As a social media manager, I’ve encountered countless Super viral tactics for growing an Instagram following. However, not all of them are effective. In this guide, I’ll share 13 proven tactics for building a strong following on Instagram. Whether you’re a small business owner, influencer, or just looking to grow your brand, these tactics will help you succeed.
Avoid buying fake followers like the plague.
Buying fake followers may seem like a quick fix to boost your follower count, but it’s a terrible idea. Not only is it against Instagram’s terms of service, but it also hurts your engagement rate. Fake followers won’t engage with your content, which signals to Instagram that your content isn’t valuable.
Instead, focus on growing your following organically. It may take longer, but a more sustainable approach will lead to genuine engagement and loyal followers.
Embed keywords into your username and name.
When people search for content on Instagram, they often use keywords. Embedding relevant keywords into your username and name makes it easier for people to find you. For example, if you’re a fitness influencer, you might want to include words like “fitness,” “workout,” or “health” in your username and name.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t stuff your username and name with keywords. Keep it natural and relevant to your brand. This will help you appear in relevant searches and attract followers interested in your content.
Optimize your Instagram bio.
It’s your chance to make a first impression and tell people about your brand. To optimize your bio for growth, make sure you:
- Use a clear and descriptive profile picture
- Write a compelling bio that showcases your brand’s personality and values
- Include a call-to-action (CTA) that encourages people to follow you or click the link in your bio
Cross-promote your Instagram handle on other channels.
Please don’t limit your Instagram promotion to Instagram itself. Cross-promoting your Instagram handle on other channels can help you reach a wider audience and attract new followers. Some ways to cross-promote your Instagram handle include:
- Adding an Instagram icon and link to your website
- Sharing your Instagram handle in your email signature
- Promoting your Instagram on other social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn
When cross-promoting, make sure to highlight the value that people will get by following you on Instagram. For example, you should emphasize exclusive content, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or discounts only available to your Instagram followers.
Discover your most useful times to assign on Instagram.
Posting at the right time can greatly impact your Instagram engagement and growth. Use Instagram Insights or a third-party tool like Later or Hootsuite to find your best times to post. These tools will show you when your followers are most active on Instagram so that you can schedule your posts for maximum engagement.
It’s important to note that your best times to post may vary depending on your audience demographics and location. For example, if you have a global audience, you may need to schedule posts at different times to reach people in different time zones.
Build an Instagram marketing strategy.
Growing your Instagram following isn’t just about posting pretty pictures. To be successful, you need a solid marketing strategy that aligns with your business goals. Some elements to include in your Instagram marketing strategy include:
- Your brand’s unique selling proposition (USP) and key message
- Your hashtag strategy and how you’ll use them to increase visibility
- Your engagement plan, including how you’ll respond to comments and DMs
- Having a clear strategy, you can measure your success and make adjustments as needed.
Write compelling captions
Captions are an often-overlooked aspect of Instagram content, but they can make a big difference in engagement and growth.
- Telling a story that ties into your brand or the photo
- Asking a question to encourage engagement
- Using humour or wit to make your content more memorable
- Including a CTA that encourages people to like, comment, or share your post
Remember, your captions shouldn’t be an afterthought. They should be thoughtfully crafted to support your content and engage your audience.
Use relevant hashtags
You can reach a wider audience and attract new followers by using relevant hashtags. To find relevant hashtags, use Instagram’s search function or a tool like Hashtagify.
It’s important to use a mix of broad and niche hashtags to increase your reach. For example, if you’re a food blogger, you might use broad hashtags like #foodie and #yum and niche hashtags like #veganrecipes or #glutenfreebaking.
Understand your analytics
To grow your Instagram following, you need to understand what’s working and what’s not. That’s where analytics comes in. Instagram Insights provides valuable data on how your content is performing, including:
- Your top-performing posts and stories
- Your engagement rate, including likes, comments, and saves
By analyzing your analytics regularly, you’ll be able to make data-driven decisions and optimize your strategy for growth.
Collaborate with Instagram developers or other trim businesses.
Collaborating with other Instagram creators or small businesses can be a great way to reach a new audience and grow your following. Some ways to collaborate include:
- Guest posting on each other’s accounts
- Hosting a joint giveaway or contest
- Co-creating content, such as a video or blog post
- Shouting out to each other on Instagram Stories
When collaborating, choose partners that fit your brand well and have a similar target audience.
- Experment with different types of Instagram posts
- Feel free to mix up your Instagram content to keep things interesting for your audience.
- Behind-the-scenes glimpses of your brand or personal life
- User-generated content (UGC) that showcases your followers’ experiences with your brand
- Inspirational or motivational quotes that align with your brand values
- Interactive content, such as quizzes or polls
By experimenting with different types of content, you’ll be able to find what resonates with your audience and keep them engaged.
Speak to your audience in statements and Stories.
Engagement is key to growing your Instagram following. One way to increase engagement is to talk to your audience in comments and Instagram Stories. Responding to comments shows that you value your followers and encourage them to keep engaging with your content. Using Instagram Stories to ask questions or share behind-the-scenes glimpses can encourage engagement and help you build a stronger connection with your audience.
Earning more supporters on Instagram exists’t a past affair.
Growing your Instagram following takes time and effort. It’s not a one-time affair but a continuous experimentation, analysis, and optimization process. By staying committed and consistent, you’ll be able to build a strong following and achieve your Instagram goals.
Conclusion
Growing your Instagram following is a journey, but by following these 13 proven tactics, you’ll be on the right track. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your Instagram game to the next level, there’s always room for growth. Remember, it’s not just about the numbers but building a loyal and engaged community of followers who love your brand
