How to Quit Instagram and Market Your Business Without It

Entrepreneurship

Jan 9

woman taking selfie video on instagram in her car

For many entrepreneurs, Instagram feels like a lifeline. It’s the place to showcase your work, connect with an audience, and grow your brand. But the constant pressure to post, engage, and stay visible can be exhausting. What if you could build a thriving business without it?

In my earlier post, "Why Quitting Instagram for 2 Months Was Amazing", I shared how stepping away gave me clarity, creativity, and a renewed focus on my goals. Life didn’t fall apart. Instead, I found healthier, more intentional ways to connect with my audience and grow my business.

This post dives deeper into the benefits of life beyond Instagram: how stepping back can ignite creativity, reduce FOMO, and inspire new ways of fostering genuine connections. We’ll explore:

Setting up a minimalist Instagram profile to redirect followers elsewhere.
Marketing your business without Instagram.
Strategies to reduce the fear of missing out (FOMO).
The emotional benefits of unfollowing competitors and frenemies.

Whether you want to quit Instagram entirely or reduce your dependence on it, this post will show you how to reclaim your time, energy, and creativity while still growing your business.

Why Quit Instagram? A Recap.

In my original post, I shared a surprising discovery: life went on without Instagram. My business didn’t crumble. My relationships didn’t suffer. Instead, I gained clarity, time, and purpose.

When I unintentionally quit Instagram for two months, my initial frustration turned into an unexpected revelation: life and business didn’t just go on—they flourished.

Without the constant pull of notifications, I found:

More focus and energy for meaningful projects.
Greater presence in personal and family moments.
A clearer perspective on what truly mattered in my business.

But there’s more to this story. Social media platforms like Instagram are designed to be addictive, triggering dopamine-driven behaviors that can lead to stress and comparison. Research shows that even a brief break from social media can significantly improve mental health.

For entrepreneurs, this is especially important. While Instagram can be a helpful tool, it often fosters FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), unnecessary pressure, and a sense of competition. Platforms like Instagram can increase FOMO, leading to anxiety, reduced life satisfaction, and even envy.

While Instagram can be a helpful tool for business, it’s easy to overestimate its importance. Many entrepreneurs, especially women, feel pressured to maintain a polished online presence. The truth? There are other ways to build meaningful connections and a thriving business without constantly posting.

Stepping back can reveal just how much the platform consumes your time and mental energy. Here are the main reasons to consider quitting Instagram—or significantly limiting its role in your business.

01. Reclaim Your Time

The average user spends over 2 hours daily on social media (and that’s probably an underestimation). That adds up to more than 30 days a year spent scrolling. Imagine redirecting that time into high-impact marketing strategies, creative projects, or simply enjoying life offline.

When I quit Instagram, I suddenly had hours of free time each week. That extra space allowed me to focus on projects that moved the needle for my business—writing, email marketing, and creating valuable content for my audience.

It also allowed me to fill that “doom-scrolling” time with personal priorities like meal planning and even just taking a quick cat nap in the afternoon.

02. Reduce Comparison and FOMO

Instagram encourages constant comparison. Seeing polished snapshots of competitors’ successes can make you feel like you’re always falling behind. But those curated images rarely reflect reality.

There’s nothing more irritating than when a competitor or business “frenemy” posts content similar to yours, or markets a product that was your idea first (or at least that’s what you think).

Quitting Instagram helped me focus on my own path without the noise of what others were doing. I became more confident in my decisions and less reactive to trends.

03. Improve Mental Health

Social media use is linked to higher rates of anxiety, depression, and stress. Stepping back from Instagram can significantly improve your mental well-being, giving you more clarity and emotional resilience.

I know I’ve been using social media too much when I start to think in “Instagram Captions”. When I’m in the middle of a moment, a thought, or seeing something beautiful and I immediately start crafting a post in my head about it.

To me, that means Instagram has hijacked my thoughts. It’s taking me away from the moment and into the clutches of creating more content to serve the algorithm.

How to Transition Away From Instagram

Leaving Instagram doesn’t mean abandoning your audience. With the right approach, you can maintain (and deepen) connections and build your business while stepping back from the platform.

01. Communicate Your Plan

Your audience doesn’t need to feel abandoned. If you’re stepping away, let them know where to find you and how to stay connected.

Example Post:
"Hey friends! I’ve decided to step back from Instagram to focus on creating deeper, more valuable content for you. You can find me at [yourwebsite.com], where I share exclusive tips, updates, and resources. Thank you for your support!"

Make it your own by editing for your brand voice so it sounds like you! This message reassures your followers and makes it easy for them to transition with you.

02. Create a Placeholder Profile

If you’re ready to step back but aren’t quite ready to completely abandone or delete your account, a placeholder Instagram profile can serve as a low-maintenance middle ground. Think of it as a digital "out of office" sign or business card that directs people to where they can truly connect with you.

Key Elements of a Placeholder Profile:

Clear and Honest Bio

Let people know you’re not active on Instagram and where to find you instead.
Example:
💌 Weekly tips + insights: [Insert Newsletter Link]
🌐 More about me: [Your Website]
🚫 Not active here. Let’s connect elsewhere!

Pinned Posts or Story Highlights

Create a pinned post or Story Highlight to provide context:
"Hey! I’m focusing on creating deeper connections off Instagram. Join my email list for updates and tips: [Link]."

Linktree or Instagram Landing Page

Use a tool like Linktree or Koji to share links to your blog, services, or freebies.
Even better, create a simple Instagram landing page on your own website so you get the traffic, not some other app.

Minimal Maintenance

The beauty of a placeholder profile is that it requires no ongoing effort. You’ve communicated your availability and can let the account sit while focusing on other priorities.

This strategy keeps the door open for followers while freeing you from the pressure of daily posting.

03. Gradually Reduce Usage

If quitting cold turkey feels too overwhelming, start by setting boundaries:

Turn off notifications to minimize distractions.
Use your desktop computer to login and respond to comments and messages - just like any other task with a time limit.
Limit daily usage in the app to 15–30 minutes using apps like Freedom or Screen Time.
Schedule Instagram-free days to break the habit.

How to Market Your Business Without Instagram

Quitting Instagram doesn’t mean giving up growth. In fact, many businesses thrive using alternative strategies that provide better long-term results.

If you’re thinking, But I need Instagram for my business, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need it to succeed. Here are strategies to market effectively without relying on Instagram:

01. Build an Engaged Email List

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience. Unlike Instagram, you own your email list—and you’re not at the mercy of algorithms.

Steps to Grow and Use Your Email List:

Create a Lead Magnet: Offer a free resource (e.g., a guide, checklist, or template) in exchange for email sign-ups. Example: A fitness coach might offer a “7-Day At-Home Workout Plan.”
Engage Consistently: Send regular newsletters with a mix of tips, stories, and promotions.
Personalize Content: Use segmentation to deliver tailored emails based on your audience’s interests.

Email allows you to build deeper relationships with your audience while driving sales and engagement.

02. Focus on Blogging and SEO

Blogging is an evergreen way to drive traffic to your website while establishing yourself as an authority. By optimizing your posts for search engines, you’ll attract readers who are already searching for your expertise.

How to Succeed with Blogging:

Target Specific Keywords: Use tools like Ubersuggest to identify high-traffic keywords (e.g., “quit Instagram,” “market your business without social media”).
Write Long-Form Content: Posts of 1,500+ words perform better in search engines and provide more value to readers.
Include Strong Calls-to-Action: Guide readers to subscribe to your email list or explore your services.

Blogging is a powerful way to build visibility and drive consistent traffic to your website. More than anything else, blogging has proven to be the #1 traffic generator for my website for the last 10 years.

Every time I have slacked off with blogging and focused on social media marketing instead, my traffic has suffered.

03. Leverage Pinterest

Pinterest acts as a visual search engine, making it ideal for driving traffic to your website, blog, or products.

Tips for Pinterest Success:

Design Eye-Catching Pins: Use tools like Canva to create vertical pins with compelling headlines.
Optimize Descriptions: Add keywords to your pin descriptions to improve searchability.
Pin Regularly: Post 5–10 pins daily to build momentum and increase reach. Use a scheduler like Tailwind to batch and schedule your content.

Unlike Instagram, Pinterest focuses on evergreen content, giving your pins a longer lifespan.

🤔Did You Know? Pinterest marketing used to be my bread and butter, but I shifted to teaching skills that are evergreen and needed by other Type-A moms just like me. You can read my top, most-read, often cited Pinterest blogs here.

04. Network on LinkedIn

For B2B businesses and service providers, LinkedIn offers a professional platform to connect with potential clients and collaborators. Personally, LinkedIn is not my jam, but I know lots of peers who have had great success making valuable connections that have led to more business.

How to Use LinkedIn Effectively:

Share thought leadership posts and articles.
Join LinkedIn groups related to your industry.
Engage with your connections by commenting on their posts.

05. Host Events and Webinars

Hosting workshops, webinars, or in-person events can help you build deeper relationships with your audience. Promote these through email or local networking groups.

After you do them live, post the recording on YouTube or in a blog to gain more traffic to your website.

Overcoming FOMO: Shifting Your Mindset

One of the biggest challenges of quitting Instagram is the fear of being left out, missing out on coversations and trends, and feeling like you’re not part of the “conversation” on that platform. Here’s how to reduce FOMO and shift your mindset:

01. Unfollow Competitors and Frenemies

One of the most liberating steps you can take—even if you don’t quit Instagram entirely—is curating your feed. By unfollowing accounts that spark comparison or anxiety, you’ll free up emotional energy for what matters most.

02. Focus on Real Connections

Social media fosters surface-level relationships. By stepping away, you can invest more time in genuine connections, like one-on-one conversations or in-person meetups.

03. Replace Scrolling with Offline Activities

Redirect your Instagram time into fulfilling offline activities:

Start journaling or painting.
Explore a new hobby, like photography or gardening.
Spend more time outdoors to recharge.
Read interesting books about your industry or take an online course.

04. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude practices can improve mental well-being and reduce feelings of inadequacy. Consider starting a daily gratitude journal or using an app like Gratitude to track your blessings.

Overcoming FOMO: The Unseen Benefits

Stepping away from Instagram is more than just a productivity hack—it’s a chance to rediscover what makes life meaningful. Here’s what you might experience:

01. Increased Creativity

Without constant comparisons, your creative energy will flow more freely. You’ll have the mental space to brainstorm new ideas, experiment, and innovate. Free from trends, you’ll develop unique concepts and more original ideas.

Your algorithm is designed to keep you stuck in your own echo chamber. When you stop the scroll, engage, and click, Instagram will keep showing you more and more of the same kind of content and people.

Worse yet, your circle will actually get smaller in scope. You’ll only see content from accounts Instagram can “triangulate” through other accounts and content you’re connected to—which makes your circle of awareness teeny tiny and stuck. You’ll only see the same ideas, regurgitated by the same copy cat people.

02. Deeper Relationships

As I mentioned in my earlier post, social media relationships can’t replace real ones. Taking a step back allows you to invest in face-to-face interactions and meaningful conversations.

I have good friends all over the world that I met online in various groups and through social media—but it wasn’t until we took our conversations off of social media that they were nutured in a meaningful way.

03. Heightened Presence

Living in the moment becomes easier without the pressure to document everything. You’ll find joy in small, unfiltered experiences that don’t need validation from others.

My children still do amazing, crazy things. I still see the beauty of nature on my walks. I still have daily interactions with others that spark ideas. All those things still happen regardless of whether I document it for Instagram and my largely unknown audience.

Common Misconceptions About Quitting Instagram

“I’ll Lose All My Clients or Sales.”

Your best clients don’t rely solely on Instagram to connect with you. By prioritizing email marketing and other channels, you’ll retain loyal followers while attracting new ones.

“I’ll Miss Important Trends.”

Trends are fleeting. Instead of chasing them, focus on strategies with long-term value, like blogging and community-building.

“My Competitors Will Leave Me Behind.”

Competition exists on every platform, not just Instagram. Your unique voice and approach are what set you apart—not the number of likes on your posts.

Does This Post Speak To Your Heart?

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Conclusion

Quitting Instagram isn’t about giving up connection or growth—it’s about reclaiming control over your time, energy, and creativity. By focusing on email marketing, blogging, and intentional connections, you can grow your business without relying on social media.

Your next step? Start by reducing your Instagram usage or creating a placeholder profile. Then, invest in alternative marketing strategies that align with your goals. You’ll be amazed at the freedom and growth that come with stepping back.

Life beyond Instagram is full of possibilities. By stepping back, you’ll rediscover creativity, deepen connections, and find innovative ways to market your business. For more tips and insights, revisit my original post "Why Quitting Instagram for 2 Months Was Amazing" and explore my eBook Distraction-Free Living.

How to Quit Instagram and Market Your Business Without It