When it comes to social media, followers are not a vanity metric.
The more followers you have, the more potential eyeballs you have for your content — especially on platforms like Instagram. Instagram delivers 58% more engagement per follower than Facebook.
Followers are important on every social media platform, from TikTok to YouTube. With more followers, you enjoy more credibility, more reach, and more revenue. 90% of people buy from brands they follow on social media.
Read on for ten surefire ways to increase your social media followers.
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1. Host contests
Who doesn’t love a contest? Typically, all people have to do to opt in to a social media contest is follow the brand and tag a friend in the comments. It’s simple, quick, and best of all, increases your followers and your engagement.
Pro Tip: You can ask people to tag their friends even when you’re not holding a contest. This encourages engagement on your post and genuine connection among your followers — both present and future!
2. Get visual
Social media posts that include an image generate 650% more engagement than text-only posts. Need we say more?
Always include an image whenever you post on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
3. Create short video content
Both short-form and long-form video warrant a spot in your social media campaign strategy, but quick, short-form videos are more likely to go viral and gain followers.
Film short videos (10 to 60 seconds) to boost your followers on TikTok, Instagram, and more.
4. Partner with influencers
Influencers have the power to not only drive more followers to your brand, but to drive affinity. Sponsoring an influencer shows their fans that your brand supports the influencer — something you have in common. As a result, these people are not only likely to follow you, but to continue following you.
5. Respond to your followers
Increasing social media followers is one thing. Keeping them is another.
Make sure your social media follower count stays high by actively engaging with your community. By liking and responding to their comments (and reposting their content, if appropriate), your followers will stick around and encourage like-minded people to follow you as well.
6. Use hashtags
Adding hashtags to your posts is a smart way to gain more likes and engagement. Hashtags encourage discovery of your brand. So, why not add them to your bio, too?
Your bio is an opportunity to tell potential followers something about your brand, from the causes you care about to what makes your products unique.
Pro Tip: In addition to adding hashtags to your posts and bio, keep an eye on new hashtags that go viral, such as a TikTok challenge. Consider how you can participate and seize the moment!
7. Cross-promote your accounts
This tip is so obvious that it’s easy to forget.
You can increase your social media followers by promoting your social media accounts. Tell your TikTok followers to follow you on Instagram. Tell your Facebook fans to find you on Twitter. And so on.
You can also encourage people to follow you via offline channels. Include your social handles on your product packaging, direct mail postcards, and more.
8. Invest in social media ads
Most social platforms offer advertising goals that focus on increasing your followers. However, most brands find that they gain more followers as a happy side effect of advertising on social media, whether their campaign goals are to drive conversions, video views, or in-store traffic.
Learn how to set up successful Facebook and Instagram campaigns.
9. Pay attention to your analytics
Every social media platform offers some form of analytics.
Check in on yours regularly to see what kind of content is driving new followers, and learn more about the followers you do have. Posting at the right time, consistently, can help you boost engagement and followers.
10. Post quality content
Finally, the best way to increase social media followers is to post quality content. Share your take on the latest bit of industry news. Offer a twist on a popular meme. Perform in the latest dance challenge.
Find what resonates with your audience, and give the people what they want!
Ready to unlock a social media strategy that drives followers to your brand? Contact Your Marketing People.
