6 Ways to Get Instagram Followers Organically
When it comes to a strong Instagram strategy, organic growth is best. It means that followers have found your brand and chose to follow it from their own accord. They’re more likely to stick with it, and this targeted audience is more likely to make purchases from you in the future.
But how do you achieve this elusive organic growth? There are many strategies for doing so, but try these six to get started.
1. Use Tools
The best Instagrammers understand the importance of using tools to stay organized, find followers, and promote their Instagram content.
Start with a reliable Instagram followers app. This app will help you find real Instagram followers, which will grow your following exponentially. It’s particularly good for finding influencers who can promote your brand even further.
You’ll also want apps and software in the following categories: editorial calendar, content scheduler, organization, photo editing, analytics, contests, competitor monitoring, and more. It’s incredible what you can do with the right tools in your arsenal.
2. Add Hashtags
The use of hashtags is one of the simplest ways to grow your following organically. Each hashtag you use categorizes your posts in Instagram’s network so that it’s easier for followers to search. For best results, use hashtags that are already popular.
“You can search Instagram for one of your hashtags and look at the Top Posts results to see which hashtags others are using in their own posts,” says Julia McCoy from SocialMediaExaminer. “If you go this route, don’t copy and paste the string of hashtags from a post. Stay relevant to your audience and use only the hashtags that make sense.”
You can use up to 30 hashtags, so feel free to do so. However, only put a few hashtags in the actual post. The rest should go in the comments so that it doesn’t make your post look spammy.
3. Be Consistent
When it comes to organic Instagram growth, perhaps the best step anyone can take is to be consistent.
“Without consistency, this wouldn’t have happened,” says Mason Woodruff, author of the blog MasonFit, referring to the 1K followers he gained almost overnight. “When I say consistency, it was the slow grind of producing content every single day and gradually improving the quality of the content that led to the growth.”
Get on a schedule of posting content daily, focusing on what your target audience would really enjoy. Consistency is also essential when it comes to your brand. Your brand should feel familiar and stick with a strong voice and personality. Otherwise, you’re likely to confuse your followers and fail to create brand permanence.
4. Engage with Your Audience
“Don’t just say ‘thanks’ when someone comments on your posts, be human! Interact with your audience when they take the time to interact with you,” Paul Potratz wrote in a Forbes article. “Human connection is no Instagram hack, but it makes a big difference when it comes to user engagement.” While you can buy Instagram likes, engaging with your audience is priceless.
He also says that if you’re looking for a hack, use pictures with faces. These are nearly 40 percent more likely to get engagement than pictures without. It adds a human element that makes your audience automatically want to connect with you.
Potratz also strongly recommends staying connected with each of these followers, encouraging business owners to scroll through their feeds and comment on others’ profiles. “Social media is a two-way street; the more engagement you show outside of your own content the more your handle will be seen and the more potential followers will see you.”
Expert marketer Neil Patel says that this is one of the best ways that you can get more engagement. His research shows that for every 100 likes, you’ll get 6.1 followers in return.
This requires following others. The easiest way to build up people you follow is to follow every single person that follows you.
5. Let Your Captions Shine
It’s true that Instagram is all about the photos, which absolutely lends to the success of the platform. However, there are billions of pictures on Instagram, and while an eye-catching photo will capture the attention of your audience, your caption will drive the point home.
Focus on storytelling with your captions, using as many words as you need to make your point. “Providing information in the form of a story can make your followers feel more connected to your business and more likely to read the information you put out,” says Danielle DiFabrizio of SavvySisterMedia.
Sometimes, your caption will be just a few words to succinctly sum up what’s happening in the picture. Don’t be afraid to write a long caption, as long as you use paragraph breaks or dividers to break it up and make it easier to consume.
One of the most important rules when writing captions is to remember your brand personality and voice, but don’t forget the call to action. “It would be a waste of your time creating and polishing the perfect caption if your followers scroll right past it,” DiFabrizio says. “Time to light the fire from under them and have them take action!”
6. Run Giveaway Promotions
There’s nothing like a good, old-fashioned giveaway to attract people to your content. If you do it right, this can be a great strategy for both finding and keeping engaged followers.
A good giveaway begins with the product. Create a prize package that your followers will actually want. Remember, you’re not trying to get everyone on the planet to follow you—just those who are most interested in your products/services. Consider their needs/wants/wishes and create a package that best fits their interests.
Then, use each person’s entry to gain more followers. Ask each existing follower to tag someone who would enjoy the giveaway, and anyone who wins must be a follower. This will entice more follows naturally.
When you select a winner, request that the recipient of your gift tag your profile in a post showing that they won a giveaway. This will act as effective word-of-mouth marketing to encourage more people to follow your brand.
We hope you enjoyed this promoted piece as much as we did!
