What advice would you give to social media marketers who are looking for ways to get more followers on Instagram? Give me a personal example of how you've used this advice in your own work, and tie it back to how brands can leverage this advice to grow their followership on Instagram.

One piece of advice I'd give to social media marketers trying to grow their Instagram following is: focus on shareability, not just aesthetics. Great visuals are important, but the real growth happens when your content gives people a reason to pass it on—because it's helpful, relatable, or genuinely interesting to their own audience. At MeasureMinds Group, we don't have the flashiest brand or a product that naturally goes viral. But we do have knowledge—especially around things like GA4, Google Tag Manager, and Data Studio. So instead of trying to "compete" with polished lifestyle or product content, we leaned into what we do best: breaking down complex topics into bite-sized, shareable tips and insights. One post that worked especially well was a simple carousel explaining five GA4 metrics that marketers often overlook. It was designed with clean, consistent visuals, but the main value came from the content—straightforward, no fluff, and something that solved a real problem. That one post was shared over 70 times, saved by dozens, and brought in a noticeable spike in followers that week. No paid promotion—just helpful, easy-to-digest info that people felt was worth saving or sharing. For brands, the takeaway is this: you don't need to go viral to grow. You just need to be consistently valuable. Ask yourself: would someone save this post for later? Would they send it to a colleague? If the answer is yes, you're on the right track. Instead of chasing followers, try to create content that earns trust. Share tips, answer common questions, simplify something people find confusing. That kind of content builds a reputation—and a following—over time. It's slower than shortcuts like giveaways or trends, but it creates a stronger connection with the audience and attracts people who actually care about what your brand offers.

If you're chasing follower count just to watch the number go up, I'd pause for a second. More followers doesn't mean more money. In fact, the wrong followers can hurt your engagement and ultimately your growth. Why? Because Instagram's algorithm tracks how your audience responds. If your posts aren't getting engagement from the people who follow you, the platform assumes your content isn't worth showing. So if your followers aren't actually interested in what you do, it's like talking to a room full of people wearing noise-canceling headphones. Instead, focus on attracting the right followers. People who are actually a match for what you offer. People who care. People who would nod along with your captions and click through your stories. The best way I've found to do that? Build a community. Not a fan base. A community. That means: - Showing up consistently with content that solves real problems or shares something useful. - Talking like a real human (not a brand with a script). - Asking questions. Starting conversations. Responding like you care...because you do. In my own business, I stopped worrying about "growth hacks" and leaned into creating content that made my ideal people feel seen. I talked about burnout. About juggling work and life. About the stress of DIYing your entire marketing plan at 11pm. The result? Slower growth, but better followers. More clicks. More sales. More actual conversations in DMs that turned into real clients. Brands can do the same thing. People don't want to follow perfect. They want to follow relatable. They want to feel like they're part of something. If you treat your Instagram like a handshake, not a billboard, you'll attract people who actually want to stay. So stop trying to impress everyone. Start trying to connect with the right ones. That's where the real growth comes from.

If you're looking to build a strong following on Instagram as a social media marketer, my main tip is to create a community rather than just filling up a content calendar. Real growth stems from creating valuable content that resonates with your audience and encourages them to engage. When I was working in growth marketing for a SaaS company, we ran a campaign that paid off. We launched a "Real Results" series featuring genuine testimonials, user photos, and practical tips. It wasn't just about promoting our brand; it was about telling stories through our customers' eyes. We included fun elements like polls and Q& A in our stories to get people talking. The outcome was clear: we saw a 34% increase in followers over three months, doubled the number of saves and shares, and received more direct messages from interested prospects. For brands, the takeaway is simple: treat your followers like partners. Being consistent, genuine, and engaging, rather than just pushing out content, turns casual viewers into loyal supporters. You'll see growth when your content grabs attention instead of demanding it.

Instagram growth isn't just about algorithms—it's about strategic storytelling. I've found that creating content pillars that alternate between educational, inspirational, and promotional content keeps followers engaged while attracting new ones. With RED27Creative clients, we implement a 70/20/10 rule: 70% value-driven content, 20% relationship building, and only 10% direct promotion. A regional contractor we worked with struggled with just 240 followers despite posting regularly. We developed a content strategy showcasing before/after changes with detailed captions explaining the process and challenges. By addressing common homeowner pain points in these stories, their account grew to 3,800+ followers in five months, generating actual leads. The most overlooked growth factor is leveraging analytics to optimize posting schedules. We finded our B2B clients' content performed 43% better when posted Tuesday and Wednesday mornings, while our retail clients saw highest engagement Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons. This simple timing optimization increased average post reach by 31%. For brands looking to grow, start by auditing your last 20 posts to identify what genuinely resonated with followers. Build your content strategy around those topics, focus on solving problems rather than showcasing products, and be consistent with your posting schedule. Instagram rewards consistency far more than sporadic brilliance.

Growing Instagram followers isn't about fancy tricks – it's about consistent, story-driven content that resonates with real people. When working with a local bakery client, we switched from product-focused posts to behind-the-scenes content showing their baking process and team personalities. Within 3 months, their follower count increased by 40% and engagement skyrocketed. Video content absolutely dominates engagement rates right now. For a small boutique fitness client, we implemented a strategy focusing on short-form video showing workout snippets and client changes instead of static images. Their follower growth rate tripled, with most new followers coming directly from video content shares. Community building beats follower count every time. I helped a family restaurant create a local foodie challenge that encouraged customers to share their dining experiences with a branded hashtag. The user-generated content not only brought in new followers organically but converted them to actual paying customers at a 22% higher rate than their previous promotional efforts. Human-level engagement makes all the difference. Have real people (not bots) responding thoughtfully to comments within 24 hours. Our data shows posts with active comment engagement from the brand see 3x more reach in the algorithm than those without. This single practice has been the most consistent driver of follower growth across all our client accounts.

What's worked exceptionally well for me in growing Instagram followers is leveraging location-based marketing strategies, especially for cannabis brands navigating platform restrictions. When we implemented geotargeted content for a dispensary in Brooklyn, showcasing neighborhood landmarks and local events without explicitly showing products, we saw follower growth increase by 40% in just two months. The key was creating hyperlocal content that resonated with the community. For example, we created a series highlighting "Brooklyn's Hidden Gems" where we subtly incorporated the dispensary's aesthetic without triggering Instagram's content filters. This strategy built an authentic connection with local followers while staying compliant with platform regulations. The data confirmed this approach works: posts with local references averaged 2.5x higher engagement than generic content. For brands looking to grow their Instagram following, I recommend mapping your closest geographical communities and creating content that speaks directly to those audiences' unique experiences and landmarks. Consistency matters too. When we implemented a strict 5-posts-weekly schedule featuring a mix of lifestyle content, educational information, and community spotlights, retention rates increased dramatically. The neighborhood-focused content strategy ultimately drove both online engagement and in-store foot traffic.

We posted a video of how we pack fragile glassware for international orders. No music, no flashy edits, just real footage and captions. That single reel grew our followers more than any ad. People asked questions, shared them, and began trusting us. The video showed what words could not. Customers often wonder about safety during shipping. By showing the process, we answered that without needing to say a word. For brands, that is the lesson. Answer what people already wonder, but show it visually. Behind-the-scenes content is effective because it feels authentic. People want proof, not polish. Engagement comes from trust. Instead of chasing trends, look at what your audience asks and respond with short, honest visuals. We still use this approach today, and it continues to expand our customer base. On Instagram, the focus is not on perfection. It is about being genuine.

I'll share what's actually working right now instead of the typical "post consistently" advice everyone gives. At Growth Catalyst Crew, we've found incredible Instagram growth through what I call "multimedia-driven engagement" - specifically using video walkthroughs and geo-tagged project images that tell visual stories. For a local service client, we implemented a strategy where they dedicated just 10 minutes each Monday to upload four new photos of their latest work with location tags. Within two months, not only did their Google Maps visibility skyrocket (our primary goal), but their Instagram following grew by 37% with higher-quality, location-based followers who actually converted. The secret is making your content serve multiple platforms simultaneously. We create modular content that works across Instagram, Google Business Profile, and other channels - maximizing ROI while minimizing production time. This approach turned visual content into a business asset rather than a time sink. Brands should stop chasing followers and instead focus on creating visual documentation of their actual work that showcases change. When we implemented schema markup and geo-tagged project images for clients, we saw a 62% increase in impressions across platforms. The Instagram growth was actually a beneficial side effect of creating better visual assets for their entire digital ecosystem.

Focusing on valuable, consistent, and hyper-relevant content that is suited to your ideal audience and amplifying it through partnerships and local engagement is one of the best tips I can offer social media marketers trying to increase their Instagram following. My work with Elen Beauty Studio, a beauty parlor that caters to women in a particular city between the ages of 25 and 45, is a prime example. We focused entirely on Instagram Reels that showcased daily beauty transformations, skincare advice after treatments, and behind-the-scenes content rather than vanity metrics. However, our geo-tagging strategy and local influencer partnerships were what made the biggest difference. We asked a few micro-influencers to test out our services and write about their real-life experiences, which immediately increased our local reach and credibility. Additionally, we used location-specific hashtags (such as #miamifacial or #miamibeautysalon), reshared client stories, and made sure to reply to every comment and direct message. Elen Beauty Studio's following increased by 40% in just three months, but more significantly, those followers turned into scheduled appointments. The lesson for brands is that developing a local or niche community through partnerships, genuine engagement, and high-quality content is more important than simply gaining followers. Grow from where your ideal client already is.

At FLATS, our Instagram success came from leveraging property-specific video content that resonates emotionally with prospective residents. When I implemented our video tour strategy across properties like The Sally Apartments, we saw engagement rates increase by 15% specifically because we focused on authentic storytelling rather than just amenity listings. Data drives everything I do. By implementing UTM tracking across our social channels, we identified that Instagram Stories highlighting resident testimonials generated 22% more qualified leads than standard posts. This insight allowed us to pivot our content strategy to emphasize real experiences at our properties. For brands looking to grow followers, I recommend focusing on hyper-local content that connects with your immediate community. For The Sally in Uptown Chicago, we created neighborhood guide content showcasing local businesses, which not only drove engagement but created partnership opportunities with those businesses who then promoted our property to their followers. My most effective tactic was implementing what I call "micro-amenity" spotlights—short, visually striking posts highlighting unique features like our pet spa or rooftop terrace with gas firepits. These specialized amenities weren't just selling points; they became content pillars that attracted niche audiences interested in specific lifestyle elements, ultimately growing our follower base by users who found genuine value in our content.

If you want more Instagram followers - the kind that buy, engage, and refer you - here's the truth: you don't get them on Instagram. You get them off-platform by earning trust elsewhere first, and the best vehicle I've found for doing that is podcasting. The average Instagram Reel is viewed for under 3 seconds. The average podcast listener tunes in for 30+ minutes. That's a 600x increase in attention per person. And when you show up as the guest (not just another content creator), you're being introduced with baked-in credibility - it's endorsed exposure. We utilised the framework below to expand our following, build brand demand, and generate genuine leads without incurring any ad expenses. Step 1: Get Clear on the Problem You Solve You need one problem you solve - something real, urgent, and valuable. Most people follow because you help them think clearly or solve something meaningful. Step 2: Start with Niche Podcasts (1K-10K listeners) These are often founder-led, hungry for guests, and easily accessible. There are over 3 million podcasts actively seeking credible voices with real-life experience. Focus on ones with a tightly defined audience. A 2,000-listener podcast can produce more results than a YouTube clip with 100K views. Step 3: Record for Repurposing When we flew to Miami to film a podcast with a million-plus audience, I didn't just record the show. We brought a crew, filmed vertically, captured behind-the-scenes footage, and produced over 30 pieces of content, including reels, quotes, carousels, and soundbites - all native to Instagram. Step 4: Use a Soft CTA to Instagram Mid-podcast, mention where you share your insights. "If you want to see how I break this down visually, I share it all on Instagram @yourhandle." It's subtle but effective. If they like what they hear, they'll check you out. Step 5: Structure Your Instagram Like a Trust Page Once they land, your Instagram needs to convert. That means: * A clear bio (what you do and who you help) * A proof stack (pinned highlights, client wins, media) * A few high-performing reels clipped from your podcast Most people try to grow Instagram from the inside. But this strategy grows your following from the outside in. It's faster, more authentic, and built on trust. With podcasting, you're not chasing vanity metrics. You're building a warm, pre-sold audience of people who've already spent 30+ minutes with you and want more. And that's what separates followers from future clients.

As a digital marketing expert and lead personal brand strategist for the last decade, I've ridden the algorithm wave through just about every social media trend and best-practice. One thing stands true- to grow your following on Instagram, social media marketers must prioritize connection-forward content, first. While contesting and giveaways can boost followers temporarily, the followers who follow your page from connection-forward content, stay for the story long after the contest ends. And those are the types of followers all marketers should want. These followers share your posts and become your most loyal fans. They buy your offers and recommend you to all their friends. These followers become your super-fans on and offline! So what does connection-forward sound like? Connection-forward content sounds like:
 - "I know how it feels to..." instead of "Here's why you should..."
 - "This is what no one tells you about..." instead of "3 tips to..."
 - "If this is you, you're not alone." instead of "Look how great we are." Connection-forward content builds trust versus feeling like click-bait. Connection-forward content makes the person on the other end feel seen, heard, and valued. Connection-forward content feels relevant, personal, and worth paying attention to. People don't follow you because you're polished. They follow you because when you say the thing they're feeling, but haven't said out loud, they're locked in and listening to whatever comes next. What brands need to remember: The goal isn't more followers. The goal is more trust. Followers come after people feel like you get them. So before you post again, ask: * Would my ideal customer feel something here?
 * Am I creating content with them in mind, or just about me?
 * Is this a conversation, or a broadcast?
 When you lead with connection, growth isn't a gamble—it's a given.

Collaborate generously. That's what we've found to be the best way to grow your Instagram following — and your brand. We didn't just post about ourselves on Love Belfast. We built a habit of cheering others on and spotlighting local creators, sharing their events, and amplifying their voices. That strategy helped us grow to over 100,000 Instagram followers organically. Now, we're using the same strategy with Love Dublin, and it's already gaining traction. For any brand looking to grow, find local influencers that are in your niche and work together to grow. We've found that real collaboration is great for all involved. Apologies for the cheesy saying, but we keep banging on about it here, there's more than enough pie to go around, so be generous.

When it comes to gaining followers on Instagram, engaging directly with your audience is key. I've found that taking the time to reply to comments and direct messages can really boost your visibility and relationship with followers. For instance, when I launched a new product line, I made sure to ask followers for their opinions directly in the posts and responded to their feedback. This not only increased engagement but also made my followers feel valued, and they were more likely to share my content with their friends. Brands can apply this approach by regularly hosting Q&A sessions or polls and always keeping the lines of communication open. Building a sense of community around your brand encourages loyalty, and loyal customers are the best advocates. It’s about creating a space where followers not only watch but participate. Remember, people love feeling heard and connected, so let them know you’re listening and they'll stick around and bring friends.

Rather than focusing on superficial numbers, I prioritize fostering an authentic community. My strategy revolves around content that stimulates real conversations and establishes the brand as an essential asset in particular markets. Success lies in pinpointing what your audience struggles with most and regularly providing helpful answers through diverse content types. Content consistency with strategic variety drives sustainable growth. I recommend the "70-20-10 rule" - 70% educational or value-driven content that addresses audience pain points, 20% behind-the-scenes content that builds authentic connection, and 10% promotional content about your products or services. This balance ensures followers receive continuous value while gradually building trust in your brand expertise. Stories and Reels perform exceptionally well for engagement, but the key is matching content format to message intent rather than following platform trends blindly. In implementation, I've seen brands achieve 300-400% follower growth by focusing on niche-specific content rather than broad appeal. A B2B software client grew from 2,000 to 12,000 followers in eight months by creating mini-tutorials solving specific workflow problems their audience faced daily. Each post addressed real questions from customer support tickets or sales calls, ensuring content relevance. They used consistent visual branding, posted at optimal times based on audience analytics, and engaged authentically with comments within the first hour of posting. The most impactful tactic involves leveraging user-generated content and community features. Encourage customers to share their success stories, create branded hashtags that spark conversations, and actively participate in industry discussions through comments and collaborative posts. Brands should also optimize their profile completely: clear bio, relevant keywords, link in bio tools, and highlight covers that showcase key content categories. The goal isn't just more followers but building an engaged community that converts to customers and advocates for your brand.

Keith Kakadia, Founder of Sociallyin, shares: One of the most effective pieces of advice I give to social media marketers looking to grow their Instagram following is this: stop optimizing for followers, and start optimizing for saves and shares. The algorithm doesn't reward vanity,it rewards value. Content that teaches something, sparks emotion, or makes someone feel seen is far more likely to be saved or sent to a friend, and that's what fuels growth. When we launched a series of short-form strategy breakdowns on the Sociallyin account, walking through real campaign performance in under 60 seconds, we saw an 18% increase in saves and a 2x boost in shares within a month. We weren't posting for likes or surface-level engagement. We were giving people something they could apply today, and that created momentum. Brands that want to grow need to think less like advertisers and more like educators or entertainers. If a post isn't worth someone coming back to later, or sharing in a group chat, it's probably not helping you grow. https://sociallyin.com/

My top advice for social media marketers looking to grow their Instagram following is to blend storytelling with authority-building content—consistently and with purpose. In my own experience growing my account to over 1.3 million followers, what worked wasn't just aesthetic visuals or trendy reels—it was pairing visually engaging posts with value-driven captions that told a story, taught something meaningful, or positioned me as a trusted voice in PR, entrepreneurship, or personal reinvention. One strategy that accelerated growth was leveraging press features and behind-the-scenes content to create trust while mixing in relatable moments from my journey—like navigating business while raising an infant. For brands, this approach is gold. Don't just showcase your products; show the story, the transformation, and the credibility behind them. Use pinned posts to establish social proof and highlight founder insights or testimonials in stories. People follow those they trust—and trust is built through real stories told with clarity, consistency, and authority.

Focus on volume and iteration. The more you post, the more data you get. You don't need to guess what works. The platform tells you. At EcoATM, we ran daily tests on short-form video formats. Raw clips of real users trading in phones outperformed polished graphics. The lesson: people want truth, not polish. Once we saw this trend, we leaned in. We cut production time in half and increased output. Use the platform like a user, not a brand. On Instagram, that means thinking mobile-first. No desktop edits. No long captions. We made our team use only phones to produce and schedule. That shift forced clarity and speed. It also matched how our followers consume. Brands that act like creators win. You stay closer to trends, post faster, and avoid bloated approval chains.

To effectively grow your followers on Instagram, focus on creating authentic, engaging content that resonates with your target audience. Consistency is key. That means posting regularly and utilizing Instagram Stories to keep your audience engaged. For instance, at one of our clients at Retold, we launched a series of behind-the-scenes videos showcasing their design process, which not only humanized the brand but also encouraged interaction and sharing. By leveraging storytelling and community engagement, brands can cultivate a loyal following that is genuinely interested in their journey and offerings.

If you're an Instagram marketer looking to create followers, my number one suggestion is: define your brand on a clear mission and culture and let that guide your content. Beautiful photos are everywhere—but when individuals resonate with your why, that's what keeps them around, engages them, and has them sharing. When we did open up SpiritHoods, we didn't simply put up product images. We told stories instead: strong imagery, people-driven content, and regular reminders of our dedication to wildlife preservation. That 10% of profits is going to endangered creatures wasn't a slogan—it was on every narrative we shared. From behind-the-scenes images in the design studio to customer-generated content of them wearing their Hoods outdoors, we framed it about being part of something greater. One of our earliest viral moments wasn't even a promotion of our product, though—it was a raw, uncut video of a customer explaining how the SpiritHood gave her the confidence to be herself. That resonated because it was in line with the central message of our brand: be yourself, love wild, keep your feet on the Earth. The brand lesson? Bring folks in again and again, not follow. Get to know them, introduce them to you, what you care about, and how they can be a part of it. Consistency, transparency, and mission-based creativity are what drive success. The followership? That's a byproduct of real connection.