# How do I protect my business if something happens to my Instagram?

> Collect emails or phone numbers from the people who DM you, download your leads as a CSV file regularly, and keep your own link page and media kit. On Scale, new leads can also go straight to your own sheet or CRM.

- Topic: Grow with Replavia
- In the app: Open Lead Inbox — https://app.replavia.com/contacts
- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- Web page: https://replavia.com/help/build-an-audience-you-own

Your followers live on Instagram, and Instagram decides the rules. Most creators never have a serious problem. Still, a business that depends on one app is safer with a plan B. These habits take little time.

## 1. Collect a way to reach people

An email address or phone number is a contact you can use outside Instagram. Ask for it when people already want something from you, like your free guide.

In your automation, find **Collect their contact info** and choose **Ask for email** or **Ask for phone**. Each answer is saved in your **Lead Inbox**. This works on every plan. See [How to turn Instagram followers into an email list](https://replavia.com/help/turn-instagram-followers-into-an-email-list).

**Tip:** tell people what you will send them. A clear promise, kept, means fewer people unsubscribe later.

## 2. Download your leads often

1. Open **Lead Inbox** in the menu.
2. Click **Export CSV**.
3. Save the file somewhere safe, outside Replavia.

Once a month is a good habit. Every plan can export. On Free, the file holds the leads you can see, up to 1,000. See [How to export leads](https://replavia.com/help/export-and-sync-leads).

## 3. Sync to your own tools on Scale

On the Scale plan, new leads can go straight into tools you own. Choose Google Sheets, HubSpot, Zapier, Make or your own server. Then you always have a live copy, with no download to remember. See [When do I need the Scale plan?](https://replavia.com/help/when-to-move-to-scale)

## 4. Keep your own pages

Your media kit and link page live at your own address on app.replavia.com. They do not depend on an Instagram post staying up. Share the links in emails and with brands, not only in your bio.

See [How to make a media kit](https://replavia.com/help/media-kit) and [How to make a link-in-bio page](https://replavia.com/help/link-page).

## 5. If your Instagram connection drops

Sometimes Instagram stops accepting Replavia's login, for example after a password change. Replavia then pauses that account's automations and tells you by email and in the dashboard.

Your automations and leads are kept. Click **Reconnect**, sign in again, then switch your automations back on. See [How to reconnect Instagram](https://replavia.com/help/reconnect-instagram).

## What Replavia cannot do

- Replavia cannot restore an Instagram account. That is between you and Instagram.
- Replavia cannot message people outside Instagram for you, except follow-up emails on Pro and Scale.
- Exports never include a person's Instagram user id.

## Good to know

- People who reply STOP are not messaged by your automations again. If someone unsends the message with their email, Replavia deletes it. See [STOP and unsubscribe](https://replavia.com/help/stop-and-unsubscribe).
- Use the contacts you collect the way you promised. Many countries have rules about marketing emails and messages.