Looking for ways to grow your Instagram audience? Good news, you've found the right spot! Did you know that Instagram is the third most popular social media platform in the world, hosting 2 billion monthly active users worldwide?

Yes, you read that right.

So, every business and individual creating an account on the platform today has the same goal in their mind, and that is to increase their Instagram followers. But what could you do to stand out from the competition?

Welcome to our expert guide of 30 proven tactics to easily increase your Instagram followers and achieve your goals on the platform:

1. Focus on a Specific Niche

To enhance Instagram engagement, concentrate on a niche that resonates with your audience. This strategy helps in building a dedicated follower base and sets you apart in the vast Instagram landscape. Remember, a clearly defined niche translates to a more targeted and engaged following.

2. Implement a Content Calendar

By using a content calendar, you can plan your posts strategically, ensuring a steady flow of engaging content that resonates with your audience and boosts your follower count. This approach not only keeps your content strategy focused but also significantly contributes to organic follower growth.

3. Optimize Your Instagram Bio

Your Instagram bio acts as a digital handshake. Crafting a compelling bio with a clear message about who you are and what you offer is crucial for attracting new followers. An optimized bio is your first step towards making a lasting impression.

4. Choose an Engaging Profile Picture

Your profile picture is the face of your Instagram presence. Selecting an image that represents your brand or personality is key to making a strong first impression. A memorable profile picture can significantly influence potential followers' decision to engage with your content.

5. Embrace the Power of Instagram Reels

Leverage Instagram Reels to increase visibility and engagement. These short, captivating videos are a great way to attract a wider audience and boost your follower count. Reels offer a dynamic way to showcase creativity and connect with followers.

6. Utilize Instagram Carousels

Instagram Carousels allow you to share multiple images or videos in a single post, increasing the time followers spend on your content. This increased engagement signals Instagram's algorithm to feature your account more prominently, aiding in follower growth.

7. Craft Creative Captions

Engaging captions can transform your posts and attract more followers. Experiment with different lengths and styles to find what resonates best with your audience. Captivating captions encourage interactions, leading to higher visibility and follower growth.

While primarily known for its scheduling capabilities, Planly also offers features that can aid in crafting and organizing your captions. With Planly, you can prepare your captions in advance, experiment with different wording, and even save your most effective hashtags.

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8. Use Targeted Hashtags

Strategically using hashtags can significantly boost your content's reach. Targeted hashtags help attract a relevant audience, increasing the chances of gaining new followers. Monitor which hashtags perform best and adjust your strategy accordingly.

9. Create a Personalized Hashtag

Developing a unique hashtag for your brand or content encourages user participation and increases visibility. A personalized hashtag helps in creating a community around your content, fostering increased engagement and follower growth.

10. Schedule Your Posts

Posting at optimal times increases the likelihood of your content being seen. You can use Planly to freely schedule your posts when your audience is most active, enhancing engagement and follower growth.

11. Switch to a Business Account

A Business Account on Instagram provides valuable insights and additional features like the contact button. These tools are essential for understanding your audience and expanding your reach, ultimately increasing your follower count.

12. Collaborate with Influencers

Partnering with influencers can expose your brand to a larger audience. Influencer collaborations, through story shout-outs or takeovers, can rapidly boost your follower count by leveraging their existing follower base.

13. Repost User-Generated Content

Sharing user-generated content (UGC) builds trust and authenticity. By showcasing real people using your product or service, you increase the likelihood of gaining new followers who find this social proof compelling.

14. Engage through Instagram Stories

Utilize Instagram Stories to keep your audience engaged. Interactive features like polls, quizzes, and questions can significantly increase follower interaction and attract new followers through shared experiences.

15. Increase Reach with Story Features

Use trending hashtags, stickers, GIFs, and memes in your Stories to boost engagement. Encouraging discussions and debates through these features can increase your visibility and attract more followers.

16. Host Giveaways

Hosting giveaways can dramatically increase your Instagram followers. Offer exciting prizes and set participation conditions like following your account or tagging friends, especially during festive seasons or follower milestones.

17. Go Live!

Use Instagram's IGTV feature to connect with your audience in real-time. Share stories, host Q&A sessions, and interact directly with your followers to boost engagement and attract new followers.

18. Engage Instagram Followers via Comments

Actively engaging in the comments section helps build a strong community. Respond to comments with wit or directness, sparking conversations that can attract more followers. Also, regularly interacting with industry-specific posts by liking and commenting increases your visibility and helps in organic growth on Instagram.

19. Have a Clear Username

A simple, memorable username is crucial for easy discoverability. Avoid complicated strings of characters, focusing instead on a clear and concise username that represents your brand or personal identity.

20. Show BTS Scenes

Sharing behind-the-scenes (BTS) content, like bloopers or office pet antics, adds a personal touch to your profile, inviting more Instagram followers through authentic engagement.

21. Consistency Is the Key

Regular activity on Instagram, through posts, stories, or reels, is essential. Consistency leads to increased exposure and gradually builds your follower base.

22. Keep Room for Moment Marketing

Be ready to capitalize on viral trends or moment marketing. Timely and relevant content can rapidly increase your Instagram followers.

23. Invest in Instagram Ads

Utilize Instagram ads to reach potential followers. Ads can be targeted for product introductions, special offers, or free resources, effectively growing your follower count.

24. A/B Test Regularly

A/B testing different strategies, like content types or posting times, helps in understanding what resonates with your audience, leading to more effective follower growth.

25. Give Shout-Outs to Followers

Acknowledging followers through shout-outs fosters a sense of community and encourages more engagement, leading to an increase in followers.

Embed your Instagram feed on your website. This integration not only showcases your content but also directs website visitors to your Instagram, increasing followers.

27. Share Exclusive Details on Your Instagram Handle

Use Instagram to release exclusive news or product launches. This strategy attracts followers eager for the latest updates and insights.

28. Try Instagram Shopping

Leverage Instagram Shopping to promote your products. This feature can significantly increase your reach and attract followers interested in your offerings.

Instagram: Your Personal Playground!

Manage your account with your objectives always in mind, and savor every step of your journey.

By applying the robust tactics outlined in this article, you're well on your way to expanding your Instagram audience.

Enhance user engagement with tools like Planly, offering capabilities to schedule your posts, manage replies through a social inbox, and analyze your Instagram account's performance