10 ways to grow a following on Instagram for FREE

Let’s face it, as more and more people sign up to Instagram, it’s become much harder to gain followers and draw attention to the feed. In 2016, Instagram transitioned from showing posts in chronological order into showing us ‘what we want to see’. Since then, the struggle to be seen has been a reality than many Instagram users now have to face.

We have some Instagram hacks that we use with our clients, to make sure that when we post, Instagram algorithms place us at the top of our followers’ news feeds! The greatest part is that all of these tips are completely free of charge!

1. Only use high-quality content

Here’s a key tip, research the best sizes that Instagram look for when you post! For example, the size of a square Instagram post is 1800×1800. Posting an exact size that Instagram look for will keep the quality of the photo higher. That being said, if the quality of your photo isn’t high to begin with, we would not recommend using it in your feed as this could reduce the quality of your overall feed!

2. Add a tag to every photo!

Anything in the post that is relevant to you, your feed and your following – Tag it!

Make sure you’re using the tag feature to your benefit. Just think, what clothes are you wearing? does any specific makeup item stand out? Who is the photographer? The list goes on and on.

When you tag people, they not only receive a notification but your post also appears on their ‘tagged images’ page. You’d be surprised how often both brands and users check up on who is tagging what!

3. Use Hashtags

The same goes for hashtags, add a few hashtags at the end of your caption or as a first comment on your post. Only use hashtags that are relevant – always check the similar tags and how often the hashtag is being used.

Here’s an example of where people go wrong. Using long and irrelevant hashtags such as #mynewdesignerhandbag, when posting about a new purchase won’t even be half as effective as using #handbag. Always think about what you might search for in the hashtags and go with that!

4. Add your location

Particularly for brands, Location is key! Many social medias choose to look to the location feature for new things to do, places to eat, the ‘instagrammable’ locations for the best pictures etc. Tagging the city or specific location can not only help you, but is also a way of supporting businesses, from small to large.

5. Use call-to-action captions/content

The more engagement your posts get, the more likely you are to gain followers and stay at the top of people feeds in the future. Therefore, we suggest using call-to-action captions and content such as challenges or encouraging people to comment. This will build a relationship with your followers as well as boost engagement.

6. Like and Engage with your followers

Similar to the previous point, if you’re scrolling through Instagram and see a call to action caption or post, comment and engage with the people you follow. Social Media communities tend to only engage with those who engage with them. The follow-for-follow culture is very real and that means putting in a little more work to be noticed as someone engaging.

7. Like and Engage with people who don’t follow you yet

When you’re researching locations, brands, hashtags that are relevant to your page, we suggest engaging with other people who like the same things as you. Interacting with posts and stories costs nothing and will bring more exposure to your profile – many users take a peek at your feed when they see a nice or thoughtful comment. Though time-consuming, this is a great and ideal way to grow a genuine and organic following.

8. Post Stories

The recommended number of stories to post is between 3-5 stories per day. This is a great way of reminding people of your profile and your social media presence. It will give people real life updates rather than photos that might have been taken days ago. Using their interactive features can also give you a chance to get key information about your followers.

9. Make sure your feed looks AMAZING and RELEVANT

In point number 7, we mentioned that when you like and comment on people’s photos, they’re likely to check out your feed. To cover the viewer into a follow, people seeing your profile need to be convinced of your content. Is the feed aspirational or beautiful? Does it inspire them with products or lifestyle or inspiration? Whatever your niche is, make sure you’re presenting a relevant and attractive feed.

10. Post Consistently

Consistency is key when posting on Instagram. Take some time to experiment and find out which days and times work for you. Once you’ve decided, make sure that each day, week and month, you are posting consistently. Though posting daily is recommended, if you only have the content to post 2-3 times per week, then get into the habit of posting at the same time on similar days. Trust us, it’s effective!