Alright, picture this—you and I are sitting down for a coffee (or wine, no judgment here), and you’re telling me how much effort you’re putting into Instagram, but it’s just not working. You’re posting beautiful photos of your staged homes, sharing your latest projects, and trying to stay consistent, but the followers aren’t rolling in, and engagement feels…well, meh. Sound familiar? If so, you might be making some of the top 10 Instagram mistakes that home stagers and interior designers unknowingly commit without realizing it.
But don’t worry—I’ve got you. Let’s break down these missteps and, more importantly, how to fix them so your Instagram starts working for you, not against you.
1. Posting for Yourself, Not Your Ideal Audience
One of the biggest mistakes I see? Stagers posting content that speaks to them instead of their ideal client. It’s easy to post a carousel of your best staging work with a caption like, “Love how this living room came together!” but… who is that helping? Your audience is looking for inspiration, guidance, and solutions, not just a highlight reel.
Fix it:
A good content strategy includes three key types of content:
- Attraction content (designed to grow your audience)
- Nurture content (content that positions you as an expert)
- Conversion content (content that turns followers into paying clients)
Ask yourself before you post: What does my ideal client get out of this? If the answer is “nothing,” it’s time to rethink your approach. Still not sure what to post? Check out some of my tried-and-true post ideas I recommend for home stagers.
2. Not Knowing Who Your Ideal Audience Is
If you’re posting without knowing exactly who you’re trying to attract, you’re going to miss the mark every time. Your Instagram page is for your business, but the content you post on it? That’s for your audience. If you don’t know who they are, what they need, or what questions they have, your content won’t connect.
Fix it:
- Get crystal clear on your ideal audience (realtors, homeowners, investors?).
- Understand what they need to hear from you before they follow, engage, or book.
- Create content that speaks directly to their needs—not just what you think they want.
3. Not Optimizing Your Profile
If someone lands on your profile and has to guess what you do, they’re not sticking around. Your Instagram bio should be clear, compelling, and client-focused.
Fix it:
- Who you are: Home staging or interior design pro? Say it!
- Who you help: Realtors? Luxury homeowners? Investors? Be specific.
- What makes you different: Unique selling points, like “Quick & stylish staging to help your homes sell faster.”
- Call-to-action (CTA): Direct people to your website, booking link, or free resource.
4. Not Posting Video Content
I get it—video can feel intimidating. But here’s the truth: video content is the most-consumed content on Instagram. The algorithm prioritizes it, people love watching it, and it makes your brand more engaging.
Fix it:
Start small. Try:
- A before & after transformation Reel.
- A quick staging tip video.
- A behind-the-scenes clip of your process.
The more video content you post, the better your reach and engagement.
5. Not Creating Talking Reels
Posting project videos is great, but if you’re not showing your face, you’re missing a major opportunity. Talking to the camera builds trust like nothing else. People don’t just follow brands—they follow people.
Fix it:
If you’re camera-shy, start with:
- A simple introduction: “Hey, I’m [your name], and I help homeowners sell faster with expert staging solutions.”
- A common myth debunked: “You don’t need to renovate before staging—here’s why.”
- A quick tip: “Here’s how to make your staged rooms look bigger instantly!”
You don’t need to be perfect—just real.
6. Sharing Low-Quality Photos
Instagram is a visual platform, and your photos need to be high-quality if you want to impress your audience. If your images are grainy, dark, or poorly composed, people will keep scrolling.
Fix it:
- Use natural light when possible.
- Edit your photos for brightness and clarity.
- Hire a photographer or invest in a good camera if needed.
7. Sharing Graphics with Inconsistent Branding
Your Instagram page should look like a mini website, not a random collection of Canva graphics. If you’re using different colors, fonts, and templates for every post, your brand looks all over the place.
Fix it:
- Stick to your brand colors and fonts.
- Create a few go-to templates for posts.
- Make sure every graphic feels like you.
8. Sharing Too Many Links on Your Profile
When people land on your profile, they don’t want to be overwhelmed by a ton of links. Too many options = no action taken.
Fix it:
Stick to 3-5 max:
- Your website or portfolio
- Your booking page
- A free resource or blog
9. Writing Too Long Captions
People scan on Instagram—they don’t read paragraphs. If your captions are too long and dense, you’ll lose engagement.
Fix it:
- Keep it short—get to the point.
- Use line breaks and bullet points.
- End with a CTA—ask a question or invite engagement.
10. Posting Too Much Personal Content
A little personal content is great—it makes you relatable. But if you’re posting random vacation pics or family updates with no connection to your audience, it might be hurting your brand.
Fix it:
- Keep personal content relevant to your business.
- Tie it into your expertise: “On vacation and loving this hotel’s color palette—here’s why it works.”
Ready to Fix Your Instagram? Join the Free Challenge!
If you’re guilty of a few (or all 10) of these Instagram mistakes, don’t stress—I’ve got a free challenge designed to help you supercharge your Instagram strategy. Get clear on your audience, create engaging content, and start seeing real results. Join the challenge here!
Want a Done-for-You Social Media Plan?
If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of Instagram, check out my Social Stager 60-Day Social Media Program. Go from zero to hero with this social media marketing program that gives you everything you need to show up consistently online with high-value content your audience loves. It includes:
- Daily post prompts so you always know what to post.
- Caption templates to make writing easy.
- 130+ customizable Canva templates to keep your branding on point.
- An engagement strategy guide to help you grow your following and create relationships.
Let’s make your Instagram work for your business. Check it out here!
Start Making Instagram Work For You
You can leverage Instagram to get more followers, engagement, and leads. If you’re making any of these 10 Instagram mistakes, this is your nudge to invest a little time to fix them so you can make Instagram work for you instead of against you.
Want more help with your social media marketing? Be sure to check out our services to see how we can help you make marketing online simpler, easier, and more effective.
