Instagram is a fantastic network that allows its users to share photos and it’s a lot of fun especially when people are following you. If you are a new Instagram user, there are high chances that you don’t have many followers. The following are some simple techniques you can use to get followers on Instagram:
1. Ensure that your account has a clear focus
Pick a clear focus for your Instagram account. This is because if you intend to showcase your best photographs, never post pictures with poor quality. People want to see your artistic photos rather than posting pictures of what you ate for lunch, for example. Chances are, only people who you’re familiar with would be interested to follow your daily activities, unless of course you’re a celebrity.
2. Make your account look great
Once you have settled on the best way to give your account a clear focus, your next step is to ensure your account looks great. A captivating bio and a nice profile photo could make your account look great but it’s also important that your photo feed looks great too. This is because when people make a decision to follow you, that is what they look at.
It is important to build a portfolio of pictures that match your account’s focus and ensure that you have no ugly pictures or pictures that are irrelevant in your photo feed. Creating photos with a good composition is highly advisable and will catch the viewer’s eye. To create more beautiful photos, practice shooting in different lights to enhance the quality of your photos.
3. Link your existing channels
When your Instagram account is finally on track, let the world know about it. This you do by leveraging the other platforms that you already have. This ensures that what you post on Instagram can be seen on other social media platforms. This is a great way to gain additional followers.
4. Connect with Other Instagram Users
When people from your network are following you, start reaching out to others who would potentially be interested in seeing your photos. One of the ways you can connect to other users is by for example, leaving comments on their photos or something thoughtful. This way, the person will definitely want to look through your profile and potentially follow you. Also, never ask people you don’t know to follow you. This annoys them as opposed to luring them with nice comments to follow you.
Getting Fans and Followers for General Social Media
The following methods have been proven as systems for increasing your followers across your social media platforms. However, you must fulfil the following elements in order for the methods to work:
a) Consistency
Be consistent when following these strategies. Do not use them for two-three weeks for example and move on to something else. You need to practice consistently to ensure that they are effective in the long haul. If you only have limited time on social media, use only a handful of the strategies you choose and carry them out consistently.
b) Know what your audience wants
Do not assume you know what they want. What you think they want and what they actually want are two different things. Look at your previous posts and see what has been most popular to be able to determine what they want to see more of.
Strategies for Increasing Followers and Fans
1. Content
Ensure that your content is original and relevant. This will require you to think outside the box including sharing other people’s content on your social media platforms. However, make sure that you share your insights and knowledge as well.
2. Put share buttons on each blog post
Include social share buttons on your posts to ensure that other followers on your platforms get the content and the message as well.
3. Reach out to Influencers
Find people who are influencers in your niche and always tag them, mention them or share their content. The more you do this, the more you build your relationship and create a chance of them sharing your posts as well.
4. Identify posts that are popular and get more shares.
Increasing your fan base is also about how much your content gets shared. There are different tools that you can identify to help you identify your most popular posts.
5. Be Responsive
Ensure that you respond to comments, complaints and questions in a timely manner. It is not enough to post engaging content, connecting with your fans and followers is also important.
6. Story Telling
Stories are important when engaging and connecting with your fans. This way, you avoid being too promotional and stories get more shares than promotional content.
7. Relevant Hashtags
Find trending and relevant hashtags and use them in your posts to gain more followers.
8. Hold contests and giveaways
You can do this and make liking your page and following your accounts a requirement for entry into the contests.
9. Build Network-specific Landing Pages
These pages are important for visitors from every social network and link to your social media bios. This increases your follows and traffic and conversions.
10. Quality over Quantity
It is critical to post as often as possible but you must keep in mind that social media growth is more likely to happen by sharing amazing, quality content that you know your audience will appreciate more.
11. Make use of Humor
For increased sharing, use of humor and evoking emotions among your audience helps. However, please note that more interesting posts get more shares.
12. Provide Valuable Education
Share valuable, unique content that has a great chance of getting shared. Keep in mind the info or the insights you can provide based on your knowledge and unique experiences.
13. Set a goal
Set specific goals for the number of followers you want. This will help you stay focused and give you the best chance of achieving your goals.
Author Bio
Charlie Brown is the CEO and founder of Audience Bloom and the content above on how to get followers on Instagram is his own opinion.
