, you can use pictures and videos to highlight your products. You may draw more attention to specific goods in your feed and stories using product tags. Instagram users can see the names and prices of your products without leaving the app.
7. Shoot your clothing product photography and videography
Instagram is an empire of beautiful, high quality photos. Everyone expects you to produce high-quality pictures and videos in your Instagram feed, even if you don’t sell apparel.
Bear in mind Instagram’s specs and requirements during video and photo shoots. Prioritize vertical images and videos to accommodate users’ viewing experience. It’s helpful to coordinate all of this in a shot list to ensure you capture all the content you need.
Keep the following tips in mind:
Tell a story
A picture is worth a thousand words. any photo that can tell a story gets the most engagement on Instagram – pictures that challenge people's minds.
Look at it this way: A simple photo of a t-shirt won't pass a message across. but a photo of someone wearing the t-shirt and holding the sleeves is a little story already. Why? Because it’s relatable.
Use high-resolution photos
High-resolution pictures are critical to Instagram photography—nobody likes to engage with low-quality, blurry photos. So if you want to build your clothing brand, use an excellent camera to enable your pictures to stand out.
{{studio-ad="/external-components"}}
8. Include captions and hashtags
An image alone won’t be compelling without catchy words to reinforce action. Add action words like tag a friend or double tap to drive more engagements. Look for the right hashtags that fit your target market and industry. You might look at the hashtags your audience, competitors, or complementary brands are using.
Even though there’s no direct clue of people using the hashtags, you’ll know your followers’ demographics through analytics. Checking Instagram’s free analytics will help you know if you’re attracting the right people.
9. Make your feed shoppable
Say you own a beautiful brick and mortar clothing store with an attractive window display pointing out on a busy street. Each product is well arranged in an appealing composition, and by creatively highlighting their best points.
But, there’s still a problem.
Even though your display window may attract people, they might still pass by your shop without visiting to buy if they’re just not ready. Disastrous, isn't it?
Instagram works similarly! So, it would be best to make your clothing brand Instagram shoppable from the onset. Many people don’t know how to sell clothes on Instagram Shopping—a feature that allows people to shop your videos and photos. Instagram offers brands a mesmerizing storefront for potential buyers to explore your best products. You can tag products in Reels, feed posts, and live broadcasts once Instagram Shopping is enabled.
You can begin this process in Commerce Manager or another supported platform.
Choose a checkout method where customers can complete their purchases. Businesses in the United States can benefit from Instagram’s checkout feature because it allows customers to buy things without leaving the app.
You can create calls to action for your prospects by adding clickable links to your eye catching bio. This will take them straight to your website. You can also use apps to make products on your pictures buyable or make it easier for them to buy from your feed through Instagram Shopping.
10. Use Instagram features and tools
Use Instagram Stories and Reels to create engaging, short-form content. These options can help boost visibility among new and existing followers. Instagram Live is another great way to drum up excitement and real-time interaction.
11. Run cross-platform promotions
Don’t just post content to Instagram and call it a day. There are tons of other ways to reach your audience. You can—and should!—cross-promote across several other platforms. Whether you use paid ads, link a Pinterest Pin back to an Instagram Reel or promote your latest Instagram drop on TikTok, it’s good to use your existing audiences on other channels to build your Instagram. Your audience knows who you are, likes you, and may already own an Instagram account.
Why use Instagram for your clothing brand
Instagram is a driving force for several fashion brands, making way for new trends and clothing inspiration. Because of this, its trendsetting prowess isn’t showing any signs of slowing down.
Many clothing brands are reaching their target audience through Instagram shopping. These businesses use features like influencer marketing and shoppable posts to showcase their brands on Instagram. From t-shirts and trousers to gowns and sheer skirts, the modern fashion trends have a viral impact on Instagram.
We can’t deny that several clothing trends emanate from celebrities’ red carpet looks and supermodels on the runway at fashion weeks. Yet, Instagram still leads a significant amount of clothing-forward conversations and trends. For brands, Instagram is taking center-stage concerning their promotion, awareness, and driving sales. Since Instagram is helping to modify the trends that dominate the streets, it’s time to build your clothing brand there with the following tips.
Let soona help you build a clothing brand on Instagram
There are several ways you can build your clothing brand. But good product photography is the foundation for all of them. Working with soona gets you access to a professional, on-demand, and reliable photographer or videographer at a fixed, affordable rate.
{{studio-ad="/external-components"}}
Start a clothing brand on Instagram FAQs
How to start a clothes business on Instagram?
- Define your brand’s niche, identity, and target audience.
- Conduct market research to understand competitors and your audience.
- Create a business plan outlining your goals, budget, and marketing strategy.
- Design unique clothing and find reliable manufacturers.
- Set up a professional Instagram business account with a cohesive profile.
- Create high-quality visual content and develop a consistent posting schedule.
- Engage with your audience, use relevant hashtags, and collaborate with influencers.
- Utilize Instagram features like Stories, Reels, and Shopping to enhance visibility.
- Launch your brand with teaser posts and promotions.
- Analyze performance and adjust strategies based on feedback.
Is Instagram good for selling clothes?
Yes, Instagram is excellent for selling clothes due to its visual nature, large engaged user base, and features like Instagram Shopping. It allows brands to showcase their products through high-quality images and videos, engage directly with customers, collaborate with influencers, and facilitate easy purchases within the app.
How much does it cost to start an Instagram business?
The cost to start an Instagram business varies. For a small-scale operation, expect to spend between $500 and $2,000 on product development, DIY photography, and basic marketing. Medium-scale ventures may require $2,000 to $10,000 for professional photoshoots, moderate marketing efforts, and a larger product range. Large-scale businesses could spend over $10,000 on comprehensive marketing strategies, high-quality content production, and extensive inventory.
How do I open an Instagram boutique?
- To open an Instagram boutique, create a business account and complete your profile.
- Set up a product catalog using Facebook Commerce Manager and enable Instagram Shopping.
- Design a visually appealing storefront and post high-quality content regularly.
- Promote your boutique through Instagram ads and influencer collaborations.
- Engage with your audience by responding to comments and messages.
- Use Stories, Reels, and Lives to keep followers engaged and run promotions to attract customers.
