How to Grow Your Instagram Account in 2024 [Free Tool Inside]

Are you wondering how to grow your Instagram account?

You are not alone.

Ever since Facebook changed their policy for businesses, Instagram is the new social media hub for gaining visibility in the virtual world.

From a local, family-run business to large global brands, everyone wants to know how to grow their Instagram bio and get more visibility on the  social media platform.

Here’s why:

• More than 1 billion active users on Instagram and the Instagram App every month.
• 90% of Instagram users follow a business.
• 84% of Instagram users want to discover new products on the platform.

Clearly, Instagram is a great social media marketing platform to reach out to your target audience. It’s only natural that marketers want to make money off their Instagram accounts.

But it’s easier said than done.

For monetization, you first need to form a strong community of followers. You need more views on your Instagram posts, and you need to get your audience engaged.

So how can you grow your Instagram followers?

We’ve got some tips to help you get started.

12 Proven Tips to Grow Your Instagram Profile in 2024

Before I start explaining these Instagram marketing tips, I want to explain the importance of growth hacking your Instagram.

No doubt, large follower counts look impressive on social networks. But more than that, you can actually monetize your followership by advertising for brands or for yourself.

If you have substantial reach and influence, you can pitch to relevant brands with collaboration and affiliation proposals.

With your proposals, you’ll need to quote the price per sponsored Instagram post you plan to charge for promotion.

Your asking price will depend on your engagement rate, which can be calculated using the calculator below.

Even if you haven’t reached the stature of an influencer yet, you can check out the rates that influencers in your niche are demanding.

Simply type their username into the calculator and find out their estimated post price.

[insta_engmo_cal][/insta_engmo_cal]

Note: The above Instagram Engagement Money Calculator is provided by HypeAuditor. The results are generated based on their computer vision machine-learning algorithm. Shane Barker does not guarantee the accuracy of these results. If you have questions regarding them, you can reach out to them directly.

Now that you know your earning potential, I’m sure you’re even more motivated to grow your Instagram. Here are some quick and effective ways to do just that:

1. Post Creative Content

When it comes to Instagram marketing, creativity is everything. If your content is creative and relatable, people are going to like and comment on your Instagram posts.

That brings us to the question:

What kind of content should you post on Instagram to grow your follower count and improve your engagement rate?

Instagram is all about great visuals.

There are numerous types of posts that you can create on the platform. These include photo posts, video posts, Instagram Stories, and even IGTV videos.

You can experiment with multiple content formats to appeal to a wider audience. But keep in mind your aim should be to pique their interest.

Instead of just posting about your products and promoting them, you could create Instagram Stories around them.

Want some inspiration?

Airbnb does a great job of weaving Instagram Stories in their niche.

They want to promote traveling and want people to discover different cities around the world by staying with locals.

So to create curiosity among users, they posts snippets on Instagram Stories of the lives of their hosts from around the globe.

Image via Instagram

Their caption talks about the host’s interests or what sort of an experience they can provide to travelers.

Along with this, they also showcase different travel destinations. They connect with users through real-life stories and Instagram hashtags.

So users don’t feel like they are only looking at promotional content on your Instagram profile or Instagram Story.

2. Use the Right Hashtags

When it comes to Instagram, hashtags are the lifeline of any marketing strategy.

The purpose of Instagram hashtags is to reach out to an audience that isn’t following you. It’s important to use the right hashtags if you want to get noticed by the right crowd.

Let’s say you’re creating content related to a FIFA match, you shouldn’t just use #soccer because the term is too broad.

Instead, use #FIFA, #FIFA2018, #FIFAWorldCup, or #FIFAWorldCup2018.

To find the most relevant hashtags, you can use tools like HashtagsForLikes. With the power of hashtags, you can grow your organic following on social media.

This tool gives you a list of hashtags to give your account maximum exposure on Instagram.

All you need to do is copy-paste the list of hashtags and use them in your Instagram posts.

Image via HashTagsForLikes

If you want to create content about an event or festival, you should try to look for trending hashtags relevant to that event.

During such events, everyone is searching for posts related to the trending hashtags. So, you have a great opportunity to cash in on the opportunity.

Before using a hashtag, also check out the search volume for it. You risk getting lost in the flurry of posts if your hashtags have search volumes that go into the millions.

Also, analyze which hashtags are giving your posts more engagement, and try to use them more often.

But how many hashtags should you use per post?

Instagram allows usage of up to 30 hashtags in one post, but it is advisable to use only nine per post.

SproutSocial found in a study that posts with nine hashtags got the highest engagement rates.

Image via SproutSocial

There are other similar studies that show different results.

All in all, the exact number of hashtags is a dividing debate among marketers.

But all of them agree on one thing:

Overusing hashtags isn’t a good strategy to get more Instagram followers for any business.

Instead, use fewer hashtags that have the potential to give you more visibility and conversions.

3. Post at Strategic Times

What time should you post on Instagram to get the most engagement?

Marketers have been trying to find the answer to this question ever since the platform’s inception. There are various studies on this too.

But before we look at them, you should know that you shouldn’t follow them blindly.

What may work for another business may not necessarily work for you.

The best way to figure out the best time for you to post is to look at the Insights for your Instagram profile.

Here are some of the factors that you should take into consideration:

• What time are your followers most active?
• Which region do the majority of your followers live in?
• Which industry/niche are you in?

Now that you have a better understanding of how to find the optimal posting time for your brand, let’s take a look at the research on it.

According to the previously mentioned study from SproutSocial, the best day to post on Instagram is Wednesday.

Furthermore, the best times are 11 am on Wednesday and 10 am to 11 am on Friday.

Image via SproutSocial

Invest some time into understanding the optimal time for Instagram posts or Instagram Story posts. It may take several weeks of A/B testing or trial and error.

Once you know when it is the best time to post on Instagram, start planning your content schedule. If you want to be consistent, you will need to have a solid plan in place.

Pro Tip: Use a scheduling tool like Combin, which can automatically post your content according to your schedule.

4. Optimize your Instagram Bio

Whenever a user visits your Instagram profile, they are likely to see your Instagram bio even before they check your posts.

A quick look should give them a good idea of your work and your values.

You have only 150 characters to clearly communicate it. So, make sure you use this space wisely.

Ideally, your profile bio should include the following details:

• A concise description of what you do
• Values that you believe in
• Call-to-action
• Link

The link on your bio section is clickable. Take advantage of it to redirect people to your website, a landing page, or social media channels.

Want an example?

Take a look at omnichannel platform, MobileMonkey’s bio on their Instagram profile:

Image via Instagram

5. Encourage Your Followers to Create Content

Posting consistently can leave you dry with content ideas if you haven’t planned it well in advance. But even if that is the case, you can use it to your advantage.

Instead of giving your Instagram followers content to consume, get them involved in the content creation process. Your followers’ content can help you grow your Instagram page.

You can make user-generated content (UGC) a central part of your overall content marketing strategy.

Encourage your followers to create videos, photos, and GIFs with your products and make an Instagram Story post with that content.

Create a branded hashtag that can showcase all user-generated content for your brand on the social media platform.

This way you are increasing your brand awareness and also getting more content. This is a smart way to get your Instagram followers to become advertisers for you too.

Buffer’s account saw an incredible growth of 400% by using user-generated content. They posted relevant photos that their followers had clicked along with their Instagram handles.

Image via Instagram

This shifts the focus from the brand onto the followers, which actually encourages other Instagram users to post more for the brand.

6. Organize Contests

To grow your Instagram page, organize contests and give out some freebies. Getting free stuff is a great motivating factor for your Instagram followers to engage more with your brand.

You can easily create and run social media contests using a tool like ShortStack.

It provides you the option to create hashtags, comments, and retweeting contests so that you can leverage them to grow your brand on social media platforms.

You can get as creative as you want with your contest ideas.
You could ask users to repost an image that you have posted previously. Along with it, ask them to mention your Instagram handle in the caption section to increase visibility.

If you are looking for a quick way to get more new followers and increase your likes and comments on your Instagram profile, you should use this strategy.

Another way is to create a hashtag and give users a specific theme to post images on.

Image via Instagram

Earthpix used a similar strategy to get more Instagram followers. They encouraged users to like and share their content with their friends.

By doing so, they could get a chance to win a free trip to Fiji. The post got an overwhelming response. There were over 10,000 comments on the post.

7. Collaborate with Influencers

If you want to grow your account on Instagram quickly, you should get the right influencers to endorse you.

Reach out to influencers in your niche who have a massive fan following. If you can get featured on their page, you will reach out to all of their fans at once.

Get a social media influencer to try out your products and encourage them to post about them.

Getting tagged in their posts can work wonders for you. Additionally, you could also give them promo codes or discount coupons that they can feature in their caption.

This way, influencers can redirect their followers to your Instagram profile or website.

Even if your own account doesn’t have many Instagram followers, you can reach out to a wider audience by partnering with the right influencer. They can connect you with their loyal fanbase.

Here’s an example for your inspiration:

My First Years, a company that specializes in personalized gifts for babies, used this strategy to their advantage.

For their range of Father’s Day clothes, they collaborated with fashion blogger Fleur de Force. Her Instagram post showcasing their products got more than 10,000 likes in just two days.

Image via Instagram

8. Advertise on Instagram

Advertisements on Instagram don’t really look very different from regular Instagram posts. So your followers won’t really feel like you are bombarding them with promotions.

You can choose from four basic formats for advertising: Photo ads, video ads, carousel ads, and slideshow ads.

Photo ads and video ads are exactly like your normal Instagram posts. The only addition is the “Sponsored” label that you can see above the photo.

Carousel ads allow you to organize a number of related posts into a single carousel. You get to showcase your product from more than one perspective in these ads.

Recently, Instagram even extended the features for Instagram Stories. Brands like Gap are already using the feature to highlight more about their campaigns by posting multiple videos together.

In their post for the Logo Remix campaign, Gap even used features like pinning and drawing tools.

Image via Adweek

Slideshow ads allow you to tell a story by combining up to 10 images into a sequence of animation.

That’s not all.

You can also background music to your slideshow ads to weave an engaging video from your static images. These ads are lightweight, so they are easier to load compared to video ads.

Instagram has a wide range of ad formats that enable you to get creative with content. You can even add leads and target audiences for your Instagram ads.

To grow your Instagram followers, use a mix of these ads. It’ll give you publicity, and also allow you to analyze the demographics of your audience.

9. Geo-Tag Your Posts

Geo-tagging lets users know about the location from where you are posting a particular photo. Its main purpose is to let anyone looking for events or photos from a particular region, reach your post.

You can either just include the name of your city or even pin down the specific location that you are at.

It’s a simple feature that can grow your Instagram followers and get more engagement rates as well.

Simply Measured found out that posts that used geo-tagging got 79% more engagement than those that did not.

Image via Simply Measured

If you have a brick-and-mortar location for your business, you should use it to get more publicity too.

Encourage your customers to post pictures and videos from your store or office and ask them to geotag the location.

Along with helping you to get more Instagram followers, this strategy can be especially helpful to create buzz around a product launch for your brand.

10. Engage with Your Followers

Your content should draw eyeballs, but your caption should prompt them to engage with you.

Your caption provides valuable space on your profile that lets you tell stories and promote your partners. If you write it well, you can even use it to get further engagement on your page.

In general, using open-ended questions and using emojis can encourage your followers on Instagram to engage with you.

You could ask how the day has been for your followers or what are their plans for the weekend.

It could be anything, really.

When you encourage your followers to share their experiences with you, you make them feel valued.

The Cheesecake Factory does a great job with this.

For most occasions, they post photos of what their celebrations look like. At the end, they ask their users to share their plans too.

Image via Instagram

Such posts set the tone for you to connect with your followers.

But your job doesn’t end there.

Once you start getting comments or personal messages, make it a habit to respond to them.

Appreciate the enthusiasm of each person who has commented, and genuinely try to have a conversation with them.

If they appreciate your posts, saying a simple “thank you” can also help your brand image.

Even if you’ve received criticism, be polite and try to keep the tone of the conversation courteous, yet casual.

You could also offer some freebies if you find that there were some shortcomings from your side.

By responding courteously to comments, you can set a friendly tone for your brand.

You need to make yourself look approachable.

If you do that, you can grow your Instagram following and gain more loyalty.

Many businesses try to go with automated messages, especially when it comes to reviews and feedback.

Tools like Inflact help you auto-engage with your target audience on Instagram. It can go a long way in boosting your Instagram following.

Note: Want to try Inflact? Use the coupon code “SHANEBARKER” to get a 10% discount on all their paid tools.

11. Add a Profile Widget On Your Site

You’re going to like this Instagram marketing strategy. It’s super easy to implement, almost free, and very effective.

You know you want to grow your Instagram account. For that, you have to make it easy for people to find you.

Add a widget to your website that redirects site visitors to your Instagram page.

You can also add such widgets on your email footers and bios on other social media platforms.

12. Leverage Memes

When it comes to social media, memes rule. Because they are funny and relatable, all of us love to share them with our friends and family for a quick laugh.

If you can find a way to plug your brand into a trending meme, your brand can get more traction easily.

Of course, meme marketing requires you to be on top of the latest trends. Plus, you need to be able to make it relevant for your brand in a creative way.

Don’t know how to get started with this strategy?

Here is an example for your inspiration:

Gucci came out with a series of classical art memes to promote their new line of watches.

To create buzz on social media, they used the hashtag #TFWGucci along with these memes.

Image via Instagram

FAQs

Q1. How do I grow my Instagram followers in 2024?

A. To grow your Instagram follower count in 2024, follow a mix of the tactics mentioned above. Additionally, you should also focus on creating more Reels.

Typically, whenever Instagram launches a feature, the platform gives it priority. The good part is that Reels have also been featuring in the Explore Section. This way, you can get more reach and engagement.

Q2. How can I grow my Instagram account for free?

A. Here are some social media marketing strategies you can leverage to get more Instagram followers and grow your account for free:

• Use hashtags strategically.
• Post content that will resonate with your target audience.
• Organize giveaways and contests.
• Geo-tag your Instagram posts.
• Posts content when your followers are likely to be online.
• Collaborate with influencers in exchange for goodies.
• Encourage user-generated content.

Read the rest of this article for details on how to leverage the strategies mentioned above.

Q3. How can I grow my Instagram account overnight?

A. There is no secret formula that can help you grow your account overnight in an ethical manner. Anyone who claims otherwise may not be using legitimate strategies.

If you want to see sustainable growth, you have to be consistent in your approach.

However, there are various strategies that can accelerate your growth.
For instance, you can work with relevant influencers in your field to create buzz on social media.

Through an influencer collaboration, you can boost your brand’s reach and visibility considerably in a short period of time.

Through giveaways and contests, influencer collaborations can also help you gain new followers.

It’s a smart and legitimate way to grow your account quickly.

Q4. Why is my Instagram account not growing?

A. Some common reasons why your account may not be growing include:

• You may not be using the right hashtags.
• Your content is not engaging and unique.
• You aren’t posting content regularly.
• You’re not optimizing your Instagram bio.

If you are seeing stagnation in your Instagram growth, try using the strategies mentioned in this post.

Q5. How to organically grow your Instagram from scratch?

A. Here are some Instagram marketing tips that can help you grow your Instagram organically from scratch:

1. Post engaging content.
2. Use hashtags strategically.
3. Post on Instagram consistently.
4. Make the most of user-generated content.
5. Host contests.
6. Run influencer marketing campaigns.
7. Publish content at the right times.
8. Leverage Instagram ads.
9. Use Instagram’s geo-tagging feature.
10. Engage with your followers.

For a detailed explanation on how to use these strategies to grow your account, check out the full post.

Q6. How can you grow your personal account on Instagram?

A. To grow your personal account, you can use the following tips:

• Make your account public to make it more discoverable.
• Write an optimized bio clearly stating your interests.
• Post shareable content.
• Tag brands in your posts and Stories.
• Use the right hashtags.
• Engage with other brands/influencers.
• Set a consistent posting schedule.
• Write witty captions.

Q7. Should I buy Instagram followers?

A. Everyone wants to get more followers on Instagram as soon as possible. Owing to the high demand, there are many third-party services and apps that claim that they can help you get more followers.

For low as $0.99, some of these apps promise to help you get a massive Instagram following. But if you care about your reputation, you should never buy Instagram followers. It is an unethical practice and can also make you susceptible to an Instagram shadowban.

Q8. Is it better to have a public or private Instagram?

A. Depending on what your priorities are, you should choose whether you want to have a private or public Instagram. Both public and private accounts have their own pros and cons.

Pros of Having a Private Instagram

• You can approve new followers.
• You can purge trolls and spammy accounts.
• You get more privacy on your Instagram profile.
• It’s harder for others to steal your content.

Cons of Having a Private Instagram

• You limit your reach.
• Your posts won’t appear in hashtag search results.
• Your posts won’t appear in geo-tag posts.
• You will limit your engagement.
• You can’t cross-post on other platforms.

Pros of Having a Public Instagram

• You can reach a wider audience.
• Your posts can appear on the Explore tab and in hashtag search results.
• Your engagement will be higher.
• You can easily post your content on other platforms.

Cons of Having a Public Instagram

• Your content can be easily copied.
• Trolls can harass you.

Now that you know the pros and cons of having public and private accounts, make an informed choice!

Q9. How to get more local followers on Instagram?

A. If you want to grow your Instagram and attract local followers, here are some tactics that you should implement:

• Use local hashtags.
• Leverage the geo-tagging feature on Instagram.
• Interact with the latest local posts.
• Interact with users who used your location on their posts.
• Collaborate with other local brands or influencers.
• Participate in local events and showcase it on Instagram.

Q10. Which are some good tools to grow your Instagram?

A. Here are some tools you can use to grow your Instagram:

Combin: This tool can help you target accounts that commented or liked specific posts. You can also discover relevant Instagram profiles through bio keywords.

Kicksta: This tool lets you find accounts that are similar to yours. It also has an option to auto-engage with such profiles.

HashTagsForLikes: This platform lets you discover trending hashtags, make hashtag lists, and analyze the performance of your hashtags. You can also see the hashtag difficulty score for new hashtag suggestions.

HypeAuditor: This Instagram marketing tool is specifically for those who want to discover influencer profiles. It also has a feature that lets you analyze audience demographics and detect fraudulent inflation of follower counts.

Ready to Grow Your Instagram Account?

Instagram is a great place for marketers. But just setting up a business account and posting content isn’t enough.

You need to have a strong strategy in place to grow your account and get more followers.

For that, you need to use Instagram smartly.

You should post creative content consistently with the right hashtags. This way you can grow your presence and boost your Instagram following.

It’s important to post creative content consistently with the right hashtags. This way you can get more visibility.

To increase engagement, collaborate with influencers and organize contests for your followers.

Growing your Instagram following will require a lot of effort and patience. Results will take time to show, but in the meantime, keep up the good work consistently.

Need more tips on how to grow your brand’s Instagram account and get new followers? Get in touch with me.