Finding Your Voice and Building Authenticity in the Beauty Industry

Lashes, Hair, Makeup, and More:

How Authenticity on Instagram Can Boost Your Beauty Business

Have you heard the rumors about building authentic connections with niche-focused, engaging content as a beauty entrepreneur? Some say it's too hard, too pricey, or takes up too much time. But I'm here to tell you that's just a bunch of nonsense.

As a lash industry insider, I've seen firsthand how important it is to create a loyal following. The key is authenticity. So, forget about trying to be someone you're not, and focus on being true to yourself and your brand.

My co-host, Destiny, and I are here to spill some major knowledge bombs on the Blended podcast about how to build authentic connections with your ideal clients in the beauty industry using Instagram. We totally get how hard it can be to grow your beauty business on social media but trust us, it's totally worth it.

So, what's the secret to success on Instagram? Authenticity, consistency, and community building, of course! We'll take you step-by-step through the process of creating niche-specific, engaging content that connects with your audience on a personal level.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your beauty business to the next level, we've got your back. So, kick back, grab your favorite lash serum, put on that skincare, and a good under-eye mask, and let's get started on building a passionate and thriving community for your beauty biz!

Beauty on the ‘Gram: Building Meaningful Connections through Niche-Specific Content!

Do you know what's hot right now? Authenticity. Yep, your potential clients are all about it. They want a brand that's real, relatable, and constantly engaged with their audience. Lucky for you, Instagram is a goldmine for connecting with your ideal clients and building those meaningful relationships.

But here's the thing: you don't have to be a social media genius to make it happen. As my co-host always says,

"Be authentic, and don't overthink it. Utilize your social media as a free resource to build your business."--- Destiny

So, take a deep breath and relax. Building an authentic brand is all about being yourself and sharing your passion with the world. By creating niche-specific content that speaks directly to your audience, you'll establish a community of loyal followers who are invested in your success.

And the best part? Your newfound community will drive sustainable monetization for your brand. So, go ahead and master Instagram - it'll benefit every aspect of your brand and personal life, providing a rewarding experience for both you and your audience.

1. Get to Know Your Ideal Client: They’re Not Just a Pretty Face!

If you want to nail your Instagram strategy and build a loyal community of beauty enthusiasts, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First off, you gotta know your audience like the back of your hand. Use Instagram's handy analytics tools to track engagement metrics and keep tabs on your follower growth.

But it's not just about the numbers - listen to your audience's feedback and adjust your content to meet their needs.

Remember, building a genuine connection takes time and effort. Make sure you're always showing up consistently, and don't be afraid to let your personality shine through.

Stay true to your brand values and mission, and don't be afraid to let your passion for beauty entrepreneurship shine. With these things in mind, you'll be well on your way to fostering a community of loyal, engaged followers that will support your business growth on Instagram.

2. Narrow Down Content and Hashtags for Niche Appeal

I’m here with some tips on how to make the most out of your Instagram presence! Destiny said it best when she talked about the importance of narrowing down your content and hashtags for niche appeal.

When it comes to Hashtags, it's all about quality over quantity. Take the time to research which hashtags are most relevant to your niche, and don't be afraid to get specific!

This will help you connect with your target audience and stay ahead of the competition by identifying emerging trends and topics within your industry. But hashtags alone won't do the trick – consistency is key.

Make sure you're showing up regularly for your followers with valuable, engaging content that speaks to their interests and preferences. Don't forget to engage with them in a meaningful way! Respond to comments, direct messages, and account tags, and participate in community discussions and hashtag conversations related to your niche. This will help you create a deeper sense of loyalty and trust between your brand and potential clients.

By narrowing down your content focus and implementing tailored hashtags for niche appeal, you can establish a powerful brand identity and a loyal following on Instagram. When you combine that with authentic community engagement, you'll have a formidable tool for driving your business's success and growth.

So get out there, show off your expertise and passion for your niche, and watch as your Instagram presence takes off!

3. Utilize Location Tagging to Connect with the Local Community

If you're looking to boost your local community presence on Instagram, location tagging is the way to go! Not only does it allow you to showcase your physical location and attract potential clients nearby, but it also gives you the opportunity to engage with your existing followers on a more personal level.

When you encourage your clients to tag your location in their posts, you're not only increasing your visibility but also tapping into the power of user-generated content.

This means that your happy clients are promoting your business to their

followers, which is basically free advertising! Plus, by creating location-specific content and celebrating your local community, you're strengthening your brand identity and establishing yourself as a trusted expert in your niche.

So why not give location tagging a try? It's a simple yet effective way to connect with your local community and foster genuine relationships with your followers.

4. Engage with Potential clients by Visiting their Hangout Spots

As a lash artist, hairstylist, and makeup artist, I know how important it is to connect with potential clients on a personal level. That's why I make it a point to visit their hangout spots and engage in meaningful conversations about their beauty needs and concerns.

Whether it's at a coffee shop, a local boutique, or a community event, I love getting to know my audience and offering them personalized beauty advice and recommendations. By taking the time to understand their unique challenges and desires, I can create tailored solutions that truly make a difference in their lives.

Girl! Let me tell you, collaborating with fellow beauty professionals and brands on Instagram has been a game-changer for me. Not only has it expanded my reach and helped me tap into new networks of potential clients, but it's also given me the opportunity to learn from experts in my field and share my own experiences with others. If you don’t like meeting people in person there are so many other options available for you! From hosting Instagram Live collaborations to co-creating content with fashion stylists and photographers, the possibilities for growth and learning are endless. I personally love participating in styled shoots.

So, if you're a beauty entrepreneur like me, don't be afraid to get out there and connect with your audience in real life, and collaborate with like-minded professionals on Instagram. With a little bit of effort and a lot of passion, you can build an amazing community of loyal clients and fellow beauty enthusiasts who will support and empower you every step of the way.

5. Develop Aesthetic Consistency using Tools like “Canva”

I have a confession to make - I'm totally obsessed with Canva. Destiny and I have been using it to create some killer visuals for our Blended podcast, and let me tell you, it's a game-changer for your Instagram content too.

If you're looking to develop an aesthetic that's consistent, eye-catching, and totally on-brand, Canva has got you covered.

With a massive selection of fonts, images, and templates, you can create unique visuals that resonate with your audience and showcase your personal style. Plus, their user-friendly interface makes it super easy to craft Instagram Stories and feed posts that stand out from the crowd.

But Canva isn't just about looks - it can also help you track and analyze your Instagram performance. By monitoring engagement metrics and analyzing your target audience's preferences, you can refine your content and marketing strategies to attract more loyal clients with Canva's integration tools like Instagram Insights, you can make data-driven decisions that cater to the unique tastes and preferences of your ideal customers.

Incorporating tools like Canva into your Instagram strategy is a surefire way to elevate your brand and accelerate the growth of your beauty business. Trust me, once you start using it, you'll wonder how you ever managed without it.

6. Regularly Post Valuable Content & Schedule Posts in Advance

“Don't be pushy on social media… that turns people off. Come at it [like] … it's another avenue for you to care about your clients” — Sierra

It's so true that being pushy on social media can really turn people off. Instead, we need to approach it as another way to show that we care about our clients.

Provide them with value. So when it comes to regularly posting valuable content and scheduling posts in advance, it's important to keep this in mind. By planning ahead and creating a content calendar, we can ensure that we're consistently providing our audience with content that they'll find interesting, informative, or entertaining. And by using relevant hashtags and engaging captions, we can spark conversations and connect with our followers on a deeper level.

But we also need to remember that we can't be too salesy or pushy in our approach. Social media is about building relationships, not just making a quick sale. So we need to focus on providing value and being authentic in our interactions with our audience.

As I said, it's all about coming at it with the mindset that we're using social media as another way to show that we care about our clients. By doing this, we can foster genuine connections and build a loyal community of followers who trust and value our brand.

7. Stay Active & Engage with Followers for an Authentic Presence

To the beauty Pros and Lash industry enthusiasts! Let's chat about how you can keep your Instagram presence authentic and engaging for your followers.

We all know that being active on social media is crucial, but it's not just about posting content and calling it a day. You've got to engage with your followers in a meaningful way.

First things first, quality over quantity, my friend. When responding to comments or messages, take a genuine interest in what your followers are saying. Don't just fire off quick replies to check a box. Make them feel heard and valued. It's these types of personalized interactions that foster deeper connections and create a sense of community around your brand.

Engagement isn't just limited to responding to comments and messages. Mix it up! Host an Instagram Live session, create fun polls and quizzes, or share user-generated content on your feed or in your Stories. By diversifying how you interact with your followers, you keep things fresh and exciting, while also increasing the chances of your content being shared and your community growing organically.

Remember, don't be pushy on social media. As I said, "Come at it [like]... it's another avenue for you to care about your clients." Your followers will appreciate the genuine interest you show in them, and that will pay off in the long run.

So stay active, experiment with different forms of engagement, and always prioritize authenticity. That's the key to building a loyal, committed following that will help your beauty entrepreneur journey thrive.

8. Focus on Community and Connection over Numbers

Building a successful beauty business on Instagram isn't just about the numbers - it's all about community and connection. A great way to cultivate that connection is by leveraging user-generated content and involving your audience in your brand's story.

Ask your followers to share their experiences and perspectives related to your products or services. This can make them feel like they're part of the process, which is awesome! You can also give shoutouts to your most loyal and engaged followers, which can help to humanize your brand and foster a tight-knit community.

But it's not just about shoutouts and reposts. You also need to listen to your audience's feedback and engage with their comments, questions, and suggestions. Collaboration with other beauty industry professionals and influencers who share similar values, aesthetics, or target audiences can also contribute to the growth and success of your community-focused approach.

Plus, participating in charitable initiatives, raising awareness for social or environmental causes, and being an advocate for positive change can ultimately foster a sense of unity and shared values among your audience, reinforcing your commitment to community and genuine connection.

“So, don't get discouraged by your number of followers. Focus on giving value and being humanized.” — Destiny

Remember, your community is what counts! By prioritizing authentic engagement, mutual support, and user involvement, you can establish a devoted following, increase trust and loyalty, and ultimately monetize your brand through the power of connection and community-building.

9. Use a Free Content Planner for Structured Goal-Setting and Content Planning

Planning your content is key to achieving success on social media platforms like Instagram. Using a content planner provides structure and allows you to constantly analyze and optimize your strategy for maximum impact.

You can track which posts are performing the best when to post them, and what topics or formats resonate most with your audience. By refining and improving your plan, you'll foster a deep sense of connection between your brand and its followers, resulting in higher engagement rates and steady growth.

But it's not just about you - a content planner also encourages collaboration and creativity in your marketing and branding efforts. You can brainstorm ideas, outline themes, and organize campaigns with your team members, partners, or influencers in a structured space.

This collective input can lead to a stronger and more diverse content strategy, ultimately enriching your brand's authenticity and connection with its audience. Plus, it provides opportunities to cross-promote and endorse your brand through various channels.

So, if you're a beauty entrepreneur aiming to build authentic connections on Instagram, using a free content planner is a no-brainer. It's an invaluable tool for strategic content planning, goal-setting, analytics, optimization, and nurturing collaboration - all crucial elements for fostering genuine relationships with your audience and growing a thriving beauty business.

Don't hesitate to incorporate it into your strategy and witness remarkable results in brand visibility, audience engagement, and overall success.

Our “Authentic Voice & Connection” Key Takeaways from Our Episode

Connecting authentically with your Instagram audience is crucial as a Beauty entrepreneur. It's not just about having a strong online presence - it's about building the foundation for success.

You gotta understand the importance of each step in creating niche-specific, engaging content that stands out in the sea of competition. That way, you can turn those real connections with your audience into paying clients.

Remember, your aesthetic consistency, strategic location tagging, and active engagement are the keys to resonating with your audience. We're in the business of creating beauty and making people feel their best, so let's channel that same passion into our Instagram content and watch our community and business flourish together!

Curious about More? Check out our latest episode here.

Meet the Hosts of the Blended Podcast:

Destiny and Sierra are on a mission to create an authentic community within the beauty industry. As two female entrepreneurs deeply passionate about beauty and business, they strive to provide education in an accessible way as well as make sure every person has a place to call home.

Blended’s goal is to provide beauty professionals – both new and experienced - with an inspiring yet relatable platform full of helpful tips, fun stories, and support that is much needed within the beauty industry.

Follow Sierra @sirokilashstudio

Follow Destiny @destiny.works

SIROKI LASH STUDIO