There are over 1.2 billion Instagram users worldwide. With numbers like that, you can always increase your follower count.
Read on as we share our top tips and best practices for increasing Instagram followers.
Sections
1. Focus on quality
Instagram is a platform known for its polished presentation — perhaps a bit too polished, in some instances. Instagram users like to follow accounts that share quality posts. Set up your photos with good lighting and invest in a ring light. Don’t be afraid to edit. Develop a brand guide for your social media visuals, so everything looks good and is on brand.
Save the casual stuff for your Stories. Speaking of which…
2. Share Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are where off-the-cuff and behind-the scenes content thrives on Instagram. They’re also a great opportunity to get interactive with your followers, inviting them to engage through polls, countdowns, or questions. The more engaged your current community of followers is, the more likely they are to share your content with others and invite them to follow you, too.
Pro Tip: Save your best Stories as Highlights to appear at the top of your profile.
3. Go live
Want to level-up that interactivity? Go live. You can use filters, pin comments, and host a Q&A. To increase your followers, consider going live with another brand or influencer who shares a similar audience to yours.
4. Post regularly and schedule in advance
People follow accounts they can count on. A big part of that is regularly producing content. Create a content calendar and stick to it, scheduling in advance when you can to save time.
What time should you schedule your posts for? Research has shown the best times to post on Instagram are around the morning through lunch, particularly on weekdays.
5. Put some thought into your captions
Captions are there for you to add more meaning to your posts and further connect with your Instagram followers. Add some personality with emojis or wit. And always add at least a hashtag (or several) to make your posts most searchable.
6. Promote your account
If you want more Instagram followers, you need to make sure they can find you. Try:
- Embedding Instagram posts in your blog or newsletter.
- Including links to your Instagram and other accounts in your website and email footers.
- Asking your followers to tag you in their own Instagram Stories and posts.
- Making following you on Instagram a point-earning activity in your loyalty program.
- Using Instagram ads to reach even more people.
7. Throw an Instagram contest
Instagram contests can drum up new followers quickly. Typically, the rules are simple. To enter the contest and be eligible to win, followers must follow your account and like or comment on the post.
8. Partner with influencers and other brands
To grow your Instagram audience, seek out influencers and brands you can partner with. Ideally, their audience has a strong overlap with your brand, with similar needs and interests. Then, you can partner with them on Instagram takeovers, promoted posts, and contests like the example above!
9. Get verified
That blue checkmark can go a long way towards instilling trust and encouraging people to follow you on Instagram. To get verified on Instagram, follow the instructions here.
10. Watch your analytics
If you want to grow your Instagram followers, it’s helpful to know what’s working and what’s not. So, keep an eye on your Instagram analytics for insights into who your audience is, the best time of day to post, and what content is most popular.
As you gain new followers, these insights will become even more valuable, as you’ll have a larger dataset to work with. To make the most of those insights — and watch your followers grow faster — contact Your Marketing People. From social media strategy to Instagram ads, we can help your brand reach the right people on Instagram.
