8 Hacks to Instantly Blow up Your Instagram
Use your creativity to establish a theme, and be consistent. Check out the profiles of NG Weijiang, Func Media or Idafrosk for inspiration.Instagram is a force to be reckoned with. In April, it passed 700-million users milestone and judging by its growth pace, it may reach 1-billion by the end of the year.
Instagram’s growth is based on the continuous integration of new features: stories, filters, live video streams and multiple-photo posts. These features keep the platform immersive and entertaining.
Such an innovative approach lures teenagers and Millennials. Also, 68% of Instagram users are female and the platform is known to have a broad international outreach.
Besides, it’s worth noting that more than half of the profiles follow at least one brand, which makes the platform brand-friendly. Numerous businesses already capitalize on this opportunity. eMarketer predicts that this year, more than 70% of U.S. companies will integrate Instagram into their marketing strategy.
Whether you use Instagram for business or personal purposes, one thing is clear: building organic and engaged audience requires consistent effort. Like everything else, it takes effort and time to do it.
Yet these eight proven growth hacks will help you to achieve tangible results almost immediately.
Make Use of the Right Hashtags
Hashtags are the main pillars of Instagram’s ecosystem. Like in most photo sharing platforms, they are meant to categorize content.
One hashtag in your post already enhances engagement by 12.6%, and Instagram allows up to 30 hashtags per update. Every one of these hashtags has the potential to increase your content impressions.
You have to use the right hashtags. They should be relevant to your business or message. Thus, take time to do your research. To find more relevant hashtags, you can use Hashtagify.
Also, try to use tags that have fewer than 100,000 posts. Otherwise, unless you are a rock star, it will be a waste of a tag. It is easier to get noticed when you don’t have to compete with millions of people.
You can test branded hashtags as well. Making an impressive post may get you featured on brand’s main account which means extra exposure.
Compelling Bio
Like in real life, on Instagram, you only have a few seconds to make the right first impression. Make it count.
The best way to make a first impression is to tailor your profile to your ideal audience in a way which enables people to understand what you are all about quickly. People don’t like what they don’t understand. Make sure to be clear and concise.
A critical part of the bio is your headline—not your username. If you enter the right keywords there, people will find you naturally and you’ll gain extra exposure.
Post Outstanding Content
It goes without saying that you should give your audience a valid reason to follow you. Whether it’s breathtaking pictures, lifestyle, inspiration or your product, make sure your content stands out from the crowd.
Research shows that photos with faces lead to 38% more likes and 32% more comments. So capturing people in your pictures may be a good idea.
Use your creativity to establish a theme, and be consistent. Check out the profiles of NG Weijiang, Func Media or Idafrosk for inspiration.
Post Regularly
Consistency is a key for organic growth. Most Instagram bloggers recommend posting five to eight times per week. Others say that the unwritten rule of Instagram is not to post more than once per day.
Every fresh post re-engages followers and leads to potential growth. It comes with its own hashtags and puts you right back in the feed.
Of course, one size does not fit all. Some major brands post once every few hours, but that doesn’t seem to be a sound strategy for smaller profiles.
The best way to figure out your number is by testing different approaches. Experiment, observe and adjust your posting routine until you are happy with the results.
Tag Other Brands
Tagging brands means sourcing everything in your picture. If the post is excellent, brands may repost it, and it will bring you new followers.
Every brand is happy to receive free media. It indicates that people enjoy their products. Even if your picture is not reposted, they might reach out to you with an offer to collaborate.
Be Proactive
Engagement leads to more engagement. If you are proactive, your followers will respond. Reach out to new people, follow, comment and double tap their pictures.
You should also want to connect with other people in your community. Go after accounts which use same or similar hashtags as yours. These people are most likely to be interested in your content.
If a particular profile or a person interests you, it may be a good idea to offer them a partnership. Usually, influencers work together with other accounts that have a similar number of followers. You can agree to tag each other in the photos and captions, like pictures or even repost each other’s content. Exchange of followers is one of the most efficient ways to facilitate organic growth.
Work with Influencers
Look for the accounts that have a significantly larger audience than you do. Usually, accounts that have way more followers than you do usually ask for money before collaboration. After all, that is their business. The strategy works very well and it wouldn’t be a business if didn’t.
They will be glad to make a shout-out for some money. Just make sure that their audience is interested in your content. Plus, be ready to negotiate!
Make Use of External Services
If there is one thing that truly works on Instagram, it is audience engagement, and there is no other way around it. Unless you are a celebrity, you have to put work or money into it.
A sound plan to stay active most of the time is employing other people. Hire a social media manager who would gladly take over the account. A less costly alternative is to use services like Instagrowth Ninja that specialize in the organic growth of Instagram profiles.
Very often, starters on Instagram are tempted to buy followers, but that is not a reasonable solution. On the surface, the numbers may look nice, but all of the newly acquired fans are bots. They have no genuine interest in you or your product and are easy to spot. Eventually, it can damage your image and reputation, so the best strategy is to stay away from them.
Get our latest industry trends & insights into digital marketing.
Success Stories
Rebrand Boosts
Sales by 30%
One of Canada’s most trusted line of medicine cabinet essentials underwent a 360° branding overhaul to revitalize the brand image. Including a packaging redesign to stand out on retailer shelves, a complete website redesign, and a strategic email & digital marketing campaign.
GTM App Launch
For Gen Z Shoppers
From the founder of MediaAlpha (NYSE: MAX), Rocket is revolutionizing social shopping for Gen Z with a go-to-market strategy centered around relevancy and social trends in the U.S.
Emerging Brand
of the Year
An in-house product by func.media, acquired in 2023. What started as a proof of concept quickly evolved into a brand supported by major retailers, golf courses, and celebrities like Adam Sandler.
$2.1B Acquisition
by Shopify
The largest acquisition in Shopify’s history. Building the future of global logistics with an end-to-end platform that unlocks fast and easy fulfillment for millions of merchants around the world.
Engaging UX for
Gen Z Shoppers
With 91% of Gen Z accessing the web via mobile daily, this snack brand needed a site to match their behavior, and we delivered a mobile-first experience with a little extra sugar and spice.
Building a Premium
Healthcare Brand
Taking a science-driven approach to migraine and concussion prevention and recovery. Iatrogenix is positioned for go-to-market success in the health sector, their strategy emphasizes a premium visual identity that distinguishes them from competitors.
10x Increase
in B2B Leads
Building better client-facing workflows for the legal industry. With thousands of leads generated for law firms nationwide, Lawbrokr is well-positioned for Series A fundraising.
11x Increase in
Online Sales
We brought Crate 61 into the digital world through a 360° approach, including rebranding, a new website, influencer campaigns, and more. As a result, Crate 61 has significantly increased its market share, with major retailers like Whole Foods carrying the brand and over 75,000 five-star reviews online.
171% Revenue
Boost via SEO
Optimizing SEO for this popular ready-made meal brand translated retail success into digital growth, driving a 171% revenue boost and ensuring that online presence matches in-store impact.
100,000+ Users
in 3 Months
Building a user base of Walmart product testers nationwide. One of the most impactful (and cost-effective) ways to launch any new app is to have an engaged community ready to hit download.
SEO Optimization
for 1,000+ Pages
Sunshine Behavioral Health came to us with a challenge: update & optimize over 1,000 web pages fast. Through our strategic approach, we did just that while improving their SEO site-wide.
Sizzling
Social Results
Five Guys' passion for food is second to none, and they never compromise on quality. It's only fitting that their digital presence matches these high standards. Since taking over, our EGC approach has delivered on highly engaging posts that resonate with their loyal fanbase.
200,000+ Direct
Downloads
Despite this award-winning, Sydney-based game publisher being half way across the world and 16 hours ahead, we worked our magic with a focus on game purchases and mobile app downloads.
TikTok Sampling
Drives Waitlist Buzz
A TikTok series—centered around honest conversations over a glass of wine with a stranger, anchored a broader growth strategy that included 14 unique events and thousands of eager participants, creating a buzz (pun intended) that resonated both online and offline.
$1.00 Cost
Per Download
The live tournament everyone is talking about. The pogl app is the latest success story from Live Tech Games positioned to take over the US market with one-of-kind mobile experiences.
Swiping Left
on Hunger
Coined “Tinder for Foodies” by Business Insider, the Grublr app lets users swipe left on hunger. After achieving soft launch success in Florida, the product is finding matches for diners nationwide.
Helping Homeowners
Across the U.S
Your home is one of your biggest financial investments and it doesn't come with instructions. Upkept by Consumer Reports has made home maintenance easier for thousands of Americans.
Sipping (and Selling)
the California Dream
Bringing California to life, one pour (and post) at a time through a strategic go-to-market campaign and creative direction that turned this brand’s sunny dream into a thriving, marketable reality.
89% Increase in
New Web Traffic
Backed by South Asia’s largest apparel tech company, Femography by MAS Holdings has solidified its industry leadership through high-impact media placements and major collaborations. With coverage in over 750 media outlets, including Bloomberg and Business Insider, our efforts have resulted in top rankings for desired search terms.
44% Increase
in App Installs
The world's biggest poker room needed a big idea to expand its reach. By partnering with celebrities like Daniel Negreanu and the right mix of relevant, click-worthy content, our campaign achieved a 44% increase in app installs.
Surpassing
$2.5B in AUM
Evolve has quickly become a Canadian leader in ETFs since 2017, surpassing $2.5 billion in assets under management. Through ongoing TV campaigns and prominent displays in NYC's Times Square, we have driven millions of views, continuously contributing to their growth and success.
Over 10M+ OOH
Impressions
SYNC Wines’ OOH campaigns were strategically executed around select LCBO locations in key Toronto neighbourhoods to extend digital campaigns and encourage localized purchasing behavior.
Another Win for
‘the Great One’
Wayne Gretzky Estates is setting new standards off the ice with its Winery & Distillery. We drove traffic to the estate through relevant social media and content strategies, extending the Great One's legacy into the world of fine wines and spirits.
5.87x ROAS
$21M in Sales
From the founder of Cirque du Soleil, illumi is the world’s largest multimedia show. Millions of lights, millions of visitors, and millions in sales through an industry leading digital strategy.
Sold out
Across Canada
The latest venture by publicly-traded wine & spirits conglomerate Andrew Peller sold out in liquor stores across the country as part of the most successful product launch in company history.
AI Approach Saves
$50K in GTM Spend
Who said Paris can't be a few clicks away? By leveraging the latest AI technology and an innovative approach to product photography, we created stunning scenes that make you feel like we traveled through the entire south of Europe. Achieving efficiency and cost savings without compromising on the creative outcome.
3.5x Increase of
Social Followers
Owned by publicly-traded wine & spirits conglomerate Andrew Peller, No Boats on Sunday is a nationwide favorite with a loyal social fanbase and a variety of products sold out nationwide.
GTM Launch &
Funding Success
An end-to-end launch for the world’s first smart toolbox that’s redefining possibilities for tradespeople. Backed by a full-funnel approach covering strategy, creative, and performance to secure pre-orders and funding.
$0 Ad Spend, 5M+
Reached Organically
With over three million 5-star reviews on iOS, Musi has rapidly become one of the top music apps. By leveraging a purely organic social media strategy, Musi reached over 5 million users on social without any paid advertising.
$1.36M Sale
via Sotheby's
Selling the last Lamborghini Aventador ever made through the world’s first NFT auction paired with a physical sports car in collaboration with Sotheby’s, Steve Aoki, and Krista Kim.
+476% in Social
Sales (5.3x ROAS)
As the official hot sauce of UFC, Heartbeat always packs a punch. From celebrity collabs to features on the hit series Hot Ones, this world-renowned brand is backed by a spicy digital footprint.
Influencers Boost
Sales Nationwide
Swiss Chalet’s 65th anniversary campaign was a nationwide success, driven by strategic partnerships that leveraged the power of the country’s top digital voices to boost sales and brand status.
Trusted by Google
Microsoft, & More
BlueLabel, one of America’s fastest-growing B2B companies, has attracted high-growth startups and industry giants like Google and Microsoft, securing over 350 deals to tackle digital transformation and pressing business challenges.
.svg)
