Organic Instagram growth strategies to build your brand (2023)

In Instagram's nearly decade-long existence, it continues to adapt its algorithm and introduce new features, which means businesses have to keep up to maintain steady account growth.

So how do you adapt? By trying out and incorporating new growth strategies. Services that promote growth through purchased likes and followers violate Instagram's service policies. These fake engagements and growth rates will only harm your account in the long term and can even lead to your account being banned.

That's why brands need a strategy for authentic, organic Instagram growth.

What defines Instagram growth?It starts with the number of followers you have and gain. But toGet those new followers, you also need to improve your account engagement and brand exposure, and create compelling content. Why else would anyone else follow you?

If your growth is stagnant or you want to add some momentum to your strategies, we encourage you to try these tips.

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(Video) Organic Instagram Growth Strategies to Build Your Brand

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1. Consistency is key

Let's make sure you get the basics down first. To build an Instagram account, you can't put all your eggs in the proverbial basket and rely on a post going viral. Most posts don't go viral, which means you need to find a better way to get your posts in front of your target audience.

Take a look at your posting schedule, posting frequency, and content quality. What are you doing well and where can you improve?

In our annual research on thebest times to post on instagram, we found that around mid-morning (Central Time) was a peak time in all industries. If you've never researched your top posting times, these time periods are a good place to start.

To get more in-depth, check out our best-of-time articles for a multi-industry breakdown, or refine your niche even further with a data-driven approach. Sprout SocialViralPost publishing featuretakes the leg work out of your research and algorithmically suggests peak times when you'll have the highest engagement based on previous analysis. This can be a huge time saver if you want to post frequently and consistently to grow your Instagram organically.

Regular posting gives your followers an expectation to look forward to the next post. Larger brands will post multiple times a day, while small businesses may only post a few times a week. Whatever you commit to, just make sure it's a consistent schedule to set your audience's expectations.

And finally, the consistency of content quality is very important. There's a lot more noise in Instagram feeds these days and you need to stand out. Below-average or stock photos don't help grow Instagram followers as much as those who create their own interesting content.

2. Invest in content production and content diversity

Engagement is no longer limited to in-feed posts. Instagram now includes metrics for new content types like story replies,Views from IGTVEpisodes and Story Mentions. With an ever-growing variety of content types likeInstagram roles, there are more ways to boost your engagement rates and consequently your Instagram organic growth.

If you've only created In-Feed posts or tried Stories sporadically, we recommend committing to a few Stories a week to establish consistency and plan content for them. With a multitude ofWays to use storiesAs a method to gain Instagram followers, it's an opportunity to see what's resonating with your audience.

A good example of content diversity is Magnolia Bakery's new AR filter, which adds cupcakes to the camera or replaces eyes with cupcakes for a selfie. The cupcakes are a classic representation of the brand and people tag Magnolia Bakery when they use them. In turn, Magnolia can repost these user-tagged stories to her own stories.

It cannot be overstated that quality content and consistent posting are important for account growth. Spend time learninghow to take better photos and videosor hire a content agency or freelance photographer/videographer to help with this huge but important task.

3. Run promotions and contests

Audiences love freebies, discounts, and freebies, and that's not likely to change no matter what new developments pop up on social media. But what marketers post isn't always what consumers want. This discrepancy means that advertisers are missing out on opportunities when creating social content.

Im, found that 72% of consumers want brands to post discounts or sales on social media. Conversely, only 18% of marketers think discounts are needed on social media. This mismatch in expectations means there is room for growth to give customers what they want.

To grow your following and increase your brand presence on Instagram,conduct competitionsand promotions. Make one of the giveaway requirements a follow for your band and any other brands you work with, and tag friends for more exposure. If you're consistent with your freebies, e.g. B. monthly or quarterly, your followers are more likely to stick around and look forward to the next one.

4. Promote cross-platform

Don't just isolate yourself on Instagram.

How often do you talk about your Instagram account on your other social media platforms?

Lots of people havemultiple social accounts, and different platforms all have unique strengths, allowing you to reach different audiences by making your Instagram presence stand out in different places.

Direct followers to your Instagram profile on other social channels to receive exclusive offers or content. You can also use another visual platform like PinterestExpand the reach of Instagram contentwhich might otherwise have a short lifespan on the platform's highly active feed.

Besides social media, there are other ways for your brand to grow Instagram followers organically. Adding prominent social media buttons in your email newsletter, website footer, and large digital ads are good examples of cross-platform advertising.

Offline, you can add your Instagram account to in-store signage and promotions. Short promotions like “Instagram followers get 5% off!” and acustom QR codecould also prompt existing customers to follow you directly.

5. Share the wealth with influencers

While the influencer market has certainly grown in recent years, there are still opportunities for social budgets of all sizes to incorporate oneInfluencer Strategy.

Micro-influencers are those who have smaller followers but often more engaged audiences. These influencers have highly specialized niches and are often willing to partner with brands that align with their values.

Working with influencers, especially micro and nano influencers, creates trust in your company. When they talk and post about your brand with their followers, your Instagram account grows organically with them.

6. Increase engagement time

One of the best proven ways to grow your Instagram organically is to actively engage with your account.

That means taking the time to leave comments on followers' posts, answer questions, and repost user-generated content.

Creating conversations and small chat groups to connect followers is part of building your Instagram community. If you're able to offer your followers a deeper connection beyond contests and company announcements, then you're more likely to gain a loyal following that stretches beyond social media.

Why should you prioritize engagement and good content? A recentlysprout studyfound that customers who feel connected to the brand are 68% more likely to recommend it to a friend and 76% more likely to buy than from a competitor.

To put this into action there are several approaches you can try including liking orResponding to all types of customer commentsand showcase your brand's personality and voice through yoursContent Strategy.

Increasing your engagement and engaging with customers repeatedly is a long-term strategy that will help grow your account over time. But the relationships that are formed are more memorable and stronger than one-off interactions.

Wrap it all up with Instagram growth analytics

There are many methods to grow your Instagram followers organically and steadily.

Using these Instagram growth strategies — like creating a wide range of content and building customer relationships — can yield reliable results that can help you resist algorithm changes much better than accounts that rely on spam tactics.

If you use these strategies, review yoursInstagram-Analyseto see your account grow. If there are big spikes on specific days, you can see what type of content was posted and how people are engaging with it. This allows you to reflect on which tactics have worked best and further refine your strategy for the future.

When you're ready to dig deeper into your analytics and discover which Instagram growth strategies are working for you, sign up for afree trial of Sprout Social.