7 Surefire Steps to Grow Your Instagram Following

Is your Instagram account stuck in a rut? Take a look at these 7 steps to help you grow your Instagram following.

It's no secret that Instagram has become a powerful platform for individuals and businesses alike. But with so many Instagram users, how can you stand out and grow your own Instagram account following on this popular social media platform?

In this article, I'll explore the 7 best methods I have used to grow my Instagram followers and establishing a strong presence on the app. From optimizing your profile to creating engaging content, this step-by-step guide will help expand your reach and attract new followers. Let's get ready to take your Instagram page to the next level.

7 Steps to Grow Your Instagram Following

If you don't have an Instagram account yet, make sure that you start one. This is a great way to ensure that your target audience can find you on social media platforms as they search for your specified niche. Starting my DIY Instagram account has been a game changer for my business and brand awareness.

Create an Instagram Profile

First thing, create a profile on your account. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Think of Instagram like a resume for a job. When potential followers click over to your Instagram bio they should instantly know what kind of content will be featured. 9 times out of 10 a person will make a decision as to whether they are going to follow you within the first 10 seconds they are on your page.

I am all about DIY and home decor so a lot of people are not coming to my page to see what I had for lunch. They are coming to get great content ideas for home hacks, wood projects, holiday decor, tutorials and more. I put my prettiest pictures on Instagram because this is my resume and I want my best foot forward!

Find the Perfect Posting Time

Determining the best time to post is key to boosting your number of followers. But this will require patience as well as some experimentation and evaluating to determine when you get the best interaction. For my account, higher engagement comes around 7 am and 5:30 pm.

When I post at these times the engagement rate increases with more likes and comments. Because the Instagram algorithm seems to always be adjusting and can affect viewer capacity , try to stay as consistent as possible and start by posting at least a few times a week. However, I do post at least 1 minute long story everyday. This makes it so I stay in contact with my audience.

Be Social to Grow Your Instagram Following

For your Instagram growth strategy, it's important to put yourself out there. In other words, take the time to be social and engage on Instagram posts.

I have found Instagram to be a lot more interactive than other social media accounts and platforms. I try to answer as many questions as I can on my pictures and thank people for their kind comments. Etiquette can go a long way with real followers.

Also, if I leave meaningful comments on someone else's photo, most of the time the owner will respond to me and vice versa. A good personal goal is to make a sincere comment on at least 20 Instagram posts a day.

If someone posts a picture of their kitchen I will find something I REALLY love about it and express that in the comments. Rumor has it that Instagram only counts comments with 3 or more words so it's a good idea to make those comments count! And remember, these are real people who love acknowledgement too.

Participate in Reels to Grow Your Instagram Following

Instagram made a statement that they are "no longer a photo sharing app".  This means if you post photos they will not be seen by as many people as Instagram reels will be. While this can pose a challenge, it is not detrimental to your success as long as you are willing to participate in a different way of doing things.

The first three seconds of a reel are the most important. This is when a person decides if they are going to stop scrolling and watch or not. My best advice - make it eye catching and keep your reel moving fast.

Instagram is now offering a creator bonus. This means they are paying creators to post reels. They don't pay much, but something is always better than nothing at the end of the day and can help your small business to grow.

Join an Interactive Group

In the beginning, the best way for me to get involved was becoming part of a group. As a member of an interactive group, you make it a point to comment on each other's posts to gain traction and potential new audiences. Once you post, share it to the group message so the other members know you have a new post up. This allows everyone to comment on it when they have a free minute to do so.

This is a great way to find people in your niche and connect. Unfortunately, as my account has grown I have had to leave the groups. This was mainly due to time constraints, because I try to answer my follower comments and messages first. However, this is a great tool when you are first trying to grow and gain people's attention.

Create a Story Share Group

Creating a story share group is a great idea to grow your Instagram following. It is one of the most effective ways to find new followers as well as make new friends. When I set up a share group it usually consists of six other accounts.

Add all six accounts into one group message and over a six week period of time, we all agree to share one person a week and link to each other's Instagram stories.

Since we are all in a group message it is a great time to talk and get to know new people. I have made lots of real life friends this way.

Tip: The easiest way to establish a group is to find people in your niche with around the same amount of followers.

Algorithm Mania

I have still not fully cracked the code or figured everything out with the Instagram Algorithm. It is always changing, but here is what I do know:

• Posts are weighted similar to Facebook, where the most popular posts are on top instead of being in chronological order as previously done.
• Interaction is key! Shares and saves hold the most value.
• Post frequently and consistently with a regular posting schedule. This will also help to evaluate any changes you need to make.
• The first 3 seconds of a video are the most important. This is where you will hook your audience and get them to stay.
• Try using trending audio and hashtags too. This can help reach more people.

Be Personable

Followers like people who can appeal to them. Be personable. No, that doesn't mean you need to always be peppy and have a perfect house on display. I have shared many posts where my home is a mess, or things don't go as planned. I am a wife and mother too and with that come challenges of their own.

But you want to be likeable. That is what will attract people to come and see your Instagram content - if they can relate to you or if they like what you offer.

Building a Successful Following

You may have realized by now, but A LOT of work goes into growing a following. We joke around here that it is a full time job and there is a lot of truth to that. If you are hoping to make money blogging, building an Instagram following is key to your success.

Visit my Instagram here. You can also pop on over to my Youtube channel for visual tutorials or shop my home decor here.

Brooke