Use Music to Make Production Reels for Clients
Reels perform better when they include trending music, but most business accounts are limited to royalty-free tracks. To unlock full access to Instagram’s music library, set your business category to "Entrepreneur" and leave the industry field blank.
Use music that you actually enjoy. When you time transitions and cuts to the beat, your reels will feel more natural and engaging. This process gets easier with practice, and after a few reels, you will start to recognize the best moments in a song to emphasize.
Focus on showcasing the final product in a way that highlights the client’s brand. If you print for a band, use one of their songs. If you print for a gym, choose a high-energy track. This makes your reels more shareable and increases the chances of reaching potential customers.
Post Collaborative Reels with Your Favorite Clients
Collaborative posts are one of the fastest ways to reach new customers. When you invite a client to collaborate on a post, it will appear on both of your accounts, exposing your work to their entire audience.
These posts should focus on your client’s business, not your printing process. Show how the design fits into their brand. A brewery’s new merch should be presented as part of their lifestyle and culture, not just as a product you printed. When you create content that helps your clients sell more shirts, they will be much more likely to accept your collaboration request.
This approach also gets your work in front of more businesses in the same industry. Just as screen printers follow other print shops, coffee shops follow other coffee brands, breweries follow other breweries, and bands follow other bands. If you print for one business, its competitors and industry peers may see your work and reach out.
To invite a client to a collaborative post, create a reel as usual, go to the "Tag People" option, and select "Invite Collaborator." Once they accept, the post will appear on both of your accounts.
Cold DM Strategy
The best way to build relationships with local businesses is to engage with them before making a pitch. Start by leaving thoughtful comments, liking their posts, and replying to their stories. A simple compliment in the comments or DMs helps establish familiarity without asking for anything in return.
Follow businesses in your area and interact with their content regularly. Over time, this builds a natural connection. If they ever post about needing team uniforms, event merchandise, or branded apparel, you can reach out without it feeling like a cold pitch. Since they already recognize your name, they are more likely to respond.