5 Unpopular Opinions on How to Grow Your Instagram

It’s 2020, and we get it… everything is *less than* ideal this year, ESPECIALLY the Instagram algorithm and updates (like, can’t I just post a story without going to my profile first?!?!?!) 

And well, trust me, I know first–hand–if you are creating content you’re proud of, and it tanks, *even though you don’t need likes to make you feel like a valued and talented member of society*, it sucks. It takes a LOT of time (time=money) to consistently create postable content you’re proud of. Maybe you’re your own toughest critic (you are), but I hope these tips will help you change your perspective on Instagram and in turn, help you to grow your account into something you’re proud of. 

Stop posting when your Instagram insights tell you to, and start posting when its convenient for you 

Ok, maybe I’m getting ahead of myself here… but its very likely that Instagram insights tells everyone with a similarly focused account and in turn audience as yours the *SAME* best time to post. But by basic logic, using Instagram insights to see when your followers are most active does NOT equal the time when you are most active on your account each day, which means that you are NOT engaging with other accounts at that time, right? In retrospect, the time that you are most active and able to engage with people commenting on your posts/others posting at that time will do more for you than posting when Instagram tells you to and then logging off until later because you’re busy. So, take matters into your own hands, and post when it’s convenient for YOU! If that time doesn’t work–try again. If that doesn’t work, adjust your time hour by hour until you DO find time that works for your audience, and don’t be afraid to play around with it. I know, I know–it’s insanely annoying to have to post at a different time day after day until you find out what works best for your account; but trust me, its better in the long run to spend a few weeks experimenting with a time that works for you vs. having your account continuously hidden by Instagram.  

Switch up your hashtags until you find a set that works for you 

Sorry, but this one is non-negotiable! When combined with the time of day you are posting, hashtags are the NUMBER ONE way to grow your account and get higher engagement across the board. Finding the right hashtags can literally equal your account being seen by 500 people or 20,000. So, how do you do this? Again, I hate to break it to you–but there isn’t any magic code that I have *personally* found that works other than trial and error. Start by using the top hashtags for your dog and interests (ex. #goldensofinsta and #dogsthathike) and then search out feature pages you’d like to be featured on or if a brand you are featuring uses a specific hashtag, add those in, too. Compile different sets, and then make sure you switch out a few hashtags each time so that they’re relevant to whatever you’re posting. Switch them up on your posts, see what works best, and adjust from there! Again, it’s a lot of work; but if you find a set that works for you and can switch things out a few hashtags at a time, in the long run, you’ll be happy you put in the work! 

Stop tagging everyone in your post 

I hate to say it, but everyone hates spam. And I will be super honest with you; I used this method for a YEAR+. But, no one likes consistently being tagged in irrelevant photos, right?! And even if the photos ARE relevant… consistently tagging 5+ accounts in your post can make you look like a spam account. So, if you MUST tag–make sure they’re relevant or that you are tagging people with an actual product in your photo. Want to tag a few feature accounts? That’s ok, too! But do so sparingly, and switch things up frequently! 

Stop posting the same 5 photos on your page and expecting different results 

Do you look at your feed and have the same poses repeated over and over? Yeah, sometimes, me too! But the thing is–living in the age of technology as we do, its easy for people to get BORED, so the number one thing you need to do is catch their attention and keep it. I like to think of it like this; will my post grab your attention when you’re scrolling through your feed at night? Will my post grab your attention if it is on the explore or a hashtag page? Sometimes, people ARE able to create a signature look that people love to see every time you post; but if you don’t have a signature look, its important to change things up. 

Now that we’ve called out the basics, how exactly do you DO that!? 

Visit new places! It’s much easier to take a pretty picture when you’re inspired by the landscape around you. Can’t take a drive? Get inspired by other accounts you admire on Instagram, and PLAN OUT a photo shoot BEFORE you even get your camera out. It’s no secret; the people of IG LOVE cute things, so the cuter, the better. And BEFORE you get ready to post, download a feed planner (my favorite is the Preview app, free on the app store!) to make sure your post looks nice on your feed before you post it. 

Adding value to your captions is also super important, too! Are you teaching your audience something or taking them somewhere new? Consistently adding value to your captions by including knowledge or tips will make sure that people spend longer on your page, and value following you which makes them more likely to genuinely engage with your account.

Stay consistent and be yourself 

This is another one that I feel warrants a lot of eye-rolls (lol) but–it’s true. Not every post you share is going to pop off. It doesn’t really matter if you have 1k followers or 100k–unless you are Watson and Kiko and every single image you post is DEATHLY cute, sometimes the algorithm just doesn’t pick things up, and THAT IS OK! In times like this, remember why you’re posting in the first place–in my case, it’s because I like to create memories with my dogs and share them with the world. A photo that I am insanely proud of may not have the same feels for everyone else as it does for me, and that is ok, too. Accept it, and move on! Nothing grows your audience quicker than posting consistently every day. Don’t make sure everything is perfect–make sure its a memory you want to look back on and just enjoy the ride!

Special thanks to @huskiesofpnw and @dogguide_arkell for all of their help on consistently trying to crack the algorithm!