🎧 Listen to this blog post as a Podcast instead #91 - How To Fix Your “No One Sees My Posts” Problem (Without Spending a Penny)

If you’ve ever hit “post” on Instagram and heard crickets… this one’s for you.

In this episode, Steph breaks down a simple 15-minute visibility routine that’ll wake your account back up and get your posts seen again – without spending a penny on ads. You’ll learn exactly what to do before, during, and after you post so the algorithm knows you’re alive and active, not just shouting into the void.

No hacks, no fluff – just a proven rhythm that warms up your audience, boosts your reach, and brings your posts back to life (fast).

🎯 You’ll learn:
• Why your account isn’t “shadowbanned” – it’s just gone quiet
• The 3-step 15-minute visibility routine
• How to post smart, not hard
• What to do after you hit publish to double your reach

💡 Ready to take the guesswork out of social media?
👉 Join the Social Media Sidekick (SMS) for plug-and-post captions, Canva templates, and done-for-you content each month: https://www.handmadebosses.com/sms 

How To Fix Your “No One Sees My Posts” Problem (Without Spending a Penny)

Let’s be honest - nothing kills your motivation faster than spending ages crafting a post… and then watching it disappear into the Instagram void.

If you’ve ever hit “publish” and heard nothing but crickets, you’re not alone. Most handmade sellers assume they’ve been shadowbanned, but nine times out of ten, that’s not the issue. The real problem? You’re posting cold - and the algorithm has no idea you exist.

So let’s fix that.

This 15-minute visibility routine will help the algorithm see you again, boost your reach, and get your posts back in front of actual humans - without spending a penny.

Step 1: The 10-Minute Warm-Up Routine

Before you even think about posting, you need to wake up the room. Imagine walking into a craft fair and shouting “Hey, come look at my candles!” before saying hi to anyone. Awkward, right? That’s what posting cold is like.

Spend 10 minutes warming things up:

• Comment on five posts from your ideal customers (not other sellers). Be genuine - no “cute!” or “love this.” Write something that starts a conversation.
  
  
• Reply to your DMs or old comments. This re-opens chats and tells the algorithm you’re active.
  
  
• Post a story with a quick poll or question related to what you’ll share next - like “Which scent are you lighting tonight, cinnamon or vanilla?”
  
  

These tiny actions warm up your audience and your account - so when your post goes live, it’s more likely to actually be seen.

Step 2: Post Smart, Not Hard

Here’s where you make your content count.

Start your video or reel with movement - something simple like lighting a candle, glazing a mug, or pouring resin. Humans are wired to stop for motion. Then, add bold text on screen that acts as a hook (e.g. “The most viral candle pour ever - and here’s why”).

Finally, in your caption, ask a tiny call to action - something like “Would you gift this or keep it?” These quick replies boost engagement without feeling salesy.

Step 3: The 5-Minute Post-Posting Boost

Most people post, close the app, and walk away. Big mistake.

For five minutes after you post:

1. Reply to every single comment - even if it’s just emojis.
   
   
2. Leave a few comments on other recent posts using the same hashtags you just used.
   
   
3. Share your new post to your stories with an arrow sticker or poll.
   
   

This creates a little engagement loop - stories feed your posts, posts feed your stories - and your visibility snowballs.

Sam vs Lydia: The Difference It Makes

Sam posts a pretty photo, logs off, and wonders why only her aunt liked it.

Lydia does the 15-minute visibility routine - warms up, posts smart, stays active.

Same amount of effort, totally different results. Lydia’s posts get five times the reach and ten times the engagement… without spending a penny.

Your Homework

Try the full 15-minute visibility routine on your next post. Set a timer, stick to it, and see what happens. I bet you’ll notice a difference that same day.

Feeling Like You Just Don’t Have the Time?

If all this sounds great but you’re thinking, “I barely have time to post, let alone plan it all,” then you’re exactly who I built SMS (Social Media Sidekick) for.

Inside SMS, you’ll get:

✅ Ready-to-use captions that actually sell

✅ Canva templates in your brand style

✅ A monthly content calendar done for you

✅ Hooks, hashtags, and story ideas that make your life easier

It’s everything you need to stay visible - without spending hours glued to your phone.

👉 Learn more and join SMS here: https://www.handmadebosses.com/sms

You don’t need to work harder to be seen. You just need a better system - and now you’ve got one.

Love Steph & Team HB xox

👋 Welcome everyone! My name is Steph, I've been running my handmade business full time on Etsy since 2016, and I'm here to help you! 

🧡 I'll help you to start an Etsy shop, Etsy ads, show you how to sell more on Etsy, get to grips with Etsy SEO, Etsy branding, Etsy product ideas, finding your target market, identifying your niche and many many more.

🛍️ If you have an Etsy shop or your own website selling handmade products, or want to start one, this is THE channel you need to be subscribed to!

💰 I help makers start, run and scale their handmade businesses. Turning them from an expensive hobby to profitable businesses making 4 and 5 figure months on Etsy and your own website.

✨ Join the HBSA waitlist

✨ Free resources: Want to make headway in your business but don't want to pay yet? You're in the right place! 

✨ Work with us for deeper transformative results

✨I go live most Mondays on YouTube and in my Facebook group for mini workshops to help you make more money from your handmade business! You can see our upcoming events here

That’s all for now! Be sure to subscribe and follow us on IG for announcements of new videos, workshops, content and more.