Did you know that you can get way more views on Instagram by applying only a few basic tricks?
With the right marketing strategy, you can start growing your personal brand or business on the world’s number three social media platform right now.
Use a combination of Instagram hacks that take only seconds of your time and effort plus the exact methods used by pros to grow their followings and increase engagement rates on Instagram.
Apply all 10 of these bulletproof strategies to take your reach to the max!
Ready to learn how to get more views on Instagram? Let’s beat the algorithm together and get your profile and story views growing!
Disclaimer: This post contains some affiliate links and as a member of the Amazon Associates Program, I earn through qualifying purchases. Should you choose to purchase something through these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
1. Take Amazing Photos
It goes without saying that Instagram is a visual platform!
But a unique and high-quality photo or video will take you a long way.
And the harsh reality is that, if your Instagram profile doesn’t stand out from the rest, why would people come to you over anyone else?
Creating a cohesive feed (think colours: I personally like to stick to white, grey, black, and pink in mine) that’s been curated from similar excellent-quality content is a sure fire way to start gaining more followers and engagement from the moment you implement this strategy.
Four ways you can start shooting better content now are:
(1) Take your photos around the same time every day using lots of natural light
Use foam boards like these ones that you can get for next to nothing on Amazon and ensure maximum brightness to your styled photos of flatlays. I’m often snapping shots with my camera in one hand while holding a foam board in the other when it comes to producing sponsored content like the shot below that I did as part of a paid campaign with Gillette.
If shooting in natural light isn’t always an option for you though, invest in an inexpensive set of studio lights like these ones that I have made by Neewer.
Since purchasing these, I now shoot content around the clock! Including when my little girl goes to sleep for the night. Whether it’s 12pm or 12am, I can always take excellent photos for my Instagram now.
(2) Invest in a great camera
While a lot of Instagram users have success with their iPhones, I personally found that shooting with my mirrorless Sony A6500 Camera is the way to go!
The images taken with my mirrorless are amazing quality and editing them is such a breeze afterwards.
Whether you choose the traditional DSLR or a more compact mirrorless camera, like I did, this a long term investment that’s well worth it just for the memories you’ll have in the future.
(3) Edit your photos using a great app
I personally use Lightroom CC and do most of my editing on my phone!
To see exactly how I get my images bright and clean and my whites looking extra white, check out this step by step tutorial.
(4) Check out the article I wrote about this topic
I have an entire blog post devoted to how you can shoot amazing photos for your Instagram feed. Have a read and see exactly how I went from average Instagram user to getting paid to post sponsored content!
Pro Tip: Check out the following Instagram photography tools that I cannot live without. Shoot great content every time by upgrading your creative kit!
2. Engage with Top Performing Accounts
Social media has been dubbed this for a reason!
And Instagram is as much of a visual game as it is a social one.
Leave thoughtful and provoking comments on highly viewed photos and videos posted by influencers in your niche.
Not only will they see your engagement but their followers will too and they will likely be curious about who this person behind the words is.
Engage, engage, engage! You’ll see other successful influencers say it again, again, and AGAIN!
3. Interact with Recent Posts
This is something that really helped me grow on Instagram during my earliest days. It’s part of the method I used to grow my account to 1,000 followers in 28 days!
Search hashtags that are relevant to you and your brand and engage with the latest content that appears in your results.
Engaging with other lesser known accounts gets them curious about who you are and will have the same impact on their followers. Have you ever browsed through the comments section of an Instagram post? I know I have!
If you’ve searched the right hashtags, engaging with the latest posts could also mean that your vision for your brand aligns with these fellow Instagram users.
For more on how to formulate an amazing Instagram hashtag strategy, check out this post to start hashtagging like a pro!
You’ll also find the best 200 niche specific and effective hashtags to help you start increasing your number of followers, comments, and likes to your Instagram profile.
Pro Tip: Remember, different hashtags work for different types of engagement and different audiences! Utilizing a mixture of them all is the best hashtag strategy to grow your audience and reach organically.
4. Post to Instagram Stories Frequently
Instagram Stories were something I neglected when they were first released!
But in all honesty, they’re something I can’t live without now.
Knowing what to post on Instagram Stories and when to post it is the perfect way to get more views to your Instagram Profile!
There are also a few hacks I’ve written about here to gaining more views on your Instagram Stories. Try all six of them and watch your profile views rise.
Instagram Stories are a perfect place to post content that doesn’t quite fit into or isn’t high quality enough for your Feed!
Also consider styling your stories; use Canva or PhotoShop and create templates based around your business or brand. These make your stories look that much more professional and will keep your audience coming back for more.
5. Always Tag a Location
Increasing your potential reach and exposure is a must is you want to get more views on Instagram.
And always tagging a location is a super easy way to do so!
The strategy I like to use for location tags is to always tag the major city closest to the location I shot my content in. Unless, the exact spot you created your content in is a well-known destination, you are only limiting yourself otherwise.
If you shot the photo at home, again, tag the biggest metropolis closest to you!
This is such a simple add on but it really is that effective!
6. Tag and Mention Brands in Every Post
Have a favourite spot where you buy your entire wardrobe or housewares? Tag them in every single post! You only have exposure to gain and there is absolutely no downside.
Know of an account that features Instagram users just like you? Tag them!
You’ll show up on their feed within their tagged category. A super easy but effective way to get more exposure to your account right now!
Working with a brand on an upcoming collaboration? Other influencers just like you might be too and they’ll browse through the brands tagged section on their profile for inspiration.
I know I’ve done this and often times, have been curious about who put out the amazing content I just saw!
Consider your own Instagram browsing habits. Chances are other Instagram users have similar ones.
7. Use the Right Hashtags
As mentioned before, I’ve written an entire post just on this topic alone!
Because there is a right way and a less effective way to use Instagram Hashtags.
Building a strong Instagram Hashtag Strategy includes:
(1) Using a combination of highly competitive hashtags and lesser known hashtags
Think 1,000,000 other posts versus 50,000!
You stand more of a chance to be featured in the Most Popular section of a less competitive hashtag as a developing Instagram user but using competitive hashtags will get you more likes!
Think about the behaviour I described before: chances are, other users are utilizing the same methods to gain exposure to their accounts. Create your habits with this psychology in mind for optimum results!
(2) Posting hashtags in your comments
Talk to 5 different Instagram users on this and you’ll get 5 different opinions.
Personally, I’ve had a great experience with it and, as I’ve seen other Instagram users do, I now sometimes post two separate comments containing hashtags – keep it at 10 and 10, for instance or, group relevant tags together.
This brings me to my next point!
(3) Use relevant hashtags
Continuing where we left off above:
By archiving, for example, a set of 10 motherhood related hashtags, 10 lifestyle related hashtags, and 10 business related hashtags in the notes section of your phone, you can then post two of these “hashtag groups” together based on their relevancy to your latest post.
Use more or less, according to what you experience works for you.
Normally, I like to stick to around 23 or less. For whatever reason, its just worked.
Stay on topic and only use tags that relate to who you are as an Instagram user or what your latest image represents.
Pro Tip: Research hashtags to see how they fit with your brand!
For example, although I love the term hustle, the content that shows up when you search this tag is a bit mixed for my liking. You’ll find everything from cross-fit athletes to get rich e-book writers. Totally not reflective of my brand!
Get to know your hashtags and you’ll see exactly whether or not they’ll fit into your creative plan.
8. Cross-Promote All of Your Content
You know those little buttons you can tap to share your post to your Facebook page or Twitter account? Always choose to do so!
This really is as simple as the click of a button but the payout can be massive.
And bonus, if you have an Instagram Fan Page AND a Personal Facebook Page, share your Instagram Stories to both!
I cannot tell you what an explosion this led to in my Instagram Profile Views!
While I never considered my family, friends, and former work colleagues as a potential audience for my Instagram Mommy Blogger account, it turns out that a lot of people were actually curious about what I’m doing now.
And, as a result, I gained more followers and more people who view and interact with my content.
The moral of the story? Promote everywhere! Because sometimes, you never know just how diverse your audience really is.
9. Collaborate with Others & Get Featured
Interested in doing an account take over? Write a professional business proposal to your Favourite Brands or Feature Accounts and get something cooking! As my mom always says, there is a 50% chance they will say, YES!
You know how the most successful businesses, brands, and individuals get ahead? They take chances!
No one ever grew their vision by doing the exact same thing as someone else. There is only ONE you but over 7.5 billion others on this planet.
What makes you YOU-nique? Use these qualities when you write your proposal to wow potential business partners with your incredible authenticity. Because that’s what social media is all about!
Whenever I’ve collaborated with a brand or done a paid sponsored post, this is the first thing a partner will always note in their requirements is that you create content in your own unique style. Make it organic and cater to your personal brand because people can see the inauthentic from a mile away.
To boost exposure and start getting paid to post or to post in exchange for product, join influencer marketing networks for access to opportunities. If your content is strong enough, your new business partner may also feature you on their page this way and some of these brands have a massive following on Instagram.
Talk about double the benefits!
10. Post at the Right Times
Have you made the switch to an Instagram Business account yet? Do it!
No matter what anyone says about you not being favoured by the algorithm, ignore it. If your content is as unique and incredible as you are, they will come.
Plus, switching to a Business Account gives you access to amazing Analytics!
You’ll see exactly what time your followers are active on Instagram and on what days of the week. Talk about an advantage!
Your followers are the ones who engage with your content and knowing exactly when a large percentage of them are online will give you more access to more eyes and potential customers for your latest post or product launch.
Grow your brand or business by making the right moves at the right times!
Are you ready to make moves and start getting more views to your Instagram Profile?
Implement these 10 ideas into your Instagram business marketing plan and share your experience in the comments below!
