Sell More Handmade Soaps Using Instagram

Handmade products are essentially marketed through social media. Instagram is still one of the best platforms for artisans and small businesses. With more than a billion active users, Instagram is the best-suited social media platform for soap makers to display their craft, get customers and make sales. Whether starting your first business or looking for magnification, mastering Instagram marketing will help you build a loyal customer base and scale your business.

This guide explains how to use Instagram to your advantage for your handcrafted soap business, including profile optimisation and some fancy marketing tactics.

How to Create an Optimised Instagram Business Profile?

Before creating content, make sure your Instagram profile is optimised. People should be able to find you as a potential consumer should you consider venturing into content creation, so your Instagram profile should be tailored to your availability as a content creator with branding in mind. Here are a few things you can do to make the most of your profile.

• Choose the proper Instagram handle and profile photo.

• Keep your handle simple and on brand (@nameofyoursoapbrand).

• Have a good-quality logo or branded avatar for your profile picture.

• Write an engaging bio.

• Tell people what your business does (e.g. "Handmade homemade organic soaps, made with love!").

• Emphasise important areas in your bio with emojis

• Provide contact information and a link to your website.

• Create an Instagram store (if available in your country)

• It is essential to link to your website, Etsy shop or online store.

• Share multiple links (store, blog, social media) through link tools like Linktree.

Develop Visual Content

Research shows that good-looking posts grab readers' attention and create trust with your audience.

Best Practices for Product Photography

• Use natural light to showcase different textures and colours of your soap.

• Keep the background clean and pleasing to the eye.

• Harvest a variety of angles, especially macro shots of ingredients.

• Add props like dried flowers, wood trays or soft fabrics for an organic touch.

• Try flat-lay photography, lifestyle, and action shots (such as lathering the soap).

• Place custom boxes made for your soap near the product.

Leverage Video Content

• Make Reels and IGTV showing how to make soaps with details.

• Use tutorials to show product benefits.

• Post customer testimonials in brief videos.

• Soap cutting or packaging visual ASMR is something satisfying to watch.

• You can demonstrate the art of making soap with time-lapse videos.

Use Instagram Stories & Highlights

• Preview new soap lines and collections.

• Post behind-the-scenes of your process as a soap maker.

• Offer limited-time discounts or flash sales for Story viewers.

• Share the pictures of your soap boxes with a counter display to exhibit the range of your product.

Organise Highlights

• FAQs, customer reviews, product demos, and special offers should all be highlighted sections.

• Add a "Meet the Maker" section to explain who you are and provide your brand story.

• Offer a "How It's Made" highlight to teach prospective buyers your production process.

Crafting Compelling Captions and Hashtag Use

The correct caption paired with the perfect hashtags can drive visibility around your post and increase your overall engagement.

Write Effective Captions

• Include your soap-making journey using storytelling.

• Emphasise what makes your soaps beneficial (ex, Sensitive on sensitive skin!).

How to Use Hashtags to Maximise Reach?

• Spread between general and niche hashtags, such as #HandmadeSoap, #NaturalSkincare, #OrganicBeauty, etc.

• Look up the 10 most prominent hashtags in your niche (i.e. skincare + handmade products).

• Develop a unique branded hashtag for your business (e.g., #YourSoapBrand).

Use Instagram Shopping & Product Tags

Help customers purchase your products directly from your Instagram page.

Setting Up Instagram Shopping

• Make sure your account qualifies for Instagram Shopping.

• Write posts and stories and tag products for quick purchase.

• Include high-quality images and descriptions in your product catalogue.

• Using product stickers in stories

• Promote best-sellers and limited-edition soaps.

• Promote special discounts via Instagram Stories.

• Countdown stickers can be helpful for product launches or flash sales.

Build a Community and Engage with Your Followers

Instead, focus on building an authentic audience that will trust and stay loyal to you.

• Replying to comments and DMs.

• Immediately interact with customers and prospects.

• Establish trust by answering frequently asked questions.

• Promoting user-generated content (UGC).

• Encourage customers to share photos of their snap purchases.

• Show UGC in your feed and stories.

• Have an ongoing competition for user-submitted pictures of unusual or creative uses for your soaps.

Partner with Influencers and Brand Ambassadors

• Ask Instagram influencers to team with you to increase brand awareness and recognition.

• Consider working with influencers in skincare, wellness, and sustainability spaces.

• Select micro-influencers who have dedicated followings.

• Give away a free product for reviews or shoutouts.

It's the best way to boost sales using Instagram Ads.

Paid ads can help you reach new customers who want to purchase your handmade soaps. Begin with a modest budget and ramp up according to what performs best. Invest in ad formats with high engagement, such as video ads.

Conclusion

Many handmade soap businesses turn to Instagram to grow brand awareness and sales. If you take the time to optimise your profile, create quality content, engage with your followers, and utilise all the shopping features Instagram offers, you can make a business out of your soap-making passion. Implement these strategies today, and your brand will explode.