I’m going to be real honest—the first time I stepped on the Instagram stage, I made so many errors that I honestly wonder I did not scare the few followers that I had then. Once, I posted a Reel with the sound completely out of sync—it was so awkward that even my mom texted me, “Are you sure you know how to use this thing?” (Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mom!). But despite all the mishaps, I learned a ton about how to get followers on Instagram.
Here is my very own, mistake-filled, tale on how to get followers on Instagram—hopping it’ll spare you from some cringe moments!
Set Your Profile Picture and Bio
Your profile picture on Instagram is the first impression and the first step to learn how to get followers on Instagram. I used to have a random picture of me at the beach, squinting because the sun was in my eyes, and it was way too dark. So much so, my friend asked if I was posting from the bottom of the ocean! So, take my word for it—pick a clear, high-resolution image that represents you or your brand, with no carnival-ride background or weird lighting.
Quick Tips for Your Bio
1.Be brief but descriptive.
Say what you do and whom you serve. According to Views4You, you should include a CTA (Call To Action) For instance, something like: “Helping small businesses grow with actionable marketing tips. DM for inquiries!” Use Linktree or something similar if you have more than one link. I once filled my bio with five different URLs—looked like a broken telephone directory 2.
2.Username and Visibility
Your username should be memorable and easy to type. I learned this the hard way when my handle was @the_real_marketing_guru1989—even I got tired of typing it out. Eventually, I changed to something snappy, and it made a world of difference. Also, double-check that your profile is set to public! I once inadvertently toggled my account to private for almost a month and wondered why my follower count was frozen.
3. Defining Your Target Audience
Knowing who you’re speaking to is important. If your content is about fitness and healthy living, your followers might be confused if you suddenly flood their feed with pictures of triple-chocolate cupcakes (although I won’t lie, cupcakes are pretty irresistible). I started by throwing out random stuff: marketing tips, my cat being silly, my questionable home-cooked meals, random memes. That chaotic “strategy” took me nowhere fast.
But once I realized my audience was mostly aspiring entrepreneurs interested in business tips, my engagement finally took off.
4. Content Planning and Consistent Posting
Ah, consistency—the magic word! I used to ghost my followers for weeks at a time and then come back with a barrage of posts. Not surprisingly, people moved on.
- Stories: Great for day-to-day updates, behind the scenes, or quick polls. One time, I shared how I had managed to pour coffee all over my laptop, and people just loved the realness of it. Reels: Short and engaging videos that Instagram’s algorithm just loves.
- Feed Posts: High-quality photos or graphics representing your brand aesthetic.
Pick a theme or color palette for your feed. Jumping from black-and-white filters to neon overlays can make your profile look super messy. I learned that lesson after my followers started asking if I had multiple personalities.
5. Hashtag Strategy
Hashtags can either be your best friend or your downfall, depending on how you go about it. I once did 30 tags that had nothing to do with the post in a desperate attempt at getting views. Spoiler alert—it didn’t work. Use niche hashtags relevant to your audience. Throw in trending ones now and then to give more visibility to your content if the trend is associated with the post. Create a branded hashtag for community building.
Aim for 10–15 meaningful hashtags rather than 30 random ones. Nobody’s going to follow you because of a #cutecats hashtag if you’re actually talking about marketing.
6. Engagement Boosting Techniques
Instagram is all about being social. It’s not a one-sided broadcast. Respond to comments and DMs; don’t leave people hanging. Use interactive Story features like polls, quizzes, and Q&A.
I once did a random poll asking people about their favorite pizza toppings (totally unrelated to my niche), and shockingly, it got my highest engagement that month. Turns out, everyone has very strong opinions about pizza!
7. Collaborations with Influencers
Influencer marketing, when done right, can really increase your reach. But when done wrong, it’s like throwing money into a bottomless pit. I once partnered with a teen gamer, even though my content was all about marketing tips for small businesses. Surprise: None of his followers cared about my posts. Be sure the influencer’s audience is your audience. Authentic partnerships work way better than forced ones.
8. Run Instagram Ads
Instagram Ads can skyrocket your growth—or burn a hole in your wallet. (I speak from experience, having spent $100 on an ad targeting—well, basically no one.) Define your audience: age, location, interests. Create eye-catching visuals and engaging copy. Start small with your budget, see how it performs, and then scale up if it works.
Don’t be like me, going all in on your first try and then crying over the wasted budget.
9. Analyzing Your Data
Instagram Insights is essentially your cheat sheet to see what’s working. Keep track of these metrics:
- Engagement rate (likes, comments, shares vs. your follower count)
- Follower growth (did that last post drive more people to follow you, or scare them away?)
- Content reach (how many people see each post?)
I noticed my Reels were performing a lot better than my static feed posts, so I doubled down on short, snappy video content. If your data says something isn’t working, don’t be stubborn—pivot before you lose your audience.
10. Running Giveaways and Contests
Giveaways can be a quick way to get visibility and followers. But make sure you give away something relevant. I once gave away a free pizza coupon and got a ton of entries from pizza lovers with zero interest in my marketing content. So guess what happened once the giveaway ended? They all left. Choose a prize that’s in line with your niche, that way you can learn how to grow Instagram followers. Establish clear rules for participation (follow, like, comment, tag a friend, etc.) Review Instagram’s policies to avoid getting into trouble.
Example:
“Win a 30-minute marketing consultation! Follow, like this post, and tag a business owner friend to enter!”
11. Keeping Brand Consistency
Brand consistency builds trust. If your brand colors are pastel blues and pinks, then don’t suddenly post a neon-green image that looks like it came from a 90s arcade—unless your brand is a 90s arcade! I went through a phase of changing up my entire look every two weeks. My profile looked like a patchwork quilt—and not in a cute way.
Keep your tone, style, and colors consistent. In time, people should be able to know it’s your post before they see your username.
FAQ
Q: How often should I post on Instagram?
A: Consistency > frequency. Shoot for 3–4 quality posts a week over daily rushed ones.
Q: What are the best times to post on Instagram?
A: Check your Insights. Weekday afternoons are golden for me. But your audience may be night owls.
Q: Should I use all 30 hashtags in my posts?
A: Please don’t! 10–15 targeted hashtags usually do the trick. Quality over quantity applies here too.
Q: How can I increase my followers on Instagram organically?
A: Provide value, be authentic, collaborate with influencers that share your audience, and create share-worthy content.
Q: Is it worth investing in Instagram Ads?
A: Absolutely, if you know what your objective and target audience are. Start small, analyze, and refine your approach.
