In 2022, I did the impossible — I had an Instagram Reel go viral. So far, it’s generated over 5.5 million views, 173K shares, 99.5K likes, and 14.6 bookmarks, but the number of new followers? Minimal. Though it wasn’t my goal, the experience got me thinking about how to get more followers on Instagram. (I mean, if a meme that got the attention of Instagram exec Adam Mosseri won’t do it, what will?)
Between over 2 billion monthly active users and features like shoppable posts, Instagram is an app of opportunity for a variety of businesses. But here’s the thing: Unless you’re a household name, growing a following is hard work. I’m here to help. Let’s discuss some proven, actionable strategies to help you get more followers on Instagram, whether they be your first 1000 or next.
1. Types of Instagram Followers
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to know what the Instagram landscape looks like today. In your growth journey, you’ll likely encounter these three main types of followers:
Fake Followers
Fake followers are usually bots or dummy accounts that inflate a follower count. You can typically spot them by their lack of profile pictures, posts, followers, or spammy alphanumeric usernames.
Fake followers may make the follower count on your profile look good, but they don’t engage. Engagement is a huge factor in Instagram’s algorithm (i.e., getting on the Explore feed and in “suggested posts”) and getting brand collaborations as a creator.
Ghost Followers
“Ghost” followers on Instagram are inactive users. They’re like disengaged contacts on an email list. They’re real, but again, they don’t interact with your content, so they do little more than skew your metrics.
Organic Followers
Lastly, we have organic followers. Organic followers are your real, active audience; those who visit your profile, engage with your content, and are potential customers. Organic followers can cross many demographics, but pay close attention to the following:
- Customers: People who have made a purchase. They already know and like your brand.
- Competitors: Followers in the same industry or line of business as you. They’re likely following to keep an eye on what you’re doing.
- Influencers: Referring to micro/nano influencers or creators with 10-75K followers. If relevant, these niche influencers can lead to useful partnerships and increased sales for your business.
Out of these three types of followers, organic followers are the only ones you want. So, how can you get more of them?
2. Optimizing Your Instagram Profile
An incomplete profile is a huge red flag to potential new followers on Instagram. Missing information can raise questions about why it’s missing which hurts your credibility. (Remember what we said about fake followers?)
Here are a few best practices to make sure your profile strikes the right chord:
Choose a Clear Username
Your Instagram username (or handle) should be recognizable and easily searchable — like your business name. In the example below, the UK business The Journal Shop uses the intuitive handle @thejournalshop.
If your business name is already taken, experiment with related alternatives (i.e., something that includes your business name plus a branded item or a catchphrase). For example, Peloton uses @onepeloton, while the Australian activewear line Lorna Jane uses @lornajaneactive.
Have an On-Brand Profile Picture
This should be a clear, high-quality picture of your face or logo if you’re a business. Again, you want people to easily recognize and identify you when they come across your posts.
Add Details Next to Your Name
Not everyone does this, but the name field on your Instagram profile is additional real estate you can use to introduce yourself on the platform. Use any extra space here to add details about your business or what you offer.
Adding these little extra details to your name field tells people what you’re about right when they land on your profile and also frees up some space in your bio.
Share Your Value and Personality in Your Bio
Instagram only gives you 150 characters in your bio. Use them to tell people why they should follow you. Include who you are and what you do, but also a hint of personality.
Add a LinkTree
Ever heard the line “check out my link in bio”? You can add up to five links here, but I recommend using LinkTree to bypass the limit. Your bio link is your most direct play to get followers to take action, and it’s the only place you can have clickable links without paying.
Establish Your Unique Brand
Have a brand color palette? How about a specific font or typeface? Use these to develop a visual brand for all of the Instagram content you create. You’ll also want to develop a consistent voice on Instagram; one that is cohesive with the rest of your brand and company culture.
Once you’ve got your voice down, make sure it stays consistent and natural in your videos, captions, comments, and messages. With your profile set up for success, I recommend having 15 or more existing posts before you actually start making a play for followers.
If you haven’t already, get this social media content calendar template to help plan out your posts.
3. Instagram Strategy Tips for Getting More Followers
Have a Dedicated Content Creator/Personality
People may follow some brands on Instagram, but they are more likely to follow and engage with other people. Having one or a small handful of spokespeople in your Instagram content gives followers someone human to recognize and connect with rather than simply a cold, faceless brand.
Share Educational Content with Instagram Carousels
Instagram carousel posts have the highest engagement of all content on the platform (3x more than solo images). Think about what you can educate your audience on. Then, create a simple Instagram carousel post with an engaging title enticing users to click through to the next slide.
Be Mindful of Diversity and Inclusion
Instagram is a global platform that reaches people from all walks of life. Focusing on common pain points and experiences can help you reach more people by looking past preconceived notions. Highlight how your product or service can offer value to different demographics.
Post Consistently
If you want people to follow you on Instagram, you have to give them something to follow. This means posting high-quality, relevant content regularly. The easiest way to get into this habit is to commit to a posting schedule.
Diversify Your Content Mediums
Do you typically only post static image content? Or just Instagram Reels? Different people enjoy consuming information in different ways, so if you’re only creating one type of content you may be getting ignored by many in your target audience.
4. Instagram Content Creation Tips for Getting More Followers
Lean into Trends and Current Events
Finding relevant ways to incorporate trends, memes, and current events into your content is a great way to stay top of mind and get in front of new people.
Create Templates, Filters, and “Add Yours” Stickers
If you’re an Instagram fan, you’ve likely seen a variety of “add yours” content making the rounds. It’s a fun, engaging way to start a conversation and reach new audiences. Create one related to your business and add it to your own story to get your followers to spread it to their own audiences.
Follow Photography Best Practices
On Instagram, post quality matters. A lot. Follow basic photography best practices and use photo editing apps to give your photos a more finished look. Good lighting, the rule of thirds, and a focus on symmetry can make a big difference.
Start a Conversation with Your Captions and Comments
Captions are an essential part of your post. They give your content context, can humanize your brand, and offer additional value to your audience that makes them want to read, engage, and follow. Using your captions to spark conversations can boost engagement, triggering the Instagram algorithm to show your content to more potential followers.
5. Engaging Instagram Followers
Encourage and Post User-Generated Content
Posting user-generated content (UGC) is an effective way to show appreciation for existing customers and deliver social proof at the same time. UGC shows appreciation for existing customers and delivers social proof concurrently.
Use Stories Stickers
With the ephemeral nature of Stories, brands get to share more casual, timely content that can show personality. Instagram Stickers add a whole new dimension to engagement. Use Instagram Story stickers to create more dynamic content and interact with your audience in an entertaining way.
Go Live on Instagram Live
Instagram Live allows you to film and broadcast real-time video on your Instagram profile from a mobile device. This kind of one-on-one, candid interaction and engagement builds a personal relationship with your audience.
Collaborate with Influencers and Creators
69% of consumers trust information from influencers, friends, and family over brands. Collaborate with relevant influencers, creators, or even other businesses your buyers follow to get in front of new potential followers.
Run a Contest/Giveaway
Another great way to expand your reach and gain followers is to run an Instagram contest or giveaway. Offering an entry to win a relevant prize in exchange for a follower and tagging a friend is a common and effective way to get more followers.
6. Promotion Tips for Getting More Followers
Use Relevant Hashtags, Geo-Tags, Etc.
Using relevant hashtags on Instagram is an easy but effective way to get in front of new followers. Geo-tags also help people in your area find your content. Do some research to find the hashtags your audience is using. Start by navigating to the Explore tab and searching for a keyword related to your business or industry.
Tag Relevant Users
Another way to gain more followers on Instagram is to tag relevant users in your posts. Your posts will then show up in that person’s tagged posts, and they may even share the mention in their Stories.
Try Instagram Promotions and Ads
Instagram ads let you get granular about the audience you want to reach and pay to get your content in front of them. You can use ads to generate leads or boost a high-performing post.
Share Your Profile Link Externally
In 2022, I accomplished what felt like the impossible: one of my Instagram Reels went viral. To date, it has garnered over 5.5 million views, 173,000 shares, 99,500 likes, and 14.6 bookmarks. However, despite these impressive numbers, the increase in new followers was minimal. This unexpected outcome led me to brainstorm strategies for attracting more followers on Instagram. After all, if a meme that caught the eye of Instagram executive Adam Mosseri didn’t do the trick, what would?
With over 2 billion active users each month and features like shoppable posts, Instagram offers vast opportunities for businesses. Yet, unless you’re a big name, growing your follower count takes significant effort. I’m here to share some proven, actionable strategies to help you boost your Instagram followers, whether you’re aiming to gain your first 1,000 followers or expand upon your existing base. Let’s delve into these tactics to understand how to leverage Instagram for better follower growth.
