10 Tips to Grow Your Instagram Following

learn how to grow your Instagram following with these ten helpful tips!

Want to grow your Instagram following? The Design Twins reveal how with these 10 easy-to-follow tips for your own Instagram success.

10 Tips to Grow your Instagram following

How Can I Grow My Instagram Following?

This is a huge question. One with an equally huge answer. Growing an Instagram following is not a mystery, but it does take time and commitment. If you are willing to take the time and make the commitment, then you want your actions to be the right actions. You want all your hard work and effort to culminate in success. We understand and agree. That’s why we love sharing what we’ve learned about Instagram. Here is our best advice to grow your Instagram account.

1. Create Your Account Name

Name your account something that reflects you and your goal. Your name is your calling card, so it’s pretty important. It should help people understand, for example, that you are public, want to be followed, and are part of a specific community. A personal name or something completely random might not attract as many followers. 

Remember, if your account name reflects your niche, your ideal audience is more likely to find your account when they search. Putting clear keywords into your account name will help ideal followers identify you and find you in search. This greatly increases your Instagram SEO, search engine optimization.

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When I started off my account was just personal, so it was my name. As I started growing I worried that changing my name would confuse people or I might lose followers, so I waited a long time before changing it. My advice is don’t wait. You can alert people and use #youroldname until everyone is on board. You’ll be surprised how easy it actually is. Don’t wait and don’t worry unnecessarily about the transition.

2. Write an Enticing Bio

Your bio should tell people what they can expect if they follow you. What are you going to do for your follower? The answer should be in your bio. Yes, your bio is about you, but ultimately it is what you are offering your followers that will entice them to follow. Dig deep and make sure this reflects who you are and what you are passionate about. I read a bio the other day that said “Married.” Hmmmm. Ok. Why would I follow exactly? I really wasn’t sure, so I didn’t.

3. Define Your Content/Style/Identity

This is soul searching time. Now that you have your name, photo and bio you should have a pretty good idea as to your chosen niche. It’s time to take this to the next level and identify how you will express these goals. Many of us have found our identity and style as we have traveled our IG paths. The sooner you have it clear in your mind, make it clear on your feed, and present a consistent identity the faster your success. People really want to know what to expect when they follow. If you surprise them along the way be prepared to possibly lose followers.

4. Reach Out & Interact to Grow Your Instagram Following

You can’t post and run. Well, you can, but don’t expect a lot of growth. There are always days that we are too busy. But time commitment is essential. You should try to answer every comment. I did say try. Besides spending time on your own feed you should invest time in others.

I dedicate time every day and hours every week supporting other accounts and finding new accounts to explore and follow. You should follow plenty of people, respond regularly to their posts in heartfelt ways, try to not be generic. Sometimes if I find myself leaving generic messages I realize I’m just too tired. I stop and make time when I’m really ready to give.

modern desk for how to grow your Instagram following

5. Create Your Own Hashtags to Grow Your Instagram Following

When you grow an Instagram account you are creating a brand. You need a strong brand identity and you need to build brand awareness. One way to grow brand awareness to is create and use a brand hashtag. Usually this is simply #youraccountname. So, for Jodie and I our brand hashtag is #thedesigntwins. This is the name of our blog and our brand name. Encourage your followers to follow your hashtag. This gives your followers twice the opportunity for Instagram to show them your posts.

You can also create buzz around your brand by creating and encouraging people to use your community hashtags. These are hashtags the last for a season or a period of time. Examples of this for us are #thedesigntwinslove, #thedesigntwinslovechristmas etc. Encourage followers to use and follow your community hashtags. You may choose to feature your favorite posts in your stories or even on your feed as a way to thank your followers and involve them. This all creates a feeling of community.

6. Focus on Quality over Quantity

Every post has the power to hurt or help your feed. Never compromise the quality of your post because you feel you have to post. If you have nothing new to post some strategies are the following:

  • Repost a seasonally appropriate post from your feed last year
  • Feature someone who you love, respect, and are inspired by. Be sure to do a wonderful job giving them credit and tagging them. Don’t alter their photo in any way. You might want to ask their permission prior to featuring them via DM.

7. Improve Your Skills to Grow Your Instagram Following

Not many of us start our journeys as professional photographers. So honing your craft is absolutely necessary. If you are in the home decor community, as Jodie and I are, you can look at magazines and catalogs to see how the pros photograph vignettes and rooms. Practice, practice, practice.

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Jodie and  I have written several helpful blog posts on this topic. One is Pros and Cons of Using a Camera vs. Your Phone and  How to Edit Camera Phone Pics on Instagram.

Skills also include writing. Words matter. Your voice is an integral part of what you offer. Don’t ignore this aspect. Success is judged not just on numbers but on engagement. Your personality and how you share it has the power to increase or decrease your following and definitely your engagement.

8. Follow People to Grow Your Instagram Following

Follow people in your community, those who are successful and doing what you are aiming to do. Learn from what they do. Reach out to them. Ask questions, offer praise and kindness.

Never follow and unfollow. This is the ultimate in terrible etiquette. Additionally, Instagram sees this as spam-like activity. This activity also lowers your engagement and authenticity scores seen by Instagram as well as brands.

9. Be Authentic to Grow Your Instagram Following

While I suggest you follow inspiring people you need to develop and showcase your own unique style. Your posts will be most successful if they come from your heart and are uniquely you. No one does you better.

For more inspiration and helpful tips for how to grow your Instagram following authentically, read this blog post from Mia Mia Mine.

pink backdrop with smart phone grow Instagram following

10. Enjoy the Journey

We know you want to grow your Instagram following, otherwise you wouldn’t be here. But here is my final and most important piece of advice. Enjoy the process. If it feels like work, it will show.

Instagram should be all about the journey, not about any destination. It is about personal growth, the people you meet, and friendships you create. If you focus on the journey and enjoy every post, every conversation, every interaction your JOY will attract people. Be yourself, have fun, spread joy. If you do that you already are successful!

With blessings,

jodie & julie

The Design Twins share their top 10 Tips to grow your instagram following

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10 Tips to Grow Your Instagram Follwing
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Want to grow your Instagram following? The Design Twins reveal how with these easy to follow tips for your own Instagram success!
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  1. Helen sherriff says:

    Hi today is the first time I’ve come to check out your blog and it’s so great!! I’m Looking forward to getting to know you both through your blog, I love your design style and especially your Christmas decor, I’m a Christian and it’s so refreshing to see someone on social media sharing their faith, God bless you both , ???

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Helen, We are thrilled to receive your beautiful comment. We are so happy you found our blog and even happier that you are inspired to hopefully join us on a regular basis. We look forward to sharing all kinds of things in 2017. With blessings and gratitude, Julie & Jodie

  2. Adele says:

    You have definitely given me some things to think about! Thank you for sharing your advice!

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Adele, Thank you so much for stopping by, reading, and of course your kind reply. It means a lot to Jodie and me! We hope you will check back often for new ideas and inspiration. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. With gratitude, Julie & Jodie

  3. Jodi says:

    Thank you both for sharing from your heart! Your expertise is helpful and give me hope that my IG account will continue to be authentic, true to me, and fun thrown in! 🙂

    Blessings,

    Jodi

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Jodi, That is the PERFECT attitude…and with it you are sure to succeed. Instagram is continually changing. Jodie and I find it fascinating, so our “obsession” is your gain. We promise to continue to share all the ins and out of IG as they evolve to help you make the most of your journey. Thank you for your sweet support. We hope you will come back as often as you can and visit us here. With gratitude, Julie & Jodie

  4. Gladys Multari says:

    Hello Julie and Jodie. I so much enjoy your feeds. You both are so sweet and talented. I love your beautifully decorated homes. I’ve gotten many ideas and have learned a lot from you. Thank you for sharing your homes and ideas! God bless you.
    Gladys

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Gladys, If I don’t read one more reply or connect with one other person my day is already complete! Your reply means everything to Jodie and to me. Seriously, you are why we are here! We are here to connect, to share, and to hopefully inspire. Thank you dear one, for giving us this generous and kind feedback so we know we have touched your life in a positive way. Now you have touched ours similarly! With blessings and gratitude, Julie & Jodie

  5. Hi Jodie, what a journey you have been on. It was so interesting to hear how you first got involved with IG. I just finished watching your live tour on Instagram. Very cool. I am new to the IG world, I am always amazed at the end credible talent that is out there, it is life-giving and inspirational daily!!! Thank you for your vulnerability, it blesses others can relate to your real story! I tried to go on your store and look for the cute container with bottles and tulips, I could not access your store from your bio. Maybe I am doing something wrong! I will look again, maybe I got drawn into your story before I found the store!!! ?

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Michelle, Julie and I are so touched by your kind response. I think you may have been on Julie’s live tour on IG, but I’m just giggling. People get confused by the two of us on IG, here, and of course in real life, and we don’t mind at all. It’s part of the twin thing haha. Our whole goal, Michelle, is to connect with people, and the fact that you feel connected makes us incredibly happy. We want to be authentic and genuine and real. Regarding the shop please DM either of us if you continue to have any problem. We so look forward to continuing this journey with you. Blessings, Jodie & Julie

  6. Donnamarie Larkin says:

    thanks for this post~!! i try every day and since being on IG i have connected and stayed in connect with a few people. Its nice to know others are out there that have the same interests etc. I was connected to your page and when i finally sent you a private message re paint color i knew there was a reason, you guys are the sweetest and most inspiring~!! Thanks again for March Madness.

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Aw, so nice to hear Donnamarie! So glad you are enjoying both your time on Instagram and our blog. We love your sweet support so much. We hope we will enjoy this journey together for a long time to come. Blessings, Julie & Jodie

  7. I ve been trying to grow my business instagram using hashtags and I m so glad to have some more tips to add to the mix ?

    • jjdesigntwins says:

      Yes, hashtags are a good tool for growth but certainly not the only way to grow. We’re so happy you found this post helpful! We hope you see the results you are looking for!
      Best wishes,
      Jodie & Julie

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  10. Useful things for Instagram users.

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