Baffled by the decline in your organic Instagram growth? You’re not alone. Thousands of businesses worldwide have experienced a drop in their follower growth, partly due to rising competition on the platform.
On average, an Instagram business account increases its followers by 0.98% each month. This means that if you currently have 1,000 followers, it would take approximately 70.64 months (or about 5 years and 10 months) to add another 1,000 followers organically.
The good news is that there are ways to supercharge your organic Instagram growth and achieve faster results.
What is organic Instagram growth?
Organic Instagram growth refers to increasing your audience without spending money on ads or relying on artificial tactics.
It involves using unpaid marketing strategies to attract genuine followers to your business. These are people who are likely to engage with and share your content.
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Unlike quick-fix solutions or buying fake followers, organic growth is a long-term commitment that requires consistent outreach and engagement to generate the desired results.
Advantages of growing your Instagram account organically
Growing your Instagram account organically offers numerous advantages over artificial methods. Here are the key benefits:
- Improved brand credibility: Organic growth strategies attract genuine, high-value users who are more likely to engage with your content. This leads to meaningful interactions and a healthier conversion rate.
- Reduced costs: Organic growth on Instagram proves to be a cost-effective means of reaching your target audience. Instead of allocating a budget for ad campaigns, you can utilize methods that require no financial investment.
- Account security: Artificial growth tactics like follower bots put your account at risk of suspension. Organic growth, built on genuine interactions and ethical practices, minimizes the chances of losing your account.
- Reliable analytics: Fake followers can distort your Instagram Insights and analytics. Organic growth generates accurate data, enabling you to make data-driven decisions.
- Long-term engagement: Organic growth strategies cultivate lasting relationships with your customers, leading to sustained engagement and loyalty over time.
9 ways to boost your organic growth on Instagram
1. Diversify your content
Instagram has evolved beyond static images and single videos. The platform now offers interactive content formats like Reels, Stories, and Collabs for brands and creators.
To boost your organic growth, test a variety of content types. If you mostly post images and your audience hasn’t been engaging with them, try posting a few Reels and see how they perform.
Besides Reels, you can experiment with:
- Stories: Share short-lived content and use interactive Stickers for real conversations.
- IGTV: Share comprehensive information about your brand. Encourage Instagram followers to reshare and boost visibility.
- Instagram Live: Partner with relevant accounts to extend your brand’s visibility and attract more followers.
2. Use Collab posts
An Instagram Collab post appears simultaneously on two users’ feeds or Reels, enhancing engagement and discoverability.
You can create one by tagging a collaborator during post creation. Collaborate with influencers or creators relevant to your niche—their followers are likely to engage with your content and follow your account.
Pro tip: If you are already using Shoppable posts, consider combining them with a Collab. This will help improve engagement plus increase your odds of converting visitors interacting with your posts into buyers.
3. Harness the power of hashtags
Hashtags are a proven way to grow Instagram followers organically. They help to extend your reach and introduce your brand to new audiences.
Plus, hashtags optimize content categorization, making it easier for readers to find relevant information. For instance, a skin care blogger may use hashtags like #skincareroutine or #naturalskincare to reach those seeking skin care inspiration.
The best way to find quality hashtags is to think about keywords related to your offerings. What questions or phrases are people using to search for your product or brand? The answers will give you ideas for what hashtags to use in your Instagram posts.
Additionally, examine the hashtags used by your competitors and influencers in your industry. Identify popular and relevant hashtags they are using and incorporate them into your own content.
4. Post at the best times
When it comes to organic Instagram growth, it’s not only about the content you share, but also when you share it.
Picture this: You post an engaging Reel or Story at 6 a.m., but your audience is most active at 12 p.m. By the time they open their Instagram profiles, your content will have already sunk to the bottom of their feeds.
To prevent this from happening, use Instagram analytics. Find peak days and times for your followers and post during those optimal periods. Doing this consistently will significantly increase the changes of your content appearing right at the top of your audience’s feeds.
5. Cross-promote your content
Generating organic Instagram growth also demands a presence on other social media platforms. If you’re active on Twitter, Facebook, or Snapchat, introduce your Instagram profile there.
Share a popular post on these platforms to draw your existing audience to Instagram. Create unique products exclusively for Instagram, such as a “Win a free hamper!” initiative to attract organic followers.
You can also incorporate social media buttons in your emails, ad campaigns, and website to capture a wider audience. Additionally, a link-in-bio page can help you display your best Instagram content in one place.
6. Host contests
Running promotions and contests is another effective way to entice Instagram users. After all, who’d say no to a chance to win exciting prizes?
You can significantly boost your organic reach by running contests that encourage user participation through comments.
For instance, a caption competition where users provide intriguing descriptions for a product can generate numerous responses and elevate your brand’s visibility.
To ensure effectiveness, align your prize or giveaway with your brand to attract relevant entrants. Also, consider following a consistent schedule for contests, such as hosting them biweekly or monthly, to encourage followers to keep coming back.
7. Integrate user-generated content
User-generated content (UGC) on Instagram is a big deal.
Instagram users often prefer content from their friends more than official brand posts. If a user posts about your brand, it shows others they trust it. This gets you more likes and comments, and helps more people see your brand.
You could also come up with a special hashtag just for your brand. This lets customers link their posts to your brand. They can see other people’s posts and get inspired too.
Another good idea is asking customers to write product reviews. Then, share the best ones on your account so others are motivated to buy and contribute their own review.
8. Respond to comments
Responding to customers on social media is worth it. A study found that customers spend 20% more with brands that reply. Those who don’t get responses are less likely to recommend brands.
After posting, remain available to reply to initial comments. Quickly address any abusive comments to preserve a secure and inclusive environment. This moment also allows for promotion of brand values and personality.
You can use tools like Hootsuite’s Inbox to monitor comments, mentions, and DMs across all social media platforms, including Instagram.
9. Partner with influencers
Another way to grow your Instagram naturally is to partner with relevant influencers. This means working with influential people who share the same target audience as you. The right influencers can help generate new followers via organic marketing campaigns.
Even though many brands aim to collaborate with famous influencers, working with micro-influencers can be just as effective. These individuals are not only more accessible and budget-friendly, but they often bring fresh, creative ideas to the table.
Before working with an influencer, check whether or not most of their followers are active. You don’t just want numbers; you want engaged audience members who interact with the influencer’s posts.
Additionally, establish clear posting guidelines and share them with the influencer. This ensures that the content they create is consistent with your brand’s voice and values.
Supercharge your organic Instagram growth
Nurturing growth on Instagram can be challenging. Instagram users often defy conventions, and the algorithm tends to prioritize niche content that caters to specific online subcultures.
However, implementing effective Instagram growth strategies can make a difference.
Use the tactics mentioned above to improve your post engagement and gain real Instagram followers. With patience, consistency, and hard work, you’ll be able to cement your presence on the platform.
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