When I first launched my Instagram page for my small business, I spent weeks trying to figure out how to increase followers on Instagram without spending a fortune or using shady apps.
I followed trends, joined follow-for-follow groups (which flopped), and even considered buying followers (don’t do it). Nothing gave me the traction I was hoping for.
But once I shifted from “posting just to post” to building a real strategy — my followers started increasing organically. Today, I manage a healthy, engaged Instagram community, and I’ve done it all using my smartphone.
So if you’re stuck, frustrated, and still searching for how to increase followers on Instagram, here are the 9 real things I did to grow without ads, bots, or burnout.
The Struggles Most New Users Face
Let’s be real — Instagram can feel like a mystery when you’re starting out.
I faced:
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Zero engagement despite daily posts
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Reels getting under 500 views
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No clue what to post or when
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Fear of showing my face
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Crickets in the DMs and comments
If this sounds like you, don’t worry. You’re not the problem — your approach probably just needs a little shift.
Here’s what helped me figure out how to increase followers on Instagram the right way.
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1. I Focused on One Clear Niche
Instead of trying to be everything — fashion, lifestyle, food, motivation — I picked one theme: helping small business owners grow online.
This clarity did 3 things:
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Attracted the right audience
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Made content creation easier
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Increased saves and shares
The more specific I got, the more my audience started to grow.
2. I Made Reels That Hook in 3 Seconds
I learned quickly that Reels are Instagram’s best growth tool — but only if you use them right.
So I:
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Started every reel with a relatable hook
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Used text on screen (since most people scroll with sound off)
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Shot vertically using my phone’s rear camera
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Kept reels under 30 seconds for retention
Example:
“3 mistakes killing your sales right now” — got me over 12,000 new followers in one month.
3. I Used Hashtags That Actually Worked
When figuring out how to increase followers on Instagram, don’t underestimate hashtags — if you use them smartly.
My go-to mix:
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5 niche-specific hashtags
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5 mid-level hashtags (under 1M posts)
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5 local or branded tags
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2 emotional/relatable ones (#momlife, #sidehustle)
Hashtags like #entrepreneur or #fashion are too broad. Be specific and test regularly.
4. I Turned My Profile Into a Conversion Tool
Once I got someone to visit my profile, I had to make sure they hit “Follow.”
So I:
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Wrote a bio that clearly explained who I help and how
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Used a high-quality photo (just my face, smiling)
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Pinned 3 posts: an intro, my best-performing reel, and a transformation story
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Created Highlight covers for FAQs, Tips, and BTS content
Your profile is your homepage. Make it work for you.
5. I Engaged Before and After I Posted
This is a massive hack that changed my growth trajectory.
I spent 15 minutes engaging with my community:
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Before I posted: replied to DMs, watched Stories, left meaningful comments
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After I posted: replied to every comment quickly
Instagram rewards creators who are active. This strategy got me more reach and helped me increase followers faster.
6. I Showed My Face (Even When I Didn’t Want To)
People connect with people — not logos or quotes.
I was shy at first, but once I started posting Stories and Reels with my voice and face, the engagement doubled. More importantly, trust grew — and followers came naturally.
💡 Tip: Use your phone’s selfie camera, natural light, and just talk like you’re talking to a friend.
7. I Created Saveable, Shareable Content
Likes are nice. But saves and shares are what make content go viral.
So I posted things like:
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“5 tools I use to manage my business (for free)”
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“Caption hooks that boost your engagement”
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“Checklist: What to post this week”
These types of posts get shared to Stories and saved for later — which helps you increase followers on Instagram without chasing trends.
8. I Posted Less, But Better
At first, I tried posting every single day. I burned out fast.
Now, I post 3–4 times a week — but every post is planned and purposeful.
My content pillars:
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Educational Reels
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Behind-the-scenes Stories
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Carousel tips
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UGC and testimonials
Quality > quantity. Especially if you’re managing everything from your phone.
9. I Treated Followers Like Humans, Not Numbers
Every follower is a real person. When I shifted from “gaining followers” to building community, everything changed.
I started:
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Asking questions in captions
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Responding with voice notes in DMs
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Featuring customers in Stories
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Hosting mini giveaways
This built loyalty — and those followers told their friends, tagged others, and helped me grow faster.
Final Thoughts
So if you’re still searching for how to increase followers on Instagram, here’s the truth:
There’s no hack that will give you 10K followers overnight. But if you use your smartphone wisely, create with intention, and show up consistently — you will grow.
Everything I did — from viral reels to brand building — happened with my phone, some free tools, and a lot of real effort.
You don’t need to go viral. You need to show value. Be helpful. Be human.
That’s how you increase your followers — and keep them.
💬 Want Help Growing Your Instagram?
If you’re stuck, burned out, or just want a clear plan to grow — I’d love to work with you.
Let’s create a strategy that works for YOU — and builds the kind of following that actually matters.📱✨
