Getting more followers on Instagram is a common goal for both personal and business accounts. Having a larger following can help you reach more people, increase your influence, and grow your brand or community. Whether you’re a blogger, a small business owner, or a social media enthusiast, having more followers on Instagram can translate into more engagement, sales, and opportunities. However, growing your Instagram following can be challenging, especially with the increasing competition and algorithm changes. In this blog, we will share some tips and strategies on how to get more followers on Instagram and build a thriving community that supports your goals and values.
In this Blog
💪 Optimize Your Instagram Profile for Maximum Impact
A complete and attractive profile on Instagram is important because it’s the first impression that people will have of you or your brand. Your profile is like a virtual storefront that showcases your personality, style, and values. A complete profile with a clear profile picture, bio, and relevant links can make it easier for people to discover and follow you. An attractive profile that aligns with your brand or niche can also differentiate you from other accounts and attract more followers who resonate with your content.
1️⃣ Search Friendly Name:
- Use your brand name or a closely matching variation for your username.
- Shorten your username if it is too lengthy.
- Choose a recognizable variation that your followers can still identify.
2️⃣ Choosing the Right Profile Picture:
- Use a professional profile picture for your social media account.
- Ensure that the profile picture is appropriately sized and features your logo.
- Make sure any text included in the picture is easily legible on a smartphone screen.
- Choose a photo representing you or your brand, such as a logo, headshot, or product shot.
- Make sure the photo is recognizable and easy to remember.
- Avoid using blurry, low-resolution, or irrelevant images.
3️⃣ Writing a Compelling Bio:
- Your social media bio is the first thing new followers will see. Fine-tuning your bio can help target your ideal audience.
- Your bio should serve as a 150-character pitch.
- A call-to-action, such as a hashtag, link, or contact info, can encourage followers to engage with your content.
- Write your bio in a friendly and approachable tone that feels like it was written by a real person rather than a robot.
4️⃣ Including Relevant Links:
- Include a link to your website, blog, or other social media profiles to drive traffic and engagement.
- Use trackable links or UTM parameters to measure the effectiveness of your links. Incorporating examples of UTM parameters can enhance your tracking precision and help you understand how to use UTM parameters effectively.
- Change your link regularly to promote different products, services, or campaigns.
- Use link shorteners like bit.ly or Linktree to create a clean and organized link page.
📸 Create High-Quality and Engaging Content to Build Your Following
The content you share on Instagram plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining followers. Your followers are interested in what you have to say and what you can offer them. By creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience, you can build a loyal following and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your niche. Consistently posting valuable and relevant content can keep your followers interested and engaged with your account, leading to increased visibility and opportunities for growth.
Here are some tips on how to create visually appealing and relevant content for Instagram:
- Know your target audience and what content they like and engage with.
- Use high-quality photos or videos that are well-lit, in focus, and visually interesting.
- Stick to a consistent visual style or theme that reflects your brand or personality.
- Use captions to provide context, tell a story, or add personality to your content.
- Use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability and reach new audiences.
- Post consistently and at optimal times to increase visibility and engagement.
- Use Instagram’s built-in editing tools or third-party apps to enhance your photos and videos.
- Experiment with different formats, such as carousel posts and reels, to keep your content fresh and interesting.
- Increasing your Instagram likes can also significantly boost your profile’s visibility and attract more followers.
#️⃣ Maximize Your Reach with Hashtags and Geotags
Hashtags and geotags are two important tools on Instagram that can help you increase your visibility and reach on the platform. Hashtags are keywords or phrases preceded by the # symbol that make your posts discoverable to people who are interested in the same topics or themes. Geotags, on the other hand, are location tags that allow you to tag your posts with a specific place or location. Using relevant hashtags and geotags in your posts, you can attract new followers and connect with people interested in the same topics or locations using platforms like Zintego.
1️⃣ Researching and Selecting Hashtags:
- Research relevant hashtags in your niche or industry using Instagram’s search bar or third-party tools.
- Choose hashtags with a mix of high and low volume to increase visibility and discoverability.
- Use branded hashtags to promote your brand or campaign and encourage user-generated content.
- Use location-based hashtags to reach people who are interested in the same area or location.
- Create your own hashtags that reflect your brand or campaign and encourage engagement.
2️⃣ Using Hashtags and Geotags Effectively:
- Use up to 30 hashtags per post, but avoid using irrelevant or spammy hashtags.
- Place your hashtags in the caption or comment section of your post.
- Use a mix of general and specific hashtags to reach a broader and more targeted audience.
- Monitor your hashtag performance and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Use geotags to tag your location or the location of your event or business.
- Use geotags to target people who are interested in the same location or to increase local visibility.
- Use Instagram’s built-in location search feature to find popular geotags in your area.
- Avoid overusing geotags in your posts, as it can come across as spammy.
📆 Timing is Everything: Posting at the Right Time for Your Audience
Timing is an important factor to consider when it comes to Instagram marketing. Posting your content at the right time can help you reach your target audience when they are most active and engaged on the platform. By posting at optimal times, you can increase your visibility, engagement, and overall success on Instagram. Additionally, posting consistently and at the right time can help you establish a predictable and reliable posting schedule, which can increase trust and loyalty among your followers.
- Check your Instagram insights to see when your audience is most active and engaged on the platform.
- Experiment with posting at different times and see when you get the most likes, comments, and shares.
- Look at what other accounts in your industry are doing and when they are posting.
- Think about where your audience is located and what time zone they are in.
- Use tools or apps that can help you analyze your audience and suggest the best times to post.
- Consider seasonal trends or events that may impact your audience’s behavior on Instagram.
- Try to post consistently, even if it’s just once a day or a few times a week
🏆 Run a Giveaway to Boost Engagement and Follower Growth
Running Instagram giveaways is a great way to increase engagement and gain more followers on your account. By offering a prize in exchange for likes, comments, and shares, you can attract more people to your page and create a buzz around your brand. Giveaways also encourage user-generated content, which can be used to further promote your account and reach new audiences. Overall, Instagram giveaways are an effective and fun way to build your following and engage with your audience.
- Decide on a goal for your giveaway. Do you want to increase your followers, drive sales, or raise awareness about your brand?
- Choose a prize that is relevant to your brand and appeals to your target audience. The prize should be valuable enough to attract entries, but not so expensive that it breaks your budget.
- Determine the entry requirements. Do you want people to like, comment, share, or tag their friends in your post? Make sure the requirements align with your goals and values.
- Create a visually appealing and engaging post. Use high-quality images and clear instructions for entering the giveaway.
- Promote the giveaway on your other social media channels and website to maximize reach.
- Choose a winner fairly and transparently. Use a random generator tool to select the winner and announce it publicly.
- Follow up with the winner and fulfill the prize in a timely manner.
- Analyze the results of your giveaway and see how it aligns with your initial goals. Use the data to improve future giveaways and overall social media strategy.
💡Take Advantage of All the Features
Using Instagram’s features and tools strategically can help you stand out and connect with your audience in meaningful ways. Here are some tips on how to do that:
- Filters: Instagram offers a variety of filters that can be applied to your photos to make them look more visually appealing.
- Stories: You can use Instagram Stories to share short, temporary content that disappears after 24 hours. You can also add stickers, polls, and other interactive elements to your stories to engage with your audience.
- Reels: Reels are short, 15-second videos that allow you to create and share fun and creative content. You can add music, text, and other special effects to your Reels.
- Instagram Live: Instagram live events and experiences are a powerful way to engage and connect with followers, building authentic relationships and excitement around your brand.
- Hashtags: You can use hashtags to make your content more discoverable to people who are interested in your niche or industry.
- Insights: Instagram provides analytics and insights about your account, including information about your followers, engagement, and reach. This data can help you better understand your audience and create content that resonates with them.
🙌 Leverage User Generated Content for Social Proof
User-generated content is any type of content, such as photos or videos, that is created by users rather than brands. It is a powerful tool for building social proof and credibility on Instagram, as it demonstrates that real people are using and enjoying your product or service. When users see others sharing positive experiences with your brand, they are more likely to trust and engage with your content, which can ultimately lead to increased sales and brand loyalty.
- Create a branded hashtag that encourages users to share their own content featuring your product or service.
- Repost UGC on your brand’s Instagram account, giving credit to the original creator.
- Host a UGC contest or challenge that incentivizes users to create and share content related to your brand.
- Engage with users who share UGC by liking, commenting, or reposting their content, which can foster a sense of community and loyalty.
- Use UGC in your advertising and marketing materials, such as on your website or in paid social media ads, to showcase real customer experiences and build social proof.
👀 Invest in Instagram Ads to Reach a Wider Audience
Instagram advertising can provide a range of benefits for businesses and influencers, such as increased brand awareness, reach, and engagement. By targeting specific demographics and interests, businesses and influencers can also drive more traffic to their websites and increase sales.
- Define your target audience and use Instagram’s targeting options to reach them effectively.
- Create visually compelling and engaging ad content that aligns with your brand’s messaging and aesthetic.
- Use clear and concise copy to convey your brand’s value proposition and call-to-action.
- Experiment with different ad formats, such as photo, video, carousel, or stories ads, to see what works best for your brand and audience.
- Test and optimize your ad campaigns regularly, using metrics such as engagement rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates to gauge performance and make data-driven decisions.
👩🎤 Utilize Influencer Marketing to Reach New Audiences
Influencer marketing involves collaborating with popular social media influencers to promote your brand or product to their followers. By partnering with influencers who share your values and appeal to your target audience, you can leverage their influence and reach to increase brand awareness and credibility, and ultimately drive sales.
- Define your target audience and identify influencers who share similar values and appeal to that audience.
- Research and analyze the influencer’s content, engagement rates, and audience demographics to ensure a good fit for your brand.
- Approach the influencer with a personalized message that highlights your shared values and interests, and clearly outlines your collaboration proposal.
- Negotiate terms and expectations, such as compensation, content deliverables, and campaign timelines.
- Give the influencer creative freedom to produce authentic and engaging content that resonates with their audience while showcasing your brand’s message and value proposition.
- Track and analyze the performance of the collaboration, using metrics such as engagement rates, click-through rates, and conversions to measure ROI and optimize future influencer campaigns.
🎤Host Live Events to Connect with Your Audience
Live events and experiences on Instagram provide a unique opportunity to engage and connect with followers in real-time, creating a sense of community and shared experience. They allow for authentic and spontaneous interactions with your audience, and can generate excitement and buzz around your brand. By leveraging the power of live events, you can humanize your brand and build stronger relationships with your followers.
Here are some ideas on how to host and promote live events on Instagram:
- Q&A sessions: Host a live Q&A session with your followers to answer their questions and provide value. Promote it ahead of time to encourage participation and engagement.
- Webinars: Host a live webinar on a relevant topic in your industry or niche, and provide valuable insights and tips. Promote it through Instagram Stories and posts, and consider partnering with influencers or other brands to reach a wider audience.
- Product launches: Launch a new product or service through a live event on Instagram, showcasing its features and benefits. Promote it through teasers and sneak peeks leading up to the event, and offer exclusive deals or discounts for attendees.
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🎯 Wrap Up
The blog discussed various strategies and tactics to boost engagement and grow your brand on Instagram, including running giveaways, utilizing user-generated content, leveraging Instagram advertising, collaborating with influencers, and hosting live events. The key takeaways include focusing on building a strong brand identity, using Instagram’s features and tools strategically, creating valuable content, and consistently engaging with your audience.
Moreover, going live on Instagram can be a great way to connect with your audience and build engagement, and with OneStream Live, it’s easier than ever to do. By implementing the strategies and tactics discussed in this blog post and using OneStream Live’s cloud-based live streaming solution, you can create high-quality live content that resonates with your followers and helps you achieve your business goals. So why not give it a try and see how live streaming on Instagram can benefit your brand?
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