You've had an Instagram account for a while now. Your cutest selfie is displayed for the Instagram World to see. The bio you wrote highlights your hobbies, interests, and your favorite flavor of ice cream. You have a few followers, but they are mainly just from your phone's contact list.
Sometimes you post something once per week and twice if your followers are lucky. You don't feel the need to take the time out of your day. You think to yourself, "followers will come to me. I don't need to do anything actually to get followers."
"What am I doing wrong?" you may ask.
Luckily, there are plenty of options for you to improve your Instagram presence and gain many new followers. The first piece of advice that we would give anyone is: DO NOT BUY LIKES! If you REALLY have to, then only use a reliable vendor like Buzzoid to buy Instagram likes.
But ultimately, there is absolutely no need to purchase something that you can get for free.
But wait! Is there any need to even care about how many likes I get since Instagram began "hiding likes" in 2019? (FYI-In 2019, Instagram began a test in certain countries that involved "hiding likes" to make for a more stress-free environment. Their philosophy was that everyone would be on an "even playing field" and healthier or less competitive.)
Many households and brands were surveyed about the tests, and various answers were the result. Some people indicated that they felt less pressure while others felt like it changed the overall experience.
Apparently, Instagram jumped on the "everyone gets a trophy" mentality from our childhood t-ball years. No. We aren't all Instagram Superstars. (But keep reading for some tried and true methods to make you a superstar in training!)
Producing the best content possible, that reaches a large Instagram audience is key. You must be able to write posts that your audience (and future, the larger audience!) has an interest in. If you are writing about something that only interests you, it will be harder to gain a larger audience.
With hard work and perseverance, you can obtain the likes that you are looking for on Instagram. Follow the steps we have compiled below to be well on your way to Instagram's fame.
How to Get More Likes on Instagram: 12 Tips
1. Post Amazing Photos
If your photography skills leave a lot to be desired, now is the time to polish those skills.
Let's face it. Instagram is about PHOTOS. Great photos are what lead many followers to your account. You might write a great post, but does your photo draw people in?
You may have a friend that's a photographer. Ask them for some tips. Don't be shy! Are you more of the self-taught type? Purchase a photography instructional manual on Amazon to up those skills!
Don't be afraid to edit your photos. Some photos on Instagram look amazing with filters. Black and White photos are highly sought and loved by many.
Many potential new followers will pay attention to your page for your photos alone if they are eye-catching or thought-provoking. Have a friend look at your photos before posting them if you are unsure of their quality. Don't be afraid to ask for help.
Make sure your photos are relevant to your captions. If you are posting about the new restaurant you just opened, don't post a family dog picture. Make sure you post a quality photograph of your new restaurant, the amazing food you serve, or even the menu.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
That old saying has a lot of truth to it. Many people don't like to use cookbooks without pictures in them. They want to see what the food looks like. Many still do not give your posts another look if they are not up to a certain standard. Gaining some additional knowledge of photography will take your Instagram posts to a totally new level.
Look at trending photos on your Instagram feed to see what the top posts look like.
2. Use Hashtags-Correctly!
Don't just pick random hashtags to use. Have a specific hashtag strategy. Your correct usage of Instagram hashtags creates a new opportunity for a larger audience every time. Many Instagram users follow particular hashtags, and your post has the potential to be seen by those people if tagged correctly. Check out some of the tips below!
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You can use some broad hashtags but don't use too many. Make sure you hone into your category so that as many people can see you as possible. (Example: #food is broad. #ItalianFood zeros in on your subject a bit more.)
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Use enough popular hashtags to get your post into several categories or niches, and make sure that you put your hashtags at the end of your post!
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If you are creating a brand for yourself, consider creating your own hashtags so that your followers can locate your posts easily!
3. Make Sure to Use Hashtags In Your Bio!
Social media marketing is about more than Instagram content. Adding hashtags to your bio is a great way to get more Instagram followers. If you have created a branded hashtag, this is the PERFECT place to use it. Potential followers can click your branded hashtag and be taken to all of your Instagram-photos!
Make sure to inform your readers of that branded hashtag so that your posts can easily be found. Any new potential followers that see your bio may go ahead and decide to follow you, solely based on the hashtag being in your bio.
Don't be afraid to advertise your brand in your bio. That is the whole reason for a branded hashtag in the first place-to direct followers to your brand or a new product you have created.
4. Exactly Who Is Your Audience? Figure That Out!
Boost your Instagram engagement by knowing your target audience. Do you know who your Instagram audience is? Who are you targeting in your posts? If you have a selected audience, you will be better able to cater to their interests and needs.
Does your product target a younger audience? If so, don't write towards an older audience. Thoroughly figure out who you are writing for, and then write that way. The rest will fall into place.
If you don't know who your target audience is, explore, and figure it out! It will help you curate content that is perfect for your needs.
5. Tag People AND Brands.....When Needed!
Did you write a product review for one of your favorite brands? If so, by all means, tag the company! Let them know that you have written valuable content for them. This is a tried and true method, as it has worked for us as well. We recently wrote a review for a famous brand of kombucha, tagged the company, and shared the review with their entire audience on another social media outlet! How's that for gaining potential new followers?
You may have photographed a friends' wedding, and they permitted you to post the photos to your page. Definitely tag your friends so that they will see the post and potentially their followers as well.
Just remember... don't overuse hashtags in terms of people and brands. If your hashtag is seen and appreciated, they will let you know.
6. Brush Up On Your Writing Skills!
Is writing not your strong suit? Do you cringe at the thought of having to retake high school English? Don't worry about that. No one wants you to write AP English level content. What is needed......correct grammar, punctuation, and syntax. Remember that your writing is a direct reflection of the brand that you are selling. You will gain more respect if you can correctly communicate and sell the consumer on your brand accurately.
Every post doesn't need a novel-length caption. Some posts need short captions, and some would be better served with longer captions. It all just depends on your audience and your subject at hand.
Is your photograph/subject widely known? You can probably get away with fewer captions. If you are starting your brand or are writing about a new subject matter, more captions will be needed.
Once you figure out your audience, this will come naturally.
7. Tag Your Location In Your Posts!
Tagging the location of your photographs and posts is extremely important. You are letting your reader know the location of that amazing resort you are at. Is your Instagram about the new restaurant you've just opened? Adding location tags helps real people find you!
8. Always Post Consistently!
So....you've started a new brand. You've written a great debut post and included a gorgeous photograph. Then you don't post anything for a week. Another few days go by, and you don't gain any new followers, and you can't figure out why.
You haven't given them any more info about you or your brand. You aren't giving them any reason to come back to your Instagram page.
YOU MUST POST OFTEN. YOU MUST POST CONSISTENTLY TO KEEP YOUR READERS ENGAGED.
If you only remember one thing in this article, remember that statement. To increase your likes and followers, you must consistently keep them interested! Sure, services like Buzzoid allow you to buy Instagram followers, but you still need to post consistently to keep your followers engaged.
When you give your readers consistent, new content, they are more likely to come back. They will be more likely to stay engaged with your page. They may tell their friends about your brand if you are regularly sharing more information about it.
Make sure you don't seem spammy, though. This will off-put a lot of users.
9. Post During Busy Times!
Don't post your newest and best content at 2:00 am when your targeted audience is asleep. Instagram shows the most recent posts when scrolling through your feed. Your entire audience may miss your new posts if you don't try to engage them during their peak social media times.
Most people try to post their best content between the hours of 7:00-9:00 pm. All outlets of social media tend to be very busy during these times. Suppose you want to gain more likes and followers, post or repost cute pictures, a boomerang, memes, Instagram Live video, or Instagram stories during these times. Make sure that you use a variety of content types for more double taps.
In turn, interact with others during these busy times as well. You will be noticed by who you interact with. They might turn around and interact with your post, as well. Win-Win.
10. Run a Photo Contest!
There's no doubt about it. People love Instagram contests, and they like the chance to win FREE STUFF. Offering a prize is a great way to get more likes and followers. You can offer a prize once you get to X amount of likes on a certain post. This can encourage people to have their friends and colleagues to follow your page.
Always offer something that can be tangible to your business or your brand. A great giveaway could be a free meal at the restaurant you have opened and promoted on Instagram.
You want this to be a good way to drive real, credible people to your page and your business. The promise of cash, Itunes cards, and other "general prizes" has the potential to gain the wrong kind of follower. You want new followers who genuinely care about your brand, not just the prize you may be offering.
You can even see if Instagram influencers will promote the contest.
11. Ask Your Friends to Like Your Posts and Follow!
Never be shy about asking for your friends to like your posts and follow your Instagram profile! Your friends and family are the first people that you should ask to support you. You support them in your daily life, and they most certainly will follow your new ventures on Instagram.
One friend is liable to tell more of their friends about your page. Encourage anyone you know to like and follow you. Have your friends share your posts into their Instagram story. Exposure to other's stories will introduce your brand to a whole new group of people.
12. Like and Comment On Others' Posts!
Marketers know how often you interact with other pages will increase your number of likes. You must interact with other posts to satisfy Instagram's algorithm. You will gain a further reach if you interact with more people and like their posts. Once you have more "reach," the algorithm will pick up on it, and your posts will gain more exposure. Platforms like LikeZoid allow you to earn free Instagram likes.
Besides the science of it all, it's the "good and neighborly" thing to do in social media etiquette. You can't expect others to like, share, and comment on your posts if you are not willing to go that extra mile yourself. Tag a friend to make their day.
Conclusion
We hope that you have gained valuable and insightful knowledge from our tips. Through these easy steps, you should gain more followers with time and a little elbow grease. Work on your Instagram presence daily, and don't let up. If you have to be absent from social media for a while, let your followers know. People want to be informed, and as long as you do your part, they will stick with you.
Rome wasn't built in a day, so, unfortunately, your new and improved follower count will take some time.
Don't give up. Your Instagram is worth it. You are worth it. Download the Instagram app if you haven't already, and start your journey to the explore page today!
