Are you looking for effective ways to learn How to Gain Instagram Followers Organically? ????
YES/NO?
of course, yes
Imagine this: you’ve just created your brand’s Instagram account.
You’re excited about the possibilities and the potential engagement you’re about to receive.
Then, you ponder, “How to Gain Instagram Followers Organically?”
Don’t worry, I am here to help 🙂
Why You Shouldn’t Buy Instagram Followers
Let’s tackle this first
Don’t buy Instagram followers.????
It might be tempting to boost your numbers quickly, but it could hurt your brand in the long run.
Hootsuite’s experiment shows that buying followers leads to less engagement, not more.
Neil Patel
An account with real followers is more likely to generate engagement than an account with fake followers
The Power of Instagram for Your Brand
Instagram, now with over a billion users, offers a vast potential audience for your business.
According to a study, 90% of users follow at least one business on Instagram.
How to Gain Instagram Followers Organically Best 17 Ways
1. How to Optimize Your Instagram Account
To learn how to gain Instagram followers organically, first, optimize your account.
Make sure your username is search-friendly and close to your real business name.
Fill out the ‘Bio’ section with clear, concise information about your business.
Use Instagram business tools to understand your audience better.
2. Consistent Content is Key
Consistency is key to retaining followers and attracting new ones.
A study by Tailwind found that the more often you post, the more likes and follows you get.
3. Use Relevant Hashtags
Hashtags are a free tool to get your content in front of new audiences.
But be cautious. Instagram’s Community Guidelines warn against “spammy” behavior, including the overuse of irrelevant hashtags.
Most relevant hashtags
Please note that using the most popular hashtags isn’t always the best strategy because your posts might get lost in the massive amount of existing content.
Tailoring your hashtags to your specific content and audience can yield better results.
Hashtag |
Category |
Average Posts |
|---|---|---|
#love |
General |
Over 1.7B |
#instagood |
General |
Over 1.1B |
#photooftheday |
Photography |
Over 800M |
#fashion |
Fashion |
Over 800M |
#beautiful |
Beauty/General |
Over 700M |
#art |
Art |
Over 600M |
#photography |
Photography |
Over 500M |
#travel |
Travel |
Over 450M |
#nature |
Nature |
Over 400M |
#style |
Fashion |
Over 400M |
For instance, if you’re a fashion brand, instead of just using #fashion, you could use more specific hashtags like #sustainablefashion or #streetstylefashion.
These niche hashtags could help you reach a more targeted audience.
This is an example
Hashtag |
Niche |
Average Posts |
|---|---|---|
#streetstylefashion |
Fashion |
Over 10M |
#sustainablefashion |
Fashion |
Over 4M |
#veganrecipes |
Food |
Over 2M |
#fitnessgoals |
Fitness |
Over 5M |
#landscapephotography |
Photography |
Over 20M |
#solotravel |
Travel |
Over 5M |
#digitalartwork |
Art |
Over 2M |
#skincaretips |
Beauty |
Over 3M |
#homeofficeideas |
Lifestyle |
Over 1M |
#mindfulnessmatters |
Mental Health |
Over 500K |
Remember, these are approximate numbers, and the actual counts may fluctuate as new posts are added.
Moreover, the effectiveness of a hashtag also depends on the quality of your content and your engagement with the audience.
4. Create Engaging Content
To gain Instagram followers organically, you have to keep them engaged.
Look at this video
View this post on Instagram
Reels, live videos, and Stories offer higher engagement rates.
According to a report by Social Insider, brands posting stories increased from 3% to 4% in just one year.
5. Collaborate and @mention Others
Collaborations and partnerships can expose your brand to a larger audience.
By mentioning or tagging these brands in your posts, you can reach their followers too.
6. Encourage Others to Share Your Content
Encourage followers to share your content in their stories or posts.
Instagram’s feature that allows users to share posts directly in their stories makes it easy for your followers to spread the word.
7. Engage with Existing Communities
Engaging with existing communities is an effective way to learn how to gain Instagram followers organically.
Comment on posts, reply to comments on your posts and engage in conversations on competitors’ pages.
8. Learn From Instagram Insights
Instagram offers valuable data through its Insights feature.
Learn who your followers are, when they’re online, and what content they interact with most.
This data can guide your content strategy and help you create more of what your audience loves.
9. Use Instagram Advertising
Though not exactly organic, Instagram advertising can be a powerful tool to reach a larger audience.
With precise targeting options, you can reach people who are likely to be interested in your content.
10. Run Contests and Giveaways
Contests and giveaways can quickly boost your engagement and follower count.
Just be sure to comply with Instagram’s promotion guidelines.
Title
Contests and giveaways engage your existing audience and attract new followers
11. Leverage Influencers
Working with influencers can help you reach a wider audience.
Choose influencers whose values align with your brand and who have a genuine connection with their followers.
12. Use Instagram Stories Highlights
Instagram Stories Highlights can give potential followers an instant overview of your brand without scrolling through your feed.
Make sure to use eye-catching cover photos and descriptive titles for each highlight.
13. Post at the Right Time
Posting when your followers are most active increases the chance of them seeing and interacting with your posts.
Instagram Insights provides data on the most active times for your audience.
14. Use Geotags
Use geotags to target local followers.
When you tag your location in a post, you increase the chance of visibility to people browsing posts in your area.
15. Respond to Comments and DMs
Engagement is a two-way street.
Respond to comments on your posts and messages in your inbox.
This not only boosts engagement but also builds a strong relationship with your followers.
16. Showcase User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) is a powerful tool to gain Instagram followers organically.
Sharing your followers’ content on your feed not only provides you with great material but also makes the original poster feel recognized and valued.
Encourage your followers to share their experiences with your brand and tag your account or use a unique hashtag.
Title
User-generated content is a fantastic way to build engagement with your customers and create strong, lasting relationships with them
17. Experiment with Different Content Types
Instagram has a multitude of content formats: in-feed posts, Stories, IGTV, Reels, and more.
Different types of content might resonate differently with your audience, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
According to a report by Socialbakers, Reels are becoming increasingly popular and driving higher engagement rates.
18. Cross-Promote on Other Social Media Platforms
Promote your Instagram account on your other social media platforms.
This can help you to leverage your existing audience on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
If they enjoy your content on these platforms, they are likely to follow you on Instagram too.
19. Collaborate with Like-Minded Brands
Working with brands that share your values and target audience can help you gain Instagram followers organically.
This could be in the form of co-hosted Instagram Live sessions, shared giveaways, or even guest posting on each other’s accounts.
20. Stay Updated with Instagram’s Algorithm Changes
Instagram’s algorithm changes frequently, and keeping up with these changes can give you an edge over others.
For instance, the platform recently announced that it would be prioritizing video content over static posts. Staying updated allows you to adapt your strategy and stay ahead of the curve.
21. Use Actionable CTAs
Call-to-actions (CTAs) are a small but powerful tool to encourage your audience to engage with your content.
A simple “double tap if you agree” or “tag a friend who needs to see this” can significantly boost your engagement.
Wrapping Up: How to Gain Instagram Followers Organically
Gaining Instagram followers organically doesn’t happen overnight.
But with a consistent strategy, you can grow your followers list and create a strong online presence.
Remember:
- Don’t buy followers. They won’t engage with your content.
- Consistently post engaging content.
- Use relevant hashtags, but don’t overuse them.
- Collaborate with others, encourage content sharing, and engage with communities.
- Utilize Instagram’s tools like Insights, advertising, and Stories Highlights.
- Run contests and giveaways, work with influencers, and always engage with your followers.
As Jenn Herman, an Instagram expert, said, “Instagram success is a long game. It takes time, patience, and consistency.” So, keep going and remember that every follower gained organically is a potential customer gained for life.
A Comprehensive Strategy to Gain Instagram Followers Organically
So, there you have it. A comprehensive, detailed guide on how to gain Instagram followers organically.
Remember, it’s not just about the numbers.
The value of your Instagram followers lies in their engagement and conversion potential.
It’s a journey filled with consistent content creation, interaction with your audience, strategic use of Instagram features, and adaptability to the platform’s changes.
But by following these strategies, you’re well on your way to growing a vibrant, engaged community on Instagram.
“Organic growth on Instagram is not an overnight success. It takes time, effort, and dedication. But the reward is a truly engaged audience for your brand.” – Sue B. Zimmerman, Instagram Expert
With patience, persistence, and these proven strategies, you’ll see your follower count rise steadily and organically.
Best of luck on your Instagram journey!
FAQs
Why shouldn't I buy Instagram followers?
Buying Instagram followers often results in a hollow audience that doesn't engage with your content. These followers are typically bots or inactive accounts that don't contribute to your engagement rates or conversion rates. Organic growth, though slower, results in a more engaged and valuable audience.
How many hashtags should I use in my Instagram posts?
Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per post. However, studies suggest that 9-11 hashtags is the optimal number for maximum engagement. Make sure your hashtags are relevant to your content and audience
How can Instagram Insights help me gain more followers?
Instagram Insights provides valuable data about your audience and your content performance. You can learn about your audience's demographics, peak activity times, and which content resonates most with them. This data can inform your content strategy and help you create content that your audience loves, thus attracting more followers.
How can I use Instagram advertising to gain more followers?
Instagram advertising allows you to reach a larger audience by showing your ads to people who fit your target demographics but may not already follow you. With precise targeting options, you can attract people who are likely to be interested in your content.
How effective are collaborations and giveaways in gaining more followers?
Collaborations and giveaways can significantly boost your followers count. Collaborating with others (like influencers or like-minded brands) allows you to reach their audience, and giveaways encourage engagement and sharing of your content. Just be sure to comply with Instagram's promotion guidelines when running giveaways.
