Let me spill the truth: I never planned to become an Instagram 'influencer.' In fact, in 2018, I just wanted to sell a few quirky t-shirts without driving my friends nuts. But against all odds (and my own awkwardness), my print-on-demand Instagram unexpectedly hit 40,000 followers. Did it happen overnight? Absolutely not. There were cringe-worthy posts, epic flops, and a bunch of experiments along the way. If you want cookie-cutter hacks, this isn’t it. But if you’re curious about what genuinely worked for a regular creator (plus a few wild curveballs), keep reading. Warning: charts and magic formulas are overrated. Real talk only.
1. Why Consistency Trumps Overnight Success: My Unfiltered Instagram Journey
Let me be real with you: my Instagram growth story is anything but an overnight success. Instagram growth isn’t a magic trick—it’s a marathon. When I started my print-on-demand journey on Instagram back in 2018, I had zero clue what I was doing. Zero followers, zero strategy, and honestly, zero expectations. Fast forward to today, and I’m sitting at around 40,000 followers. But here’s the thing: it took years, not months.
"I've been doing Instagram for a long, long time. Probably since 2018. Something like that. So it's been a while. That's how long it took me to get here."
In the early days, I posted every single day—sometimes even two or three times a day. It wasn’t always easy, but I quickly learned that Instagram consistency is what the algorithm loves most. Research shows that regular posting habits help keep your content in front of your audience and maintain steady engagement. Now, I recommend aiming for at least three posts a week. If you can do more, great! But don’t burn out.
One thing I noticed early on: Instagram engagement metrics can be all over the place. Some posts bombed with barely any likes, while others unexpectedly took off. It’s easy to get discouraged when you see a post flop, but that’s just part of the game. For my account, I consider under 100 likes below average, 100-200 likes as average, and anything over 200 likes is excellent. But these numbers are personal—what’s “good” for me might be different for you. For a brand-new account, even five likes can be a win.
If you want to crack the code on Instagram likes and followers, start by studying profiles you admire. Hover over their posts, check their engagement, and set realistic benchmarks for yourself. But remember, your growth curve is unique. Comparing yourself to industry experts can be helpful for inspiration, but don’t let it discourage you.
Mixing up your content variety strategies—like sharing carousels, reels, and behind-the-scenes shots—also helps keep your feed fresh and your audience interested. Studies indicate that a blend of value-driven posts and product showcases works best for sustained Instagram growth.
At the end of the day, consistency and patience will take you further than any quick hack. The algorithm rewards those who show up, experiment, and stick with it—even when the likes don’t roll in right away.
2. Carousels, Panels & Visual Storytelling: My Oddly Addictive Secret Weapons
Let me be honest: I’ve tried just about every Instagram content format you can imagine as a print on demand seller. Single images, four-panel posts, 3x3 grids, and everything in between. It took a lot of trial and error, but I finally cracked what works for my audience—and it’s not what I expected at first.
Instagram carousel posts, especially those featuring multiple design variations, have become my secret weapon. I’m not talking about posting the same t-shirt in five different colors. What actually gets people to stop scrolling are carousels packed with completely different designs. When I post a carousel with four unique designs, I consistently see over 200 likes. That’s a solid number for my account, and it’s a clear sign that variety keeps people interested.
Panels and visually appealing grid layouts are another game changer. I’ve experimented with 3x3 grids—nine designs in one post—and the results have been incredible. One of my 3x3 panel posts hit over 320 likes, which is among the highest engagement I’ve ever seen. As I like to say:
“So you can see really, really good. So if you do a 3 by 3, even better, at least for me.”
Why do these formats work so well? Research shows that people spend more time on posts with multiple images or complex designs. The longer someone lingers, the more likely they are to like, comment, or share—and the Instagram algorithm loves that. It’s not just about showing off products; it’s about giving your audience something to explore. Panels, collages, and grouped designs invite followers to dive into the details, which means more engagement for you.
Another unexpected insight: showing behind-the-scenes content or before-and-after stages of my design process in a carousel post really slows the scroll. People are curious about how things are made, and these posts always spark more interaction.
Tools like Placeit have been a lifesaver for creating professional-looking mockups and grids. I can quickly drop my designs onto lifestyle images or create multi-product panels without any hassle. Using Placeit for mockups not only saves time but also elevates the quality of my Instagram content, making my feed look cohesive and polished.
For print on demand sellers, mixing up your Instagram content formats is essential. Carousels, panels, and creative grid layouts aren’t just visually appealing—they’re proven strategies for boosting engagement and growing your following.
3. Not Every Post Has to Sell: Giving Value With Tips, Lists, and Behind-the-Scenes Chaos
When I first started out as a print on demand seller on Instagram, my instinct was to simply post my products. I thought, “If I show off my latest designs, people will want to buy them.” But honestly? Engagement was pretty underwhelming. Most product-only posts barely cracked 100 likes. It felt like shouting into the void, hoping someone would notice.
Things changed when I started experimenting with educational content ideas and mixing up my content variety strategies. Instead of just showing what I made, I began sharing how I made it. Lists like “8 Most Popular Designs” or “Nine Easy Text Styles” performed way better—some of these carousels hit nearly 200 likes. As I put it in one post,
Nine easy text styles. So I'm giving a list of valuable things, right here. So that's really good. So you can do that too.
Research shows that print on demand sellers who focus on teaching, entertaining, and inspiring their audience build a more loyal following. I found that sharing my design process, step-by-step breakdowns, and lessons learned not only increased engagement but also built trust and community. People love seeing the chaos behind the scenes—what went wrong, what worked, and the little tricks I picked up along the way.
I borrowed a page from Gary Vee’s playbook—his Give, Give, Give approach. Instead of always pushing for a sale, I focused on giving value first. Here are some content ideas that worked for me and can work for you too:
Educational carousels: Share tips, tutorials, or “how I did this” posts.
Lists: Favorite fonts, color combos, best-selling products, or niche-specific tips (like “9 Tips for Chihuahua Owners”).
Behind-the-scenes: Show your design process, workspace, or even your mistakes.
Entertaining posts: Funny quotes, memes, or reels that relate to your audience.
Inspirational stories: Before-and-after transformations, customer success stories, or your own creative journey.
Mixing product posts with value-driven content is key. Motivational quotes alone didn’t do much for my engagement, but when I combined education, entertainment, and inspiration, my Instagram growth strategies really started to pay off. And this approach isn’t just for print on demand sellers—it works across any niche. The trick is to know your audience and consistently give them something worth saving or sharing.
4. When Reels Outperform Quotes: Experimenting With Video (and Surviving the Flops)
If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you know that Instagram Reels are everywhere. I’ll be honest: I was late to the party. For a long time, my feed was packed with quote graphics and motivational snippets. They looked nice, but the engagement? Not so much. Most of my inspirational or quote-only posts hovered under 100 likes, which felt a bit underwhelming considering the effort that went into designing them.
But once I started experimenting with short-form video, things changed. Instagram content formats like Reels blend entertainment and teaching in a way that static posts just can’t match. My first few Reels were simple—showing a quick design process, a drawing transformation, or a behind-the-scenes look at my print-on-demand workflow. To my surprise, these videos consistently outperformed my quote graphics. Educational Reels about design, for example, reached up to 175 likes. Even the “okay” ones, sitting around 130 or so, still beat my best static posts.
It wasn’t just about likes, either. Instagram engagement metrics like saves and shares were noticeably higher on Reels, especially for how-to content. People love seeing the process, not just the finished product. One of my most popular Reels was a simple “how to draw a banner” tutorial. It wasn’t fancy, but it was practical—and that’s what resonated.
Of course, not every Reel is a hit. Some flopped. I remember scrolling through my analytics and thinking,
'Let me show you one here. So, well that's not a great example. That's only eighty four. Let me go back.'
But even my less successful Reels outperformed most of my motivational posts. That’s the thing with video: the average is just higher.
One big lesson? Hashtags for Instagram growth matter. I made the rookie mistake of forgetting to add relevant hashtags to a couple of “level up” Reels—posts celebrating milestones like hitting 39k or 40k followers. The result? Lower reach and fewer likes. When I remembered to use strategic hashtags, the difference was clear. Research shows that proper hashtag use can boost discoverability and engagement, especially on video content.
So, if you’re looking for Instagram growth strategies, don’t underestimate the power of Reels. Focus on educational or process-driven videos, and always double-check your hashtags. Even if a Reel flops, it’ll likely outperform your static posts—and you’ll learn what your audience wants to see next.
5. Wild Cards & Audience Play: Before-and-Afters, Polls, and Letting Followers Choose
If you’re looking to boost your Instagram engagement, let me tell you—interactive posts are pure gold. I learned this firsthand as a print-on-demand seller. The trick? Give your audience a say. Whether it’s a simple poll, a “Which do you prefer?” carousel, or a before and after post, these interactive posts on Instagram invite people to stop, look, and participate. And that’s where the magic happens for Instagram audience interaction.
Let’s start with multiple-choice posts. You don’t need anything fancy. Sometimes, I’ll post two or three design options and ask, “Which one should I use for my next product?” The comments pour in. People love to weigh in, especially when it feels like their opinion matters. This isn’t just for design. If you’re in the pet niche, for example, you could ask, “Which dog treat do you like best?” or “Which breed is your favorite?” These Instagram polls quizzes work in any niche and always seem to spark conversation.
But the real game-changer for me has been before and after posts. I’ll show the evolution of a sticker design—from the rough draft to the final version—using a carousel. These posts consistently outperform others. One of my before-and-after carousels hit 369 likes, which is huge for my account. Another batch of these posts regularly landed in the high 200s for likes. What’s happening here? People are curious. They want to see the transformation, the process, and the story behind the product. It’s not just a picture; it’s a mini-journey.
Research shows that interactive posts, especially before-and-afters and polls, build connection and increase engagement metrics. When you invite your audience to participate, you’re not just chasing likes—you’re stirring up emotion and building a sense of community. As I’ve noticed, “I think the reason this does well is because people again are stopping and looking and and trying to you know pick something. So you can see I get a lot of comments as well because I’m asking, which one of these should I use for my design?”
Of course, not every experiment is a hit. Some achievement posts flopped—unless I paired them with the right hashtags, then they’d climb up to 215 likes. The lesson? Keep mixing it up. Use feedback, before-and-after posts, and interactive content to keep your Instagram engagement strategies fresh. Let your followers play a part in your journey, and watch your community—and your numbers—grow.
Conclusion: Embrace the Awkward, Share Value, and Let Your Weird Shine
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a print on demand seller navigating Instagram, it’s that growth is rarely tidy. Instagram marketing strategies aren’t about chasing perfection—they’re about showing up, experimenting, and letting your personality shine through. The truth is, no single post type or formula will guarantee success forever. What works today might flop tomorrow. And honestly? That’s part of the fun.
When I first started, I obsessed over getting my grid just right. I’d stress about whether a lifestyle shot or a product mockup would get more likes. But over time, I realized that my most successful posts were the ones that offered real value—whether that was a carousel breaking down my design process, a before-and-after transformation, or a funny, relatable quote that made people smile. Research shows that process-focused posts and educational carousels drive high engagement for print on demand sellers. It’s not just about showing off your products; it’s about sharing your journey, your lessons, and even your missteps.
I’ve learned to blend product shots with educational content and interactive posts. Asking my audience to vote on designs or sharing a quick how-to keeps my Instagram audience interaction strong. Sometimes, I’ll post something just for laughs or to inspire, and those moments of authenticity are what really connect with people. As Gary Vee says,
'Just to give, give, give and I followed that.'
That principle has shaped my Instagram growth strategies more than anything else.
Here’s the thing: people can tell when you’re just trying to sell. If every post is a pitch, you’ll get hearts, maybe, but not real followers. Instead, focus on giving—education, entertainment, inspiration, even a peek behind the scenes at your failures. That’s where the magic happens. Studies indicate that mixing content variety strategies—like reels, carousels, and interactive stories—keeps your feed fresh and your audience engaged.
So, embrace the awkward. Share your value. Let your weird shine. Instagram growth for print on demand sellers is about authenticity, creative risk-taking, and a willingness to learn through action. Enjoy the process, because the only thing more contagious than creativity is authenticity. And remember: perfection isn’t required, but persistence is.
Instagram growth for print-on-demand sellers is all about consistency, showcasing real value, and mixing it up with creative content like carousels, before-and-afters, and the occasional experiment. No shortcuts… just smart strategy and relatable content.
