Your Instagram Followers Can Grow Organically: See How

Nowadays, all brands and businesses are emphasizing improving their social presence. Instagram marketing is one of the proven ways to increase traffic, expand sales volume, and engage potential customers. This social media platform is growing by leaps and bounds and is constantly coming up with new and exciting features like Instagram reels, stories, etc. Moreover, it keeps surprises up with continuous algorithm updates.

The huge audience base and intriguing features make it difficult for businesses to grow organically on Instagram. Simply uploading content is not enough to drive Instagram followers and desired reach. Want to know how you can grow your follower base naturally and easily to boost your organic reach on Instagram? Work on the following tips and tricks to increase your followers and gain higher engagement.

How To Grow Instagram Followers Organically

Two red speech bubbles with the numbers 5k and 500k in white Grow your Instagram followers organically

Here are the ways to grow your Instagram followers organically stick to the end and grow your audience.

Create and Optimize Your Instagram Profile

Before exploring the strategies to grow your followers organically, focus on how your Instagram account is created. Your profile picture, bio, and bio link are some important elements that define your brand identity and impact your profile’s discoverability. Be sure that you have a follower-friendly account.

Use or change your username to a search-friendly username that resonates with your brand name or your existing social handles. Use a short name or shorten your existing long username so that the target audience can easily recognize it.

Add a professionally appearing profile picture ensuring it must be understandable on a smartphone screen. If you are leveraging Instagram to drive traffic to your website to increase sales and promotions, then add your website link to your bio.

Post Content That Your Followers Wish to See

When it comes to creating valuable and shareable content, there are multiple variables to consider—for example, hashtags, content type, format, filter, post time, captions, etc. Furthermore, what works effectively for one brand may not work for another brand in terms of timing and content format.

Testing is more crucial on Instagram because some content receives more likes, shares, and comments than others. You can use native analytics of Instagram or third-party Instagram analytics tools to examine content across accounts. If you have no idea where you must start, spend time analyzing your competitors.

Keeping up with your competing Instagram accounts can help you with significant Instagram data. Don’t make the mistake of copycatting your competitors, instead, track a record of what they are doing to drive more engagement. Also, keep updated with the new Instagram trends to hop on trending content formats.  

Post Content Consistently

You are more likely to gain increasing followers if you post consistently. Generating and uploading quality content can help you develop a reliable audience and keep them engaged. So, create and follow a regular posting schedule on Instagram, posting daily. Optimal engagement is gained during mid-to-late morning and early noon during weekdays.

Schedule Your Posts In Advance

Posting valuable content at the optimal time can improve your post’s visibility and maximize engagement. You can schedule Instagram posts, stories, reels, and carousels in advance to ensure control and organization. Several Instagram content scheduling tools are available to schedule content in advance and discover the perfect times to post Instagram content.

Don’t pay attention to Fake Followers

There is much difference between organic and fake Instagram growth. For instant and quick growth, most content creators and influencers are tempted to opt for third-party tools and services providing fake Instagram likes, followers, and other forms of engagement from inactive users.

The low-engagement and inactive Instagram account with a large following is suspicious and can confuse organic followers. As a result, it can distract your potential followers who otherwise follow your Instagram account and engage. Fake followers can even be identified by the algorithm and result in negative consequences.

Bot or fake followers cannot buy any engagement. Real followers, on the other hand, can bring you more likes, shares, and comments. They can also appreciate the time you spend interacting with them. Showing this type of authenticity is more long-lasting and powerful.

Find and Use Hashtags Your Followers Are Using

Using industry-specific hashtags or hashtags your potential followers are hanging out with can bring you new followers. So, find and use hashtags relevant to your target audience and less general. Before including any hashtag in your content strategy, identify how they perform on Instagram. For this, you can use a hashtag analytics tool, providing direct access to detailed performance and usage information.

Add short-form Videos to Your Content Strategy

One study report found that around 66% of customers want to explore short-form videos from brands rather than long-form videos. So, focus on short-form videos like reels and stories. Instagram reels are snappy and preferred by the algorithm. You can add product highlights, behind-the-scenes peeks, how-to videos, or tutorials.

Be concise and creative when creating content because you have only a few seconds. Take advantage of integrated tools and features on Instagram including voice-overs, stickers, transitions, music, cuts, and filters to create attention-grabbing and engaging reels.

Use Story Highlights

If you have ever created a highly engaging story that performs exceptionally well on your Instagram account, then organize it as your story highlights. A group of chosen old stories are considered highlights which can be organized by a specific topic or theme like an event, tip, or Q&A. Highlights can be found on the top of a profile, thereby allowing more users to check them before scrolling down to your posts.

Promote Your Instagram Account Everywhere You Can

If your Instagram marketing campaign aims to drive more followers, then promote your Instagram account to all the popular online and offline portals. For example, you can include your social media icons in your marketing emails and website, helping your audience find your business and allowing you to connect with customers. 

Re-share announcements or Instagram-specific content on other social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, etc. Alternatively, you can feature your Instagram feed on your product pages or homepage, and Instagram link to business cards, leaflets, etc.

Conclusion

Audience growth on Instagram requires consistency, creativity, and planning. This is the fact we need to optimize our profile and should post high-quality and engaging content regularly. Using hashtags and short-form videos is also a great factor. We should also avoid the temptation of fake followers, as they provide little value in the long run.