Let’s be honest: on Instagram, followers are your currency — the more followers you have, the more attractive you are to brands.
But earning those followers is harder than ever. Gone are the days when you could buy Instagram followers and see your follower count skyrocket. Such tactics are more likely to hurt your account than help it.
The good news? Natural and authentic ways to increase Instagram followers still work. In addition, some new strategies that align with Instagram’s latest updates and user preferences have proven effective. Below, you’ll find 12 tips for increasing Instagram followers in 2024.
1. Optimize your Instagram profile
Your Instagram profile is often a potential follower’s first impression of your brand. It’s a snapshot that should embody your e-commerce identity, reflecting the style and messaging on your website and other channels.
Here are some tips to improve your profile:
- Stay consistent: Make sure your headshot, bio, and overall theme align with your brand. This includes using consistent colors, filters, and layout styles that resonate with your brand personality.
- Engage your content grid: Your posts and reels should form a cohesive grid that tells your brand’s story. Plan and schedule your content regularly to maintain this harmony. Aim to create a visually appealing layout that draws your audience in and encourages them to explore more.
- Utilize the link in bio: Utilize the clickable link in your bio effectively. Whether it’s linking to your latest collection, special offer, or sign-up page, this link is a direct gateway for potential customers to engage more deeply with your brand.
Take a look at Letterfolk’s Instagram. First, the brand makes a strong impression through consistent color schemes and graphics.
The content in the Instagram grid is then a thoughtful mix of product highlights, customer experiences, and inspirational posts that give a comprehensive look at what they offer.
Finally, the link in its description is a smart move. It opens a page with several options, including a shopping grid that mirrors Instagram content.
The seamless connection between Letterfolk’s social presence and e-commerce site makes for a smooth user experience.
2. Use Instagram Live
The Instagram Live feature lets you stream videos directly to your followers. It’s like Reels or Stories, but happens in real time. Creators get cool interactive features to talk directly to their viewers, earn rewards through Instagram badges, and you can save your Lives for later.
For example, influencer Alfredo Lewi hosted a live chat with makeup artist @makeupbyloveandrea, who collaborated with K18 Hair. This collaboration expanded the brand’s reach and introduced the creator to a new audience.
Here are some practical tips for using Instagram Live to grow your following:
- Do a takeover with an influencer on your account.
- Set up an AMA (Ask Me Anything) or Q&A session for direct interaction.
- Promote new products or provide exclusive access to a live audience; you can even try Instagram Live shopping.
- Collaborate in “rooms” with up to three accounts to expand your reach.
- Show behind-the-scenes content to add a personal touch to your brand.
- Conduct live tutorials or demonstrations, and answer questions.
- Interview other creators or brands and promote the event on both accounts ahead of time to get more attention.
3. Build a personal brand
If you’re the driving force behind a founder-led brand, it’s wise to develop your personal Instagram alongside your business account. This strategy can significantly increase brand awareness, grow follower counts, and boost sales.
For example, consider what the zero-waste lifestyle brand Package Free did. The brand maintained a strong presence on Instagram, but the founder’s account added additional engagement and visibility.
By balancing these two accounts, you’ll create a strong buzz. Your account adds a human element that makes the brand more relatable, while the business account showcases the merchandise on offer, encouraging Instagram users to buy.
4. Create a featured account
Certain Instagram accounts feature the best posts from a specific niche. These accounts are called featured accounts, and many of them have a large number of followers. If your post gets featured on one of these accounts, it could bring new followers to your profile.
You’ll find featured accounts for nearly every interest – travel, fashion, photography, pets, etc. For example, @thepeoplescreatives is a featured account that shares creative images with 177,000 followers.
To get these accounts to notice your content, try using hashtags that they frequently use. You can also tag them in your posts, or follow their posting rules. This is an effective way to attract followers who are already interested in the content you post.
5. Share user-generated content
User-generated content (UGC) is any content about a brand that is created by customers or followers, such as videos, photos, reviews, or audio. It shows potential customers how others interact with and review your products, increasing their trust and likelihood of purchase.
When you share your customers’ posts, you can make them feel special and more loyal to your brand. They might even start telling their friends about you or come back to buy more.
Using UGC is a powerful strategy for growing Instagram followers and sales. People are 56% more likely to buy a product if they see photos of it shared by other customers.
6. Create a hashtag strategy
To grow your Instagram followers, a solid hashtag strategy is essential. Here are the steps to create one:
Select relevant hashtags
Choose hashtags that are closely related to your brand. Skip the extremely popular content and choose those that match your business and audience.
Organize your tags
Group your hashtags. For example, if you sell handmade candles, use hashtags like #HandmadeCandles, #EcoFriendlyHome, and #ScentedCandles. Also, add some local hashtags like #MadeIn[YourCity].
Using hashtags in Stories and Reels
Use these hashtags regularly in your stories and reels. This can help new people find your content.
Refresh old post
Add new hashtags to old posts to give them a second chance to be seen.
These simple steps will help you attract the right audience and grow your Instagram community.
7. Interact with your competitors’ Instagram followers
Engaging with your competitors’ followers is a smart decision because these people have already shown interest in products or services like yours.
On Instagram, there are multiple ways to participate:
- Follow people who are already interested in similar brands.
- Like their posts, stories, or reels to show your presence.
- Comment on their posts to start a conversation.
- When relevant, tag these users in your content.
- Send a direct message to start a private conversation.
This active engagement is a great way to show that you’re passionate about building real relationships with potential fans and customers.
The vast majority of consumers (88% to be exact) place a high value on authenticity when choosing a brand to support.
By engaging directly and personally, you show that there is a real person behind your account.
8. Use location tags to attract nearby followers
Do you ever tag a city or place in your Instagram posts? If not, this is a strategy worth considering.
Location tags put your content in front of tourists and locals who are exploring those specific areas on Instagram. When you tag a place, your post becomes part of that place’s unique Instagram feed and story. This is an effective way to reach a targeted audience in a specific area.
Consider this post by Pinesnprints, a brand that creates stickers, prints, and illustrations inspired by everyday life.
By tagging Singapore in it, it successfully showcases its products to residents and tourists who are exploring content related to the place.
9. Ask for more followers in your posts
Seeking more followers on Instagram might feel a little ahead of the curve, but it’s a tried and true method. TikTok Followers’ growth plan is a very good authentic process.
Think about it: YouTubers are always reminding their viewers to subscribe. Why not use the same strategy on Instagram?
From time to time, give users a friendly reminder to follow you in your captions or video content like Reels and Stories.
When you do, be sure to emphasize their value. Tell your audience what they’ll gain by following you — maybe an inside scoop, a peek into your daily life, or exclusive content. Give them a reason to click that “Follow” button.
Here’s a tip for creators: push your current followers to subscribe to your Instagram feed. This feature lets you offer special content to your paying subscribers, and it’s one of the easiest ways to make money on the platform.
10. Collaborate with like-minded brands and creators
Another way to achieve growth on Instagram is through strategic collaborations. Look for brands and creators that complement your business. For example, if you specialize in outdoor apparel, partnering with a travel influencer or camping gear company might be ideal.
When working with other companies, ensure the partnership is authentic and adds value to both brands. The key is to maintain a balance where both companies benefit and contribute equally.
For example, luxury womenswear label Rosie Assoulin and sustainable footwear brand Allbirds teamed up to create these stylish, eco-friendly summer slippers.
The partnership worked well because both brands contributed to the unique look and design of the product. Of course, having a common audience interested in fashion and sustainability made things easier for both businesses.
11. Organize a competition
One of the best ways to encourage following is to run a contest or giveaway. Typically, you’ll ask participants to follow your account, like and comment on the contest post, and maybe tag a friend or two.
But instead of the usual “like and tag” routine, why not ask your followers to share content that aligns with your brand values or the theme of your event?
It could be a photo, a short story, or a piece of creative art. This approach encourages deeper engagement and creativity, making your contest more of a community-building exercise than just a strategy to increase followers.
Note: Before planning this campaign, be sure to follow Instagram’s promotion guidelines and check the legal aspects of running a contest in your area.
12. Promote it on Instagram
Instagram likes are like a public nod or recommendation from one Instagram user to another. To get likes, you can contact Instagram users with a large number of active followers and ask them if they would feature your account in their posts or stories. It’s best to look for accounts that match your brand or content style.
Getting likes helps grow your Instagram followers because it exposes your account to a new audience. This audience is already active and engaged, which makes them more likely to follow an account recommended by someone they already trust.
This approach is more effective than chasing fake followers, who don’t engage with your content. Real, active Instagram followers are the key to building a strong Instagram presence.
