13 Tips to Get More Followers on Instagram (Because Your Current Strategy Isn’t Cutting It)

1. “But I’m Posting Regularly!” — Yeah, But Are You Posting the *Right* Content?

Posting consistently is cute, but if you’re posting garbage, nobody will care. It’s like trying to serve a five-star meal but serving instant noodles. Frequency means nothing if the quality isn’t there. Let’s talk about what matters: content people want to see.

The Brutal Truth: Not All Content Deserves to Be Posted

Here’s the deal—just because you took a picture doesn’t mean it needs to be shared. People don’t follow you because you’re filling their feed with random, half-baked content. They want value. They want something worth their double tap, their comment, or their follow. So before you hit that “Share” button, ask yourself: Is this adding value to my audience’s day, or am I just posting to fill a quota?

The Fix: Focus on Value-Driven Content

So, how do you fix this? It’s easy. Focus on creating value-driven content that resonates with your audience. What’s value, you ask? It’s content that’s educational, entertaining, or inspiring. For instance, if you’re a business, you could share tips related to your industry or behind-the-scenes content. If you’re a content creator, you could share your creative process or personal stories. Think about what your audience cares about and give them more of that.

Here’s how you do it: Dive into your analytics. Which posts are getting the most engagement? Which ones are falling flat? Double down on the types of content that your audience is responding to and cut out the fluff. It’s not rocket science, people—just give your followers what they want, and they’ll stick around for more.

And here’s a tip: Be authentic. People can smell BS from a mile away on Instagram. If your content feels forced or fake, you won’t build the trust you need to grow your follower count.

2. “But I’m Using Hashtags!” — Yeah, And You’re Using Them Wrong

Oh, you’re using hashtags? That’s adorable. Here’s the thing: Most people throw hashtags around like confetti at a wedding with no real strategy behind them. Guess what? You’re shouting into the void if you’re using hashtags without a plan.

The Brutal Truth: Not All Hashtags Are Created Equal

Here’s the reality—hashtags aren’t magic. Just because you slap a #blessed or #instagood on your post doesn’t mean it will blow up. You need to be strategic. Think of hashtags as little doors that open up your content to new people, but if you’re using the wrong doors (i.e., irrelevant or over-saturated hashtags), you’re not going to get the results you want.

The Fix: Get Smart About Your Hashtags

So how do you fix this? Start by researching hashtags relevant to your niche but not so famous that your content gets buried in a sea of posts.

Here’s how you do it: Use a mix of popular, niche, and branded hashtags to maximize your reach. Tools like Hashtagify, Display Purposes, or even Instagram’s search bar can help you discover hashtags that are relevant to your content and have the right level of competition.

And here’s a tip: Create your own branded hashtag. This is especially effective for businesses. A branded hashtag is a unique hashtag that represents your brand and can be used to tag your posts or for user-generated content. It allows you to build a community around your brand and makes it easier for followers to find content related to you. For example, if your business is called ‘HealthyBites, ‘you could create a hashtag like # HealthyBitesCommunity or # HealthyBitesRecipes.

3. “But I’m Posting Stories!” — Yeah, And They’re Boring

Instagram Stories are one of the best tools for engagement on the platform, but let’s be honest—nobody will care if your Stories are as exciting as watching paint dry. Just because you’re posting Stories doesn’t mean they’re good Stories.

The Brutal Truth: Boring Stories = Low Engagement

Here’s the deal—Instagram Stories are meant to be quick, engaging, and fun. If your Stories are just static images or random thoughts that nobody asked for, your audience will skip right past them. The key to nailing Stories is keeping them fresh and interactive.

The Fix: Make Your Stories Interactive and Engaging

So how do you fix this? Make your Stories worth watching. Use features like polls, quizzes, and question boxes to get your audience involved. People love to feel part of something, so give them a reason to engage.

Here’s how you do it: Plan your Stories just like any other content. Think about the narrative you want to tell and how you can make it interactive. Show behind-the-scenes content, ask questions, share tips, and use Instagram’s native features to engage people.

And here’s a tip: Remember to include a call to action. A call to action is a prompt that encourages your audience to take a specific action, such as ‘Swipe up to learn more,’ ‘Vote in our poll,’ or ‘DM us your thoughts.’ Including a call to action in your Stories can boost engagement by giving your audience a clear next step and making it easy for them to interact with your content.

4. “But My Bio is Fine!” — Yeah, And It’s Forgettable

Discuss your Instagram bio because it could be more exciting, clear, and concise. “But my bio is fine!” you insist. No, it’s not. If your bio doesn’t instantly tell people who you are, what you do, and why they should follow you, it must do its job.

The Brutal Truth: Your Bio Is Your First Impression, So Make It Count

Here’s the thing: Your Instagram bio is like the headline of a news article—it needs to grab attention and make people want to know more. If your bio is generic, confusing, or filled with irrelevant fluff, people will move on without hitting that “Follow” button.

The Fix: Make Your Bio Clear, Concise, and Compelling

So how do you fix this? Start by thinking of your bio as your elevator pitch. You have 150 characters to tell people who you are, what you do, and why they should care.

Here’s how you do it: Be clear and direct. Say what you do, who you help, and what value you provide. Include a call to action, like “Follow for daily tips on [topic]” or “DM me for collaborations.” And don’t forget to include a link—whether it’s to your website, your latest blog post, or a landing page—so people know where to go next.

And here’s a tip: Use emojis sparingly. They’re fun and can help break up text but stay moderate. You’re trying to communicate your value, not audition for a spot in an emoji dictionary.

5. “But I Have Great Captions!” — Yeah, But They’re Not Engaging

If your captions read like a middle school essay on “What I Did Over Summer Vacation,” then we must talk. “But my captions are great!” you say. Are they, though? Are they sparking conversations, getting likes, and driving engagement? If not, it’s time to step up your caption game.

The Brutal Truth: Your Captions Need to Spark Conversations

Here’s the thing—Instagram captions are your chance to connect with your audience on a deeper level. If you’re just writing a few throwaway sentences, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to build engagement.

The problem with most captions is that they need to be more generic, shorter-winded, or more exciting. You need to balance being concise and engaging while making your audience feel like they’re part of the conversation.

The Fix: Write Captions That Encourage Interaction

So how do you fix this? Start by writing captions that ask questions, tell stories, or encourage your audience to share their thoughts.

Here’s how you do it: Use captions to ask for your audience’s opinion, share a personal story, or provide a tip or insight. The key is to make your followers feel like they’re part of the conversation, not just passive observers.

And here’s a tip: Use a mix of short and extended captions. Sometimes, a snappy one-liner is all you need, while other times, a longer, more thoughtful caption can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level.

6. “But I’m Tagging People!” — Yeah, and You’re Doing It All Wrong

Tagging other accounts is a smart move—when done right. But if you’re tagging random accounts with nothing to do with your content or just spamming influencers in hopes they’ll notice you, you’re doing it wrong.

The Brutal Truth: Tagging Is a Strategy, Not a Free-For-All

Here’s the thing—tagging should be strategic, not desperate. You can’t just tag random people and expect magic to happen. If anything, it makes you look spammy and unprofessional.

The problem with over-tagging or tagging the wrong people is that it can actually hurt your credibility. Nobody likes to be tagged in something irrelevant just to boost someone else’s engagement.

The Fix: Be Strategic With Your Tags

So, how do you fix this? Start by tagging people who are relevant to the content you’re posting. These could be collaborators, featured brands, or accounts directly related to your niche.

Here’s how you do it: Only tag people when it makes sense. If you’ve worked with someone on a project, tag them to give them credit. If you’re featuring a product or service from another brand, tag them so they know the mention. The key is to make your tags relevant and meaningful.

Here’s a tip: Remember to use location tags as well. Tagging your location can help you reach a local audience and make your content more discoverable.

7. “But I’m Running Ads!” — Yeah, and You’re Still Not Getting Followers

Running ads on Instagram is a great way to boost your visibility, but if you’re not seeing a corresponding increase in followers, you need to do something right. “But I’m spending money on ads!” you cry. You may be throwing it down the drain if you’re not doing it right.

The Brutal Truth: Ads Alone Won’t Guarantee Followers

Here’s the thing—ads can get your content in front of more people, but if your content isn’t compelling or your targeting is off, those ads don’t do much for you in the long run. You need to be strategic with both your ad copy and your targeting.

Relying solely on ads can give you a false sense of security. Just because you’re throwing money at Instagram doesn’t mean you’ll get the results you want. You need to be smart about how you’re using that budget.

The Fix: Optimize Your Ads for Follower Growth

So how do you fix this? Start optimizing your ads for follower growth, not just clicks or conversions.

Here’s how you do it: Use your ads to promote valuable content, encouraging people to follow you. This could be a free resource, a special promotion, or even a killer piece of content showcasing your brand’s personality. Make sure your call to action is clear: “Follow us for more [type of content].”

Here’s a tip: Monitor your ad performance and adjust your targeting as needed. If you’re not seeing the follower growth you want, your targeting could be too broad or too narrow. Experiment with different audiences to find what works best.

8. “But I’m Engaging With People!” — Yeah, and You’re Barely Trying

Engagement is a two-way street. If you think throwing out a few likes and half-hearted comments is enough, think again. “But I’m engaging with people!” you argue. Sure, but are you really?

The Brutal Truth: Engagement Means Building Relationships, Not Checking a Box

Here’s the thing—authentic engagement goes beyond the occasional “Nice post!” comment. You must build relationships with your followers and the people in your niche. If you’re just going through the motions, people will notice. And guess what? They’re not going to stick around.

The problem with weak engagement is that it feels inauthentic. People can tell when you’re not making the effort, and that will reflect poorly on your brand.

The Fix: Engage Like You Mean It

So how do you fix this? Start by engaging with your audience like you care—because you should. Comment thoughtfully on posts, respond to DMs, and show genuine interest in what your followers are doing.

Here’s how you do it: Take the time to leave meaningful comments on posts within your niche. Share your thoughts, ask questions, and start conversations. The more you genuinely engage with others, the more likely they will engage with you in return.

And here’s a tip: Don’t just engage with people who follow you. Go out and engage with new accounts in your niche. This is a great way to expand your reach and attract new followers.

9. “But I’m Following the Right People!” — Yeah, and You’re Not Doing Enough to Stand Out

Following people in your niche is great, but if you do nothing to stand out, you’re just another follower lost in the crowd. “But I’m following the right people!” you protest. That’s cute, but it’s not enough.

The Brutal Truth: Standing Out Is Key to Growing Your Follower Count

Here’s the thing—just following people doesn’t magically make them follow you back. You need to give them a reason to follow you. If your profile looks like every other account in your niche, why would anyone bother to hit “Follow”?

The problem with blending in is that it makes you forgettable. You need to stand out if you want to grow your audience.

The Fix: Be Unapologetically You

So how do you fix this? Start by injecting your unique personality into everything you do on Instagram. Make sure your voice shines through, whether it’s your content, captions, or engagement.

Here’s how you do it: Think about what makes you different from everyone else in your niche and lean into that. Whether it’s your humor, your unique perspective, or your expertise, let your personality be what draws people in.

And here’s a tip: Don’t be afraid to polarize people. The strongest brands have a clear point of view. If you try to appeal to everyone, you’ll end up appealing to no one.

10. “But I’m Already Using Instagram Insights!” — Yeah, But Are You Actually Using the Data?

You’re using Instagram Insights—excellent story, bro. But are you actually using the data to improve your strategy? Or are you just looking at the numbers and moving on with your day?

The Brutal Truth: Insights Are Useless If You Don’t Act on Them

Here’s the thing—Instagram Insights can give you a wealth of information about what’s working and what’s not, but if you’re not using that data to inform your strategy, you’re wasting your time.

The problem with ignoring your data is that you’re flying blind. You’ll never improve your performance if you don’t track what resonates with your audience and what falls flat.

The Fix: Let Data Drive Your Strategy

So how do you fix this? Start by paying attention to your Instagram Insights and using that data to make informed decisions about your content.

Here’s how you do it: Track your top-performing posts, see when your audience is most active, and pay attention to which types of content get the most engagement. Use that information to refine your strategy and double down on what’s working.

And here’s a tip: Don’t just look at vanity metrics like likes and comments. Pay attention to more meaningful metrics like saves, shares, and website clicks. These actions indicate deeper engagement and interest in your content.

11. “But I’m Collaborating With Influencers!” — Yeah, and You’re Partnering With the Wrong Ones

Collaborating with influencers can be a great way to grow your follower count—if you’re partnering with the right influencers, that is. “But I’m working with influencers!” you say. Sure, but are they actually helping you grow?

The Brutal Truth: Not All Influencers Are Created Equal

Here’s the thing—not all influencers will help you grow your audience. If you’re partnering with influencers who don’t align with your brand or have fake followers, you won’t see the results you want.

The problem with influencer marketing is that it can be a double-edged sword. If you’re not careful, you can waste time and money on partnerships that don’t yield results.

The Fix: Partner With the Right Influencers

So, how do you fix this? Start by doing your homework and partnering with influencers who have an engaged audience that aligns with your brand.

Here’s how you do it: Look for influencers with strong, authentic connections with their followers. Check their engagement rates, read through their comments, and make sure their audience is genuinely interested in what they say. It’s better to partner with a smaller influencer with a highly engaged audience than a more prominent influencer with a disengaged or fake following.

And here’s a tip: Don’t rely on influencers to do all the work. Collaborate with them on content that feels authentic and aligns with your brands. The more genuine the partnership feels, the more likely it is to resonate with your audience.

12. “But I’m Posting at the Right Times!” — Yeah, and You’re Ignoring Other Key Factors

Posting at the correct times is essential, but it’s not the only thing that matters. “But I’m posting when my audience is online!” you argue. That’s great, but timing alone won’t save a poorly executed strategy.

The Brutal Truth: Timing Is Just One Piece of the Puzzle

Here’s the thing—posting when your audience is online can help boost your visibility, but if your content isn’t compelling, your captions aren’t engaging, or your call to action is weak, it does not make much of a difference.

The problem with too much timing is that it can make you complacent. If you post at the correct times, you think you’re doing enough. But that’s only one part of the equation.

The Fix: Focus on Quality, Not Just Timing

So, how do you fix this? Start by making sure that your content is high-quality and engaging, regardless of when you post it.

Here’s how you do it: Focus on creating content that resonates with your audience, tells a story, and encourages interaction. Then, optimize your posting times to give that content the best chance of being seen.

And here’s a tip: Experiment with different posting times to see what works best for your audience. Use Instagram Insights to track when your followers are most active and adjust your schedule accordingly.

13. “But I’m Doing Everything Right!” — Yeah, And You’re Still Not Being Patient

Alright, so you’ve read all the tips, you’re doing everything right, and your follower count isn’t exploding overnight. Here’s the reality check: Building a following takes time. “But I’m doing everything right!” you say. That’s great, but are you being patient?

The Brutal Truth: Growth Takes Time, So Stop Expecting Overnight Results

Here’s the thing—Instagram growth doesn’t happen overnight, no matter how many tips you follow. It takes time, consistency, and a lot of trial and error. If you expect instant results, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Expecting quick wins can make you give up too soon. If you don’t see immediate results, you might think your strategy isn’t working, but you just need to stick with it a little longer.

The Fix: Be Consistent and Stay the Course

So how do you fix this? Start by adjusting your expectations and understanding that building a loyal following takes time.

Here’s how you do it: Keep doing what you’re doing, stay consistent, and don’t give up. The more you engage with your audience, provide value, and refine your strategy, the more your follower count grows.

And here’s a tip: Celebrate the small wins along the way. Every new follower, comment, and like is a step in the right direction. Keep going, and the results will come.

Ready to Crush Instagram? Let’s Do This

So there you have it—13 brutally honest, no-nonsense tips to help you finally crack the code on Instagram growth. Stop making excuses, stop blaming the algorithm, and start taking action.

Remember, the key to success on Instagram is consistency, engagement, and value. If you can nail those three things, your follower count will grow—guaranteed. But it won’t happen overnight, and it won’t happen without putting in the work.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out there, implement these tips, and start crushing it on Instagram. Because in the world of social media, there are two types of people: those who grow their audience and those who make excuses. Which one are you going to be? The choice is yours. Now, go make it happen!