Instagram followers are not just a mere number; they represent a community that can contribute to your online growth. Having a significant following on Instagram can lead to increased traffic, sales, and engagement. In this guide, we will discuss 12 efficient methods to boost your Instagram following. Additionally, we will recommend the best social media services platform for Buying Instagram Followers and likes and analyzing your posts.
1. Avoid Buying Instagram Followers
Instagram growth doesn’t happen overnight—unless you’re endorsed by Taylor Swift. Buying followers or using bots as shortcuts isn’t the solution. Not only does purchasing followers violate Instagram’s Terms of Use, but it can also harm your account in the long run. Instagram regularly detects and removes fake engagement and accounts, which could result in shadow banning. While it may take time, attracting genuine followers who engage with your content is more valuable in the long term.
2. Establish a Strong Personal Brand and Value Proposition
Would you enter a store if you didn’t know what it sold? Probably not. Likewise, your Instagram account should clearly communicate its value proposition. Whether you offer styling tips, inspirational quotes, or cooking content, a clear value proposition is essential for converting visitors into followers. However, this doesn’t mean all your content should be identical.
3. Maintain a Cohesive Instagram Feed
Your Instagram page serves as a resume, portfolio, and website rolled into one. While it doesn’t have to be perfect, first impressions matter. With just a few seconds to convey your brand personality, a cohesive Instagram aesthetic can determine whether a visitor follows you or moves on.
4. Optimize Your Instagram Bio
Your Instagram bio is often the first point of contact for new visitors, making it crucial to communicate who you are and what you offer. With only 150 characters, ensure your bio is concise, informative, and includes relevant keywords for discoverability.
5. Craft Captions with Instagram SEO in Mind
Previously, searches on Instagram Explore were confined to hashtags, location tags, usernames, and profile names. However, the platform now allows searches using keywords. This means that crafting descriptive captions containing pertinent keywords can greatly enhance the discoverability of your content. For example, if users search for “best time to post,” a relevant post from Later’s Instagram account might surface on the Explore page.
6. Discover the Optimal Hashtags for Your Audience
Leveraging Instagram hashtags continues to be an effective method for expanding your reach. Integrating pertinent and focused hashtags into your posts enhances the chances of engaging with potential followers. Notice how beauty influencer Sarah Palmyra tactically employs highly relevant hashtags such as #SkincareRoutine and #SkincareTips in her captions, simplifying the discovery of her content for users.
7. Establish a Consistent Instagram Posting Schedule
Consistency is key to Instagram growth. “The more consistent your posts, the more your audience will get to know you — building trust. They’ll also anticipate your content, giving them a reason to follow and engage,” emphasizes Later’s Social Media Manager, Christine Colling. However, prioritize quality content that genuinely adds value over quantity. PRO TIP: Utilize a social media management platform such as Later to plan and distribute your content systematically. Sign up for a free account today.
8. Determine you’re Optimal Posting Times
Consistent content creation is essential on Instagram. Posting at strategic times can lead to increased visibility and engagement. In a study conducted by Later, it was revealed that users tend to interact more with content posted during the early hours of the day than at any other time. Customize your posting schedule to identify your unique optimal posting times with Later’s best time to post tool, ensuring maximum engagement.
9. Ensure Accessibility of Your Instagram Content
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2.2 billion individuals have vision impairments or experience blindness. Prioritizing accessibility in your social media strategy is crucial for inclusivity and engagement.
Here are five methods to enhance the accessibility of your Instagram account:
- Incorporate subtitles or text overlays in video content, including Instagram Stories and Reels.
- Craft descriptive alt text for your Instagram posts.
- Verbally articulate visual details during stories and videos.
- Capitalize each word in Instagram hashtags for proper pronunciation by screen-readers.
- Generate content that is screen-reader friendly by minimizing emoji usage in captions and text overlays. Inclusive content enables broader access and consumption, potentially resulting in heightened engagement and follower growth on Instagram.
10. Collaborate with Brands, Creators & Influencers
Strategic partnerships with aligned influencers and brands offer significant growth opportunities. Leverage brand association and tap into new follower demographics through collaborative efforts. Moreover, partnerships need not be extravagant; often, simple and mutually beneficial collaborations yield remarkable outcomes. For instance, beauty brand Glossier collaborated with content creator and dancer Patricia Zhou on a Reel to showcase and generate anticipation around their latest product release. Additionally, partnering with Nano and Micro influencers, who typically boast higher engagement rates and lower sponsored post costs than Macro influencers, can be equally impactful.
11. Amplify Your Presence with Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels remain a potent tool for audience expansion. Positioned prominently on the Explore page and home feed navigation bar, Reels offer unparalleled visibility. To maximize results: – Employ relevant keywords and hashtags in your Reels captions. – Utilize trending sounds (when appropriate to your brand). – Keep Reels concise to encourage repeated views. – Generate original content. – Incorporate on-screen text for soundless viewing. – Prioritize high-quality video footage, avoiding content with TikTok watermarks.
12. Enhance Your Instagram Stories Highlights
Despite their transient nature, Instagram Stories can be preserved and showcased through Highlights. Curating high-quality highlights aids in brand recognition, follower acquisition, and showcasing premium content to new visitors.
