How to grow your Instagram audience fast

How often should I post Instagram stories?

Posting Instagram stories regularly keeps your audience engaged and boosts your visibility. Stories are casual, real-time snapshots that don’t need heavy planning. You can post multiple times a day without overwhelming your followers. For example, brands like Nike post several stories daily, showing behind-the-scenes content, events, and product updates.

Why are stories important? Around 500 million accounts use stories daily. Plus, 45% of the most-viewed stories come from businesses. Instagram says one in three stories leads to a direct message. This means stories open a direct line of communication with your audience, helping build relationships quickly.

So, start posting stories often. Share daily updates, quick tips, or even polls. For example, restaurants can post daily menu specials or customer reviews. Personal accounts can share moments from their day.

Need help posting your first story? Here is a simple guide on how to post photos and videos to your Instagram story.

How can I use story highlights effectively?

Story highlights extend the life of your stories beyond 24 hours. They act as a permanent introduction to your brand on your profile. Use highlights to group similar content, such as FAQs, promotions, or product demos. For example, a fashion boutique might have highlights named "New arrivals", "Sales", and "Customer reviews".

Creating an attractive and clear cover photo for each highlight makes your profile look polished. Apps like Canva provide ready-made templates to design covers that match your brand colours and style.

To create a new highlight:

• Go to your profile and tap the + button.
• Select Story Highlight.
• Pick the stories you want to feature.
• Tap Next.
• Name your highlight and tap Edit Cover to choose a cover image.
• If you created a custom cover, post it as a story first, then select it as the cover image.

For example, a fitness coach might save workout tutorials, healthy recipes, and testimonials as highlights.

What are the best hashtag practices?

Using hashtags correctly makes your posts discoverable by people outside your followers. You can add up to 30 hashtags per post, but quality matters more than quantity. Aim for 10-15 hashtags that are relevant and specific to your niche.

For example, a bakery could use #glutenfreecakes, #localbakery, and #dessertlover instead of generic tags like #food.

If you don’t want your caption cluttered with hashtags, post them as the first comment after uploading. This keeps the caption clean but still benefits from hashtag reach.

Do hashtags really increase engagement? Yes! Posts with at least one hashtag get more likes and comments than those without. Hashtags help you tap into trending topics and niche communities, unlocking new followers and customers.

How do I complete my Instagram profile properly?

Your Instagram profile is your first impression. Don’t leave blanks or vague info. Instagram limits your bio to 150 characters, so make every word count. Clearly describe your brand and what makes you unique.

Use keywords in your username and name fields. These are searchable and help curious users find you. For example, a florist in London might use "LondonFlowers" as their name to appear in relevant searches.

Also, add a clear profile photo, preferably your logo or a professional image. Include a link to your website or a landing page. Use the Linktree tool if you want to share multiple links in one place.

Why run an Instagram contest?

Instagram contests quickly grow your audience and increase engagement. You can ask participants to follow your account, like posts, tag friends or share your content. For example, a skincare brand running a giveaway for a product bundle might request followers to tag three friends for entry.

Partnering with other companies can boost your reach. Each brand’s followers see the contest, expanding your exposure. This method is common among fitness, beauty, and food brands.

Remember to clearly outline contest rules and prize details. Use Instagram Stories and posts to announce and remind followers about your contest duration.

How does embedding Instagram posts improve my blog?

Embedding Instagram posts in your blog adds visual appeal and interactive content. Instead of static images, you show live Instagram content that updates as you post new photos. This creates a dynamic experience for readers.

For example, a travel blogger can embed Instagram photos showcasing destinations discussed in their posts. Readers can then visit the Instagram page directly for more photos and updates.

Embedding also encourages visitors to follow your Instagram from your blog page, bridging the two platforms for better audience growth.