If you’re a new Instagram user who’s ready to grow your following, or if you’re an experienced Instagrammer looking to step up your game, we’ve got 14 ways for you to do just that.
We’ll show you how to choose the right hashtags for your content and how often to use them, plus when the best times are for posting content so that it reaches your followers.
You’ll learn how to pick a consistent filter for all of your photos, tag relevant users in your posts and stories, offer unique value propositions and awesome stories with IGTV videos and Instagram Live videos, and shop directly from Instagram (and what to do if it doesn’t work).
Create links in bio pages on websites, go live using tips on talking like friends would talk (because they are!), and more!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content. |
| 2. Use relevant and trending hashtags effectively. |
| 3. Interact with your audience through comments. |
| 4. Collaborate with influencers in your niche. |
| 5. Post consistently to maintain follower interest. |
| 6. Optimize your Instagram bio for clear messaging. |
| 7. Run contests or giveaways to attract attention. |
| 8. Utilize Instagram Stories for real-time engagement. |
| 9. Experiment with different content formats. |
| 10. Engage with your followers’ content as well. |
1. Use The Right Hashtags
When it comes to hashtags, the more specific you can be, the better. You should use hashtags that are relevant to your content and audience. Not only will this help people find you on Instagram, but it also shows that you know how to communicate with them.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when using hashtags:
Avoid using too many tags at once (no more than 5). You don’t want it to look spammy or self-promotional; rather than trying to get people’s attention through sheer numbers of tags, focus on quality over quantity! Remember: less is more!
Make sure they’re appropriate for all ages or at least avoid anything overly offensive or NSFW (not safe for work).
It’s best not even start if there’s any possibility of controversy around something being posted through an account like yours there’s no point in posting anything if no one sees it anyway!
And besides–you never know when someone might screenshot something before posting it elsewhere…and then where does that leave us with our precious reputation?
Building your Instagram following from scratch might seem challenging, but with the right strategies, you can see significant growth. Discover actionable steps in our guide on How to Get Your First 1000 Instagram Followers to pave your way to success.
2. Put Them In Your Stories Too
Once you’ve built up your initial following, it’s time to start making the most of the platform. A great way to do this is by including hashtags in your Instagram stories and posts.
Hashtags bring together people who share similar interests and can help build a community around common topics—and if that’s something that interests you, then there are plenty of ways to use them on Instagram.
Hashtagging is especially useful when posting about things like events or products because it makes it easier for users looking for information about those subjects to find what they’re looking for.
You could even use hashtags as an opportunity to promote other people’s content: If someone else has posted an image that complements yours, tag them in the caption so people who see both will be able to see how well they go together!
3. Post Frequently, But Not Too Often
You can post too much or too little, but the sweet spot is somewhere in between. You don’t want to be posting so frequently that people start unfollowing you; if you’re posting every day, even if it’s just a photo of your lunch, followers will get annoyed and start unfollowing left and right.
On the other hand, if you’re only making one post per week and then nothing for a month (your account goes dark), it’ll look like you just don’t care about your audience anymore and no one wants that!
Most accounts try to find a balance between posting frequently enough to keep their followers engaged but not so often that they feel overwhelmed by constant updates from the same account and unfollowing them instead.
Crafting a solid Instagram marketing plan is crucial for brand growth. Learn how to master your strategy with these 15 Tips for Mastering Your Instagram Marketing Plan for Your Brand, ensuring that every post brings you closer to your follower goals.
4. Focus On Specific Days And Times To Post
Post on the days and times your audience is most likely to see your posts.
You can build a routine by posting at the same time every day, but that might not be the best idea if you’re trying to reach new followers who are interested in what you have to say at different times of the day.
For example, if someone who works in finance is more likely to check Instagram during lunchtime than right before going home for dinner, then it might make sense for them to post during those times so they don’t miss out on any potential viewers.
On the other hand, if they think their current following will stick around regardless of when they post (or maybe even increase).
Then they should consider posting during off hours because that would give their followers even more opportunities to engage with them throughout their workday versus only having one shot per week at reaching them via social media platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn.
It’s all about finding out what works best for everyone involved!
5. Use A Consistent Filter For All Of Your Photos
Another way you can make your Instagram account look more cohesive is to use the same filter for all of your photos. There are several reasons why this is important:
The filter will help make all of your pictures look good, which helps with engagement and makes people want to follow you.
For example, if you’re using a photo editing app like VSCO or Snapseed and they have filters built-in (which they do), it might be worth testing out each one and seeing which one looks best with your photos.
Not only does consistency help keep everything looking good across different images but it also helps viewers easily identify what kind of content they can expect from you on Instagram.
This makes them more likely to engage with future posts since they already know what kind of vibe they’ll get from checking out any given picture and that’s not something anyone wants!
6. Tag Relevant Users In Your Photos
Next, tag relevant users in your photos. This is another way to get your post seen by new people. For example, if you’re at a fashion show and you want your photo to be seen by the people who follow that brand’s account, tag them!
If you don’t know someone’s username but have found their Instagram handle on other posts or by searching for them directly on Instagram then tagging them is still possible! If you think it will be helpful for them to see this post and they won’t mind being tagged then go ahead!
In the world of Instagram marketing, leveraging the right tools can make a significant difference. Explore our recommended tools in 14 Instagram Marketing Tools You’re Missing Out On to streamline your efforts and enhance your follower engagement.
7. Share Behind-The-Scenes Looks At Your Business
Showing your audience what you do behind the scenes can help them feel like they’re part of the action.
Whether it’s a photo of your office, or an image of you working on a project in your home studio, showing how you spend your time away from posting content will give them insight into who you are and why they should follow along with your posts.
Showing what you do while at work helps people see how passionate and dedicated to your craft (and/or business) you are. Your followers want to know that they’re following someone who is dedicated to success!
It gives followers something else to talk about besides just posting pictures of themselves or their pets which makes it easier for them to share what they’ve done with friends and family so that others can learn more about the world around them too!
8. Offer A Unique Value Proposition
To get your first 1,000 followers on Instagram, you need to offer a unique value proposition. And what I mean by that is: be creative and helpful!
Ask yourself why people would want to follow you. Is it because of your content? Your personality? Your brand? Then make sure that the answer is all of the above.
It’s important to understand the value of being useful, funny, inspiring, and honest if you want more followers on Instagram. Now let me explain each one in more detail so we can figure out how they can help boost our chances of getting more followers:
9. Tell Awesome Stories With Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are a great way to tell a story about your business. You can also use them to share tips and tricks, or show followers how you create your products.
The point here is to create a narrative that people will want to follow and then continue that narrative as often as possible so new followers get interested in what’s going on with your company.
Instagram stories are also a great tool for attracting new followers by showing off your business in a fun and creative way! Use them often to keep people coming back and interacting with you, as well as sharing their content!
10. Use All Of The Features In Instagram Stories
Use all of the features in Instagram Stories. You can use filters and stickers, and you can add text with different fonts. You can doodle on your photos and even add captions to them.
You can also use the location feature to tag where you took a photo, which is a great way to build your brand’s authority by giving followers a behind-the-scenes look at your day-to-day life and what goes into making an image.
And finally, you can record videos that play automatically as a slideshow or loop once for 24 hours before disappearing permanently from someone else’s feed (or yours).
Growing your Instagram account without an initial following can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. Dive into strategies outlined in How to Grow Your Instagram Account When You Have No Following to jumpstart your journey to a thriving follower base.
11. Link To Products Or Blog Posts With Instagram’s Shoppable Feature
To add a link to your bio, choose “Edit profile” from the three dots in the top right corner of your profile. Then scroll down and tap on “Linked Accounts” and select Linked Apps. Under “Branded Links,” tap Connect with Shoppable Ads, then choose “Add Links.”
From there, you can choose from several different types of links including a link to your website, YouTube channel, and more!
To add a link directly from your story: swipe up on the screen (on mobile devices) whilst watching someone else’s story;
Select Create Story; tap + at the bottom of the screen; type what kind of content you want to share (for example I’m sharing my latest blog post!) followed by an @ mention if necessary; then click Next Step!
12. Create “Link In Bio” Content For IGTV And Instagram Live Videos So People Will Know What You’re Talking About When You Mention Products That Aren’t Shoppable Through Instagram Itself (Yet)
Link to your IGTV content in your bio, as well as in any Instagram Story or post where you talk about a product. This lets people who may not be following you on IGTV follow along with what’s going on there without having to go through the trouble of searching it out themselves.
It also gives them another way to find out about new products from brands they love and if they like what they see, who knows? Maybe they’ll buy something!
13. Go Live On Instagram Often, And Talk To Followers Like They’re Friends They Are!
Now that you’re ready to jump in and start building your Instagram following, it’s important to make sure that you’re creating the best possible content. When people see your posts, they should feel like they are getting a genuine look into your life.
If you’re struggling with the idea of sharing more personal things on social media then don’t worry–you don’t have to share everything! This is just an idea of how one could go about using Instagram stories as a way to connect with their followers.
It’s also important not to be afraid of making mistakes or showing flaws; after all, everyone makes mistakes!
A few years ago I posted a video on my story where I was teaching a class where there weren’t enough chairs for everyone who wanted one–so instead we sat on pillows around the room (it was pretty comfy).
My followers loved seeing me working hard and trying new things even though sometimes those things didn’t turn out as planned (luckily we had some extra pillows around!).
14. Another Link Hack Is To Use Your Bio URL, But Lead To A Special Page On Your Website Where People Can Access A Freebie, Like A Free Ebook Or PDF Guide You’ve Created That’s Only Offered To Instagram Followers As An Incentive To Follow You!
Another tip: use the same filter for all of your photos. The more cohesive your feed looks, the more likely it will stand out from other accounts.
If you’re just starting with Instagram marketing, you might be wondering where to begin. Check out these 15 Ideas to Get Started with Instagram Marketing for creative inspiration and actionable suggestions to propel your follower count and engagement.
Conclusion
My biggest tip for you is to remember that every Instagram account is unique, and what works best for one user may not work as well for another.
So take from this list the tips that resonate with you and fit where your business is at. You can always come back later to try out new tactics after a few months have passed because Instagram’s algorithm changes constantly!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you further enhance your Instagram follower growth strategies:
How to Get Your First 1000 Followers on Instagram: Explore practical tips and tactics to kickstart your Instagram journey and gain your initial followers.
Achieving 1000 Followers on Instagram: Discover insights and approaches that can lead you to your first 1000 followers on Instagram.
The Ultimate Guide to Gaining Instagram Followers: HubSpot provides a comprehensive guide that outlines strategies for effectively growing your Instagram follower count.
FAQs
How can I increase my Instagram followers organically?
Growing your Instagram followers organically involves consistently posting high-quality content, engaging with your audience, using relevant hashtags, and collaborating with others in your niche.
Should I focus on a specific niche when trying to gain followers on Instagram?
Yes, targeting a specific niche allows you to connect with a more relevant audience. This increases the chances of attracting followers who are genuinely interested in your content.
How frequently should I post on Instagram to attract more followers?
Consistency is key. Aim to post regularly, but ensure that your content maintains its quality. Posting too often without valuable content might lead to a decrease in follower engagement.
Can engaging with other users help me gain followers on Instagram?
Absolutely. Engaging with other users through likes, comments, and direct messages can help you build relationships and attract attention to your profile. Genuine interactions can lead to increased follower numbers.
Are there any paid strategies for gaining followers on Instagram?
Yes, Instagram offers advertising options that allow you to target specific audiences. However, it’s important to combine paid strategies with organic efforts to achieve sustainable and meaningful follower growth.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.