In the age of social media, followers are a mighty currency. The more followers you have, the more recognition, influence, and opportunities you gain. And hey, you can even turn your followers into actual currency – just do paid collaborations or promote your own products or services.
But given everything a high number of Instagram followers can do for you (and your brand), it stands to reason that growing your following is quite challenging. However, knowing what awaits on the other side makes this journey worthwhile.
That’s not to mention how many different angles you can adopt. Whether it’s through sheer creativity, strategic ingenuity, or some technical know-how, there’s a path to success that will deliver results.
Read this guide on how to get more followers on Instagram for the best tips from each of these paths.
How to Get More Followers on Instagram: The Technical Way
Don’t worry! The “technical way” isn’t all about algorithms and analytics. You still get to be creative, just with a little twist.
#1 – Convert Your Instagram Into a Business Account
Having a personal account won’t get you far when growing your Instagram following. You need all the features and possibilities of a business account to make your goals achievable. Here’s how to mean business from the get-go:
- Tap the hamburger icon in the top-right corner of your Instagram profile.
- Go to “Settings and privacy.”
- Navigate to the “For professionals” section.
- Select the “Account types and tools” option.
- Press the “Switch to professional account” button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
#2 – Implement Instagram SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) does wonders for any digital marketing channel, Instagram included. With just a few tweaks, you can help Instagram users find your profile and (hopefully) start following it:
- Optimize your username to reflect your brand accurately
- Add relevant keywords to your bio and post captions
- Include your location in your posts and stories
- Add alt text to your photos
#3 – Post at the Right Time
OK, your goal is to gain as many new Instagram followers as possible. So, it’s only natural to post your photos and videos when the majority of those followers are online. Posting at peak times will help your content get seen and discovered by new people (which is Step 1 in gaining more followers).
But how do you know when to post?
Your Instagram analytics holds all the answers. But be prepared; you might have to experiment with a few different posting times before you find out what works best for you (and your niche audience).
#4 – Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags make your Instagram account more searchable and discoverable. So, make sure to add the most relevant hashtags to your posts and bio to increase your profile’s visibility. But remember – don’t go overboard. Having dozens of hashtags in a single post can make your content look spammy and may actually hurt your visibility.
How to Get More Followers on Instagram: The Creative Way
With all the technicalities out of the way, you can focus on the most fulfilling aspect of running an Instagram account – letting your creativity shine. These tips on how to get more followers on Instagram are primarily concerned with your content.
#1 – Play Around With Different Formats
Most tips on growing an Instagram following will advise you to find what works and stick to it. However, this shouldn’t be the case with your content format on Instagram.
Only sticking to one format can make your account appear predictable and less engaging over time. And while you can still play favorites with a specific content type, make sure to give others a chance, too. In other words, your Instagram account should be an engaging mix of the following:
- High-quality photos
- Short- and long-form videos
- Instagram Stories
- Live videos
#2 – Keep the Quality High Consistently
There’s no doubt about it – consistency is the No. 1 key to success on Instagram. But it’s not just about posting regularly. It’s about posting high-quality content consistently.
This way, anyone encountering your profile on Instagram will know they’re in for a treat if they choose to hit the “Follow” button.
#3 – Craft Compelling Captions
Visuals might reign supreme on Instagram. However, this doesn’t make the textual aspect any less important. In fact, captions are often what attract new followers to your account and keep the existing followers engaged.
So, go all out!
Make your captions witty, inspiring, relatable, meaningful, or intriguing; whatever works best for your personality.
How to Get More Followers on Instagram: The Strategic Way
Gaining more Instagram followers is about playing the long game. After all, this social media platform isn’t like TikTok, where you can blow up virtually overnight. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t inflate your Instagram followers a little quicker from time to time.
#1 – Run Instagram Giveaways
Let’s be honest – giveaways are the ultimate Instagram follower magnet. After all, who doesn’t like getting free stuff?
Whenever you want to give your Instagram following a little boost, you can host a giveaway and make following your account an entrance requirement. Better yet, don’t stop there. Include tagging other users as another requirement to get your profile out to as many new people as possible.
#2 – Try Instagram Advertising
With Instagram’s organic reach, you can get your posts to about 20% of your following at most. And if you can’t even reach your existing following, how can you expect to attract new followers?
Don’t worry – it’s Instagram advertising to the rescue!
Pay for a few high-quality ads, and you’ll expand your Instagram’s reach beyond a fraction of your following. Plus, Instagram advertising allows you to target specific groups, so your new followers are more likely to be genuinely interested in your content.
#3 – Buy Instagram Followers
Buying Instagram followers can be an excellent strategic decision for your Instagram account. It allows you to add more followers at once, giving the impression your account is growing at an impressive rate. Plus, your account will now look more authoritative to new visitors, making them want to become followers instantly.
