Introduction 

It seems sensible that so many individuals are interested in learning how to increase their Instagram following. However, given the level of competition, it is difficult to stand out and get noticed. However, by following a few key strategies, you can boost your visibility and attract new followers to your account. In this article, we’ll explore some tips and techniques for growing your following and optimizing your Instagram account. So, whether you’re a small business, influencer, or just looking to expand your brand, read on to discover how you can get more followers on Instagram. 

Make sure your Instagram account is optimized.

Online presence, building brand awareness and attracting new followers. Whether you’re using Instagram for personal or business purposes, there are several key steps you can take to help your account stand out and make the most of this powerful platform.

Having a search-friendly username: Your username is one of the first things visitors notice when they arrive across your account, so it’s important to choose a search-friendly one. Consider using your real name or a variation of it or a name that is relevant to your brand. Make sure your username is easy to spell and memorable so people can find you easily.

One example of a search-friendly username on Instagram is “FitFoodieFinds“. This username clearly communicates that the account is about finding healthy and delicious food options and is easy to find when searching for related keywords such as “fit foodie,” “healthy eating,” and “delicious food.”

Write an Engaging Bio: Your bio is your opportunity to make a great first impression. Be succinct, direct, and to the point. Be sure to incorporate a succinct overview of who you are and what you do, as well as any relevant hashtags or links to your website.

One example of an engaging bio on Instagram is the account “Nike.” Nike’s bio is short, simple, and to the point, yet it effectively communicates the brand’s mission and values:

“Just Do It.”

The bio showcases Nike’s brand slogan, which is widely recognized and synonymous with the brand’s message of empowerment and encouragement. The simple, bold statement immediately captures the attention of anyone who visits the page and leaves a lasting impression.

Make your profile picture professional: Your profile picture is the face of your brand on Instagram, so make sure it’s professional and representative of who you are or what you do. Consider using a clear headshot or a logo that represents your brand. Make sure the image is high-quality and visually appealing.

Minding where you point your bio link: Your bio link is a valuable resource for directing people to your website or other online presence, so make sure you’re using it wisely. Consider using a link-shortening service like Bitly to make your link more visually appealing, and regularly update it to reflect your latest offerings or promotions.

Define your brand identity: Before you start posting, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your brand identity and what you want to communicate to your audience. Consider your mission statement, target audience, and overall aesthetic to help guide your content creation and account management.

One example of a strong brand identity on Instagram is the account “Apple.” Apple’s brand identity is synonymous with simplicity, elegance, and innovation, and this is reflected in its Instagram presence. From the clean, minimalist design of their posts,

Plan your content in a consistent manner.

A consistent content calendar is an essential tool for any business or individual looking to grow their brand on Instagram. It helps to ensure that you are consistently posting high-quality content that is relevant to both helps your overall marketing plan and your target demographic. Here’s how you can create and keep a consistent content calendar:

Determine Your Content Themes: Start by identifying the key themes or topics that you want to focus on in your content. This could be anything from product showcases to behind-the-scenes looks to thought leadership pieces.

Plan Out Your Posting Schedule: Decide on the most effective publishing schedule for you and your audience. This could be daily, every other day, or even just a few times a week. The key is to be consistent with your posting schedule and stick to it as closely as possible.

Brainstorm Content Ideas: Once you have your themes and posting schedule in place, it’s time to start brainstorming content ideas. Make a list of potential posts, including images, videos, stories, and Reels, that you can use to bring your themes to life.

Use a Content Calendar: To keep track of all your content ideas and posting schedule, use a content calendar. This can be a simple spreadsheet or a dedicated tool like Hootsuite or Planoly. Use the calendar to plan out your posts in advance and ensure that you have a steady stream of content to share.

Be Adaptable: While having a content calendar is important, it’s also important to be adaptable. Be open to adjusting your content calendar if you need to respond to changes in your industry, audience preferences, or other factors.

One example of a brand that consistently creates engaging and on-brand content on Instagram is “National Geographic.” National Geographic is known for its stunning photography and in-depth storytelling, and its Instagram account reflects this through its consistent use of high-quality images and videos that showcase the beauty and diversity of the world around us.

Whether showcasing breathtaking landscapes, exploring new cultures, or delving into the natural world, National Geographic’s content always stays true to its brand identity and mission. This consistency in the content they produce helps to build trust and engagement with their followers and reinforces their position as a leader in storytelling and photography.

Communicate with customers, brand advocates, and influencers.

Engaging with customers, brand advocates, and influencers is an effective way to build relationships, increase brand awareness, and drive growth on Instagram. By building a community of engaged followers, you can expand your reach, drive engagement, and ultimately drive conversions. Here’s how you can engage with these key groups on Instagram:

Engage with Customers: Responding to comments and messages from your customers is an effective way to build relationships and show that you value their feedback. Make sure to respond to all comments, both positive. 

And negative, and use this as an opportunity to show your brand’s personality and build a connection with your followers.

An example is “Zara“, a popular fashion brand on Instagram. Zara actively engages with its followers by responding to comments, liking and commenting on customer photos that feature their products, and even reposting customer content on their own accounts. This not 

only helps to build a relationship with customers but also showcases the brand’s appreciation for its customers and their support. 

Collaborate with Brand Advocates: Brand advocates are customers or followers who are passionate about your brand and often promote it to their own followers. Identifying and engaging with these individuals is a fantastic strategy to enhance your visibility and brand awareness. Consider running contests, offering special promotions, or sending free product samples to keep them engaged and motivated.

One example of a brand that has effectively collaborated with brand advocates on Instagram is “Apple”. Apple is known for its loyal and passionate customer base, and the brand has leveraged this community of brand advocates to help promote its products and services on Instagram.

For example, Apple has encouraged its customers to share their experiences with its products by using specific hashtags, such as #ShotOniPhone or #AppleMusic. These hashtags help to curate user-generated content that showcases the high quality and versatility of Apple’s products and provides a more authentic and personal touch to the brand’s Instagram presence.

Work with Influencers: Influencer marketing is a powerful tool for reaching a large, engaged audience. Partner with relevant influencers who align with your brand and have a following that is similar to your target audience. Have them promote your products or services or run joint contests or giveaways to increase engagement and reach.

One example of a brand that has successfully worked with influencers on Instagram is “Glossier.” The cosmetics and skincare company Glossier has built a large following on Instagram through its clean, minimalist aesthetic and customer-focused approach. The brand has worked with a variety of influencers, from high-profile beauty bloggers to smaller, niche accounts, to help spread the word about its products and reach new audiences.

For example, Glossier has partnered with influencer James Charles, who has over 26 million followers on Instagram, to create makeup tutorials featuring Glossier products. The tutorials showcase the high quality and versatility of Glossier’s products and help to build trust and engagement with James Charles’ followers.

Use User-Generated Content: Encouraging your customers and followers to post their own content about your brand via social media is a fantastic method for building relationships and increasing engagement. Consider running a hashtag campaign or simply asking your followers to share their own experiences with your brand.

An example is “TripAdvisor“, a travel planning and booking website. TripAdvisor encourages its users to share photos and videos of their travels on Instagram using the hashtag #TripAdvisor. By curating this UGC, TripAdvisor is able to provide its followers with a more authentic and personal look at different destinations and travel experiences and to showcase the high quality and diversity of its offerings. 

Host Instagram Live Sessions: Instagram Live is a great way to connect with your followers in real time. Consider hosting regular live sessions where you answer questions, showcase your products, or chat with your followers.

One example of a brand that has successfully utilized Instagram Live sessions is “Sephora.” Sephora is a leading beauty retailer that has a large following on Instagram.

Sephora has used Instagram Live sessions as a way to connect with its customers and provide them with a behind-the-scenes look at its products and services. For example, Sephora has hosted live sessions with makeup artists, beauty influencers, and product specialists to showcase new products, offer tutorials and tips, and answer customer questions.

These live sessions have proven to be highly engaging for Sephora’s followers, as they provide a unique opportunity for customers to interact with the brand in real time. By hosting Instagram Live sessions, Sephora has been able to build stronger relationships with its customers, drive engagement, and increase brand awareness on the platform.

Engage with Competitors: Engaging with your competitors may seem counterintuitive, but it can be a great way to build relationships and increase your reach. Consider following and engaging with relevant competitors, responding on their postings, and even working with them on joint initiatives.

Beware of fake Instagram followers.

Having fake followers on Instagram can harm your account’s credibility and reduce your engagement levels. The following actions can be taken to avoid fake followers:

Don’t Buy Followers: The most common source of fake followers is through purchasing them from various services. This not only goes against Instagram’s terms of service, but it also does not help to grow your account in a meaningful way. Instead, focus on organic growth and building a community of real, engaged followers.

Use Authentication Tools: Instagram provides authentication tools to help you identify fake followers. You can access these tools through the “Settings” section of your account and look for the “Fake followers” option. This tool helps you to see who may be using bots or other automated means to follow you, and you can remove them if necessary.

Monitor Your Followers Regularly: Regularly monitor your followers to check for signs of fake followers. Look for profiles with little or no content, profiles with no profile picture, or profiles that follow a large number of accounts but have a low number of followers. You can remove these followers manually or use a tool like SocialBlade to do it for you.

Verify Influencer Partnerships: If you plan to work with influencers to promote your brand, be sure to verify their followers and engagement levels. Look for influencers with high engagement rates, a large following, and a genuine audience.

Be Careful with Automated Tools: While there are automated tools that claim to help you grow your following, many of these tools use bots or other automated means to follow and engage with users. These followers are not real, and they will not help to grow your account in a meaningful way.

Put your Instagram on display wherever you can

Showcasing your Instagram account everywhere you can is a great way to increase your visibility, reach, and engagement. Here are a few techniques for doing this:

Add Your Instagram Handle to Your Website: Adding your Instagram handle to your website is a simple but effective way to increase your reach. Consider adding it to your header, footer, or about page so that visitors can easily find and follow your account.

One example of a brand that has effectively added an Instagram handle to its website is “Nike“. Nike is a multinational firm that creates, develops, produces, and markets shoes, clothes, equipment, accessories, and services on a global scale.

Nike has prominently displayed its an Instagram handle on its website, making it easy for its visitors to find and follow its Instagram account. By adding its handle to its website, Nike has been able to drive traffic and engagement to its Instagram account and build stronger relationships with its customers on the platform.

Use Instagram Badges on Your Website: Instagram badges are small icons that link to your Instagram account. These badges can be added to your website or blog and can help drive traffic to your account.

One example of a brand that has effectively utilized Instagram badges on its website “Hubspot” is. A platform for inbound marketing and sales is called Hubspot. has a strong presence on Instagram.

Hubspot has integrated Instagram badges into its website to drive traffic and engagement to its Instagram account. By placing these badges in prominent locations on its website, Hubspot has been able to encourage its visitors to follow its Instagram account and engage with its content.

In addition to driving traffic and engagement, the use of Instagram badges on Hubspot’s website also serves to reinforce its brand identity and increase its visibility on the platform. By integrating Instagram badges into its website, Hubspot has been able to tap into social media’s ability to reach a larger audience and build stronger relationships with its customers.

• Include Instagram Links in Your Email Signature: Adding your Instagram handle to your email signature is a simple way to promote your account to all of your email contacts. This is especially useful if you send a lot of emails as part of your business or personal life.

• Add Instagram to Your Business Cards: Including your Instagram handle on your business cards is a great way to promote your account when you meet new people. This is especially useful if you attend networking events or conferences, as it allows you to promote your account to a wider audience.

• Promote Your Instagram on Other Social Media Platforms: If you have a presence on other social media platforms, like Facebook or Twitter, be sure to promote your Instagram account on these platforms. This will help drive traffic to your Instagram account and increase your reach.

• Partner with Other Businesses and Influencers: Partnering with other businesses and influencers can help you reach a wider audience and increase your exposure. Consider running joint contests or giveaways, or collaborating on a co-branded marketing campaign.

Post stuff that your audience is interested in seeing.

Posting content your followers want to see is critical for keeping them engaged and interested in your account. Here are some tips for creating content that resonates with your audience:

Know Your Audience: Understanding your audience is key to creating content that resonates with them. Research your audience and consider their interests, preferences, and habits. Use this information to guide your content creation and ensure that you post content your followers want to see.

Ask for Feedback: Ask your followers what they want to see from your account. To do this, surveys, polls, or simply by asking for their feedback in the comments. Use this feedback to create content that your followers actually want to see.

Stay Relevant: Keep your content relevant to your brand and audience. Avoid posting irrelevant or off-topic content, as this can confuse your followers and reduce your engagement levels.

Use High-Quality Images and Videos: High-quality images and videos are key to creating content that followers want to see. Invest in high-quality equipment, and take the time to produce visually appealing content that your followers will enjoy.

Experiment with Different Types of Content: Experiment with different types of content, such as videos, images, carousels, and stories, to see what resonates with your audience. Remember that what works for one person might account may not work for another, so be open to trying new things.

For example, National Geographic often posts stunning photographs of wildlife and nature, along with informative captions that educate its followers about the animals and habitats featured in the photos. It also experiments with different video formats, such as short films and time-lapses, to showcase the beauty and diversity of our planet.

Post Regularly: Consistency is key to keeping your followers engaged and interested in your account. Make sure to post regularly and stick to a routine that accommodates both you and your audience.

For example, National Geographic often posts stunning photographs of wildlife and nature, along with informative captions that educate its followers about the animals and habitats featured in the photos. It also experiments with different video formats, such as short films and time-lapses, to showcase the beauty and diversity of our planet.

Post Regularly: Consistency is key to keeping your followers engaged and interested in your account. Make sure to post regularly and stick to a routine that accommodates both you and your audience.

Make meaningful conversations with your audience.

Making meaningful conversations with your audience is a great way to build a stronger connection and create a more engaged community on Instagram. Here are some tips for making meaningful conversation with your followers:

Ask Questions: Asking questions is a great way to encourage conversation and get to know your followers. Consider asking open-ended questions in captions, such as “What do you think about this?” or “What do you like to do for fun on the weekends?”

Hold Contests and Giveaways: Holding contests and giveaways is an enjoyable method to interact with your followers and encourage them to participate in meaningful conversations. Consider running a photo or video contest or hosting a Q&A session.

Share User-Generated Content: Sharing user-generated content is a great way to show your followers that you value their contributions and appreciate their support. Consider reposting content that features your brand or using a specific hashtag to collect and showcase user-generated content.

Use Instagram Stories: Instagram Stories is a great way to engage with your followers in real time and encourage them to participate in meaningful conversation. Consider using polls, quizzes, or ask-me-anything sessions to get your followers involved.

Follow hashtags where your followers are.

Finding hashtags where your followers hang out is a great way to reach a wider audience and engage with potential followers who share similar interests. Here are some tips for finding hashtags where your followers hang out:

Research Your Competitors: Research your competitors’ accounts to see which hashtags they are using. This can give you an idea of the types of hashtags your target audience might be interested in.

Use Hashtag Research Tools: There are several hashtag research tools available that can help you find relevant hashtags based on keywords or other hashtags. These tools can save you time and help is a fantastic approach to contact more people and target audiences. One example of a hashtag research tool that exists on Instagram is “Display Purposes.” Display Purposes is a tool that helps Instagram users to find the best hashtags to use for their posts.

One example of a hashtag research tool that exists on Instagram is “Display Purposes”. Display Purposes is a tool that helps Instagram users to find the best hashtags to use for their posts.

With Display Purposes, users can easily search for hashtags that are relevant to their content and find out how popular these hashtags are. The tool displays the total number of posts that have used each hashtag, as well as the average engagement rate for posts that use the hashtag.

Tag Other Users in Your Posts: Consider tagging other users in your posts to reach a wider audience. This can include your followers, other brands, influencers, or customers. When you tag other users, your post will appear on their profile and be visible to their followers.

Look at Trending Hashtags: Keep an eye on trending hashtags in your niche, as these can be a great way to reach a wider audience and engage with potential followers who share similar interests.

Use Relevant Hashtags: Make sure to use relevant hashtags that are related to your brand and content. Avoid using irrelevant hashtags, as this can be seen as spammy and could harm your account’s credibility.

Test Different Hashtags: Test different hashtags to see which ones perform best for your account. Consider using a mix of popular hashtags and niche-specific hashtags to reach a wider audience.

Keep Track of Your Results: Keep track of your results and the hashtags that perform best for your account. Consider adjusting your hashtag strategy based on your results and the performance of different hashtags.

Be sure to delight your Instagram followers.

Taking steps to delight your Instagram followers is a great way to build a strong, loyal community and create a positive brand experience. Here are some tips for delighting your followers on Instagram:

Provide Valuable Content: Provide valuable content that your followers will find interesting, informative, or entertaining. Consider creating content that is unique to your brand and provides value to your followers.

Offer Exclusive Deals and Promotions: Offer exclusive deals and promotions to your Instagram followers to show them that you appreciate their support. Consider running a special sale or giveaway for your followers or offering early access to new products or services.

Respond Quickly to Messages: Responding quickly to messages is a great way to show your followers that you value their support and are committed to providing excellent customer service. Consider setting up notifications to help you respond quickly to messages.

Collaborate with Other Accounts: Collaborating with other accounts is a great way to reach a new audience and delight your followers in new and exciting ways. Consider hosting a joint Instagram Live session or running a co-branded contest.

Share Behind-the-Scenes Content: Sharing behind-the-scenes content is a great way to give your followers a glimpse into the inner workings of your brand and help them feel more connected to your company. Consider sharing photos or videos of your team, your workspace, or your creative process.

For example, Nike often shares videos of their athletes in training sessions, preparing for competitions, or simply hanging out and having fun. They also share photos of their design and production process, giving followers an inside look at how their products are made.

In addition to these behind-the-scenes posts, Nike also shares other types of content, such as product shots, inspirational messages, and more. However, the behind-the-scenes content is a great way for Nike to connect with their followers on a more personal level, and to give them a deeper insight into what their brand is all about.

Ask for Feedback: Asking for feedback is a great way to show your followers that you value their opinions and are committed to improving your brand. Consider running a survey or hosting a Q&A session to get feedback from your followers.

Blog posts from Instagram can be embedded.

Embedding Instagram posts in your blog is a great way to showcase your content, drive traffic to your Instagram account, and engage with your audience. Here are some tips for embedding Instagram posts in your blog:

Use Instagram’s Embed Code: Instagram makes it easy to embed posts on your blog by providing an embed code for each post. Simply copy the code and paste it into your blog post to display the post on your website.

Use a Plugin: If you’re using a content management system like WordPress, you can use a plugin to easily embed Instagram posts on your blog. There are many plugins available that will allow you to easily embed posts from your Instagram account.

Choose Relevant Posts: When selecting posts to embed in your blog, choose posts that are relevant to your blog’s topic and audience. Consider selecting posts that are visually appealing, informative, and engaging.

Add Captions: Adding captions to your embedded Instagram posts can help provide context and engage your audience. Consider including a short description of the post and any relevant information, such as the location, date, and time it was posted.

You can use Instagram QR codes.

Instagram QR codes are a useful tool for businesses and individuals looking to drive traffic to their Instagram accounts and increase engagement. Here are some tips for using Instagram QR codes:

Create a QR Code: To create an Instagram QR code, go to your Instagram profile and, tap the three lines in the upper right corner, then tap QR Code. You can customize the design of your QR code and add a call-to-action to encourage people to follow you on Instagram.

Promote Your QR Code: Once you’ve created your Instagram QR code, promote it everywhere you can. Consider adding it to your website, business cards, flyers, and other marketing materials. You can also include it in your email signature, display it in your store, or print it on stickers and place them around your city.

Offer Incentives: Consider offering incentives to encourage people to follow you on Instagram. For example, you can offer exclusive content, discounts, or early access to products and services.

Use it in Events: Using Instagram QR codes at events can help you reach a wider audience and increase engagement. Consider printing your QR code on posters, flyers, or on a step-and-repeat for guests to take photos in front of.

Keep learning

Keeping up-to-date with the latest trends, strategies, and best practices is essential for optimizing your Instagram account. Here are some tips for continuing learning:

Follow industry leaders and influencers: Follow the accounts of industry leaders, influencers, and other successful businesses on Instagram to stay informed about the latest trends and strategies. Pay attention to the types of content they post, their engagement strategies, and how they interact with their followers.

Read blogs and articles: Read articles and blog posts about Instagram marketing, social media, and digital marketing to stay informed about the latest strategies and best practices.

Attend webinars and conferences: Attend webinars and conferences focused on Instagram marketing, social media, and digital marketing to network with other professionals and learn from experts in the field.