You spend hours planning and creating Instagram content. Everything is fine for a brief moment after you press the “Share” button. You’re certain you’ve written something fantastic.
Then there was radio silence. Alternatively, a few likes and comments from your small group of followers. But how do you get more Instagram followers if not by posting great content?
There is no step-by-step guide to growing your Instagram account. However, there are best practises that will assist you in reaching a larger audience and gaining new followers.
1. Optimize your Instagram account
Before you worry about how to get followers on Instagram, consider how your account is set up.
Do you think your profile “looks the part?” To begin, consider your:
Your Instagram bio (which should include a slogan, tagline, and/or a branded hashtag)
Your profile photo
link to your bio (and where it points to)
Having a searchable username: Stick to your brand name or something close to your existing social handles. If your name is too long, shorten it to something your target audience will recognize
Professionalize your profile picture: A logo of the appropriate size is ideal. On a smartphone screen, any text in your profile picture should be legible.
Take care where you place your bio link: This is critical for converting Instagram followers into relevant traffic or customers. It’s your only option for driving social traffic to your website and promotions.
2.Maintain a consistent content calendar.
Momentum is important on Instagram. In other words, if you post at random on Instagram, you’re unlikely to gain followers.
Your audience is built by creating content and providing value. Doing so on a regular basis is what helps you keep them. Don’t let your Instagram account become dusty.
That is why maintaining a consistent posting schedule is critical. When it comes to when and how much to post, there is no hard and fast rule. Most brands post on a daily or near-daily basis. This corresponds to our own research on how frequently to post.
3. Schedule Instagram posts ahead of time
There’s no denying that brands’ reach is at the mercy of the Instagram algorithm. Even so, posting at the right times can increase the visibility of your posts. Anything you can do to increase participation is a plus.
This demonstrates the importance of scheduling Instagram content. Brands can now schedule Stories, Carousels, Reels, and Posts using Sprout’s new tools.
Planning content ahead of time ensures control and organisation. Instagram scheduling tools will ultimately assist you in achieving the previously mentioned cadence. It also helps to be able to crosspost content from other networks.
4. Engage customers, brand ambassadors, and influencers.
Understanding how to get more Instagram followers entails engaging your audience.
One of the best ways to do so is to respond to and republish their posts.
This is where the power of user-generated content comes into play. UGC campaigns increase social proof by demonstrating to followers that you care about them. Drunk Elephant, for example, regrams their followers’ posts on a regular basis. They collect content using the hashtags #BareWithUs and #DrunkBreak.
Collaboration with influencers who have a large following is another way to expand your own audience. Content creators can get your brand in front of your target audience and increase product awareness.
5. Avoid using Fake Instagram followers.
On Instagram, there is a significant difference between fake and genuine followers.
We understand. It may be tempting to buy followers in order to accelerate your growth.
However, the disadvantages far outweigh the advantages. Why? Because phoney Instagram followers…
Confound your prospective organic followers. A large following on an inactive, low-engagement account is suspicious. This can turn off fans who would otherwise follow and engage with you.
Give your company no monetary value. Consider this. Can your bot followers buy your products?
Create no buzz: How many of your 10,000 fake followers are going to engage with your posts? Is it really that important if your posts are littered with spam comments?
Real people can share, like, comment, and engage with your Instagram posts. Furthermore, genuine followers value the time you spend interacting with them.
6. Showcase your Instagram everywhere you can
If increasing your Instagram followers is your goal, don’t be afraid to promote it.
There is also no one-size-fits-all method for promoting your ‘gramme. Here are a few suggestions:
Include social media icons on your website and in your marketing emails. Social media icons make it easier for customers to find your company and connect with you.
Display an Instagram feed on your website’s homepage or product pages. Many ecommerce sites have dedicated UGC feeds on their websites (see below).
Repost Instagram-specific content or announcements on other social media platforms. For example, you could use TikTok or Facebook to promote an upcoming IG Live.
7. Post content that your followers want to see.
We understand that it is easier said than done.
Filters. Captions. Types of content. Posting times. That barely scratches the surface.
There are so many variables to consider, don’t you think? It doesn’t help that Instagram’s algorithm changes frequently. In terms of format and timing, what works for one brand may not work for the next.
Some brands, for example, swear by Carousels. Others are betting big on Reels. Both approaches are viable. On Instagram, you’ll quickly notice that some content performs better than others. This is why testing is so critical.
The native analytics on Instagram are surprisingly powerful. Investing in Instagram analytics tools, on the other hand, will take things to the next level.
8. Look for hashtags that your followers use.
Instagram hashtags have been around for what feels like an eternity.
However, they no longer hold as much weight as they once did.
Including hashtags in your posts will not result in new followers. Especially with all of the noise on the platform.
Proactively target industry-specific hashtags that are relevant to your customers. Lashify, for example, regularly posts content to the #LashEducation hashtag. Tags are more specific and competitive than #beauty. For brands in the right niche, becoming more visible within these types of tags is beneficial.