1. A regular posting schedule
Keeping your followers engaged, growing your following, and maintaining a professional image all come down to posting regularly on Instagram. Posting too little, or too inconsistently, can also hurt your position in Instagram’s algorithm, making it less likely your followers actually see your posts.
Aim for 1 to 2 posts a day as a general rule. Instagram Analytics can help you figure out the best times to post for maximum reach and engagement.
2. Interesting content
Share interesting content with your followers. Build eye-catching media using tools like Canva, Adobe Photoshop, or video editing software. Keep your images high-quality too, low-quality images make your brand look less professional and can cost you engagement and followers.
3. A recognisable username
If you run a real estate business, don’t name your account “ILoveCats21.” Work your business name into the handle, and use underscores or full stops if the exact name is taken. The same logic applies if you’re a freelancer or influencer, use your actual name so people recognise you.
4. An informative bio
Your bio tells followers who you are. Keep it informative, including your business name, what you sell, contact details, and a link to your website.
If you need to fit multiple links in your bio, tools like Linktree make this easy. Clicking a Linktree link takes users to a landing page where you can list several links at once, other social profiles, your online store, your company website, and so on.
5. A visually appealing theme
Pick a theme and stick with it consistently across your feed. Instagram is a visual platform, and creating aesthetically pleasing content genuinely improves your odds of success. Your theme can be as simple as a consistent filter, or more involved, like alternating between black and white image backgrounds.
6. The right hashtags
Instagram lets you use up to 30 hashtags per post, but that’s not actually a good idea if you want your account to thrive. Too many hashtags, or overly generic ones, come across as repetitive, desperate, and frankly spammy.
Stick to 5 to 9 hashtags that are genuinely specific to your content instead. Skip generic tags like #photooftheday, and avoid follow or like-swapping tags like #like4like entirely.
7. Engaging captions
Instagram allows captions up to 2,200 characters, but only the first two lines show before someone taps “more.” Use those two lines to hook people and make them want to keep reading.
On top of that, people tend to skim long captions rather than read them in full. Keep captions short and to the point. For organic posts, aim for 130 to 150 characters, and for ads, closer to 125.
Breaking longer captions into short paragraphs also helps, they’re easier to read, and users are less likely to lose interest halfway through.
8. Replies to followers
When someone comments on your post, reply. Even a simple like or an emoji shows you noticed them, and that kind of interaction makes followers more likely to engage with you again down the line.
Don’t just reply to the positive comments either. If someone complains about a product or service, respond in a friendly, respectful way. It’s usually best to move the conversation out of the comment section, invite them to message you privately or send an email instead.
9. Influencer partnerships
Partnering with an influencer can genuinely benefit both sides. It builds reputation, extends reach, and often brings new followers to both accounts. Influencers build real trust with their community, and their followers usually take their product recommendations seriously.
10. Instagram shop
If you’re running a business, setting up an Instagram shop is a reliable way to boost sales. It lets you build your own online store right inside the app, making it far easier for followers to buy directly. There’s also a Shop tab on the Explore page, letting users search and browse products without ever leaving Instagram.
