Let’s get into it. I say this with love, chai, and receipts — South Asian small business owners are killing it with talent, but some of y’all are lowkey sabotaging your growth on Instagram.
Whether you’re selling handmade jewelry, halal skincare, modest wear, or desi desserts — this platform can work for you. But not if you’re doing these things. Let’s unpack the common mistakes and how to fix them like the Boss Beti you are 👑
❌ Mistake #1: Using Instagram as a Catalogue, Not a Brand
Your page shouldn’t feel like a flyer from your local Indian grocery store.
What You’re Doing:
Post after post of “New In Stock,” “DM to order,” “Restock coming soon.”
Fix It:
✨ Build a story. Share the why behind your brand.
- Talk about how your nani inspired your chai blend.
- Show the hands that make your bangles.
- Let us meet you — the woman behind the brand.
❌ Mistake #2: No SEO-Driven Captions or Alt Text
Yes, Instagram is visual — but captions and alt text still matter.
What You’re Doing:
Using one-liners like “Can’t wait to drop this 👀” or “Link in bio 🔗”
Fix It:
✨ Use keywords your customers are searching for:
“Halal nail polish for brown skin” > “Look at this color 👀”
Plus, add alt text for accessibility and discoverability.
❌ Mistake #3: Ignoring Your Culture as a Strength
Some biz owners think they need to water down their brand to be “universal.” Babe, no.
What You’re Doing:
Avoiding Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, or Hindi words. Skipping cultural references. Using only generic product names.
Fix It:
✨ Be loudly, beautifully Desi.
Your uniqueness = your brand power. Use words like nazar, haldi, jhumka, rooh afza — but explain them too so new audiences can learn.
❌ Mistake #4: Not Treating Your Audience Like a Community
What You’re Doing:
Only showing up to promote. No reels, no conversations, no behind-the-scenes.
Fix It:
✨ Show the real.
- Talk about your founder struggles
- Share shipping mishaps (and how you handled them like a queen)
- Ask your followers questions like, “Would you rather see a Diwali or Eid launch first?”
❌ Mistake #5: No Clear Link Between Instagram and Your Sales Funnel
You’re building hype — but where’s the next step?
What You’re Doing:
Only linking your home page or saying “DM to order”
Fix It:
✨ Set up:
- A clean Linktree or Stan Store
- SEO-optimized blog content (hello, Boss Beti blog!)
- Freebie or discount to grow your email list
TL;DR
Instagram is more than a shop window — it’s a storytelling, SEO, and community tool. Don’t just post pretty pictures. Use your voice, culture, and content to connect.
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