Instagram serves as the cornerstone of numerous brands’ social media presence. For instance, it is a proven platform that drives traffic, supports sales, and engages customers, prompting 59% of marketers to increase their investment in Instagram this year. However, if you are dissatisfied with your Instagram growth and engagement, you are not alone. Moreover, the platform is becoming increasingly competitive as more brands jump on board. Nevertheless, taking steps to expand your audience is worth it because a larger audience equates to more opportunities to impress your customers. Are you ready to adjust your presence and get more Instagram followers? This post outlines how you can achieve it.
How to Get More Instagram Followers Organically
This post focuses on how to build an organic following on Instagram, which is an important distinction to make. While some brands may consider taking shortcuts to gain more followers, pay-for-play sites and bots aren’t worth it in the long run. The Instagram algorithm is designed to detect low-quality accounts and engagement from these sources. However, growing your audience authentically requires some effort, but it’s worth it in the end. We’re gonna share our top ten tips to get more Instagram followers organically.
1. Improve your Instagram Account
Prior to seeking ways to gain followers, take a closer look at how your Instagram account is set up. Start by asking yourself: does your profile make a good impression? Key factors to consider are:
- Your Instagram bio, which includes your branded hashtag, tagline, and/or slogan
- Your profile image
- The link in your bio and its destination
These components create your brand’s identity on Instagram and determine how easily people can discover your account. To create a follower-friendly profile, focus on:
Choosing a username that is search-friendly. Use your brand name or a shortened version that your audience would easily recognize. For example, @coldstone is Cold Stone Creamery’s Instagram handle. Using a professional profile picture, ideally a logo that is appropriately sized. Ensure any text is legible on a mobile device’s screen. Being mindful of the destination of your bio link. This is crucial in turning followers into valuable traffic or customers. Your bio link is your only way to redirect social traffic to your website or promotions. Linking to your homepage is acceptable, but not always the best choice. Consider using a social landing page that directs to multiple links to encourage more meaningful interactions.
Giving your followers control over how they interact with your business will lead to a better experience for them.
2. Maintain a Consistent Content Schedule
Consistency is key when it comes to building momentum on Instagram. Randomly posting content won’t help you gain more followers. Creating valuable content is what attracts and retains your audience. Regularly posting content is what helps you maintain their interest. So, don’t let your Instagram account go inactive. To achieve this, it’s important to stick to a consistent posting schedule. The number of posts and the timing of those posts can vary from brand to brand. Most brands post daily or almost daily. To give you an idea of the best times to post on Instagram, check out the following chart. The ideal time for engagement is during the mid to late morning and early afternoon on weekdays.
If you’re concerned that your posts aren’t getting enough visibility, don’t worry. Consider Instagram features like Stories can help you gain more exposure.
3. Plan and schedule your Instagram posts
Despite the reach limitations imposed by the Instagram algorithm, posting at optimal times can still increase your posts’ visibility and engagement. To maximize engagement, it’s worth planning and scheduling your Instagram content in advance, which is now possible with the latest tools available, including Sprout. This helps you maintain consistency and organization in your posting schedule and crosspost content from other networks as well.
4. Boost engagement by interacting with customers, brand advocates, and influencers
Interacting with your audience is key to get more Instagram follower. In detail, one of the most effective ways to do this is by responding to and sharing their posts. User-generated content (UGC) campaigns can help build social proof by showcasing that you value your followers. Drunk Elephant is a great example of this, regularly reposting their followers’ content using hashtags like #BareWithUs and #DrunkBreak.
Partnering with influencers who have a large following is another way to increase your audience. By collaborating with content creators, you can reach your target audience and generate ongoing awareness for your brand.