How to Grow your Instagram Following Organically for 2024
Among the different social media platforms, Instagram is one of the most popular ones that is available in the market. With a whopping 1.35 billion users every day, who doesn’t want to be a part of the growing community and use it for their digital marketing strategy, right?
But while it is easy to use Instagram, simple posting will not help you grow or increase your followers. There are strategies to ensure that you utilize Instagram properly.
Discover how to produce content that attracts actual followers on Instagram—not just bots—and boosts interaction on your posts, stories, and reels.
Let’s get started.
Most new brands will agree that starting from scratch to get followers the authentic way on Instagram is challenging.
Remember, using shortcuts such as buying accounts, using bots, and buying followers are not authentic and would not grow your brand in the end. Look at and engage in authentic ways that will boost your follower count in the long term. Instagram requires you to engage in authentic ways to grow your Instagram following. This is because a valuable Instagram follower who grows with your account from scratch is real, cares, and engages with your brand from the start to the long run.
Since most businesses are flocking Instagram, it implies that it is a competitive platform for any brand to increase its following. However, it would be best if you got real followers for you to emerge at the stop and stay there.
Ways to Get more Instagram Followers
1. Authentic engagement, the best way to grow a following.
Be genuine and your authentic self by building your brand from down and gradually grow to the top. If you do this, there is no doubt your audience will get engaged in your content and turn into your followers. Your engagement on Instagram is the total number of likes and comments you receive from every post you make, divided by your followers. The Instagram algorithm values authenticity and recompenses engaged accounts.
One great example that has proved authentic engagement to be successful is the Master Delegator podcast. This account was created in March 2021 from scratch with 0 followers but currently has 400 real followers. Instagram following on this account has been made possible by authentic engagement, the likes and comments that posts receive, thus gradually growing the accounts Instagram community.
2. Interact with customers and respond to their comments by Liking and Commenting on posts.
The more active you become, or your interactive session on the Instagram platform will likely bring more followers your way. Your duty is not just to post content; instead, engage with both your followers and non-followers. Most consumers are likely to follow your page if they recognize your interaction with them. If your post gets more likes and comments, it means that your post is of high quality, and more of your followers will be able to view it. Besides, you also need to script engaging captions on your post to boost Instagram followers.
3. Use Reels as Part of your content
According to reports, short videos or reels have more engagement than images. These days, followers are more inclined to watch short videos because they find it more entertaining and interesting.
Additionally, it is also the best way to reach new audiences. Just like TikTok’s FYP or For You Page, reels provide high-interest content which makes it easier to grow your visibility and followers.
To use reels effectively:
Be sure to use hashtags and keywords in your reels
Use sounds that are popular or trending
Use high-quality videos to capture the interest of your audience
Be creative and original!
4. Optimize your IG Account
Before worrying too much about followers, one thing to consider is optimizing your account. One of the several touchpoints in the client journey is your Instagram profile. Thus, your brand should seem just as it would on your product packaging, customer communications, e-commerce website, and other social media platforms.
Instagram users or followers will be able to discover you if your content appears on top of the Explore page.
If they find that your content is interesting, they will be motivated to check on your page to find out more about your brand, which means adding followers.
5. Collaborate with influencers and creators
While IG can bring you far and wide, many audiences and collaboration with influencers and creators can add trust and credibility to your brand.
A survey shows that brands that collaborate with influencers have 61% of consumers trust them because of the recommendation of the influencer.
Therefore, you may also want to add influencer marketing as part of your strategy. However, collaborate with those who also have the same voice or vision as your brand.
6. Have a #hashtag
Engaging a wider audience regularly is your goal on Instagram. One method to appear in search results for people looking at materials that are similar to yours is to use hashtags.
Using trending Instagram hashtags that consumers frequently look for is a standard tactic. Nevertheless, these hashtags frequently become overused. Make sure the hashtag you use in the copy is aligned with the content that you are posting and not just your general hashtag.
Hence, looking for hashtags that are appropriate for your brand and content is the best approach. Find out which hashtags your target audience is using by researching keywords and hashtags related to your industry.
7. Post with Consistency
When creating a social media content calendar, it's important to take a strategic approach and examine user behavior and account performance to determine what material performs best when.
Even though brands have access to several social media tools, Instagram's built-in analytics can provide a wealth of information in this regard.
If you're just getting started, consider referring to marketing research's optimum times to post on Instagram.
But it's possible that your audience doesn't adhere to these criteria. That's why it's critical to modify your strategy as new information becomes available.
Consider using social media scheduling tools to automatically post your content when your audience is the most engaged – even if you are away or sleeping.
8. Run a contest or giveaway
Holding a giveaway is among the best methods to reward a follower. Brands and producers frequently require consumers to perform one or more tasks to be eligible to enter. Among them are:
Following the account including the account of any collaborators
Liking the post
Tagging friends
Posting or leaving a comment
Clicking on the brand's website's entry form (this also helps grow an email list)
9. Sharing User-Generated Content
User-generated content or UGC is any kind of content such as photos, videos, audio, or written reviews that is created by a brand fan, follower, or customer.
Because user-generated content (UGC) is a reliable testimonial from a real customer, it lends legitimacy and humanization to your brand. As a result, purchase confidence is raised.
Additionally, if you share a customer's message, their 15 minutes of fame will probably increase their brand loyalty and encourage them to recommend friends and make additional purchases.
UGC can increase your Instagram following and revenue because customers are 56% more inclined to purchase a product after seeing a shared photo from another consumer.
10. Utilize Instagram to Build Your Brand
Social media, like Instagram, provides brands and marketers with a powerful tool for drawing in, interacting with, and influencing consumers. Your ability to use it successfully will increase sales, lead generation, and brand exposure.
If you want help in growing your Instagram account, SmartVAs is here for you. We have Social Media VAs who are also experts in taking care of your Instagram accounts. We use social media commerce, perform social media research, produce engaging social content, and take advantage of the most popular social media platforms and apps available today.
Let us take care of the things that are holding you back from growing your business! Book a free consultation.
Crucial Ideas to Practice on How to Boost Instagram Following:
1. Incorporate your Instagram posts with the community and brand-specific hashtags
If you go through most Instagram posts, you will notice that most posts with hashtags receive more comments and likes than those without hashtags. Hashtags on your post prompt viewers and lead to a new following. Ensure that your first comment is embedded with a hashtag, this also encourages your followers to share your post, and the more people get to know you, the more curious they get, thus the need to follow your brand.
2. Come up with a thoughtful Instagram marketing strategy
Like any other social media platform, you need to develop a strategy that will build your social network. You need to stay focused on your brand-oriented goals to keep your Instagram account consistent and tell a compelling brand story that will appeal to followers and help you develop a loyal following.
3. Avoid using bots to gain a following
Instagram bots could turn your high-quality content into a waste of your resources and time. Avoid bots and use authentic engagement to get real followers on your account.
Is there an Instagram Following Limit?
Generally, like Twitter and other social media platforms, there is a follow limit on Instagram. You are allowed to follow or unfollow a maximum of 200 users in a day. Users are limited to following up to 7,500 Instagram accounts. Under Instagram’s rules and restrictions come the following limit. As much as you are determined to grow your Instagram following, be sure not to break or go against the Instagram following limits. If you try to follow more than the recommended number in a day, you risk the chances of your account being blocked or shut down. It is advisable that you start slow and grows gradually your follower's day after day, and you will eventually have many real followers.
How to find your Instagram following requests.
As an account owner, some users will request to follow you. In your activity section for your Instagram page, you will find follow requests. Since the primary goal is to grow followers, we cannot afford to ignore these requests but approve them. Similarly, you can request to follow other pages. Instagram could also limit your follow requests if your account shifts from public to private several times.
Why do you need Instagram Collaboration
Master the art of working with other brands on Instagram that aim at the same objective, growing followers. When you collaborate with the right brands, both of you benefit by earning more Instagram followers. First, identify the right brands to collaborate with because, like other social networks, there are fake brands and scams all over. Since Instagram stories are a significant influence on viewers, you could take your collaboration to this section. It not only increases your engagement but also doubles up your value with other brands. By doing so, you reach new prospective consumers, generate new content, increase your social media community and attract publicity, which are essential aspects to growing your Instagram following.
However, it’s important to note that, before you start working with other brands, you need to determine your priorities, for instance, what brands you would like to collaborate with, either in size and what advantage do you get for working with them.
Be one of the first brands to hire a virtual assistant to help your account be authentic, active and consistent, engaging, and use relevant hashtags to your Instagram posts.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How to get noticed on Instagram?
There are many ways that you can get noticed on Instagram. Some of the effective ways include:
Using eye-catching images
Having engaging captions
Utilize hashtags
Post at optimal times
Be interactive
Use reels and stories
These are just some strategies that you can do to help you be noticed and grow your IG account. Additionally, always be on the lookout for any updates or new ways that can help grow your brand.
2. Why is it so hard to grow Instagram followers?
Consistency matters most when growing your followers. It is crucial to have momentum and stick to a schedule. Don’t post at random because this is what likely is the reason why you don’t get followers.
Remember that creating and providing valuable content is what makes the audience interested and engaged. Therefore, don’t let your Instagram account go to waste. Utilize it correctly and properly. You may also use the help of virtual assistants such as SmartVAs.
3. What is the best time to post on Instagram?
The best time to post on Instagram depends on your audience. There is no one size that fits all. However, to have a better idea, the most popular times to post are between 6 am to 9 am, 12 pm to 2 pm, and at night between 5 pm to 7 pm.
If you have a global audience, it is best to monitor and adjust your posts so they would be more effective and have more engagement.