How to Get More Organic Instant Followers on Instagram

No other social media platform better epitomizes the power of visual content than does Instagram – a video as well as photo-sharing social networking site that was launched in 2010 and acquired by Facebook, Inc in 2012.

With over 1 billion active monthly followers – half of which are active on a daily basis – Instagram is growing exponentially (Hootsuite).

Furthermore, an average engagement rate of 2-7% – the highest among all social networks, makes Instagram a platform that all businesses – small or large –cannot afford to ignore.

Sprout Social highlights two-thirds of Instagram users are adults aged 18-29. Instagram is therefore popular with young people and businesses that want to target the younger generation will be better off by making Instagram an integral part of their social media strategy.

To develop a deeper understanding of Instagram, let’s take a look at what this networking site is used for.

What is Instagram exactly for?

Instagram is a multi-functional platform that can be used to engage, entertain, and inspire. Being more mobile-focused, Instagram is home to visual content that instantly hooks people in.

For users, it’s an enjoyable way of connecting with friends and family while for businesses it is an effective medium to get their message across to their target audience, boost brand awareness as well as recognition, spark interest, generate and convert leads. This is exactly why there are more than 25 million businesses operating on Instagram, according to stats released by Instagram.

Yet, it is anything but easy to get Instagram followers.

Why? Well, because coupled with the decreasing attention spans of users, the sky-high competition evidenced by the ever-increasing number of emerging and innovative brands, gaining followers without using paid strategies has required a strategic re-think.

Nevertheless, by adopting a few simple steps there are creative ways of acquiring increasing numbers of organic Instagram followers:

1) Develop a Complete and Branded Insta Profile

When Instagrammers visit your profile, they make a decision within seconds about whether or not they are going to follow you, a decision ultimately made on the look of your profile.

So how can you ensure your Instagram profile looks on point?

The answer is by having a professional yet properly curated newsfeed in which each posts’ aesthetics align, a well-written bio, an amazing profile photo and a range of captivating stories.

2) Leverage Hashtags

Hashtags are essential to gain attention and odds are that you do use them in your Instagram posts. However, there’s more that you can do.

Get creative with your hashtags. Apart from using the obvious one-word hashtags, you need to sprinkle longer more relevant hashtags to tell your story. At the same time, you need to make sure that the hashtags you use are engaging, funny and maybe even outrageous. And start cross-promoting your brand’s hashtags on different platforms, be it online or offline.

So, list your hashtags on your website, social media profiles, print ads, company cards, and even receipts to get the brand out there.

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3) Make the Most of the Captions

Of course Instagram is all about visual content but remember you simply cannot ignore words.

By being descriptive, interesting and engaging in your captions your shared visual content will inevitably stand out that much more and encourage follower numbers.

Try telling your story in a unique and engaging way.

Do note that including a catchy and effective call-to-action is essential as it will help you get people to act in a certain way. Hence, be it sharing content or making a purchase, you can encourage people using a call-to-action towards the end of the caption.

Last but by no means least, post content that is comment-worthy and that urges people to interact with you and one another. This will boost engagement and in turn help your post feature higher on people’s newsfeeds as Instagram’s algorithm will consider your post more worthy. This positive vortex will lead to even more attention.

4) Post Frequently and Cleverly

This might sound way too obvious, but it isn’t. The fact is that most businesses do not post enough content of good quality at the right times and hence, have trouble building their follower count.

You need to understand that as soon as content becomes old, it is highly likely that it gets buried – never to be found again.

Thus, posting frequently and at times when the engagement rate is high is one way of ensuring that you keep popping up on newsfeeds of people and in turn gain followers.

5) Collaborate

This might sound way too obvious, but it isn’t. The fact is that most businesses do not post enough content of good quality at the right times and hence, have trouble building their follower count.

You need to understand that as soon as content becomes old, it is highly likely that it gets buried – never to be found again.

Thus, posting frequently and at times when the engagement rate is high is one way of ensuring that you keep popping up on newsfeeds of people and in turn gain followers.

Conclusion

Follow the five tips, and increase your Instagram followers.