Looking to increase your Instagram followers and boost your engagement? In this article, we will reveal 19 foolproof strategies that will help you grow your Instagram following and get more likes, comments, and shares. Whether you’re a business owner, an influencer, or want to grow your online presence with more Instagram followers, these strategies will surely get you on the right track.
We all know how important Instagram is for businesses and individuals alike. The platform offers a massive potential audience for your content. But with so many users and so much competition, it can be challenging to stand out and get noticed. That’s where these strategies come in.
From optimizing your profile and bio to creating captivating content and engaging with your audience, we will cover all the essential techniques that will help you attract more followers and boost your engagement on Instagram.
The Importance of Followers and Engagement
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms, with over two billion monthly active users. It’s a great platform to showcase your brand, product, or service and connect with your audience. However, having more Instagram followers is not enough; engagement is equally important. Engaging with your followers can help you build relationships, increase brand awareness, and drive more sales.
Why Followers Matter
Having more Instagram followers can enhance your credibility, strengthen brand awareness, and even lead to better conversion rates. It’s a visible metric that signals your brand’s popularity and reach. Simply, having more followers means more people to engage with and greater influence.
For example, a fashion brand with a large following can establish itself as a thought leader in the industry, influencing trends and shaping consumer behavior. This not only boosts brand visibility but can also drive sales, as followers often convert into customers.
The Power of Instagram Engagement
Engagement, including likes, comments, and shares, is another crucial aspect of your success on Instagram. It’s an indicator of how well your content resonates with your audience and a key factor in the Instagram algorithm. High engagement rates on your posts mean that your content is hitting the mark.
Facelift BBT notes that engagement is the most influential Instagram KPI for assessing post performance and accelerating page growth and reach. For example, a post that receives a high number of likes, comments, and shares indicates that it has hit a chord with your audience. This not only helps you understand your audience better but also increases your visibility on the platform.
Moreover, good engagement is social proof and reflects positively on your brand authenticity. When potential followers see that your posts receive a lot of engagement, they may be more likely to trust your brand and follow your account.
Types of Instagram Followers
Understanding your Instagram audience is essential for growing your follower count and boosting engagement. One way to gain deeper insights into your audience is by identifying and categorizing the different types of followers you have on Instagram. Each type has unique characteristics and behaviors that can influence your social media strategy.
An Instagram follower is a user who has chosen to connect with your account, enabling them to see your Instagram posts in their feed, interact with your content, and receive updates about your activities on the platform. Having diverse types of followers can be both advantageous and challenging. While some followers actively engage with your content, others might only follow you without any significant interaction.
Before you start working on tips to generate Instagram followers, keep in mind that there are the following types of followers:
Loyal Instagram Followers
Loyal followers are the backbone of any Instagram account. They regularly engage with your Instagram posts by liking, commenting, and sharing your content. They’re likely to be genuinely interested in what you offer, whether it’s a product, service, or content.
To identify these followers on Instagram, look for relevant users who frequently interact with your posts. Engage with them by responding to their comments and acknowledging their support to foster loyalty.
Ghost Instagram Followers
Ghost followers are Instagram users who follow you but don’t engage with your content. They might have initially followed your Instagram account out of curiosity or interest but have since become inactive. Although ghost followers on Instagram increase your follower count, they don’t contribute to your engagement rate.
To re-engage these followers, consider reshaping your content strategy or contacting them directly to reignite their interest.
Influencer Followers
Influencer followers are those who have a sizable following of their own. Their engagement with your content can significantly boost your visibility due to their large audience.
Identify these followers on Instagram by checking their count of followers and engagement rate. Collaborating with these influencers could provide an opportunity to tap into their audience and attract more followers.
Brand Followers
Brand followers are other businesses or brands that follow your Instagram account. They might be interested in your products, services, or content. Engaging with these followers on Instagram can lead to collaborations, partnerships, or cross-promotions.
Identify them by checking their profiles and the kind of content they post.
Engaged Instagram Followers
Engaged followers are relevant users who not only follow your account but also regularly interact with your content by liking, commenting, and sharing your Instagram posts. They could be any of the above types of followers.
Engage them with interactive content like polls, quizzes, or user-generated content campaigns.
Now, let’s go with tips to get more followers on Instagram:
1. Understand Your Target Audience on Instagram
Before you start posting content on Instagram, it’s essential to understand your audience. Who are they? What are their interests, needs, and preferences? What type of content do they like to see? Once you have a clear understanding of your target audience, you can create content that resonates with them and engages them.
It’s also crucial to know when your audience is most active on Instagram. You can use Instagram Insights to track your audience’s behavior and optimize your posting schedule accordingly.
2. Optimize Your Instagram Bio and Profile for Maximum Impact
Your Instagram profile is your digital storefront, and it’s essential to optimize it for maximum impact. Make sure your profile picture, bio, and username reflect your brand and are easy to recognize. Use keywords in your bio to help people find you easily.
You can also add a call-to-action button to your profile, such as “Shop Now” or “Learn More,” to drive more traffic to your website.
Here are some things you can do to optimize your Instagram bio and profile:
- Select the right profile picture and handle: Your profile picture should be easily recognizable, even when viewed on a small screen. For individuals, a clear headshot is often best. For businesses, consider using your logo. Your Instagram handle should ideally match your business or personal name if it’s a personal account. For example, Nike uses its iconic logo as a profile picture, ensuring instant recognition.
- Use catchy taglines: A catchy tagline in your bio can capture the essence of your brand or your personal brand statement. It should be short, memorable, and encapsulate what you or your brand stands for. Apple, for example, uses the tagline “Everyone has a story to tell.”
- Use strong keywords: Including keywords related to your industry can make your profile more discoverable. Place these in your Instagram bio, not your name or username.
- Use Effective Call-to-Actions (CTAs): CTAs guide your followers on what to do next. You can also use CTAs in your Instagram bio. For example, ASOS uses “Shop ASOS” as a CTA, followed by a link to their shop and other social media accounts inside their Instagram bio.
- Use emojis: Emojis can add personality to your bio and make it more visually appealing. Use them sparingly and ensure they align with your brand’s tone.
- Add links to boost website traffic: Instagram allows one clickable link in your bio. Use this to drive traffic to your website, latest blog post, or current campaign.
3. Share Your Profile Link on Your Website and Social Media Channels
Cross-promotion is a powerful tactic to expand the reach of your Instagram profile, fostering an increase in real Instagram followers. By integrating your Instagram link into your website and other social media platforms, you are exposing your content to a broader, diverse audience.
Optimize your website
Optimizing your website can be a game-changer in driving traffic to your Instagram account. Implementing call-to-action buttons with phrases like “Follow us on Instagram” or “Join our Instagram community” can guide visitors toward your Instagram profile. Embedding a live Instagram feed widget on your site also provides a dynamic visual touchpoint, enticing visitors with a sneak peek of your Instagram content.
Share your profile on other social media channels
Also, you can share your Instagram profile link on other social media channels to boost visibility. Each social media platform has its unique user base, and cross-promoting allows you to tap into these diverse audiences.
The benefits of this approach are manifold. Sharing your Instagram account link across various platforms enhances organic reach, connecting you with a broader audience without resorting to paid promotions. This strategy not only increases your count of followers but also ensures they are genuinely interested in your content, leading to a more engaged and authentic Instagram community.
Engage with other people and brands
Engagement with other users is another crucial aspect of cross-promotion. Responding to comments, liking other users’ posts, and participating in relevant discussions can draw attention to your Instagram page. This interaction not only increases your visibility but also fosters a sense of community, making your profile more appealing to potential Instagram followers.
Collaborations offer another excellent opportunity for cross-promotion. Partnering with influencers or other brands can expose your Instagram account to their followers. For instance, a guest appearance on a popular podcast or a joint giveaway with another brand can lead their audience back to your Instagram profile.
In essence, cross-promotion is a cost-effective and efficient way to grow your Instagram following while maintaining the authenticity of your audience.
4. Boost Your Instagram Following with Location Tags
Location tags are a powerful yet often overlooked tool on Instagram that can significantly boost your reach and engagement, leading to an increase in real followers. This feature allows users to add a geographical location to their Instagram posts, making them discoverable to anyone browsing that particular location.
A study conducted by Simply Measured found that posts tagged with a location receive 79% higher engagement than posts without a location tag. This is because Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes content that is relevant to the user’s location, pushing your post to a broader audience when you use location tags.
Here are some tips for using location tags effectively:
- Tag your business location: If you’re a brick-and-mortar business, always tag your physical location in your Instagram posts. This will make your posts discoverable to users searching for or browsing your location.
- Use popular location tags: Using popular location tags can expose your posts to a larger audience. Look for locations that are frequently browsed or searched for on Instagram.
- Tag locations in stories: Don’t forget to tag locations in your Instagram stories as well. This can get your stories featured on the location’s story, further increasing your reach.
You can use location tags to connect with local customers. For instance, a café in New York can tag its location in its Instagram posts to appear in searches from users in or around New York. This can attract local Instagram users who might be interested in visiting the café.
Many businesses have successfully used location tags to grow their Instagram following. This not only informs Instagram followers about the availability of products in specific stores but also increases the visibility of their posts to users browsing those locations.
5. Create High-quality and Visually Appealing Content
One of the most critical factors determining your success on Instagram is the quality of your content. Your photos and videos should be visually appealing, high-quality, and relevant to your audience’s interests. Use editing tools and filters to enhance your content and make it more engaging.
You can also experiment with different types of content, such as Instagram Reels, videos, and Stories, to keep your audience interested and engaged.
6. Use a Social Media Management Tool to Schedule Your Instagram Posts in Advance
One key strategy that can significantly impact your Instagram growth is using social media management tools to schedule your posts in advance. This practice can streamline your content creation process, enable you to post consistently and ensure maximum reach and engagement.
A consistent posting schedule is crucial for maintaining follower engagement on Instagram. It helps keep your brand fresh in the minds of your audience and signals to the Instagram algorithm that your account is active and valuable.
Planning your Instagram content ahead of time also allows you to create high-quality, engaging content. You can spend more time crafting compelling captions, selecting the right hashtags, and editing your images or videos perfectly.
Moreover, scheduling tools often come with analytics features that can provide insights into the best times to post for maximum engagement. By scheduling your posts for these optimal times, you can reach a larger portion of your audience and attract new Instagram followers.
There are numerous social media management tools available today that offer advanced scheduling features. Some popular options include SocialPilot, AgoraPulse, Sendible, and SocialBee, among others. Each of these social media content calendar tools provides unique features, but they all serve the primary purpose of allowing you to plan and schedule Instagram posts in advance.
If you’re new to social media management tools, it may seem overwhelming to choose one from the many options available. However, consider your specific needs and budget. Most of these tools offer a free trial period, so you can test them out before deciding. Look for a tool that is user-friendly and offers features that align with your goals.
7. Create a Consistent Instagram Posting Schedule
In the domain of Instagram marketing, consistency is key. A well-maintained posting schedule is one of the most effective strategies for growing a real, engaged audience. But why is this so crucial, and how can you leverage it for your benefit?
The Instagram algorithm favors Instagram accounts that post regularly. By maintaining a consistent posting schedule, your content becomes more likely to appear in your followers’ feeds and in the Explore tab, thereby increasing visibility and engagement.
Creating a consistent schedule involves more than just randomly deciding when to post. You need to consider factors such as the time zones of your audience, their online habits, and the nature of your content.
Instagram’s Insights tool can help you determine when your Instagram followers are most active. You can then schedule Instagram posts for these peak times to maximize reach and engagement.
A consistent posting schedule not only boosts your visibility but also helps build a sense of reliability with your audience. Your Instagram followers will come to anticipate your posts, creating a regular touchpoint between your brand and your audience.
Moreover, planning your Instagram posts in advance allows you to balance the types of content you share, ensuring variety and keeping your Instagram feed engaging.
Many successful Instagrammers credit some of their success to maintaining a consistent posting schedule.
For example, Jenna Kutcher, a renowned digital marketer, attributes her growth to a consistent posting strategy. She regularly posts at specific times when her target audience is most active, resulting in increased engagement and follower growth.
8. Write Your Captions for Instagram SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) isn’t just for websites. It’s also crucial for social media like Instagram, where the right keywords in your captions can significantly enhance your visibility.
Instagram SEO refers to the practice of optimizing your Instagram content to make it more discoverable both on Instagram’s internal search engine and on external search engines like Google. It is crucial in improving your visibility on the platform, attracting your target audience, and enhancing engagement with your posts.
Here are some practical ways to optimize your Instagram captions for SEO:
- Use Relevant Keywords: Identify the keywords that your audience is likely to use when searching for content like yours. Incorporate these keywords naturally into your captions.
- Keep Captions Clear and Concise: While Instagram allows up to 2,200 characters in captions, only the first two lines appear in the Instagram feed without tapping “more.” Therefore, ensure your key message, including important keywords, is placed in the first two lines.
- Include a Call-to-Action (CTA): Encourage your Instagram followers to engage with your post by including a CTA in your caption. This could be a question, an invitation to tag a friend, or a prompt to visit your website or shop for your products.
A well-crafted caption will not only attract your target audience but also encourage them to engage with your post.
For example, if you’re a fitness trainer, you might write a caption like, “Struggling to stay motivated? Save this post for five easy exercises you can do at home. Tag a friend who needs some fitness inspiration! #HomeWorkouts #FitnessMotivation“
Relevant hashtags and tagging can significantly improve your Instagram SEO. Hashtags make your posts discoverable to users who are browsing or following those hashtags. When you tag relevant users, on the other hand, it alerts the tagged Instagram accounts about your post and increases the likelihood of them engaging with it.
Optimized captions can have a deep impact on your efforts to get more Instagram followers. They can improve your visibility, attract a more relevant audience, and boost engagement. All these factors contribute to building a strong, engaged following on Instagram.
9. Share Educational Content With Instagram Carousels
In the world of Instagram, engagement is currency. One powerful strategy to increase your engagement rates and subsequently get more Instagram followers is by sharing educational content through Instagram carousels.
Educational content serves a dual purpose. Firstly, it provides value to your followers by imparting helpful knowledge or insights and fostering trust and loyalty. Secondly, it positions you as an authority in your field, attracting more followers who are interested in your niche.
Instagram carousels offer a unique way to deliver educational content. They allow you to share multiple images or videos in a single post, making them ideal for step-by-step guides, lists, or detailed explanations.
For example, a fitness trainer could use a carousel to demonstrate a sequence of exercises, or a chef could use it to share a recipe, with each slide detailing a different step.
Here are some best practices for creating engaging educational carousels:
- Start with a hook: Your first slide should grab the viewer’s attention and make them want to swipe to the next slide. This could be a compelling question, a bold statement, or a sneak peek of what they’ll learn.
- Keep it simple: Each slide should convey one idea or step. This makes your content easy to digest and keeps your audience swiping for more.
- Include a CTA: Encourage your followers on Instagram to engage with your post by including a call-to-action. This could be a prompt to share your post, save it for later, or leave a comment with your thoughts.
- Design consistency: Ensure each slide follows a consistent design theme. This creates a seamless visual experience as users swipe through your carousel.
10. Lean Into Trending Content Formats
When we talk about Instagram, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. One effective way to do this is by leaning into trending content formats. By embracing and utilizing these popular formats, you can capture audience attention, increase engagement, and ultimately bring more Instagram followers.
Trending content formats refer to the types of content that are currently popular or gaining traction on Instagram. These may include image carousels, short videos (like Reels), long-form Instagram videos, and Stories with interactive elements such as polls or quizzes.
The importance of leveraging these formats lies in their ability to attract and engage users. Instagram’s algorithm favors posts that utilize popular features, making them appear more often in users’ feeds and on the Explore page.
Let’s consider Instagram Reels, a format that has skyrocketed in popularity recently. Fitness influencers, for example, can use Reels to share quick workout routines, nutrition tips, or motivational talks. By creating unique and engaging content within this popular format, they can attract more viewers and potentially convert them into followers.
For example, one of the most popular fitness influencers, Michelle Lewin, with more than 16 million followers, shares Instagram reels regarding specific workout routines.
Staying informed about trending formats requires a proactive approach. Regularly check Instagram’s blog and announcement page for updates on new features. Also, observe what type of content is being shared by popular accounts in your niche, as they often set the trends.
When leveraging trending formats, it’s essential to be creative and authentic. Use Instagram Stories to give a behind-the-scenes look at your work process, create a video series on a topic relevant to your brand, or use Reels to showcase your products or services in action. Remember, the goal is to provide value to your audience while also showcasing your brand’s unique personality.
There are numerous tools available to help you create eye-catching content. Instagram’s own editing tools are a good start, but third-party apps like Canva, InShot, and Adobe Spark offer more advanced features. Use these tools to add filters, text, music, and other creative elements to your posts.
11. Post Content That’s Meant to be Re-shared
In the search to grow your real audience on Instagram, one strategy stands out for its effectiveness and simplicity: posting an Instagram post that’s meant to be re-shared.
The concept of shareable content is straightforward. When you post content that resonates with your audience, they are more likely to repost it on their own feeds or stories, effectively amplifying its reach. In essence, your Instagram followers become your brand advocates, introducing your content to a wider audience that might not have discovered you otherwise.
Shareable Instagram post also encourages engagement. Posts with high engagement levels are more likely to appear in users’ feeds and on the Explore page, thereby increasing your visibility on the platform.
Creating shareable content requires a deep understanding of your audience. What do they find valuable, entertaining, or inspiring? The answers to these questions should guide your content creation process.
For example, if you’re a fitness influencer, you might create infographics with workout tips, healthy recipes, motivational quotes, or your own inspirational thoughts. These types of posts provide value to your audience and are likely to be shared. For example, Kayla Itsines, a personal trainer with more than 16 million followers, shares from time to time an Instagram post containing personal inspirational thoughts.
Another effective strategy is creating interactive content, such as quizzes, polls, or challenges. These formats encourage active participation, making them more likely to be shared.
While creating shareable content is crucial, it’s equally important to encourage your Instagram followers to share your posts. Include clear calls to action in your captions, such as “Tag a friend who needs to see this” or “Share this in your story if you agree.” This simple prompt can significantly increase the likelihood of your content being shared and becoming visible to many potential followers.
12. Use Hashtags in Instagram Stories and Reels to Effectively Increase Reach
Hashtags are a powerful tool to increase your reach and get discovered on Instagram. Use relevant hashtags in your posts to make it easier for people to find your content.
You can also create a branded hashtag or hashtags to promote your brand and encourage user-generated content.
When someone searches for a hashtag related to your niche or branded hashtag, your objective is to get noticed on the Explore page immediately. To achieve this, you should use a combination of popular and niche hashtags. This way, you won’t get lost among spammy content or stay hidden in a small section of Instagram.
Hashtags work like a search function on Instagram. When users click on or search for a hashtag, they’re shown all the public posts tagged with it. Therefore, by using relevant hashtags, you can get your posts seen by your target audience – even if they aren’t following you yet.
How to Research and Test Your Target Hashtags
Finding the right hashtags for your Instagram posts involves research and testing. Here’s how you can do it:
- Use Instagram’s search function. Start by typing a keyword related to your content into Instagram’s search bar. Then click on the ‘Tags’ tab. You’ll see a list of hashtags related to your keyword and the number of posts for each hashtag. This gives you an idea of how popular those hashtags are.
- Use hashtag research tools. There are many tools available that can help you find and analyze hashtags. Tools like Hashtagify and Display Purposes provide information about the popularity and relevance of specific hashtags. These tools can help you identify potential hashtags to use.
- Analyze engagement metrics. Once you’ve found potential hashtags, analyze their engagement metrics. Look at the top posts under these hashtags – do they get a lot of likes and comments? This can indicate that the hashtag has an active audience that engages with the content.
Once you’ve researched, it’s time to narrow down your list. Choose hashtags that are relevant to your content and have a good amount of engagement.
Avoid overly generic or overly saturated hashtags, as your content can easily get lost in these.
How to Use Hashtags Effectively
1. Incorporate Them into Your Content
Once you’ve chosen your hashtags, incorporate them into your posts. You can include them in your caption or in the first comment of your post.
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post, but using too many can make your content look spammy.
The experiment by Hootsuite suggests that 3-5 hashtags garner the best engagement.
So, it’s essential to use hashtags strategically and not overdo it.
2. Monitor Their Performance
Finally, monitor the performance of your hashtags. You can do this by checking Instagram Insights or using a social media analytics tool. This will help you understand which hashtags drive the most engagement and adjust your strategy accordingly.
13. Optimize Your Instagram Highlights
Instagram Highlights offer a powerful tool to showcase your brand’s value, attract new followers, and engage with your existing audience. By strategically curating and organizing these highlights, you can create an evergreen content library that reflects your brand’s identity and appeals to your audience’s interests.
The first step in optimizing your Instagram Highlights is creating relevant, high-quality content.
Consider what aspects of your brand or business your audience would find most interesting or beneficial. This could be behind-the-scenes peeks, product demonstrations, customer testimonials, or educational content. Remember, the goal is to provide value to your audience while showcasing your brand’s unique personality.
High-quality visuals are crucial in this process. Instagram is a visually driven platform, and clear, engaging imagery will help draw viewers in and encourage them to follow your Instagram account for more.
Understanding your audience and defining your brand is key to planning your highlights.
What does your audience want to see?
What aspects of your brand do you want to emphasize?
Answering these questions will guide your highlight creation process.
For example, a fitness brand might have highlighted workout tips, nutrition advice, and client success stories. Each highlight reel should stay relevant and on-topic to keep your audience engaged and returning for more.
Organizing your highlights into categories makes it easy for viewers to find the content they’re interested in, enhancing their user experience.
You can create different highlight reels for different topics, products, or services.
Customizing your highlight covers adds a professional touch and helps reinforce your brand aesthetic.
You can use free design tools like Canva to create cohesive and eye-catching highlight covers.
Ensure that your highlight reels are easily accessible on your profile. They should be prominently displayed below your bio, providing new visitors with an immediate snapshot of what your brand is all about.
14. Post Content that Followers Actually Want to See
One of the most effective ways to grow your Instagram following is by posting content that your followers really want to see. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s surprising how many brands fail to align their content strategy with their audience’s interests.
Start by analyzing your existing posts. Which ones have the highest engagement? These are the posts that resonate with your audience.
You can also use Instagram’s Insights feature to delve deeper into your audience’s demographics and behaviors.
For example, if you’re a fitness brand and your posts about home workout routines are getting the most engagement, it’s clear that your audience values this kind of content.
Remember, consistency isn’t just about frequency. It also applies to the type of content you post and your brand’s overall aesthetic.
If your followers have come to expect high-quality fitness content from you, don’t confuse them by suddenly posting about unrelated topics.
Instagram is a visual platform, and aesthetics matter. Invest time and resources into creating high-quality visuals that not only attract but also retain followers’ attention.
However, engaging content goes beyond aesthetics, though.
It’s about creating a connection with your audience. This could be through inspiring stories, educational content, or interactive elements like quizzes and polls.
For example, you could post a series of photos demonstrating a home workout routine, accompanied by a caption sharing a personal anecdote about your own fitness journey.
This approach combines aesthetic appeal with a relatable story, making it more likely to engage followers and attract new ones.
15. Engage With Your Instagram Followers and Building Relationships
Engaging with your followers is one of the most effective ways to build relationships and increase engagement on Instagram.
Respond to comments, like and share your followers’ content, and start conversations with them. You can also use Instagram’s features, such as polls, quizzes, and questions, to engage your audience and get their feedback.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do that effectively.
Step 1: Foster Engagement Through Captions and Instagram Stories
One of the best ways to encourage engagement is by posing open-ended questions in your captions. This not only encourages your followers to comment on your posts but also provides you with valuable insights into your audience’s interests and preferences.
For example, if you run a fitness page, you could ask, “What’s your favorite workout routine?”
In addition to your posts, use Instagram stories to further engage with your followers.
Use features like polls, quizzes, and question stickers to encourage feedback and interaction. This creates a two-way communication channel between you and your followers, making them feel valued and heard.
Step 2: Respond to DMs Promptly
Direct messages (DMs) are a great way to have one-on-one conversations with your followers. Make it a point to respond to DMs promptly. This shows your followers that you value their input and are willing to take the time to engage with them personally.
Step 3: Building Relationships with Your Followers
Building strong relationships with your followers is key to growing your brand on Instagram. Here are some best practices:
- Thank your followers: When followers comment on your posts or share your content, take the time to thank them. This small gesture can go a long way in making your followers feel appreciated.
- Acknowledge their contributions: If a follower shares a useful tip or perspective, acknowledge it publicly. This not only validates their contribution but also encourages others to engage with your content.
- Repost user-generated content: Sharing content created by your followers, such as photos of them using your product or service, is a great way to build community. It shows you value their content and are willing to showcase it on your platform.
Step 4: Personalize Interactions and Build a Sense of Community
Personalizing your interactions with followers can significantly enhance their engagement with your brand. Here’s how:
- Host live Q&A sessions: Live sessions allow you to interact with your followers in real time. You can answer their questions, address their concerns, or have a fun chat. This not only builds relationships but also fosters a sense of community.
- Run polls and giveaways: Polls are a fun way to engage your followers and gather insights about their preferences. Giveaways, on the other hand, can help increase your visibility as they often encourage sharing and tagging.
16. Collaborate With Influencers
Collaborating with influencers can help you reach a wider audience and increase your brand’s credibility.
Identify influencers who align with your brand’s values and target audience and collaborate with them to create content or run giveaways.
Benefits of Influencer Collaborations
Influencer collaborations offer several benefits:
- Audience Reach: Influencers have a ready-made audience that trusts their recommendations. By collaborating with them, you can tap into this audience, increasing your brand’s exposure.
- Improved Engagement: Influencer posts often generate high levels of engagement, which can boost your brand’s visibility on Instagram’s algorithm and generate more Instagram followers for you.
- Trust and Credibility: Influencers have built trust with their followers. When they promote your brand, it comes with a level of credibility that can influence purchasing decisions.
Here is a step-by-step process of influencer collaboration:
1. Identify Relevant Influencers
The first step is to identify relevant influencers to your niche or industry. Their audience should align with your target market. Use tools like BuzzSumo to find influencers in your industry.
2. Approach Influencers with a Clear Proposal
Once you’ve identified potential influencers, reach out to them with a clear collaboration proposal.
Clearly state your goals and what’s in it for them. Be transparent about your expectations, but also be open to their creative input.
3. Provide Necessary Materials
Provide the influencer with any materials they need to create content. This could include products, photos, or a brief outlining key messages.
Remember, the content should feel authentic to their style while still showcasing your brand.
4. Track and Analyze the Success of Each Collaboration
Use Instagram’s analytics tools or third-party apps to track the performance of each post.
Monitor metrics like likes, comments, shares, and the number of new followers gained. This data will help you measure ROI and inform future campaigns.
5. Evaluate and Improve
After each collaboration, evaluate the performance and identify areas for improvement. Was the influencer a good fit for your brand? Did the content resonate with their audience?
Use this information to refine your influencer strategy moving forward.
17. Leverage Instagram Stories and Video for Increased Engagement
Instagram Stories and IGTV are powerful tools to increase engagement and build relationships with your audience. You can use Stories to share behind-the-scenes moments, sneak peeks, and daily updates. You can also use IGTV to create longer-form content, such as tutorials, interviews, and product demos.
Types of Instagram Videos
Instagram allows users to share videos in various formats, each serving a different purpose:
- Instagram Stories are short, 15-second videos or photos that disappear after 24 hours. They appear at the top of your followers’ feeds, making them highly visible.
- Reels: Instagram’s newest video format, Reels, allows you to create 15-second multi-clip videos with audio, effects, and creative tools.
- Instagram videos: These are traditional videos that appear on your Instagram feed. On Instagram, video previews last up to 60 seconds. Regular accounts can upload 15-second to 10-minute video clips, while verified accounts and those with large followings can upload videos up to 60 minutes long. Use Instagram Videos (Feed videos) for repurposing content and brand awareness.
- Instagram live. Instagram’s live stream feature allows users to shoot videos up to 4 hours long, which can be uploaded in full to their Story or Feed after they’ve ended. Live streams are particularly effective for creating long-form content that can educate viewers about your product and the issues it addresses, making it an ideal tool for showcasing your expertise.
Each video type offers unique ways to connect with your audience and increase engagement.
Using Instagram Videos for Branding
Here are some strategies to create engaging Instagram video content:
- Share Behind-the-Scenes Content. Behind-the-scenes footage helps humanize your brand and builds trust with your audience. Whether it’s a sneak peek of a product launch or a day in your office, such content is often well-received by followers.
- Tease Upcoming Content.Use videos to generate excitement about upcoming posts, events, or product launches. This keeps your followers engaged and encourages them to visit your profile regularly.
- Tell a Story. Videos are an excellent medium for storytelling. Share the story of your brand, customer testimonials, or educational content that adds value to your audience.
- Collaborate with Influencers. Influencer collaborations can extend your reach and attract new followers. Consider partnering with influencers for video takeovers, interviews, or product reviews.
Analyze Performance and Set Up Goals
Use the Insights on Instagram to analyze the performance of your video content. Monitor metrics such as views, likes, comments, shares, and saves. This data will help you understand what works and what doesn’t to get new followers, allowing you to refine your video content strategy accordingly.
Set clear performance goals for followers and engagement. These could be increasing your count of followers by a certain percentage, boosting video views, or improving engagement rates.
Remember, you must regularly review your goals and adjust them based on your performance and business needs.
18. Utilize Instagram’s Advertising Options
Instagram’s advertising options, such as sponsored posts and stories, are effective ways to reach a larger audience and promote your brand. You can target your ads based on demographics, interests, and behaviors and track your performance using Instagram Insights.
However, it’s essential to create ads that are relevant, engaging, and not too salesly. Your ads should add value to your audience and align with your brand’s values and messaging.
19. Be Careful With Fake Followers on Instagram
In the world of Instagram, numbers matter. A high follower count can boost your credibility and visibility, making it a tempting metric to manipulate. This has led to the proliferation of fake followers—accounts that are inactive or run by bots, purchased to inflate a user’s count of followers artificially. While this may seem like a shortcut to Instagram’s success, using these followers carries significant risks.
Here is how fake Instagram followers can negatively impact on your success:
- Engagement. These followers skew your engagement rates. Since these accounts do not engage with your content, having many of them will result in a lower engagement rate. This is a key metric that brands look at when deciding who to partner with, and a low engagement rate can hurt your chances of securing partnerships and sponsorships.
- Credibility. While fake followers might boost your count of followers, they do nothing for your credibility. Savvy Instagram users can often spot accounts with fake followers, damaging your reputation. Authenticity is highly valued on social media, and audiences prefer to follow accounts they perceive as genuine.
- Discoverability. Instagram’s algorithm favors accounts with high engagement rates. By inflating your follower count with fake Instagram followers, you’re actually making it harder for your account to be discovered by real, interested users.
Users can detect fake Instagram followers by looking at an account’s engagement rate. If an account has thousands of followers but only a handful of likes and comments per post, a significant portion of its followers are likely fake. Instagram has also started cracking down on accounts that use fake followers, and users caught doing so risk having their accounts suspended or banned.
Instead of resorting to fake Instagram followers, focus on ethical strategies to grow your audience organically.
