- HoneyHat

How to get real Instagram followers: 14 tips

1. Optimize your Instagram profile

It’s often the first impression that potential followers have of your brand. This is a picture that should reflect your brand’s identity and style, and mirror the messaging and style found on your site and other channels.

Here’s a few tips on how to improve your profile.

Consistency is key: Make sure your avatar, your bio and your overall theme are consistent with your brand. Use colors, layouts, filters and styles that are consistent with the personality of your brand.
Engage your grid of content: Your posts and Reels will form a coherent grid that tells the story of your brand. Plan and schedule regularly your content in order to keep this harmony. You should aim for a visually pleasing layout that will draw viewers in and encourage them to explore further.
Use the bio link effectively: Make the most of the clickable link within your bio. This link can be used to direct potential customers to your latest collection or to a special promotion.

Take a look at Letterfolk Instagram. The brand’s color scheme and graphics are consistent.

There’s also a mix of thoughtful content on its Instagram grid. It includes customer testimonials, inspiring posts and product highlights.

The link in the bio is also a clever move. This link takes you to a page that has several options including a grid of shopping items based on the Instagram content.

The seamless integration between Letterfolk’s social presence on Facebook and the ecommerce website makes for an enjoyable user experience.

2. Use Instagram Live

Instagram Live allows you to stream live videos directly to your fans. This is similar to Reels or Stories but in real-time. Creators can use cool interactive features, such as Instagram badges and direct communication with viewers. You can also save your Lives to be used later.

Influencer Alfredo Lewi, for example, did a live interview with makeup artist @makeupbyloveandrea in partnership with K18 hair. This type of collaboration increases the brand’s visibility and introduces new audiences to creators.

You can use Instagram Live to increase your followers by following these tips:

Host influencer takeovers on your account.
Create a Q&A or AMA session to allow direct interaction.
You can use Instagram Live Shopping to show off new products, or give exclusive access to viewers.
Share your work with three or more accounts in a “room”.
Add a personal touch by displaying behind-the scenes content.
Answer questions and conduct live demos or tutorials.
Promote the event in advance by interviewing other creators and brands.

3. Establish your personal brand

It’s a good idea to create your own Instagram account in conjunction with your company account if you are the founder of a brand. This strategy will increase your brand’s recognition, grow your following, and boost sales.

Consider, for example, the zero-waste approach taken by Packaging Freespan size=”font weight: 400 ;”>,. The brand has a strong Instagram account, but the founder’s personal Instagram account adds an additional layer of engagement.

You can strike a powerful note by balancing the two accounts. The personal account makes the brand seem more human, and the business account shows what is on offer to encourage Instagram users into buying.

4. Enjoy special offers on account features

Some Instagram accounts showcase the best posts in specific niches. These accounts are called featured accounts and have massive followers. Your profile could gain new followers if your post is featured on these accounts.

There are feature accounts for every possible interest: travel, fashion, photography and pets. As an example, @thepeoplescreatives shares creative photos with its 177,000 subscribers.

Use hashtags that these accounts use to get their content seen. You can tag them or follow their posting rules. It is a great way to gain followers who already like the content you post.

The term “User-Generated Content” (UGC) refers to any type of content, such as videos, photos or reviews, that is created by customers and followers. It allows potential customers to see how other people value and interact with your product, which increases their trust in you and their likelihood of purchasing.

When you share the post of a customer, they will feel more special and loyal to your brand. You might find that they tell their friends about your brand or return to purchase more.

UGC can be a powerful tool to grow your Instagram following and sales. A photo shared by another customer increases a person’s likelihood to purchase a product by 56%.

6. Create a hashtag strategy

A solid hashtag strategy will help you grow your Instagram audience. Here are some steps to create one:

Select relevant hashtags

Select hashtags that are relevant to your brand. Choose hashtags that are relevant to your brand and not the most popular.

Tag organization

Sort your hashtags. Use hashtags like #HandmadeCandles and #EcoFriendlyHome if you are selling handmade candles. You can also add some local tags like #MadeIn[YourCity ].

Use hashtags to share stories and reels

Use these hashtags regularly in your Stories and Reels. Use hashtags to help people discover your content.

Refreshing old posts

Use new hashtags on old posts to increase their visibility.

Follow these simple steps to grow your Instagram community and reach the right audience.

7. Engage with the IG followers of your competitors

It is smart to engage with the followers of your competitors, since they have shown an interest in similar products and services.

There are many ways to interact with Instagram:

Follow users who have similar interests.
Show your presence by liking their posts, Stories or Reels.
You can comment on their posts in order to begin a conversation.
When it is relevant, tag these users when you are creating content.
Start a personal conversation by sending direct messages.

This type of active engagement can be a great way to show that you are interested in building real relationships with your potential customers and fans.

When choosing brands, a vast majority of consumers – 88% to be precise – place a high priority on authenticity.

By engaging personally and directly, you demonstrate that your account is a real one.

8. Location tags can help you attract followers in your area

Have you ever used a location or city in an Instagram post? It’s worth a try if you haven’t.

Your content will be seen by tourists and locals exploring specific locations on Instagram. Your post will appear in the Instagram Story and feed of that location when you tag it. This is a great way to reach an audience in a particular location.

Take a look at this post by Pinesnprints , a brand which creates stickers and prints inspired by everyday life.

By including Singapore as a tag, the content is able to be viewed by both Singapore residents and visitors who are searching for information about that location.

9. Post a request for more followers

While asking for more Instagram followers might seem a little forward, it is a tried and true method.

Consider this: YouTubers constantly remind their viewers to subscribe. Why not use the same strategy on Instagram?

In your captions, or when you are presenting video content such as Reels and Stories to your users, give them a friendly reminder every now and again.

You should highlight their value. Tell them what they will gain from following you. It could be insider tips, exclusive content, or a peek into your everyday life. Give them a good reason to click the Follow button.

Here’s a tip: Encourage your existing followers to sign up for your Instagram Subscriptions. This feature allows you to offer exclusive content to subscribers who pay. It’s also one of the easiest ways to make money on Instagram.

10. Collaborate and share ideas with other brands or creators who are like-minded

Collaborations with other brands and creators can also help you grow your Instagram account. Find brands and creators who can enhance your business. For example, if you are a specialist in outdoor clothing, working with a travel influencer, or a company that sells camping gear, could be ideal.

If you collaborate with another company, make sure the partnership is authentic and adds to the value of both brands. It is important to maintain a balance in which both companies contribute and benefit equally.

Rosie Assoulin, a luxury womenswear label, and Allbirds, a sustainable shoe brand, have teamed up together to create these eco-friendly, stylish summer slides.

The partnership was successful because both brands contributed towards the unique design and look of the product. Both businesses benefited from a common audience that was interested in sustainability and style.

11. Host a contest

Hosting a contest or giving away something is a great way to get people interested in your account. You’d typically ask participants to like and comment on your contest post and tag two or three friends.

Instead of asking your followers to “like” and tag a post that aligns with the values of your brand or theme of your campaign, why not ask them to share an article of content that is in line with those values?

This could be a photograph, a story or an original piece of art. This encourages creativity and deeper engagement, making the contest more than a simple follower boost.

Be sure to check Instagram’s guidelines for promotion and the legalities of contests before you plan this activity.

12. Instagram shoutout

Instagram shoutouts are like public recommendations or nods from one Instagram user towards another. You can ask Instagram users with a large number of followers to feature your account on one of their Stories or posts. Look for accounts with similar content or brands.

A shoutout can help you increase your Instagram following because it exposes you to a whole new audience. They are already engaged and active, so they’re more likely to trust accounts recommended by people they already know.

This is a much better method than trying to get fake followers who don’t engage with your content. To build a strong Instagram profile, you need active and genuine Instagram followers.

13. Post when your audience are active

Posting at the right time is important for gaining active Instagram followers. Use your Instagram analytics tool to determine when your audience is the most active. Schedule your posts so that they coincide with these peak activity periods.

Consider using a scheduling tool for social media to increase efficiency. This tool can schedule your posts to be posted at the best times, even when they are outside of your normal working hours.

14. Create an Instagram Guide

Instagram Guides offer a fun and educational way to share content with your fans. Content formats make it easier for users to get useful tips and recommendations. You can include an introduction, title and text in an IG Guide. You can also curate images and videos that you have published on your feed.

Create a guide about

A place: Review a city, sports venue, exotic location, etc.
You can also offer advice on products you sell in your Instagram store.
A Post: Create a thread with your headlines and comments.

Click the plus sign in the upper-right corner of your Instagram profile and select Guide. Then, tap the appropriate option.

Instagram users can share guides in DMs or across Stories. If you publish a few good-quality Guides then those who view them will naturally be inclined to share them.

Because the Instagram algorithm rewards posts that have high engagement, your Guide may appear in even more feeds if you get a lot of people to share it. You can gain many new followers by creating a guide on Instagram.

Three influencers share their thoughts on how to get more Instagram followers

1. Juanika Cuthbertson (@ladypreneur)

Juanika Cuthbertson, founder of The Ladypreneur, a popular website. Her Instagram account boasts more than 29,000 followers. Her advice on how you can gain more followers on Instagram is:

Engagement makes a big difference. Your followers should know how much you value them. You can increase engagement by searching hashtags, finding users who stand out, liking a few photos, and leaving comments. You will gain the interest of those who you have engaged, they will follow your page and tag their friends in your posts .”

2. Talia Koren (@workweeklunch)

Talia Koren, the creator of the Work Week Lunch, has 477,000 followers. We asked Talia Koren what is the best way to gain Instagram followers.

When you start with zero followers or fewer than 1,000, pay less attention to numbers. It will go up and then down, and be very slow. Focus on how you can help and connect with others, and have them talk about you. Avoid buying followers as they won’t interact with your content .”

3. Gracie Parish (@gracieparish)

Gracie Parish, an Instagram influencer, has grown her Instagram following from 34,000 to a staggering 34,000. We asked her for her tips on how to gain Instagram followers:

I spend a lot time on Instagram. Every week, I try to comment on as many Instagram posts as possible. This tactic worked for me, as people began to recognize and follow my account. This tactic can be implemented by commenting on posts that are related to your niche .”

How to use Instagram followers for business growth

Focus on creating content that engages your followers now that you are ready to increase your Instagram following. Make every post count. Quality is more important than quantity.

Remember: It’s more than just a game of numbers. Your Instagram account is an important bridge to new clients and business growth.

Stay on trend and transform your Instagram followers into opportunities. Let’s turn your social media knowledge into success!

FAQ: How to increase Instagram followers

Can you buy real Instagram followers?

It may seem appealing to buy Instagram followers, but brands should avoid it. The fake Instagram bots (or followers) are unable to deliver the engagement of real Instagram followers. Instagram bans fake accounts frequently, so any temporary increase in numbers is only that: temporary.

What is the best strategy? Concentrate on quality. Posting high-quality, varied content to your feed and tagging relevant users will help you increase your followers. This will increase your followers and, more importantly, engagement.

How to get more Instagram followers without spending any money?

Try these strategies to increase your Instagram followers if you don’t want to spend money on paid advertising or Instagram promotions.

Create Instagram Reels
Use popular hashtags to promote your brand.
Go Live on Instagram
Post the right messages at the right time.

What is the minimum number of followers I need to begin monetizing my Instagram profile?

Engagement and relevance of the niche are more important than any number. A few thousand active followers are a good start to affiliate marketing and partnerships. Aim for 10,000 followers to unlock features such as Instagram Shopping.

Shopify allows you to sell online.

Get a free trial

Author: Nicole Martins Ferreira

Need Help Finding B2B Service Provider?

Table of Contents