7 strategies that can help increase your Instagram followers organically

There are about 7 billion people on this planet, and of these, 1/7th are on Instagram. That’s a staggering 1 billion pairs of eyes that are available to you each time you post on the platform. Instagram has evolved into one of the fastest-growing social media platforms for business. 96% of all brands are on the social media platform and have achieved more success with it compared to traditional marketing methods.

Instagram has helped startups get a leg over established players in the market and leveraged the presence of big brands in the market even higher. It is turning out to be a business tool that has universal appeal and function—many Teespring sellers are leveraging the power of social media to grow their business too.

All said and done, how do you measure success on Instagram?

A straightforward metric that can reflect how well an Instagram account is doing would be the number of followers it has accumulated. As a rough measure, the popularity of a brand and the number of followers they have on their Instagram account are directly proportional. The more followers a brand has on its Instagram account, the more chances it has of becoming an influencer or popular in the niche. 

 

Strategies to help increase your Instagram follower count

Follower count is perhaps the most fundamental indicator to determine how much influence a brand or a person has. Apart from Instagram’s own account, the person with the most followers is Christiano Ronaldo with 174 million people subscribed. More followers = more influence and potential reach your account has.

 

1) Post consistently

Posting times are perhaps the most critical part of your Instagram popularity. Make sure that you post during times when followers are likely to be checking through their Insta feeds. If you want to reach more people, make sure you post at least once a day. However, make sure that you do not bombard your followers’ feed with too much, which will result in unfollows. When posting, don’t post for posting’s sake – make sure you have content that is good enough to be shared with your audience. We often see Teespring sellers posting about new products or designs relevant to their audience at peak periods.

YouTuber Draw with Jazza frequently posts his merch + new creations on Instagram.

 

2) Shareworthy content

A lot of people make the mistake of posting poor quality content to keep up with their posting schedule, especially after they’ve accumulated a lot of followers. In the worst cases, this might result in an immediate drop in follower numbers. There should be an ideal balance between posting frequency and quality. If you don’t have content that you think would appeal to your audience, it’s almost always a better option to post another day. Some of the best content is UGC, or user-generated content. Photos of happy customers in your products is definitely “shareworthy.”

@JackfragsYT reposted his fans’ photos into a collage.

 

3) Hashtag it

Hashtagging is a vital function on Instagram, and it’s also where you can showcase your creative skills. People use hashtags to search for content on Instagram. Brands also take the extra effort to make sure that hashtags they create are memorable and easy to remember. Hashtags can be inspirational like the ALS Association’s #IceBucketChallenge or something wacky like TNT’s #DontKillSeanBean. The optimal number of hashtags for posts in 2019 is 4 – 5, so there’s room to get creative. If you’re interested in being featured on Teespring’s social channels, try using the hashtags #teespringfeatured or simply #teespring so we can find your brand. Tagging us in your photos and videos is great too!

We’re always looking through the #teespringfeatured hashtag for accounts to feature on social media.

 

4) Use videos

Videos are the future of content and anyone who is looking to grow their Instagram needs to make sure that they have video content on their feed posted regularly. Videos elicit more engagement from users—generating an estimated 12x more shares—and account for ⅓rd of online activity. You can leverage this to your advantage when you supplement your regular content posting timetable with a good chunk of videos. We’ve even created tips for creating video ads here.

 

5) Maximize your bio

Instagram bios are where your followers can read a bit about you. You can also add a link to your website which can help direct customers there. It is essential to use an image in your bio that you feel is compelling and best represents your interests. Many users choose a catchy tagline or portrait here that best describes their brand. If you’re interested in building a brand instead of a myriad of different products and designs, consider using or creating a logo.

@Blackmentalhealthmatters_ tells followers exactly what they’re about in their bio.

If you have the resources, consider creating a Linkin.bio. account with Later.com to host multiple articles within your Instagram bio. This way, curious buyers and followers can see a host of links to new articles and products that never expire.

Teespring’s linkin.bio account.

 

6) Create a “look”

You need to figure out something quirky or easily recognizable about your Instagram account that can be your “signature.” It doesn’t have to be limited to a choice of colors or themes, it can also be the style of language you use or topics that you enjoy sharing with your audience. Feel free to draw from other accounts that are doing well in your niche but make sure that you put your unique spin on it. Teespring has tons of accounts and sellers, so you’ll want to stand out.

The @bl3ssedlife Instagram has a clear look and brand.

The most common tips across all channels include creating a cohesive aesthetic for your brand—similar color options or filters on each photo, a pre-planned photo grid, and relevant content for your audience.

 

7) Get influencers on it

Influencers are people who are popular on a social platform and have a significant impact on their niche. Getting influencers on Instagram to share or reference your content can have significant positive effects on your Instagram account. You can reach out to them for a collaboration, and given the right terms they’ll be keen to help you out. Having an influencer as part of your Instagram platform means that you will gain exposure to a huge chunk of their fanbase as well. Make sure that you only work with influencers who align with your brand’s values and message.

 

To summarize

Increasing your follower count on Instagram without resorting to tactics frowned upon is easy if you know what to do, but it does take time. The tips above can work to tilt the odds in your favor. Remember to keep an open mind about growing your brand—make it easy for people to reach out to you. People may approach you with opportunities, and continuing choosing the right ones to maximize your Instagram account growth. Finally, find the time to enjoy promoting your Instagram feed, because things are a lot easier when you have fun with it!

Looking for more tips?