Struggling to turn Instagram likes into conversations or bookings? You’re not alone. Instagram has evolved massively since 2022, and the old tricks don’t work anymore. But here’s the good news: if you run a café, clinic, trade, studio, or creative service, you don’t need to be an influencer to win. You just need a simple system to get noticed, trusted, and booked.
This is your 2025 Instagram Playbook, Basic Bananas style.
Step 1: Understand What’s Changed on Instagram
Instagram isn’t just a pretty photo wall anymore. It’s a discovery engine powered by recommendations, search, and interaction. Here are the three biggest shifts you need to know:
- Original beats Reposted: Instagram rewards originality. Share your people, process, and work. Reposts get ignored.
- Shares and Saves beat Likes: Likes are weak signals. Saves and shares show value. Create content worth sending and saving.
- Search is massive: Instagram wants your content to show up in both app search and on Google. Use keywords in captions, overlays, and alt text.
Translation: Stop blending in. Share the real stuff. Make it useful. Write how your customers search.
Step 2: Play the Instagram Format Trifecta
Think of Instagram as a team sport where each format has a role:
- Reels = Reach: Short videos (6–30s). Hook fast. Deliver quickly. Ideas: myths busted, quick demos, before/afters, FAQs.
CTA: “Follow for more + DM QUOTE.” - Carousels = Saves and Comments: 5–10 slides teaching one juicy thing. Ideas: checklists, step-by-step guides, cost breakdowns.
CTA: “Save this + share with a mate.” - Stories = Relationships: Daily touchpoints like behind-the-scenes, polls, questions, offers, and shout-outs.
CTA: “Reply BOOK and we’ll send available times.”
Rule of thumb: Reels find people. Carousels teach people. Stories talk to people.
Step 3: Use Music Without Getting Sued
Music boosts vibe and watch time. The safe way:
- Use Instagram’s music library or commercial tracks available in-app.
- Add music to carousels and photos to increase time spent.
- Match the mood:
Teaching → chill beats
Transformations → inspirational
Behind-the-scenes → uplifting
Step 4: Share Behind-the-Scenes (BTS)
Your audience doesn’t just want polish. They want the messy middle. Share:
- Team intros and passions
- Process over perfection
- Before and after reveals
- Day-in-the-life montages
- Customer handovers, tool tips, unboxings
- Proof posts like UGC, testimonials, and results
BTS Hook Ideas:
“Day in the life of [employee].”
“3 steps we never skip when [service].”
“What it really costs to [outcome].”
Step 5: Make Instagram SEO Work for You
Instagram is search-driven. Treat it like Google:
- Add your category and suburb to your profile (“Plumber • Northern Beaches”).
- Use customer-friendly keywords in captions and text.
- Write descriptive alt text for every image.
- Pick specific hashtags that match your niche.
- Always geotag your posts.
BB Hack: Think of a carousel like a mini blog: headline slide, teaching slides, recap, CTA.
Step 6: Stick to a Weekly Rhythm
No more random posting. Follow this flow:
- Monday: Reel (Quick tip or myth-bust)
- Wednesday: Carousel (Step-by-step or cost breakdown)
- Friday: Stories (Polls, BTS, Q&A)
- Sunday: Reel or Carousel (Before/after or testimonial)
Quick Win: Collaborate with a partner once a fortnight to double reach.
Step 7: Capture and Convert Inside Instagram
Turn attention into action without sending people off the app:
- DM keywords like “START” to trigger automated replies.
- Broadcast channels for drops, specials, and cancellations.
- Link stickers and action buttons for one-tap bookings.
- Use polls to generate direct messages.
Step 8: Measure What Actually Matters
Forget vanity metrics. Track these instead:
- Shares per reach
- Saves per reach
- Profile visits per reach
- Replies per story
- DMs that lead to bookings
Step 9: Example 30-Day Plan (Café Edition)
Here’s a plug-and-play monthly content map:
- Week 1: Reel: “Dialing in our house blend” | Carousel: “5 espresso mistakes” | Story: Staff poll | Proof: UGC repost
- Week 2: Reel collab with bakery | Carousel: “Why a flat white costs $5.50” | Story: Morning prep + Q&A | Broadcast: Specials
- Week 3: Reel: Seating refurb before/after | Carousel: Sustainability checklist | Story: Quiz + Add Yours | Proof: Testimonial
- Week 4: Reel: Latte art challenge | Carousel: Menu cheat sheet | Story: Poll on live music night | Proof: Mini case study
Swap “coffee” for your own FAQs, objections, or transformations.
Step 10: Quick Instagram Templates
Hooks:
“If you’re in [suburb] and need [outcome], read this.”
“3 mistakes we still see with [problem] (and how to fix them).”
Captions: Hook → Value → Micro-story → CTA.
Carousels: Headline → Teaching → Recap → CTA.
Stories: Poll → DM. Question → Invite replies. Quiz → Teach.
Step 11: Keep It Legal and Kind
- Use only music available in your account.
- Ask permission before filming customers.
- Add alt text and captions for accessibility.
- Label paid partnerships.
Step 12: Don’t Run Ads Into a Leaky Bucket
Running Instagram ads without strong organic content is like pouring water into a leaky bucket. You’ll pay for clicks but lose trust if your feed looks empty. Before boosting posts, make sure you have:
- A consistent weekly rhythm of content
- Highlights explaining who you are and what you do
- A clear, searchable bio
- Proof posts that build trust
Ads only amplify what’s already there. Nail the basics first so your ad spend fills the bucket instead of draining it.
The Wrap-Up: The Basic Bananas Way
Instagram in 2025 isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about being real, helpful, and human. Start with clarity on who you serve and why. Post consistently with the weekly rhythm. Focus on relationships first, sales second.
Challenge: This week, film 3 behind-the-scenes Reels. Post them. Watch what happens. Because when you keep it original, useful, and human, Instagram stops being a time-drain and starts being your best customer magnet.
Want to Go Even Further?
If you’re ready to discover clever new ways to grow your business and attract more customers using the best marketing AI tools, join us at The Marketing AI Workshop. Seats are now open for Sydney and Brisbane. Book your spot today before they’re gone.
