Building a strong Instagram following takes time, consistency, and a strategic approach. It may be an attractive approach to simply part with a few dollars to get thousands of followers, likes, views, and shares.

However, you can have the shock of your life when you expect to be in the realm of Instagram only for your account to be suspended, banned temporarily, or deactivated altogether. This does not mean there are no genuine sites out there where you can buy Instagram followers.

As mentioned above, it takes a lot more than just posting photos, videos, and other related content on Instagram to attract real followers and boost your follower count. You need a lot of patience and the correct strategies to establish a strong following.

We have done our research, spoken to experts, and conducted keen analysis to come up with the most proven ways that can guarantee your success.

Here are some effective strategies to attract real followers on Instagram:

1. Optimize Your Profile

Your profile is what identifies you and introduces you, your brand, or your business to the outside world. It gives the first impression of who you are and what you offer. The most crucial aspects of your profile are the profile picture and bio.

“You have to use a clear, recognizable profile picture and write a compelling bio that clearly communicates who you are and what you do,” says Thoma Grit, a social media giant with millions of followers on the most popular platforms.

He also insists on the importance of the username you want to be known by. Choose a username that is easy to remember and relevant to your brand.

2. Create high-quality content

Instagram is a visual platform, so invest in creating high-quality, visually appealing content. This requires a lot of creativity on your part. Although it might be difficult to be absolutely unique, make sure your content is not only top-quality but also distinct.

Another important thing is consistency. Social media platforms thrive on engagement between the account owner and their followers. Post regularly to keep your audience engaged. Create a content calendar to maintain consistency.

Also, diversifying content types is an effective strategy of creating high-quality content. Mix up your content with photos, videos, stories, and carousel posts to keep your feed interesting.

3. Use hashtags strategically

Hashtags are vital to social media. They broaden your reach beyond just your immediate followers. By using hashtags, you can start, tap into, and engage with new conversations and interactions on social media. This is according to social media experts.

Research and use relevant and popular hashtags in your niche. This helps your content reach a wide range of audiences. You must try to create a branded hashtag unique to your account and encourage followers to use it.

4. Engage with your audience

Have you ever initiated a conversation with someone over any social media platform only for them to see your post or comment and ignore it? You feel unappreciated and wasted.

To grow a strong IG following, you must value your audience. Do this by responding to all comments promptly. Like and comment on posts from your followers and others in your niche.

You can go ahead and use Instagram Stories’ features like polls, questions, and quizzes to engage with your audience. Visit here for more information on how to boost engagement with your audience.

5. Collaborate with others

I love the Liverpool line that says, “Never walk alone.” It applies nicely as a strategy for enhancing your Instagram following. Partner with other users in your niche for shoutouts or collaborations.

Instagram itself has certain features that can boost this collaboration. Participate in IG challenges or takeovers to increase visibility. Go ahead and consult on how to do this by visiting the official Instagram website for help.

6. Host contests and giveaways

To boost engagement on your Instagram account, you must encourage user-generated content through contests or giveaways. Also, make following your account and tagging friends part of the entry criteria.

You can enhance engagement further by investing in targeted Instagram ads to reach a wider audience. The good news is that Instagram has features that help you do this. Simply use Instagram’s ad targeting options to focus on specific demographics.

You also need to post your Instagram content at optimal times. This requires you to understand when your target audience is most active and schedule your posts accordingly. It might be difficult to do this without help. Luckily, you can use Instagram Insights to analyze the performance of your posts and refine your posting schedule.

7. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content

People know what is computer-generated and what is human. It is not possible to humanize your brand except by sharing behind-the-scenes content. This could include office life, product creation, or a day in the life of your team.

Your audience will feel in touch with your brand or business and therefore become loyal followers. They are also more likely to engage because they feel they know the brand inside and out. Use this strategy well, and its effectiveness will surprise you.

8. Optimize for Instagram’s algorithm

All social media platforms make regular updates to their algorithms. Instagram does it every couple months, and this may affect the performance of your account. Therefore, you must stay informed about changes in Instagram’s algorithm if you want to be successful.

Engage with the latest features and trends, such as Reels or IGTV, to align with the platform’s priorities. While doing this, you must be careful not to violate any new terms and policies introduced by the most recent algorithms.

Regularly check Instagram Insights to understand what content is performing well and adjust your strategy accordingly.

9. Be Authentic

The last but not least strategy to attract a high-quality, real following on Instagram is to be authentic. Share authentic and relatable content to connect with your audience on a personal level. They will love you and even help you by sharing your content with their friends or referring you to them by word of mouth.

Summary

Building a strong Instagram following is a gradual process. Focus on providing value, staying consistent, and engaging with your audience to foster a genuine and loyal community around your account. Follow each of the strategies we have discussed, and it will surprise you how quickly and effortlessly you will boost your Instagram follower count.