5 Free Tips To Attract Quality Instagram Followers

With over 200 million active monthly users, Instagram has the potential to put your business in front of thousands of potential customers. When you master Instagram, you’ll see 20 times more engagement on this platform than on other social media, like Twitter. 

But maybe you’ve been trying to crack Instagram for a while. What happens when your efforts net you a small handful of disengaged followers? It’s not-so-fun to crank out posts every day for Instagram, only to get zero engagement. 

To get results from your Instagram, you need a large, engaged following. The key to getting this engagement is to attract quality followers to your business’s Instagram in the first place. Whether you’ve got 0 followers or 2,000, follow this guide to improve the quality of your Instagram audience—without the huge price tag.

5 Tips For Attracting Quality Instagram Followers

Keep in mind that these 5 tips aren’t about “hacking” Instagram or outsmarting algorithms. The best way to attract quality followers is to post awesome, organic content that gets noticed. 

Choose your bio URL carefully

Unlike other social networks, Instagram only lets you post one URL in your bio. Think long and hard about this URL. If it’s going to a generic homepage, that’s okay, but it won’t move the needle for your brand. 

Consider linking to a special landing page for your Instagram followers (ie. www.yourwebsite.com/Instagram) and loading it with freebies or special offers. Some brands like to change things up and switch the URL weekly. This is great if you want more visibility on your latest blogs or products.

Join popular conversations

Are there hot topics trending in your industry right now? Stay on top of the latest by reading the news, looking at trending Twitter topics, or checking Google Trends. 

Can you join these conversations and add something to them? Choose a topic or an issue related to your business to get the most visibility. For example, if you run an IT company and there’s news about a Windows security breach, join the conversation. 

This is called “news-jacking” and it’s a great way to connect with new Instagram followers who care about your niche. Just make sure the content isn’t self-promotional. When in doubt, deliver value over promoting your services (that’s what the URL in your bio is for!).

Don’t forget the hashtags

Are you posting on Instagram but neglecting your hashtags? It could be costing you thousands of followers. Instagram allows you to add up to 30 hashtags per post. Instagrammers use hashtags to find new content. If you aren’t posting with hashtags, people can’t find you. 

But which hashtags should you use? I like this tool for brainstorming high-volume hashtags. However, keep in mind that you should always experiment with your hashtags. It’s social media, after all; things change. Try 5 – 10 new hashtags for each post and see how they perform. Over time, you’ll build a repository of effective hashtags that high-quality followers love.

Be consistent

You have to be trustworthy if you want to build a quality Instagram following. A big part of earning your followers’ trust is consistency. 

Are you posting once in a blue moon, when you remember to? Or are you posting on a set schedule, no matter what? People need to know what to expect from you. That’s why you need to stick with a consistent posting schedule. If your content isn’t performing how you want it to perform, switch things up. That’s not an excuse to stop posting!

Remember, consistency is key. This shows potential followers that they can trust you, which is critical for earning more follows.

Build relationships

Social media isn’t a megaphone; it’s a tool to forge relationships. You’ve got to put in the time to engage with people. 

This takes the form of simple things, like: 

• Commenting on others’ posts
• Asking questions in your posts and comments
• Replying to DMs and comments

I get it. You’re busy, but this is the key to getting more engagement. Set aside 10-30 minutes on your calendar every day to comment on other people’s posts and reply to comments on your own. 

The Bottom Line

This strategy won’t get you a million Instagram followers overnight. The key is to follow these 5 tips consistently to connect with engaged Instagram followers. 

But what happens if you want the results of an active social presence, but don’t have the time to make it happen? I help business owners do just that. Check out my social media management services to see if we’re a good fit.