How to Get Followers on Instagram: 5 Growth Hacks You Wish You Knew Sooner

Alright, story time: Picture yourself as Nike. Yep, swoosh and all. You've got a killer product, a massive budget, and a brand recognized worldwide. So, how do you get even more followers on Instagram? Well, you don't just throw a few celebrity endorsements at the problem and call it a day (although that doesn't hurt). You get creative. Real creative.

Remember the "Nike React" campaign? They didn't just release a new shoe. They dropped a whole interactive experience on Instagram, where users could swipe, tap, and explore the features of the shoes in a way that felt like a game. It went viral because it was FUN. Yes, fun—something we all love but often forget when it comes to marketing. They understood that followers don't just come from pretty pictures; they come from engaging, interactive content that gets people talking.

The result? Their followers skyrocketed. And it wasn't just because they were Nike. They tapped into a key Instagram growth strategy: engagement is king. So, what's the takeaway here? You don't need a billion-dollar budget, but you do need to think outside the box and make your Instagram a place people want to hang out.

So, how can YOU, without Nike's massive resources, get followers on Instagram? Buckle up, because I'm about to break down some solid, actionable steps—no swoosh required.

1. Create Shareable, Interactive Content (And No, It's Not Just About Pretty Pictures!)

Let's face it, Instagram is a crowded place. Standing out means you can't just post the same old "look at my product" images. You've got to get people involved. Nike did it with an interactive experience, but you can do it with something as simple as a poll, quiz, or a contest.

Here's the kicker: people love user-generated content (UGC). It gives them a sense of ownership and connection with your brand. When they see their own content featured on your page, they feel like part of the story. And guess what? They'll share it with their friends, bringing you more followers.

So, how do you encourage UGC? Run a contest where users have to post a photo using your product or create a unique hashtag that allows them to share their experiences. Reward them with cool prizes or just a shout-out on your page. Either way, you're creating a cycle of engagement that leads to more followers.

2. Automate the Hard Stuff with Marketing Tools

Look, none of us have the time to sit around manually posting Instagram content all day. That's where marketing automation swoops in like your favorite superhero. Tools like Hootsuite or Later make it easy to schedule posts, track engagement, and optimize what works best.

But here's the magic sauce: automation isn't just about scheduling. You can use it to set up DM responses, track who's following you back, and even target potential followers with ads. It's like having a personal assistant who's obsessed with Instagram growth (without the coffee addiction).

Now, if you really want to get fancy, you can create automated workflows that trigger engagement. For example, someone likes your post? Send them a quick DM thanking them and inviting them to check out your latest product. The more engagement touchpoints you create, the more likely they are to hit that follow button.

3. Leverage the Power of Micro-Influencers

Sure, we'd all love a shoutout from Kim Kardashian or Cristiano Ronaldo, but unless you've got a marketing budget the size of a small country, it's probably not happening. Enter micro-influencers.

These are influencers with smaller, but highly engaged followings. They may only have 10k–50k followers, but those followers are loyal and trust their recommendations. Partnering with micro-influencers can give your brand that personal touch while still reaching a broad audience. Plus, they're often way more affordable than the big names, and their endorsements tend to feel more authentic.

Pro tip: Don't just pay them for a post. Create a long-term partnership where they become an ambassador for your brand. This helps build trust with their audience and drives sustained growth rather than a quick spike in followers.

4. Use Growth Hacking Techniques to Boost Your Following

If you want fast results, you need to get a little scrappy—that's where growth hacking comes in. It's all about finding low-cost, high-impact strategies to grow your Instagram following quickly.

Here's a killer tactic: run a giveaway where the entry requirement is to follow your account, tag a friend, and share the post. It's simple, but highly effective. You're not just gaining one follower; you're encouraging your current followers to bring in new ones. And once you've got them, make sure to keep them engaged with regular, high-quality content.

Another growth hack? Collaborate with other brands that aren't direct competitors but share a similar audience. Co-host a challenge or cross-promote each other's content. This way, you tap into each other's followers while bringing something fresh to your own audience.

5. Build Customer Loyalty Through Consistent Engagement

If you're just chasing followers and not focusing on engagement, you're doing it wrong. Sure, you want those new followers, but retaining them is just as important, if not more. The easiest way to do this? Talk to them. Reply to comments, respond to DMs, and create content that they actually want to engage with.

Building customer loyalty on Instagram is all about creating a community. Post consistently, but more importantly, post content that adds value. Whether it's behind-the-scenes looks, tutorials, or user shout-outs, your followers should feel like they're part of something bigger than just a brand.

And hey, Instagram's algorithm loves engagement. The more your followers interact with your posts, the more likely your content will be shown to others, which means more eyes on your account and more potential followers.

What Our Users Are Saying

But don't just take my word for it. Here's what some of our users have said about these strategies:

"We ran a giveaway using some of the tactics Byron suggested, and our Instagram following grew by 35% in just one week!" – Sarah, Owner of a Small E-commerce Shop

"The automation tools saved us so much time, and we've seen our engagement rate double since we started focusing on UGC." – Mark, Social Media Manager

"Partnering with micro-influencers was a game-changer for us. We gained not only followers but lifelong customers." – Lisa, Founder of a Beauty Brand

Get Results with FAISCO: The Ultimate Tool for Instagram Growth

So, how do you make all of this easier? Enter FAISCO, your new favorite growth hacking tool. FAISCO helps you create interactive marketing campaigns—like the ones Nike uses—without breaking the bank or needing a full-time marketing team.

With FAISCO, you can set up viral giveaways, create interactive game-like experiences, and track all your social media growth in one place. Best of all, you can get started in just 3 minutes.

Here's how FAISCO can help you get more Instagram followers:

• Game-based marketing templates: Create fun, interactive campaigns like spin-the-wheel or scratch-and-win that drive engagement.
• Viral growth tools: Encourage users to share on social media for extra entries, creating a viral loop of new followers.
• User behavior tracking: Analyze how users are engaging with your content and optimize your campaigns for maximum growth.
• Real-time data: Get insights into what's working and adjust on the fly to keep that follower count climbing.

Ready to get started? Join the thousands of businesses already using FAISCO to supercharge their Instagram growth. Sign up now and start creating campaigns that get results in less than 3 minutes!

Remember, it's not about the size of your Instagram account—it's about how engaged your followers are. So, let's build something that people actually want to follow.