Are you on Instagram? Struggling to increase your followers?Â
Instagram can be highly engaging but there is a right and a wrong way to increase followers on Instagram (and followers).
In this post I asked Sue B Zimmerman (the Instagram Expert), to share 7 Creative Ways to Increase your followers on Instagram … the RIGHT way. Â Sue is my Go-To-Gal for Instagram tips, so listen up! Â
Image by Shutterstock
It is so important to create a community on Instagram and not just try to get as many followers as possible. Â More is not always better.
The difference between followers and a community is quality. Â In order to obtain quality new community members, it is a good idea to get creative….. These are my “SueB tricks to increase followers on Instagram”.
7 Creative Ways to Increase Instagram Followers
#1  Authorize the Facebook App to Connect your Instagram and Facebook Accounts
Make sure to connect your Instagram and Facebook accounts. You can post directly to Facebook through Instagram.
When people see your content coming over from Instagram to Facebook, they will be encouraged to check you out on that platform as well if they like what they are seeing… and of course they will!
You can also add a custom tab to your Facebook Page!
#2 Â Embed Instagram Pics into a Blog Post
By embedding Instagram pictures into a blog post, a few important things start to happen:
- You create a relationship between the places you and your brand are showing up.
- There is a consistency and relevancy shining through what you are doing.
- Time efficiency for you and your team is maximised because you are get double use from your images.
- Your brand identity strengthens.
#3 Â Add an Instagram Widget to your Website
Driving traffic to and from your different brand spaces online is how to maximise your greatest efforts.
Do not miss the chance to take a connection on a deeper dive so fans can follow you in the place that works best for them.
Get the attention of your fans while they are on your website through a noticeable and accessible Instagram widget, so they can easily check you out on Instagram.
Having the Instagram Widget on your website helps people to find you on Instagram…
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#4 Â Don't Forget the Power of Email
Make sure to remind your “list” that they should be following you on social media so they can more easily connect with you on the go.
This way they will not miss anything you are sharing because often times your content can differ depending on the platform. Â You can also give them an example of how they can benefit from connecting outside of the newsletter.
And… remember to add your Instagram account in your email signature, just like this one. Â This way, every time I send out an email people know how to find my Instagram profile:
Use your email signature to share your Instagram account!
#5 Â Cross Pollinate on Periscope
Periscope has been HUGE for growing my following on Instagram and conneting with my audience.
I teach an Instagram Lesson every time I scope and drive traffic to Instagram from Periscope.
I also do live “Insta Audits” that brings people into my scopes and I have a #SueBSponsor on each scope so I can give live shout outs to all my creative friends!
Engage with your Instagram audience cross-platform
#6 Â Share Images on Twitter using IFTTT
Why? Â Because sharing posts natively from Instagram to Twitter means the image won't show unless you click on it.
IFTTT is a great tool that allows your Instagram Post to show up as an image in the feed and not as a link. Â You only have a split second to get a reader's attention.
In Twitter that is hard to do without an image and when news is moving so fast. Â The IFTTT app makes sure your audience sees what you are talking about every time by posting the Instagram image instead of just the link.
Here is an example of an IFTTT “recipe” to allow you to set this up:
Setting up an IFTTT recipe is easy!
..once the “recipe” is set up in IFTTT then your images will post over to Twitter with the image as a preview (no need to click the link to see it)… like this one:
IFTTT shows your images on Twitter… but keep the description short.
#7 Take Advantage of Instagram DMs
Use Instagram DM to have a more intimate conversation and relationship with those that are following you!
You can send videos or photos via Instagram DM – it's still not commonly used, so you immediately stand out when you use this strategy.
Here's a screenshot of the video DMÂ I sent Donna about this tip!
Bonus Tip:
Always ENGAGE!! Answer EVERY question and respond to comments.
Even though you might not choose to follow an account, you should always engage with those who show up on your post and give love 🙂
Over to You
How are you engaging on Instagram and increasing followers? Do you have a creative engagement strategy to share? Leave your comment below! Â
Like this post? Pin it for later! Â Image by Shutterstock.
Latest posts by Sue B Zimmerman (see all)
- 7 Creative Ways to Increase Instagram Followers - April 1, 2016
