How to get more followers on Instagram

First thought: I want to know how to get more followers on Instagram.

Second thought: I need followers to get more followers on Instagram.

Fortunately, moving beyond this cycle is easier than you might have thought. Provided you’re posting worthwhile content, you will gain more followers – as long as your account sends out the right signals. That means engaging posts, likes, and yes! Follows. Here’s how to get the ball rolling and then run with it.

Getting Started: Should You Buy Instagram Followers?

Now, before we cite the often-quoted statement that it’s never a good idea to buy Instagram followers, let’s look at the reason why that belief came into being.

Poor-quality followers come from dummy accounts that exist only to follow. In contrast, high-quality follows come from genuine account holders who make full use of Instagram. They like, they post, they comment. In short, they’re active users who can improve your reach within the Instagram community.

Having high-quality followers means increased exposure for you and social proof that encourages even more users to click that follow button. You get a snowball effect, and your chances of Instagram success get a much-needed initial boost.

If you do decide to take this route, search for quality and make sure that you won’t be getting 'fake' followers or bots. Instagram has been cracking down on bots and accounts that rely heavily on them, so discernment is advised if you decide to try buying Instagram followers.

Perfect Your Profile

To follow you on Instagram, users navigate to your profile. So, make sure it’s ready to welcome them. Choose an attractive profile picture that matches your brand – whether that’s your personal brand or a business’s brand. Since your profile image represents you, be particularly careful in your choice. Think about the mood you want to evoke, the impression you want to project, and what your profile image is 'saying' about you.

Don’t forget to provide a good bio. It doesn’t have to be long, but it should reflect your brand personality. Include some keywords and a link to your website (if you want to direct traffic there). You only have 150 characters to do this all in, so make them count!

Develop Great Posts and Make Hashtags Work for You

Think about what your ideal audience wants to see. Do they want to see beautiful people or lovely locations? Perhaps they want how-tos and fashion tips? Or, they might be receptive to fun and humour. If you aren’t too sure, you can try different things to see what type of posts gain you the most followers. Whatever you do, use high-quality images or footage.

You can also get inspiration by researching popular hashtags. But don’t overlook niche hashtags. There’s less competition there, and you might even get more views.

Make sure your hashtags are relevant. #Bodybuilding coupled with a picture of your cat just isn’t going to cut it. And remember, your text should consist of more than a list of hashtags. Add some engaging text, and remember the importance of that call to action.

Once you have a winning recipe, stick to it. If you get increased engagement with specific content types or topics, keep it going so that your followers keep coming back for more.

Pick a Good Time of Day

You’ll get different results depending on the time of day you choose to post. Experiment to see what works for you – you might be in for some surprises. According to research, midweek posts seem to get the most attention and engagement. Try to post close to the times you expect your followers to be online. For example, many people browse their socials before going to work, during lunch breaks, and when they arrive home from work.

Use Instagram Ads for an Extra Boost

Paid advertising on Instagram can be very effective – and it’s not just for businesses. Influencers also use it to get extra exposure and, you guessed it, even more followers. Be sure to decide on a goal. Since you’re reading this, it might be expanding your audience. Whatever your goal, tell your users what you’d like them to do. For example, you can ask them to hit follow or encourage them to visit your online store.

Now, pick your audience demographic and go ahead with advertising. This means that your posts will appear in the feeds of people matching the demographics you’ve chosen. Make them good enough, and you’ll get more followers.

Consider offering an incentive such as a contest – you can ask entrants to tag their friends when they enter, and you could end up with a lot more new followers than you’d bargained for.

Interact With Your Followers

Never just post and forget. Remember to monitor your account. Interact with your new followers to boost their sense of engagement. Building relationships with followers means that they’re more likely to feel excited about viewing your posts. Give them that moment they’re looking for, and they’ll hit like. The more likes you gather, the better your chances are to feature on even more people’s feeds. Better yet, if your followers are eager to share your content, their friends may become your followers, too.

Max Out Your Mileage

Your hard work deserves recognition, so be your own best friend and spread the word. Have an Instagram button on your website and draw attention to your Instagram posts on other social media platforms. Do you send out a newsletter? Add a link to your Instagram and ask your subscribers to check it out.

Try a Collab

With your list of followers looking much healthier than it did before, you might be able to get the owner of an Instagram account that compliments yours on board for a collaboration. For example, if you’re in the DIY niche, you could use your collab partner’s products along with yours in a 'how-to' video. It’s a win-win in which both of you gain even more exposure and, with the right content, new followers.

Now You Know How to Get More Followers on Instagram: See You There!

With these basics to back you up, you’re all set to get a head start and grow your audience. The main hurdle is getting exposure, and for some, that may mean buying Instagram followers. Your top strategy, however, is all about the great content you’ll create. Maybe we’ll see you on Instagram next. We’ll be sure to like and follow!

(This article is part of IndiaDotCom Pvt Ltd’s Consumer Connect Initiative, a paid publication programme. IDPL claims no editorial involvement and assumes no responsibility, liability or claims for any errors or omissions in the content of the article. The IDPL Editorial team is not responsible for this content.)