How to Get More Followers on Instagram: The Content Creator’s Guide for 2025
A few years ago, I watched a friend go viral on Instagram overnight. One post blew up, and suddenly, she had thousands of new followers flooding in over the next few days. I thought, that’s it. That’s the secret—just one viral post. That’s what you should do.
So, I tried everything. Every day, trying to find trending audios, searching for hashtags, and posting at the "optimal" times that some gurus say work. And guess what? Nothing changed.
That truth hit me hard. I realized Instagram growth isn’t about a lucky post, or even following some guru’s “optimal” times. It’s about consistency and creating content that really connects with people. Because think about it—how do you scroll on social media? You mostly watch videos that resonate with you, right? Well, so do most people.
If you’ve been seeing so many others grow but you’re struggling with your page, and you think it’s because Instagram is “too saturated”—that’s not true at all. Data shows Instagram has 2 billion monthly active users. This makes it one of the top social media platforms in the world. You can make it—you’re just missing a system. And today, I’m going to show you exactly how to get more followers on Instagram, without spending hours guessing what’s working.
Step 1: Make Your Profile Impossible to Ignore
Before people follow you, they will check your profile. If your page isn’t compelling within three seconds, or if you’re not giving a clear picture of what they can expect, they’ll scroll right past.
Here’s how to fix that:
- Profile Picture: Use a high-quality image that makes your page look credible and approachable. Make sure it’s clear. If you’re a brand, you can design a logo on Canva that’s clean and recognizable.
- Username & Name Field: These are searchable, so include relevant keywords. For example, if your content is about workout routines, you could add keywords like “workout” or “routine” to your handle.
- Bio: The bio is one of the most important things, especially for a new account. By telling people exactly what they will get from following you, you’re not only building a brand message, but you’re also inviting people to follow you. For example, try to avoid vague lines like “Traveler. Dreamer. Coffee lover.” Instead, you can try: “Helping small businesses grow on Instagram | DM ‘Growth’ for tips.”
- Link in Bio: Don’t waste it. You can use the link to direct people to your website or any other resources.
Whenever I think about a client’s bio, I always think of it as a business card. Your goal is to make people recognize who you are, what you do, and make them stick around.
Step 2: Create Content That Makes People Stay
At the beginning of my creation journey, I used to post whatever came to mind, hoping growth would come magically. But what I found is that successful creators have a strategy. Instead of guessing, they focus on these three things:
1. Pick 3-5 Core Topics
Your content should be clear, consistent, and binge-worthy. Choose topics that:
- Are relevant to your brand
- Solve problems for your audience
- Keep people coming back for more
For example, if you’re growing a fitness page, your topics might be:
- Simple At-Home Workouts
- Healthy Eating on a Budget
- Fitness Motivation & Mindset
Now, every post fits within a bigger theme. They’re not just random, and this makes it easier for people to understand what you’re creating. And it makes them stick around more.
2. Rotate Through Content Styles
If you’ve been creating content for a while, you might feel like you’re saying the same thing repeatedly. That’s normal for all of us, but here’s a secret to keeping your content fresh without feeling like you’re repeating yourself.
Here’s a mix of content styles that work:
- Personal Stories – Share real experiences that people can relate to.
- How-To Guides – Teach something valuable, step by step.
- Common Mistakes – Call out things people are doing wrong and how to fix them.
- Lists & Quick Tips – Give bite-sized, actionable advice.
- Case Studies – Show how someone got results (even if it’s you).
- Hot Takes – Share strong opinions to spark engagement.
You can share the same message, but in different formats. This keeps your content fresh and sparks your creativity—you won’t get bored by creating new content.
Step 3: Engagement is the Secret Weapon
A lot of people think they can just start a page, post something every day, and leave the app, waiting for better growth. That’s why many people don’t make it. Just posting and ghosting doesn’t work anymore. You need to spend a bit more time being social on social media.
Here’s how to do it right:
Before You Post:
Spend 10-15 minutes engaging with other accounts in your niche. Like, comment, and reply to stories. This boosts your visibility before your post even goes live.
After You Post:
- Reply to every comment within the first hour.
- Start conversations in DMs—Instagram favors accounts that engage in direct messages.
- Post a follow-up story related to your post to keep the engagement going.
If you engage genuinely and consistently, people will start recognizing your name. That’s how you get real followers who actually care. Those kinds of followers usually stay longer on your page.
Step 4: Be Consistent (But Make It Easy for Yourself)
Whenever you’re building an online presence on any social media or in any business, consistency is key. Most people quit before they see results. They post consistently for 2 weeks, and in the third week, when they see they’re stuck at 200 views, they lose motivation. But here’s the thing—the longer you stay at it, the easier growth will come to you.
How to Stay Consistent Without Burnout:
My method was to dedicate one day each week for content planning. You don’t have to follow this exactly, but you can batch-create 1-2 weeks of posts at one time, then post them for the next 1-2 weeks.
At the end of each month, take your most successful post and start repurposing it—turn that one idea into multiple posts.
Example: A single Instagram post can be:
- A carousel today
- A reel next week
- A story series next month
- A newsletter topic later
Keep in mind that your audience isn’t watching your every move. They see different pieces of your content at different times, so some people might not even see your content if you’re posting reels. After the algorithm changed, I found that my carousels mostly reach my followers, while reels reach more non-followers. So recycling ideas is smart, not repetitive.
The Blueprint to Instagram Growth
Building a thriving Instagram following isn’t about luck or viral posts. It’s about showing up every day with the right strategy.
Here’s your Instagram Growth Blueprint:
- Optimize your profile so people instantly know what you do.
- Post valuable content that makes people want to follow.
- Engage before and after posting to boost reach.
- Stay consistent by planning, scheduling, and repurposing.
This system works—if you work on it.
Now, you can follow this plan and actually build an engaged audience.