How to get more followers on Instagram in 2024? 15 ways to increase your followers

In the modern digital era, social media platforms like Instagram play a crucial role in connecting people and businesses with a wide audience. Whether you're a business owner, influencer, or simply looking to expand your social network, having a sizable following on Instagram can be highly advantageous.

Despite the platform boasting over 1 billion users, building a significant follower base can feel overwhelming. This article delves into effective strategies and best practices to help you increase your Instagram followers.

1. Identify your target audience

Start by pinpointing your target audience. Analyze your current customer base to learn about their demographics, interests, and behaviors. Use surveys, focus groups, and social media listening tools to gather additional insights.

Tools like Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Buffer can assist in identifying patterns and trends among your customers. Analyze your demographics data to understand the traits of potential followers. Develop buyer personas that represent various customer segments, and tailor your strategy to appeal to them.

2. Convert to an Instagram business profile

Upgrading to an Instagram Business Profile can significantly benefit your brand. This profile type unlocks features like Instagram Insights, offering vital data on account performance, audience demographics, post analytics, discovery metrics, and more.

With a budget, you can create sponsored Instagram posts and targeted promotions to drive brand growth.

3. Define your Instagram aesthetic

Your Instagram aesthetic reflects your brand's personality visually. A cohesive and curated aesthetic can attract followers, boost engagement, and distinguish your profile.

When choosing an aesthetic, consider the impression you want to convey. Do you prefer a minimalist, vibrant, vintage, or luxurious look? Look at competitors' and other brands' profiles for ideas.

Choose a color palette to create a consistent scheme for a cohesive and recognizable feed. Use photo editing tools or filters to maintain a consistent look for your images.

For example, Being Frenshe's feed uses soft, neutral tones to create a calm atmosphere. Images of nature evoke relaxation and confidence, in line with the brand's focus on self-care and a "less is more" philosophy. The feed features fresh-faced models in natural poses, often without heavy makeup, reflecting the brand's ethos.

4. Organize your content with a Social Media calendar

A social media content calendar is a valuable tool for planning, organizing, and executing your social media content strategy. It not only saves time but also streamlines your workflow. Additionally, it allows you to create and prepare content in advance, schedule posts, and automate certain aspects of your posting process.

Tools like CoSchedule and Later can help you organize your posts. They provide an overview of upcoming content, allowing you to strategically mix promotional content and keep your feed engaging. For teams, these tools serve as a central reference point for coordination and communication.

5. Utilize your Instagram Bio links

Your Instagram bio offers a brief description of your business, but it's also the only place where you can add personalized links to your website, blog posts, and promotions—so use it wisely.

Consider using tools like Linktree, which enables you to create a customized page with links to your website, blog, online store, social media profiles, donation pages, and other external destinations. Instead of changing the link in your Instagram bio each time you want to promote something new, update your Linktree page instead.

6. Improve your Instagram account's discoverability with SEO

Although Instagram is primarily visual, implementing SEO strategies can enhance your profile and post visibility, driving more organic traffic and engagement.

Key elements of Instagram SEO include:

• Username and Display Name: Use a username that reflects your brand or identity.
• Bio: Craft a compelling, keyword-rich bio that accurately describes your account or business.
• Captions: Write engaging and informative captions with relevant keywords.
• Alt Text: Add alt text to your images to help search engines understand your post content.
• Geotagging: Use geotags for location-specific content to reach users searching for content related to a particular location.

7. Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, messages, and mentions

Engage with Your Audience by Responding to Comments, Messages, and Mentions Being responsive shows that you value your audience's feedback and fosters a sense of community. Consistent engagement can lead to increased loyalty, trust, and advocacy for your brand. Additionally, Instagram's algorithm takes into account engagement metrics, so responding to interactions can improve your post visibility and attract a wider audience.

8. Encourage your audience to create content

Partner with influencers and brands in your industry who have built niche audiences. This collaboration ensures your message reaches an engaged audience likely interested in your brand. Select influencers whose values align with yours for successful partnerships.

9. Collaborate with niche influencers & brands

Partner with influencers and brands in your industry who have built niche audiences. This collaboration ensures your message reaches an engaged audience likely interested in your brand. Select influencers whose values align with yours for successful partnerships.

10. Enhance posts with hashtags

Find hashtags pertinent to your content using Instagram’s search or popular hashtags in your field. Include a mix of broad and niche hashtags for better visibility. Explore the engagement level of hashtags by checking their "Top" and "Recent" sections.

11. Host an Instagram contest

Instagram contests can help broaden your audience reach. Some contests require participants to follow your account, leading to a significant increase in followers. Offering appealing prizes or incentives can attract individuals who may not have previously been aware of your account and convert them into long-term followers.

12. Share interactive Instagram stories

Stories are prominently displayed at the top of users' feeds, making them valuable real estate for branded content. Unlike posts on the main feed, stories provide a more casual way to share spontaneous and relatable content.

Many brands use this format to showcase behind-the-scenes moments, live updates, and in-the-moment experiences. They also offer a variety of interactive features such as polls, quizzes, question stickers, and swipe-up links.

While Instagram Stories and Story Highlights may seem similar, it's crucial to understand their differences. Stories are temporary, lasting 24 hours, while Highlighted Stories are saved and appear on your profile between your bio and photo feed.

13. Request verification

The blue verification badge indicates that an account represents a noteworthy individual, celebrity, brand, or public figure. Applying for verification enhances credibility, assuring users that they are engaging with an authentic account, not a fake or impersonated one.

14. Utilize Instagram live

Instagram Live enables real-time interaction with your audience. Its unscripted and spontaneous nature allows brands to share raw, unedited moments, providing a refreshing contrast to the platform's typically polished content.

During an Instagram Live session, engage with viewers by responding to comments, answering questions, and showing appreciation. Building a connection and making viewers feel valued can encourage them to follow your account for future Live sessions.

15. Create Instagram reels

Utilize Instagram Reels, a short-form video format, to narrate your brand's narrative in memorable, bite-sized clips. Similar to TikTok, Reels enables you to feature your offerings alongside call-to-action buttons, links, and captivating storytelling. Explore features a dedicated Reels section, allowing users to discover engaging short videos from both followed and new accounts. Crafting high-quality Reels with relevant keywords and hashtags can attract new followers to your profile.

In summary, growing your Instagram following demands a well-thought-out strategy. Concentrate on producing top-notch content that connects with your audience, stick to a regular posting routine, and engage genuinely with your followers. While building a committed community requires dedication and time, the benefits are substantial.