Do you want to learn how to grow your
If you’ve taken the time to learn the ins and outs of Instagram and you’ve determined what you want to achieve with Instagram, this post will help you learn how to grow your Instagram account. Perhaps you’ve been at it a while and you’re not seeing the growth you want but don’t understand why? I will walk you through the steps needed to grow your Instagram account and reach a wider audience.
How to grow your Instagram account- Starting out
One thing I’ve learned is that gaining that first 1000 followers seems to take the longest, because that’s when you’re still learning and developing, and then it gets much easier after that. I think it took me about 6 months to gain that first 1000 followers. In contrast, I have gained almost 10 000 followers in the past month alone. If you’ve decided you want to grow your Instagram account, then it will take effort, consistency, and perseverance. It is usually very slow growing at first, so only invest your time on Instagram if you enjoy the process.
Shortcuts can’t replace hard work
One of my most commonly asked questions on Instagram is how to grow your Instagram account, and people often ask for help or for me to feature them. It would be nice if a single shout out did make a long-term difference, but I think the advice I have here is much more valuable and long lasting. It’s all about learning, and that takes time. Here are all my tips and tricks to help grow your Instagram account:
Be realistic in your goals
I have worked on Instagram every day for two and a half years and have reached nearly 60 000 followers. I know accounts that grew faster and accounts that grew slower, but I don’t concern myself with that at all. My goals are independent of what others are doing. I remind my boys of this principle all the time. Usually, my oldest complains that his brother has gotten away with not practicing violin that day and is upset about the unfairness of it all. I tell him that his brother’s decisions have nothing to do with him, and I remind him that he, not his brother, wants to be a musician one day. He has goals and he needs to stick to his plans to reach them.
Avoid comparisons
Comparing ourselves to someone else won’t help us reach our goals and it certainly won’t make us feel better about ourselves. There are so many factors that play into the rate of Instagram account growth, so please don’t get discouraged and don’t compare yourself to others. Neither of these will help you reach your goals or help you grow your account. And remember to celebrate your accomplishments.
Part of being realistic in your goals is self-assessment. In order to gain followers, you need to offer something of value. When you’re just starting out it’s really hard to view yourself critically. It’s so hard to view our own homes as if through the eyes of a stranger. To help with this process, take lots of photos of your home and try to view them with fresh eyes.
How to grow your Instagram account- Develop beautiful and unique content
People want to see beautiful photos and are often looking for something unique to inspire them. If you’ve done some self-assessment, you may have identified your strengths and weaknesses in your décor and photographs. When I started on Instagram I had a pretty basic builder home, whereas others started with a fully decorated home. If, like me, you are sharing your home but it is not currently decorated, then consider sharing your decorating process. It may take longer to grow your account but think about all you’ll gain along the way- a freshly decorated home and people that love to follow along with your projects and have seen you through every DIY triumph (and maybe a few disasters).
House size doesn’t matter
Keep in mind that you can build a successful account even if only a few rooms in your home are currently decorated or if you have a small space. I followed along with Sarah from Dreaming of Homemaking and she became one of my favourite accounts before I even realized that her home was tiny! I couldn’t believe it when she said her home was only 1200 square feet. Her home is packed with style and creativity, and clearly, she knows how to take great pictures.
Use vignettes and closeups
Some people become known for capturing vignettes- small, inviting arrangements that take effort and a good eye but don’t require a fully decorated home. You can also share handcrafted items, beautiful food, lovely new products, or cute style photos of yourself or family, and this can be accomplished in a very small space. Get creative in how you want to present your style. Flatlay photography is another way to present your work without the necessity of a decorated home.
Work on your photography skills
Of course, a DSLR camera is going to help you take better photos, but it’s certainly not a requirement. All my photos to date were taken on my iPhone, but I have worked on composition, styling, and editing. If you’re able to purchase a camera, take the time to research its functions and accessories that will best meet your needs, and then read all you can about how to use your camera and its features.
Photo tips
I do have a few tips for taking photos for Instagram, whether you’re using a camera or iPhone.
- Take several photographs of the same space at different times of the day when the lighting is different. You will soon discover that some spaces are too dimly lit at certain times of the day and others may have too much direct sunlight at certain times. I have found that my photos are the best when the lights are off and there is plenty of natural light. Artificial light can cast a yellow tone on photos. Too much light can leave your photos washed out or create a glare on reflective surfaces. If you have sheers on your windows you can close those to diffuse the light, or put a thin white sheet over the window.
- Take photos of the same space from several different angles. Get up on a chair, get down low, take full room views and close-ups. As you change your angle, you may need to adjust the positioning of furniture or accessories so that they are seen to best advantage. For every 20 photos I take, I may have one that is good enough to post on IG.
- Add layers to create interest. Many times, I’ve taken a photo and it looks uninspiring. If that happens to you, don’t give up or settle for an average photo, add some layers and create interest. A carefully placed pillow, a cozy blanket tossed over a chair, a tray with candles, or a large vase with stems or flowers will add so much interest to your photo. Keep an assortment of these things handy and it will be your toolbox to create more artfully layered photos.
- Keep in mind that you can use square photos, or portrait or landscape photos. I tend to use mostly portrait and a few square photos.
Photo Editing
- Finally, learn to use some basic photo editing apps, like Snapseed or Picmonkey. If you have time, invest in learning more advanced photo editing software like Adobe Lightroom. I often edit within Instagram. I don’t use built-in filters because they don’t give me precisely the look I’m going for. Rather, I like to brighten and sharpen my photos. Sometimes I’ll add highlights or tone down the warmth a little. Editing is such a personal reflection of style, so do some experimenting and see what looks best to you.
Before editing 
After editing
Add meaningful text
While Instagram is primarily about images, your followers will get much more out of your posts if you write something in the body of your post. This will help others get to know you and will help develop that connection with you. Share about your day, the details in the photo, or ask a question or opinion of your readers. Your engagement will most likely increase as a result.
Have a cohesive feed
I’m typically known for neutrals and I usually stick to that palette as that’s what I love. If bright colours are your thing, then stick with that. When someone scrolls through your feed, it’s pleasing to the eye if it looks like your photos could all belong to one person. Part of having a cohesive feed is knowing the direction you want to take on IG and having a well-developed personal style.
Be original and be yourself
As Instagram continues to grow as a platform, those with a unique style will stand out from the masses. Maybe you already know your style or perhaps it’s still evolving. I’d like to think that I’ve always had the same style, I’ve just learned how to express it better. We are influenced by what we see, so take in as many sources of inspiration as you can to help develop your style. Great sources include Instagram, Pinterest, magazines, travel, decorating shows, artwork, and nature. And remember, it’s fine to be a unique mix of different styles if that’s what really speaks to you. Some of my favourite accounts are unlike any others I’ve seen before. Don’t be afraid to take risks.
Invest in a good profile photo and memorable Instagram handle
Profile photo
A good profile photo is inviting and clear and conveys something about your personality and style. If you use a random photo from your phone, it will look like you didn’t make an effort. A professional photo is great, but it’s not necessary if you take the time to get a good photo.
Instagram handle
The best Instagram handle consists of words that are easily recognizable. If you can, avoid names that are overly long or that have numbers or symbols. For example, I wouldn’t use Willowbloomhome5509. The added numbers take away from the uniqueness of the name. A good technique for creating a name is to do some brainstorming to create a list of words that represent your style and your values and then try combining them in different ways. My name originated when I opened my Etsy shop four years ago. Since I was a wreath shop, I liked the idea of including the word “bloom”. I’ve also always admired the strength of willow trees, as they bend under pressure but don’t break. I wanted to include that because of the trials and hardships I’ve had to overcome in my life. I added the word “home” as I wanted to be known in the field of home décor and I love the sense of comfort and hospitality that it adds. Take your time to come up with something unique and meaningful to you.
Use hashtags on your posts
When people search for particular topics on IG, they use hashtags to find what they’re looking for. They will only be able to find your posts through this method if you have tagged your photos. For example, for this photo, I would use at least the following hashtags: #farmhousestyle #openshelves #familyroomdecor #falldecor #pumpkindecor #whitepumpkins #falldecor #paintedpumpkins #diyshelves #shiplapfireplace #shiplapwall #fireplacemantle #greywalls #framedmusic #ottawamap
I tend to use about 15-20 hashtags. Don’t use more than thirty or your post text will be deleted. Also, make sure your hashtags are relevant to your photo and specific enough that your post will show up when the tag is searched.
How to grow your Instagram account- Interact with others on IG
When I first started investigating how to grow your Instagram account, I saw this recommendation time and time again. So, follow, like and comment on other people’s posts. When you follow or comment on others posts, they may notice you and follow you back. Once they are following you, it’s more likely they will see your posts if you have recently commented on their posts. This interaction is one of my favourite parts of Instagram so I do put the effort in.
Post regularly
Posting daily gives you plenty of opportunities for your posts to be seen and new followers to be drawn to your account. However, only post great content. It’s better to post quality content every few days than to have daily posts that aren’t your best.
Utilize Instagram stories
Stories are another way to engage your audience, grow your following, and draw people over to your current post. I find when I post stories, my account grows faster. I also really enjoy the feedback I get from my stories. It is also the one place where I share family photos and activities. Those who watch my stories get to know me a little better and I think that makes them long-term followers and perhaps even friends.
How to grow your Instagram account- Get involved in hashtag contests, share groups, comment pods, and follow trains
I think these tools are an important part of how to grow your Instagram account in a timely fashion. However, they are quite an investment of time.
Hashtag contests
Hashtag contests are weekly photo contests that you can either host or play. I host one hashtag with three other gals, #SeasonalDecorSaturdays, and every weekend we invite Instagrammers to share their seasonal décor photos. Right now, we’re asking to see Valentine’s Day décor. Participants simply follow the hosts and add our hashtag to their Valentine’s photo, then we choose a winner and promote them on all our pages the following weekend. It’s a great way to get exposure if you are a new or mid-sized account.
Share groups
Share groups are private message groups that share each other’s photos either in posts or stories. It’s a great way to make friends on Instagram and to receive exposure. An added bonus is that it helps fill your Instagram feed. This can add more diversity and interest to your account, but of course, try to collaborate with people whose photos you admire. These are great for any sized account. You may be asked to join a group or you can organize your own group with similarly sized accounts that share a common interest such as farmhouse décor.
Comment pods
Comment pods are also private message groups where the members like and comment on each other’s posts, usually on a daily basis. When people comment on your post, especially within the first hour, your post has a better chance of being shown to a wider audience. You have to be careful with comment pods as they are discouraged by Instagram and there can be penalties if it appears you are trying to grow your account non-organically. Comment pods can work for any sized account.
Follow trains
Follow trains are groups that get together and share a post requesting that people follow them. In return, the participants may be followed back. Some follow trains state that followers will be followed back, while others state that followers will be followed back if their accounts are found inspiring. Again, use these with caution, as Instagram discourages them. I find that follows trains work best when you have a smaller account.
Share photos that could be reposted by big accounts
Some big accounts and companies have hashtags that can be used to bring your posts to their attention. For example, if you have a photo that highlights an item you bought at Pier 1 Imports, for example, you can tag them and add their hashtag, #Pier1love, and they will see your post and perhaps share it on their IG page. Photos with products that they currently stock will have a better chance of being featured. You can also tag décor magazines like Better Homes and Gardens, as they often do features. Features like these will bring traffic and new followers to your account.
Are giveaways worth it?
Yes, and no. If you have completed all the steps above, then I think they are very useful, if you can afford it. If your account lacks focus and you haven’t had the chance to develop your style or devote time to photography, then you are probably wasting your money. People who follow you during giveaways will often unfollow if they don’t find inspiration in your content. If you have good content, then giveaways are a great way to get people to come to see your account. Giveaways share your account with a wider audience, and then they can decide for themselves if they want to continue following once the giveaway is over. Giveaways can be a good strategy, but remember to stay within your budget, and use all your other strategies too. When my account was between 10 000 and 30 000 followers, I participated in about 6-8 giveaways total. Most were about $20 and I felt it was a good investment. Once I reached 30 000 followers, I was asked to participate in many giveaways as a sponsor, meaning that the fee was waived. I still participate in giveaways as a sponsor because of the exposure and new followers.
Buying followers
I would never even consider this because it would be meaningless for me to have fake followers. Would I pay someone to be my friend? No, I wouldn’t because I would know they’re not a real friend. I want real followers because that connection and friendship is important to me. Buying followers can also get your account disabled, so it’s not a good idea.
Take the pressure off yourself
- You probably don’t need the pressure of daily photo sessions and trying to keep your house in a state of perfection. Rather, you can take batches of photos every week or so and then save them to be shared over time. I’ll do a living room/dining room shoot one week and then a bedroom shoot the next, for example, and then I’ll share them over a one month period. Sometimes inspiration does strike all of sudden and I’ll post a truly instant photo on Instagram, but that isn’t the norm for me. I have three children (all in school now), an Etsy shop, a home décor business, and now a blog, so my time is limited.
- If you don’t have time to take photos for a while, then share a favourite account or a stunning photo you have come across (always remember to tag the photo source).
- Don’t compare yourself to others. We are all on a different path and in different stages of our lives. Look at how far you’ve come and remember to celebrate your accomplishments. I didn’t begin my Instagram journey until after my 40th birthday, so you are probably way ahead of me!
- Remember that there will be slow times and this is just part of your path forward. You can take any setback and use it as a learning experience and an opportunity.
How to grow your Instagram account- Learn more
If you want to learn more on how to grow your Instagram account, Julie and Jodie of the Design Twins have an entire blogging series on how to navigate and grow your Instagram account. They truly are experts on Instagram and I am a huge fan of theirs. They now also offer retreats to gorgeous destinations where you can learn about developing your Instagram account.
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