6 best Instagram growth strategies for Beginners

In today’s digital era, having robust Instagram growth strategies is pivotal for anyone aiming to enhance their online presence. Instagram, with its visually appealing interface and diverse user base, offers a unique platform to connect, share, and build a community. However, achieving substantial growth on Instagram doesn’t happen overnight. It requires a well-thought-out strategy, consistent effort, and the implementation of various growth techniques.

Note: The average monthly growth in account followers for Instagram business accounts is approximately +1.25%. 

Instagram Growth Strategies, Step 1: Describe Who You Are

That’s how you should be optimizing the Instagram Bio

When starting on Instagram, it’s essential to establish who you are clearly. This involves having a niche, a professional profile picture, an optimized bio, and a searchable name keyword. Here’s a breakdown with examples:

Have a Niche

Example: If you are passionate about fitness, make fitness your niche. Share workout tips, healthy recipes, and fitness motivation.

Why it’s Important: Having a niche helps you attract a like-minded audience interested in your content, making your growth strategy more effective.

Pro Profile Pic

Example: Use a high-quality, clear headshot or a logo that represents your brand effectively.

Why it’s Important: A professional profile picture makes your account look credible and approachable, encouraging users to engage with your content.

Optimized Bio

Example: “🏋️ Fitness Enthusiast | Sharing Healthy Recipes 🥗 | Workout Tips & Motivation 💪 | [Email] 📧”

Why it’s Important: An optimized bio with relevant emojis, keywords, and contact information gives users a quick overview of who you are and what they can expect from your account.

Searchable Name Keyword

Example: If your name is John and you are in the fitness niche, you could use “John | Fitness Tips” as your name.

Why it’s Important: Including a keyword in your name makes your profile more discoverable to users interested in your niche.

Remember, people come to Instagram to build meaningful relationships with brands. Ensuring that your profile is professional and accurately reflects your brand is crucial in building these relationships and growing your presence on Instagram.

Instagram Growth Strategies, Step 2: Explain What Do You Give

When you’re on Instagram, it’s not just about what you get, but also about what you give. Providing value through your content is key to building a loyal and engaged following. Here’s how you can do it:

Have Content Pillars

Example: If you are a fitness enthusiast, your content pillars could be Workout Tips, Nutrition Advice, and Motivational Quotes.

Why it’s Important: Content pillars help you stay focused on your niche and make it clear to your audience what kind of content they can expect from you.

Use 3-4 Content Formats

Example: Mix up your content by using Posts, Stories, Reels, and IGTV to keep your audience engaged.

Why it’s Important: Different content formats appeal to different audience preferences, increasing your reach and engagement.

Create a Content Calendar

Example: Plan your posts ahead of time, scheduling Workout Tips on Mondays, Nutrition Advice on Wednesdays, and Motivational Quotes on Fridays.

Why it’s Important: A content calendar helps you post consistently and takes the stress out of figuring out what to post each day.

Have a Content Schedule

Example: Post your content at times when your audience is most active, like early in the morning or in the evening after work.

Why it’s Important: Posting when your audience is online increases the chances of your content being seen and engaged with.

Make Sure Your Topic Brings Value

Example: Share practical workout tips that your followers can easily incorporate into their routines and offer nutrition advice that is backed by science.

Why it’s Important: Offering valuable content builds trust with your audience and positions you as an authority in your niche.

Remember, your audience will come to know exactly what to expect from you by identifying your content pillars and being visually consistent.

Instagram Growth Strategies, Step 3: Get Discovered

Getting discovered on Instagram is about using the right strategies to enhance your visibility and reach. Here’s how you can do it:

Use Relevant Hashtags

Example: If you are a baker in NYC, use a mix of hashtags like #NYCBaker, #BakersOfInstagram, and #PastryLove.

Why it’s Important: Using a variety of relevant hashtags increases your discoverability and helps you reach different communities interested in your content.

Collaboration Post

Example: If you are a fitness enthusiast, collaborate with a nutritionist for a post on balanced diets and workouts.

Why it’s Important: Collaboration posts expose you to a wider audience and bring diverse content to your followers.

Guest Post

Example: Write a guest post on a popular fitness blog sharing your workout tips and include your Instagram handle.

Why it’s Important: Guest posts can drive traffic to your Instagram account and establish you as an authority in your niche.

Create a Hashtag for Your Business

Example: If you own a coffee shop named “Bean Bliss,” create and promote the hashtag #BeanBlissCafe.

Why it’s Important: A business hashtag makes your posts easily discoverable and allows your customers to share their experiences.

Encourage Tagging

Example: Encourage your customers to tag your account or use your business hashtag when posting about your products or services.

Why it’s Important: When customers tag you, it increases your visibility to their followers and adds credibility to your brand.

Remember, the goal is to be seen by as many people as possible, so combining these strategies will maximize your chances of getting discovered on Instagram.

Instagram Growth Strategies, Step 4: Become Their Favourite

To become a favourite on Instagram, it’s essential to build a strong connection with your followers. Here’s how you can do it:

Reply to DM and Comments

Example: When someone comments on your post or sends you a direct message, make sure to respond promptly and address them by their name.

Why it’s Important: Responding to comments and DMs makes your followers feel valued and heard, fostering a sense of community and loyalty.

Support Them Back

Example: Like and comment on your followers’ posts, especially when they tag you or use your branded hashtag.

Why it’s Important: Supporting your followers by engaging with their content makes them feel appreciated and strengthens your relationship with them.

Go Live

Example: Host a live session where you share tips, answer questions, or showcase your products/services.

Why it’s Important: Going live allows you to connect with your audience in real-time, making your brand more relatable and approachable.

Use Stories Every Day

Example: Share daily updates, behind-the-scenes content, or user-generated content on your Stories.

Why it’s Important: Regularly updating your Stories keeps your brand on top of your followers’ minds and encourages more interactions.

Post Consistently and at Strategic Times

Example: Find out when your audience is most active and schedule your posts around those times to maximize engagement.

Why it’s Important: Consistent and timely posting ensures that your content reaches your audience when they are most likely to engage.

Instagram Growth Strategies, Step 5: Support Profile from Your Niche

Supporting profiles within your niche is a strategic way to foster community and mutual growth. Here’s how you can do it:

Comment on Same Profile Niche Post

Example: If you are in the fitness niche, leave thoughtful comments on other fitness enthusiasts’ posts, such as “Great workout routine! How long did it take you to master it?”

Why it’s Important: Commenting on similar niche profiles helps in building relationships within the community and increases your visibility to their followers.

Start Engaging with Them

Example: Regularly like, share, and comment on posts from profiles within your niche and respond promptly when they engage with your content.

Why it’s Important: Engaging with similar profiles fosters a sense of community and can lead to mutual support and growth.

Give Tips and Tricks in Their DM

Example: Share helpful tips or resources related to your niche with other profiles through direct messages, like sending a healthy recipe to a fellow fitness enthusiast.

Why it’s Important: Offering value through direct interactions builds stronger relationships and can lead to collaborations and mutual promotions.

Follow and Interact with Their Followers

Example: Follow the followers of profiles within your niche and interact with their content to increase your visibility and attract them to your profile.

Why it’s Important: This strategy helps in expanding your reach within your niche. It also helps in attracting followers who are already interested in your content type.

Collaborate on Content

Example: Partner with other profiles in your niche for joint content. For example, hosting a joint live session or creating a collaborative post.

Why it’s Important: Collaborations expose you to a wider audience within your niche and bring diverse perspectives to your content.

Remember, supporting others in your niche is not just about growing your profile. It’s about building a supportive and engaged community around shared interests and values.

Instagram Growth Strategies, Step 6: Post Consistently

Consistency is key when it comes to Instagram growth. Here’s how you can do it:

Post 3-5 Times per Week

Example: If you are a travel blogger, share a mix of posts throughout the week, including travel tips, destination highlights, and personal travel experiences.

Why it’s Important: Regular posting keeps your audience engaged and attracts new followers, increasing your visibility on the platform.

Post Instagram Stories 2 Times per Day

Example: Share behind-the-scenes content in the morning and a poll or Q&A in the evening.

Why it’s Important: Stories are a great way to connect with your audience in a more casual and immediate way, and posting regularly keeps you on top of their minds.

Run Contests and Giveaways

Running contests and giveaways is a fun and effective way to increase engagement and gain new followers. Here’s how you can do it:

Choose a Relevant Prize

Example: If you are a beauty blogger, give away a beauty product or a skincare set that your followers would love.

Why it’s Important: A relevant and exciting prize motivates users to participate and attracts people who are genuinely interested in your niche.

Set Clear Entry Criteria

Example: Ask participants to follow your account, like the giveaway post, tag 3 friends, and share the post on their story.

Why it’s Important: Clear and simple entry criteria encourage more people to join and help in avoiding any confusion or disputes.

Promote Your Giveaway

Example: Announce your giveaway through a post, story, and reel, and use a compelling image and a clear call-to-action to encourage participation.

Why it’s Important: Promoting your giveaway on different content types increases its visibility and attracts more entries.

Summing up on Instagram Growth Strategies

Growing on Instagram involves a blend of authenticity, consistency, and value. Start by clearly defining who you are with a professional profile picture, a clear bio, and a niche you are passionate about. Provide value by offering diverse and meaningful content that resonates with your audience. Boost your visibility by using relevant hashtags, collaborating with others, and engaging with your followers to become their favorite. Support others in your niche and grow together by sharing insights and engaging with their content. Regularly posting and running exciting giveaways can further enhance engagement and growth. Stick to these strategies, be patient, and watch your community flourish!

Addition tips on Instagram Growth Strategies

  • Reels is the fastest-growing format, with users spending 20% of their time watching them.
  • Utilizing trending audios in Reels boosts discoverability and aligns content with current trends.
  • Content using popular sounds is more likely to be shared and featured on the Explore page.
  • Aim for a video length of 15 to 30 seconds to convey the message effectively.
  • Optimized length ensures the audience grasps the content without losing interest, leading to higher engagement.

Also Read: How to find trending audio on Instagram?

Ready to boost your Instagram presence? Apply these growth strategies and see the difference! If you find this guide helpful, like and share it. For a deeper dive into mastering Instagram and unlocking your account’s full potential, turn to Content Ladder. Let’s create engaging, valuable content and grow together!