Happily Hughes | Atlanta Fashion & Lifestyle Content Creator

How to Grow Your Instagram

I’ve been meaning to write this post for a loooong time.  I’ve done everything wrong when it comes to Instagram, so I wanted to share what’s worked for me.  You can find me HERE on Instagram.  It’s been about 4 months of the practices I’m going to share below and I’ve seen my following double.  I hope this helps you! 
 
  1. Be Original.  We all try to find our voice on Instagram, but the only way to stick out is be yourself.  Don’t copy others and don’t try to be someone you’re not.  Your followers can tell when your hearts not behind it or if you’re being insincere.  So be you! 
  2. Find your style and stick to it.  When someone looks at your overall profile, there needs to be a thread of cohesiveness throughout.  Whether you’re a monochromatic fan, pastel lover, or bright color admirer, make sure most, if not all of your pictures have that same style.  How?  Using the same couple of filters is key!  
  3. Engage, engage, engage.  3 times a day I log on to Insta and comment on others pictures.  Whether it’s people I follow or those recommended to me by Instagram.  And they are thought out and relevant comments.  A bunch of kissy faces is not going to get a great response.  Take the time and engage with your community!
  4. Reciprocate.  If you have followers that comment on and like your pictures, reciprocate!  Again, make sure they are relevant and thoughtful comments. 
  5. Participate.  FollowFriday, loop chats, and ThrowbackThursday are some great ways to connect more with other Instagrammers as well as your followers.  
  6. Use relevant hashtags.  Find relevant hashtags in your niche and use them on the first comment under your pictures.  How to find the most relevant hashtags?  You can Google them, or use one of those apps that suggests hastags.  I also look at bigger Instagrammers than myself in the same niche and use the hashtags they do.  They’ve grown for a reason.
  7. Comment on relevant hashtags. As soon as you’ve posted a picture, click on several of the hashtags you’ve used.  Like and comment on the 5 most popular pictures in that hashtag, and a couple of the most recent as well.  This will not only bring new and relevant followers to you, it will raise the popularity of your post!
I know I’m going to get the questions about loops.  I have done loops and will continue to do them as it’s a great way to appear before a wider audience.  That being said I would recommend: 1. doing them sparingly as to not irritate your current followers.  2. Only join ones that are comprised of other Instagrammers in your niche.  This will result in a better retention and engagement rate.  

45 thoughts on “How to Grow Your Instagram”

  1. Awesome tips! I'm definitely not the best instagrammer (or picture taker for that matter), but I'll have to try these tips out!

  2. So many great tips! I love looking at instagram, but I'm so bad about posting things myself! I definitely notice when people I follow have a certain style or look about their photos…it's almost like their branding.

  3. Great tips. Part of me feels like Instagram is just a popularity contest which makes me loathe it but it's a marketing tool that should be used.

  4. I have such a long way to go to grow my Instagram page. For starters, I need to be more active. I will also pay more attention to hashtags and participating in Instagram-related group activities.

  5. It definitely took me a while to get where I'm at now, but I'm pretty content with my Instagram followers community the way they are now 🙂 I think that Instagram engagement is definitely more important than followers though, that is for sure! Especially if you're looking to monetize your Instagram!

  6. Great tips! Instagram is my favorite social media channel and definitely where I have been focusing my efforts lately! I need to work on organizing my hashtags better and finding some different ones. I love your feed by the way!!

  7. Great tips! I have to admit that I'm not as engaged on IG as I am on FB. I don't like staring at the small screen on my phone. I wish they had an app for the iPad.

  8. Great tips! I've gotten out of the habit of interacting on Instagram this fall – I used to do it whenever I was sitting and waiting for a kid somewhere LOL. I can definitely tell a difference in how engaged my followers are when I'm not engaged myself.

  9. Love this. I have really been trying to grow my IG. I would like to know your thoughts on personal posts on your IG account? I mix the two because I feel like I am a fitness blogger, yes, but also a mom. Thanks for the help.

  10. Great tips!! I totally agree with just being yourself. I love instagram and it's so fun to engage with other people!
    Also, I just followed you! 🙂

  11. Great tips! I hate it when (usually spam accounts) accounts use irrelevant hash tags when I'm scrolling through looking for photos!

  12. Thanks for the info! You left your link on my question on the FB group {Blogging Boost}.

    Question: What filters do you recommend for bright photos? I’ve been trying to find a good one that will fit with my theme.

    On IG @definefettle if you want to check it out.

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