After spending hours on creating Instagram content, you hit the share and wait for something great to happen. Probably, more likes and shares.
Much to your disappointment, there’s a pin drop silence.
Or maybe a handful of likes and comments along with 1 or 2 followers. Makes you wonder what else you need to gain more followers on Instagram, if not great content?
Unfortunately, there’s no foolproof guide to increasing your Instagram followers without following anyone. However, there are tactics you can try now to reach your targeted audience.
Below, I will share 5 actionable tricks on how to get IG followers without following other accounts.
Let’s get started!
Key Takeaways on How to Get IG Followers without Following
- Optimize Your Bio: Craft a compelling Instagram bio with a clear description, brand personality, and a strategic call to action. Use the single link wisely, perhaps to a landing page or key product.
- Utilize Hashtags Smartly: Instead of overcrowded hashtags, choose less popular, targeted hashtags to increase discoverability. Aim for nine hashtags per post for optimal engagement.
- Engage with Influencers: Mention relevant influencers in your posts to leverage their audience and increase your visibility. Ensure their content aligns with your brand for authenticity.
- Craft Captivating Captions: Use engaging captions to add context and encourage follower interaction. Start with a hook and include calls to action or questions to boost engagement.
- Time Your Posts: There’s no one-size-fits-all time to post. Analyze your audience’s activity patterns through Instagram Insights and schedule posts for maximum engagement.
- Cross-Promote: Leverage your presence on other social media platforms to direct traffic to your Instagram profile, broadening your potential follower base.
- Experiment with Content: Diversify your content themes and monitor what resonates with your audience. Adjust your strategy based on analytics to focus on high-engagement content.
- Influencer Marketing and Hashtag Contests: Collaborate with influencers and run hashtag contests to increase engagement and visibility, potentially attracting new followers.
- Incorporate Video Content: Leverage the popularity of Reels and Stories to engage your audience with dynamic video content, enhancing profile engagement.
- Avoid Buying Followers: Prioritize authentic engagement and organic growth over quick fixes like buying followers, which can harm your account’s credibility and engagement in the long run.
1. Optimize Your Instagram Bio
Your brand’s Instagram bio works like a homepage of your business. It’s a picture of who you are, what your business is about, and what action you expect people to take when visiting your profile.
Instagram gives you the limit of 150 characters to answer all these questions.
Make sure your Instagram bio includes:
- A brief description of what you do
- Unveils your brand’s personality
- A call to action (e.g., read more, buy now, contact us, etc.)
- A link (to your website, products, freebies, etc.)
Instagram gives you the space for only one clickable link.
Use it carefully.
Some brands include a link to their website, while some go for links to recent posts and keep them updated. You can also put links to your product pages with specific keywords.
Pro tip: Support your bio and link with a branded hashtag or campaign.
For example, Marisa Peer, the author of I Am Enough, keeps a link to her courses, uses her branded hashtag and her other Instagram handle.
2. Find Profitable Hashtags
One of the most reliable ways to obtain Instagram followers is via hashtags.
Hashtags make your content more discoverable. People use hashtags on Instagram the same way they use keywords on Google. If users put the same hashtag you use on Instagram; they may land on your post.
For beginners, look for less popular hashtags.
Let’s say the hashtag #inspiration has more than 200 million posts attached to it. Making your Instagram posts stand out in a sea of countless content is like knocking at the wrong door.
Instead, search for hashtags that your targeted audience is more likely to take interest in. If they find your content valuable and relevant, they may end up following your account.
For example, The Moms Co. does a great job at using hashtags relevant to a particular skincare product.
With hashtags like #haircareroutine and #naturalhaircare, the brand targets a specific audience looking for daily routine, natural hair care products.
Instagram permits up to 30 hashtags per post, but TrackMaven suggests using nine hashtags for optimum engagement.
3. Mention Popular Influencers
Influencers are well known for stealing the show. Mentioning them in your Instagram posts makes your brand shine too. It’s a sure-fire way to boost your engagement as well as your followers.
But it takes a super-specific approach.
An influencer’s relevancy to your brand depends on how often they use hashtags and create content similar to your brand. You have first to collect the list of highly relevant influencers. Once done, create a post that resonates with your brand and influencer’s content and mention them with their @username.
4. Use Captions to Engage Followers
Great photos catch users’ attention—great Instagram captions make them stay longer on your post. Captions add more context or details to your photos or videos. Plus, adding keywords in captions make your post show up in search results of the app.
You can use up to 2200 characters in Instagram captions.
- Use the first line to grab instant attention with the help of empathetic language, capitals, emoji, or some extra space between letters.
- Add value with a mini-blog or “how-to” guides in your captions.
- Use dot points to help users stay focused.
- Ask a question at the end of your captions.
- Encourage followers to ask their questions, share opinions or share your post.
Play with different combinations using different lengths.
Here’s an example of Casey asking her followers to share their favorite non-milk milk after sharing her recipe.
5. Schedule Your Posts Wisely
Before you ask what’s the best time to post on Instagram, let me tell you:
There’s no thumb rule for when to post on Instagram.
It’s all about what works best for you. And you have many ways to figure out the ideal time to post and gain maximum followers.
Your Instagram insights reveal the best day and time of the day when your followers are most active. Also, don’t forget to check out your audience’s location so that you can post during local hours. These metrics will help you schedule your posts for the time when you can maximize your engagements.
6. Promote Your Instagram Profile on Other Channels
Expanding your Instagram following can be effectively achieved by promoting your profile on other social media platforms and channels.
If you have a presence on platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or even a personal blog or a YouTube channel, use these as vehicles to introduce your Instagram profile to a new audience.
Share your Instagram posts, mention your Instagram handle, or even create exclusive Instagram-only content teasers.
This cross-platform promotion encourages your existing followers on other social media platforms to follow you on Instagram as well, giving you access to a broader audience that already has an interest in your content.
7. Try New Content Pillars and Track Results
Diversifying your content is key to attracting and retaining followers on Instagram.
Experiment with various content pillars or themes that resonate with your brand or personal style. This could include educational content, behind-the-scenes posts, user-generated content, or even interactive stories and polls.
It’s essential to track the performance of these different types of content.
Use Instagram’s built-in analytics tools to gauge which posts are getting the most engagement, which are attracting new followers, and which are driving the most interaction.
This data will help you refine your content strategy over time, focusing on what works best for your audience.
8. Leverage Influencer Marketing and Run a Hashtag Contest
Influencer marketing can be a powerful tool in growing your Instagram following.
Collaborate with influencers who have a significant following and whose audience aligns with your target demographic. These collaborations can range from sponsored posts to Instagram takeovers or joint content creation.
Another engaging way to increase visibility is by running a hashtag contest.
Encourage your followers to post content using a specific hashtag that you create. This not only engages your current followers but also extends your reach to their networks, increasing your visibility and potentially leading to new followers.
9. Use Video Content
Video content, particularly Instagram Reels and Stories, is extremely popular and can significantly increase engagement on your profile.
Focus on creating high-quality, engaging video content that can capture the attention of your audience. However, be cautious with strategies like buying Instagram followers.
10. Caution with Buying Followers
While it may seem like a quick fix for how to get followers on Instagram without following, it can often lead to a shadowban. This means your content’s visibility is reduced by Instagram’s algorithm, negatively impacting your genuine growth efforts.
Authentic engagement and organic growth are always more sustainable in the long run.
Is it Difficult to Get More Instagram Followers on Your Instagram Account?
Gaining more followers on your Instagram account can indeed be challenging, especially in a crowded and constantly evolving digital landscape.
The difficulty largely depends on factors like the niche you are targeting, the quality and uniqueness of your content, your engagement strategies, and how well you understand and cater to your audience’s preferences.
In competitive niches or for new accounts, it can be particularly tough to stand out and attract followers.
Is Posting Daily on Instagram Beneficial?
Posting daily on Instagram can be beneficial, but with a few caveats.
Consistency is key in keeping your audience engaged and making sure your content appears regularly in their feeds. Daily posts can help maintain visibility and keep your audience updated.
However, it’s crucial to balance quantity with quality.
Posting too frequently with subpar content can lead to audience fatigue and might even prompt unfollows. It’s important to create a content calendar that allows you to post regularly while maintaining the quality and relevance of your content.
When is the Optimal Time to Post on Instagram?
The optimal time to post on Instagram varies depending on your specific audience.
Generally, it’s best to post when your followers are most active, which you can determine by analyzing your Instagram Insights (available for business accounts).
This tool provides data on when your followers are online, allowing you to tailor your posting schedule for maximum engagement.
However, common times often cited include lunch hours (11 am to 1 pm) and evenings (7 pm to 9 pm) on weekdays. The best approach is to test different posting times and analyze the engagement results to find what works best for your unique audience.
In Conclusion: Stay Consistent
Now you know how to get followers on Instagram without following others.
The secret is consistency and high quality content.
Brands postings regularly on Instagram tend to receive the best results. As per Tailwind Study, profiles with daily posting gain more followers on Instagram than those who post less frequently.