26 TIPS TO ACHIEVE YOUR FIRST (OR NEXT) 1,000 INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
BY HEIDI MCIVOR ALLEN
The potential for businesses to connect with customers on Instagram seems limitless these days. With approximately 90% of Instagram’s 1 billion active monthly users following business accounts, and over 200 million business accounts present, the opportunities are abundant, but so is the competition.
Increasing your followers on Instagram is crucial for amplifying your marketing efforts. But how do you go about growing your Instagram following, particularly if you currently have fewer than a thousand followers?
You probably already know that unless you’re a well-known brand, building a substantial following on Instagram requires dedication and effort. This challenge is even more pronounced for small businesses seeking to leverage Instagram marketing to attract new clients and hopefully retain them as loyal customers in the future. So, where do you begin?
“When you change one thing, you have the ability to change EVERYTHING.”
TYPES OF INSTAGRAM FOLLOWERS
Before considering the many strategies for attracting Instagram followers, it’s essential to consider who you aim to attract. There are three primary types of Instagram followers, and the first two are the ones you should steer clear of.
FAKE FOLLOWERS
Fake Instagram followers typically consist of bots or fraudulent accounts that artificially boost your follower count. These followers do not engage with your content, and since engagement plays a crucial role in Instagram’s algorithm, they do not contribute positively to how your feed is promoted to new users.
GHOST FOLLOWERS
The majority of these “ghost” followers are inactive users who do not interact with your content. As a result, these followers can distort your engagement metrics. Therefore, it’s beneficial to remove ghost followers regularly from your list if you’re aiming for growth.
ORGANIC FOLLOWERS
Your organic Instagram followers constitute your active audience – individuals who discover your profile through ads or posts and engage with your content. Among your authentic followers, there are several sub-groups that warrant your attention.
CUSTOMERS
These followers have completed a purchase and frequently follow your Instagram account for product updates, sales, and discounts. To further engage with customers, showcase your products on Instagram and provide exclusive offers specifically on this platform. You can also offer giveaways to engage and retain customers. Provide educational information on your industry, products, and services.
‘BROWSERS’ AND COMPETITORS
Some of your organic followers may also be following your competitors, as they compare brands or conduct research before making a purchase. To engage with these followers, draw inspiration from competitor content when crafting your own Instagram posts. Additionally, consider using specific hashtags or location tags to enhance your visibility within this group and set your brand apart from the competition.
INFLUENCERS
Micro and nano influencers are Instagram accounts with 10-75K followers, specializing in specific niches. Collaborating with these influencers can result in valuable partnerships and boosted sales for your business. To attract influencers, focus on creating consistent, high-quality content tailored to a specific audience.
HOW TO GET MORE FOLLOWERS ON INSTAGRAM
1. MAKE YOUR ACCOUNT A BUSINESS PROFILE
2. DOWNLOAD AN INSTAGRAM FOR BUSINESS KIT WITH TEMPLATES AND HOW-TOS
3. USE A SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT CALENDAR
4. USE A SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT TOOL TO SCHEDULE YOUR POSTS IN ADVANCE
5. STICK TO A REGULAR POSTING SCHEDULE
6. CUSTOMIZE YOUR INSTAGRAM FOR A BUSINESS PROFILE
7. HIRE AN EXPERIENCED CONTENT CREATOR LIKE MCIVOR MARKETING
8. FOLLOW PHOTOGRAPHY AND EDITING BEST PRACTICES
9. WRITE ENGAGING, ENTICING, SHAREABLE CAPTIONS
10. STICK TO A SPECIFIC, CONSISTENT BRAND VOICE
11. POST ENGAGING CONTENT YOUR FOLLOWERS WANT TO SEE
12. TRY POSTING USER-GENERATED CONTENT
13. SHARE EDUCATIONAL CONTENT THROUGH INSTAGRAM CAROUSELS AND REELS
14. BRING IN OUTSIDE CONTRIBUTORS TO CREATE RELEVANT CONTENT
15. EXPLORE INSTAGRAM STORIES’ INTERACTIVE FEATURES TO INCLUDE FOLLOWERS
16. INCORPORATE INSTAGRAM LIVE FEATURE INTO A MONTHLY SOCIAL ROUTINE
17. DIVERSIFY YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE TO ATTRACT NEW FOLLOWERS
18. TAG RELEVANT INDUSTRY USERS
19. ALLOW INFLUENCERS TO TAKE OVER YOUR ACCOUNT FOR THE DAY
20. GET ON THE INSTAGRAM EXPLORE PAGE
21. OPTIMIZE POSTS WITH RELEVANT HASHTAGS
22. CONSIDER INSTAGRAM PROMO ADS
23. SHARE YOUR PROFILE LINK ON YOUR WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
24. CROSS PROMOTE WITH INFLUENCERS IN THE SAME INDUSTRY AS YOUR BRAND
25. APPLY TO BE INSTAGRAM VERIFIED
26. CREATE YOUR OWN INSTAGRAM FILTERS
WHY YOU SHOULD WORK WITH MCIVOR MARKETING
McIvor Marketing offers expertise in digital marketing strategy tailored to your unique needs. From crafting captivating content to leveraging the latest Instagram features, we deliver results-driven solutions to help you stand out and generate meaningful engagement. DM us on Instagram or visit us at mcivormarketing.com!
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