When it comes to Instagram, the way you set up and manage your account has a big impact on how you connect with your audience and grow your real estate business. Whether you're deciding between a personal, business, or creator account—or debating whether to combine your personal life and real estate business into one account—having a clear, strategic plan can make all the difference.

👇🏻 Let’s break down the account options, pros and cons of different strategies, and our top recommendations to help you maximize your Instagram presence.

Instagram Account Types: Personal, Business, or Creator?

Choosing the right account type is crucial for accessing the tools and insights you need to grow your real estate business. Here’s a breakdown of the features for each account type:

👉🏻 Personal Instagram Account

• Private Page Setup: You can set your account to private, allowing only approved followers to see your content.
• Post Scheduling: Personal accounts don’t support post scheduling via Instagram or third-party tools.
• Insights on Reach & Engagement: No access to analytics or follower demographics.
• Post Promotion: You cannot promote posts or run ads.

📲 Business & Creator Instagram Accounts

Both Business and Creator accounts unlock essential tools for real estate agents:

• Public Profile: These accounts don’t allow private settings, meaning all content is publicly accessible.
• Post Scheduling: You can schedule posts and Reels using Instagram’s Creator Studio or third-party platforms like Planoly or Hootsuite.
• Insights on Reach & Engagement: Access detailed analytics on your followers and content performance.
• Post Promotion: Both account types allow you to boost posts and run ads.
• Inbox Tools: Enjoy advanced features like message sorting, saved replies, and quick responses to DMs.

Business vs. Creator Accounts: What’s the Difference?

While both accounts offer essential features, here are some distinctions to help you choose:

• Scheduling Flexibility: Both accounts allow third-party scheduling, but Creator Studio is geared more toward Creator accounts.
• Profile Categories: Business accounts offer broader categories like "Real Estate Agent," while Creator accounts cater to personal branding categories like "Public Figure" or "Artist."
• Business Address on Profile: Only Business accounts allow you to display a physical business address, which is great for local marketing.
• Music Library: Creator accounts often have access to a wider range of trending music, which can help make your Reels more engaging.

Our Recommendation: For real estate agents, both account types are effective. Opt for a Business account if you need tools like a visible business address. Choose a Creator account if personal branding and creative flexibility are your focus.

One Account or Two? The Great Debate

One of the most common questions real estate agents ask is, “Should I combine my personal life and real estate business into one Instagram account, or create two separate accounts?” Here are the pros and cons of each approach to help you decide.

☝🏻 Reasons to Have One Account

Builds Authenticity & Trust: Sharing both personal and professional content creates a relatable, well-rounded presence.

Reach a Larger Audience: Tap into your existing network of friends, family, and acquaintances—they’re your first potential clients and referrers.

Saves Time & Energy: Managing one account simplifies your social media efforts and concentrates your engagement in one place, boosting your reach.

Perfect for Minimalists: If you don’t love spending time on social media, one account is easier to maintain while still building your brand.

💡 Pro Tip for a Single Account: Set up your profile as a Business Account and link it to your Facebook Business Page for advanced tools like post boosting and insights.

👉🏻 Reasons to Have Two Accounts

Love to Post Everything: If you enjoy frequently posting personal content (pets, workouts, family moments), a separate business account ensures your professional content stays polished and focused.

Privacy: Keep your personal life separate from your work life by maintaining two distinct accounts.

🤔 Considerations for Two Accounts:

• Ramp-Up Time: Building a new audience for your business account takes time, but it’s worth it for a polished professional presence.
• Balance Personal and Business Content: Even on a business account, include personal touches to show your personality—it’s what makes you relatable.
• Time Investment: Managing two accounts requires more effort, so ensure you have the time to consistently post and engage on both.

Our Recommendation: One Account for Real Estate Agents

Social media thrives on connection and authenticity, which is why we recommend combining your personal and business content into one account. For real estate agents, building trust and relationships is key—and a single account allows you to concentrate all your lead-generation, referral-building, and engagement efforts in one place.

Takeaways for Real Estate Agents

• Choose a Business or Creator Account: Unlock the tools you need to market effectively, like analytics, scheduling, and ads.
• Focus on Strategy: Whether you have one account or two, keep your content balanced between personal and professional to build trust and engage your audience.
• Simplify Your Social Media Game: Managing one account saves time and energy, while still allowing you to showcase both your expertise and personality.

Get the Most Out of Instagram with Coffee & Contracts

Struggling to keep up with Instagram? Coffee & Contracts makes it simple. With customizable templates, social media calendars, and creative tools designed specifically for real estate agents, we help you show up consistently and confidently.

Ready to simplify your marketing and grow your business? Join Coffee & Contracts today and get everything you need to dominate your Instagram game. 🚀