Instagram is a powerful marketing tool for businesses of all sizes. With over 800 million active users, it’s no wonder that more and more businesses are turning to Instagram to reach their target markets. However, simply having an Instagram account isn’t enough. If you want to be successful on Instagram, you need to have a strategy in place, and you need to execute that strategy correctly.
One common mistake that businesses make is buying followers. Here at Venerate Media Group, we are home to some of the most talented digital marketing experts and social media managers. In this blog post, we will explain why you shouldn’t buy followers, and we will share 10 tips on how to grow your Instagram fanbase right away!
Why you should NOT buy Instagram followers
When it comes to marketing your business on Instagram, it’s important to remember that quality is more important than quantity. Yes, it is important to have a large number of followers, but if those followers are not engaged with your content, they are not going to be worth anything to you. In fact, buying followers can actually hurt your business in a number of ways.
For starters, when you buy followers, you are essentially paying for fake accounts. These are not real people who are interested in your products or services. They are just empty profiles with no real content. Not only does this make your account look bad, but it also hurts your engagement rate, which is one of the algorithms that Instagram uses to determine whether or not your content is shown in peoples’ feeds.
Furthermore, when you buy followers, you also set yourself up for future disappointment. These fake accounts will eventually be deleted by Instagram, and then you will be right back where you started. You will have to continue buying followers to maintain a high number which can quickly become very expensive.
How to build your Instagram followers
So, what should you do instead? How can you grow your Instagram following without resorting to buying fake followers? Here are 10 tips:
1) Use hashtags:
Hashtags are a great way to reach new people who are interested in the same thing as you. When you use relevant hashtags, your content is more likely to show up in users’ feeds.
2) Post-quality content:
This should go without saying, but it’s important to post high-quality, engaging content if you want people to follow you. No one wants to see low-quality photos or videos that are not interesting.
3) Follow relevant users:
Following relevant users is a great way to get more exposure for your account. When you follow someone, they will get a notification that may encourage them to check out your account and possibly even follow you back.
4) Use Instagram stories:
Stories are a great way to connect with your followers on a more personal level. Share behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks of new products, or just give people an inside look into your day-to-day life.
5) Host a contest:
Contests are a great way to increase engagement and grow your following. People love free stuff so if you offer something valuable as a prize, you will likely get a lot of people participating. Just make sure to follow all of Instagram’s rules for running a contest.
6) Leverage influencers:
Influencer marketing can be very effective on Instagram. If you can partner with an influencer who has a large following in your target market, you can reach a whole new group of potential customers.
7) Use calls-to-action:
Calls-to-action are a great way to encourage your followers to take the next step, whether that is visiting your website, signing up for your email list, or taking advantage of a special offer.
8) Go live:
Live videos are a great way to connect with your followers in real time. They can also help increase engagement because people are more likely to watch a live video than they are to watch a pre-recorded one.
9) Use Instagram ads:
Instagram ads can be very effective in reaching new people who may be interested in your products or services. You can target your ads to specific demographics, interests, and even locations.
10) Partner with other businesses:
Partnering with other businesses is a great way to reach new people while also growing your following. For example, you could partner with another business to do a joint giveaway.
Buying followers is not the way to grow your Instagram following. It’s a waste of money, and it can actually hurt your business. If you want to grow your following, you need to put in the work and use some of the strategies listed above.
Contact us today!
Do you need help creating or executing your Instagram marketing strategy? Contact Venerate Media Group for all your social media needs!
