How to Hunt Clients on Instagram (Without Being That Annoying Sales Guy)
Okay, let’s just say it straight: if you’re trying to land clients on Instagram and your strategy is posting a single Canva graphic and then sitting back with your fingers crossed… fam, we need to talk.
No shame, though. We’ve all been there. But today, we’re having the Instagram pep talk you didn’t know you needed. So grab your iced coffee (or chai, if you’re like me), sit down, and let’s break down—in plain, human words—how to actually hunt clients on Instagram without making it weird.
First, Let’s Get One Thing Out of the Way…
Instagram is not just for selfies, memes, or vibing to travel reels. It’s a legit client-hunting jungle—if you know how to navigate it without sounding like a walking promo ad.
And don’t worry, I’m not about to hit you with “optimize your KPIs and leverage ROI.” Nah. This is real talk. Like if your creative homie sat across from you and said:
“Yo, here’s what works. Here’s what doesn’t. Let’s get you some clients.”
And look, if you’re wondering who I am—hi, I’m from Saadi Graphics, a digital gang that builds stunning websites and designs graphics that make people stop scrolling. We’ve helped brands blow up online, and now, I’m gonna help you.
Step 1: Make Your Profile Do the Talking (Before You Even DM Anyone)
Imagine walking into a shop. You see dusty shelves, an empty counter, and a weird smell. Are you buying anything? Nope.
That’s your Instagram profile if it’s not fixed up.
Here’s the checklist:
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Profile pic: Clear. Professional-ish. No low-res selfies from your cousin’s wedding.
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Username: Make it recognizable. If your biz name is PixelPanda but your @ is @__x0_johnyy_boy, change that, please.
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Bio: Tell people what you do and who you help.
→ “Helping small businesses look BIG online 💻 | DM for collabs”
Keep it crisp and real. -
Link in bio: Lead it to your portfolio, website, or a linktree. If you don’t have a site yet, well… Saadi Graphics is your go-to.
Bonus: Pin your best posts, your “intro” reel, or client wins. New people should immediately know what you’re about.
Step 2: Content That Doesn’t Suck (Yes, This Matters)
Let me be brutally honest: if your feed is full of random quotes, blurry screenshots, and reposts from Pinterest… clients ain’t coming.
Your content is your proof.
Post stuff like:
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Before/After designs
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Client testimonials
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Mini-tutorials (“3 things that kill your website traffic 🚫”)
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Behind-the-scenes of your process
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Your thoughts on trends (“Why minimalism still works in 2025”)
And don’t be afraid to show your face or personality. People hire people—not logos.
You don’t need a full production setup. Your phone + good lighting + Canva (or better yet, let Saadi Graphics help you design a killer visual pack) = gold.
Also, reels? Still fire in 2025. Use them.
Step 3: Slide into DMs… But Do It Like a Decent Human Being
Please, for the love of Instagram, don’t cold DM with “Hey, I do design. Need help?” That’s digital panhandling.
Here’s how to not be weird:
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Engage first. Like their posts. Drop a thoughtful comment.
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Reply to stories. That’s low-key the best way to start convos.
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Send a chill DM like:
“Hey [name], I loved your recent reel about launching your podcast. Just followed! If you ever need help branding it or designing promo graphics, I’d love to help.”
That’s it. No pitch deck. No “hop on a call” yet. Just a vibe.
Then let them respond. If they’re interested, they’ll let you know.
Step 4: Use Hashtags and Tags Strategically (Not Just #FollowForFollow)
Hashtags are like breadcrumbs. They help people discover you—but only if you’re using the right ones.
Try:
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Industry-specific ones (#fitnesscoach, #podcastbranding, #beautybusiness)
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Service ones (#webdesigner, #logodesigner)
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Local ones if you’re targeting by area (#lahoresmallbusiness)
And don’t be afraid to tag people or businesses when relevant. Just don’t spam.
Think of hashtags and tags as mini-invitations. You’re saying, “Hey, I’m here if you’re looking.”
Step 5: The Power of Stories and Highlights (Your Hidden Weapons)
Stories are where real stuff happens.
Use them to:
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Show your work-in-progress
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Share client feedback
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Ask questions (use polls!)
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Share random life stuff—it humanizes you
Save the good ones as Highlights: “Work,” “Clients,” “FAQs,” “Prices,” “About Me”
This builds trust fast. People stalk highlights before they message you. Give them something juicy to watch.
Step 6: Build Relationships, Not Just a Follower Count
Yeah, I said it. 10 engaged followers are worth more than 1,000 ghost ones.
Start convos. Leave genuine comments. Cheer others on.
When you build community, you build referrals. I’ve had clients come from someone who never hired me but referred me to their cousin just because I was “super chill and helpful.”
Be that person.
Step 7: Show Results (Even If They’re Small Wins)
People don’t care that you “offer design services.” They care that you made someone else’s biz pop off.
Even if you just helped a friend’s bakery get 50% more clicks on their site—share that story.
Make a post:
“Redesigned the homepage for @TinaBakes and she saw a spike in orders. Here’s what I changed…”
Results > Promises.
Step 8: Stay Consistent (Even If It Feels Like No One’s Watching)
At first, you’ll feel like you’re talking to a wall. We all do.
But IG’s algorithm favors those who stick around. Keep showing up. You never know who’s watching silently, waiting for the right moment.
Post 3-4 times a week if you can. Show up on stories daily. Comment on other pages. Rinse. Repeat.
Trust the process.
Quick Recap: Client Hunting on Instagram in 2025
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Fix your profile. Make it clear, clean, and client-friendly.
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Post content that proves you know your stuff.
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DM with care—not desperation.
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Use hashtags like a detective, not a spammer.
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Stories & highlights = secret trust builders.
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Be human. Be helpful.
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Share wins.
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Stay consistent.
Need Help Looking Professional?
If all of this feels like a lot—or if your content/design vibe just isn’t hitting—don’t sweat it. That’s literally what we do at Saadi Graphics.
We build custom websites, killer visual identities, and scroll-stopping content for freelancers, brands, and small businesses.
Basically, we help you look as good as the service you’re offering. Because in this online world? First impressions aren’t just important—they’re everything.
Final Word, Friend to Friend
Instagram isn’t magic. But if you treat it like a genuine way to connect with real humans—not just a selling machine—you’ll start seeing results.
Clients don’t just fall into your lap. But with the right energy, vibe, and a little consistency? They will come to you.
So go on. Post that reel. Slide into that story reply. Show your work. Share your wins. Be helpful.
Let Instagram work for you.
