How to Get More Followers On Instagram: A Small Business Owner’s Guide

How do you move beyond a basic feed and actually grow your Instagram following? This guide breaks down the key strategies, focusing on actionable steps you can implement today – delivered specifically for the needs and budgets of small businesses.

Beyond the Pretty Pictures: Building a Human Connection

Let’s face it: people connect with people, not just brands. That’s why we start with

#1: Have a Dedicated Creator or Personality. Don’t rely on a generic “brand voice.” Instead, identify a member (or small team) within your company who genuinely embodies your brand’s values and is passionate about Instagram. This person doesn’t need to be a polished influencer; authenticity is key.

• Actionable Tip: Encourage team members to contribute content. Create a simple system – a shared Google Drive folder or a dedicated email address – for submissions. This allows diverse perspectives and keeps your content fresh.

Educate & Engage: Content That Converts

Once you have a dedicated team, you can start creating content that truly resonates.

• #2: Share Educational Carousel Posts. Instagram users are hungry for information. Carousel posts – those multi-slide images – boast three times the engagement of a single image. Leverage this by sharing helpful tips, industry insights, or even behind-the-scenes looks at your business. Think of Grammarly’s approach: concise, valuable information delivered in an easily digestible format.
• #7: Use Templates and Interactive Stickers. Instagram’s “Add Yours” stickers and templates are designed to be used and shared – creating organic reach and further engagement.

Reach a Wider Audience – Authentically

Beyond engagement, you need to attract new followers.

• #3: Be Inclusive and Diverse. Instagram is a global platform. Avoid relying on stereotypical buyer personas. Showcase real people – a diverse mix of ethnicities, genders, and backgrounds – using your product or service. Highlight universal pain points and demonstrate varied use cases. This broadens your appeal and makes your brand feel more relatable.
• #6: Stay on Trend. Participate in relevant memes, trending topics, and seasonal celebrations. This boosts your visibility and shows that you’re not afraid to be a part of the conversation – just like Dollar Shave Club cleverly leveraging Taylor Swift to boost engagement.

Strategic Content Planning – Maximize Impact

Now let’s talk about when and how you’re posting.

• #4: Post Consistently. Consistency is paramount for building trust and establishing a regular expectation for your audience. HubSpot research suggests posting between 12-3 PM and 6-9 PM on weekdays, with Friday through Sunday typically yielding the highest engagement. Utilize scheduling tools like Later or Buffer to streamline your workflow and plan your content in advance.
• #5: Mix Up Your Content Formats. Don’t get stuck in a rut! Experiment with a mix of Reels, static photos, Stories, and carousels. Airbnb’s strategy of varying content formats – from short videos to user-generated content – is a great model for maintaining audience interest.

Data-Driven Growth – Measuring What Works

Finally, don’t just throw content at the wall and see what sticks.

• #9: Monitor Instagram Insights. Regularly analyze your Instagram Insights data. This will reveal what content is performing best – what topics, formats, and posting times generate the most engagement, reach, and, importantly, new followers. Use these insights to refine your content strategy and consistently prioritize what’s working.

Ready to Take Action?

Growing your Instagram following isn’t about overnight success. It’s about building a genuine connection with your audience and consistently delivering valuable content. By implementing these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to transforming your Instagram feed into a thriving community – and ultimately, driving business growth.