7 Instagram Don’ts: Advice for Organic Instagram Growth
By now you know that there is not a secret sauce to finding REAL followers that align themselves with your brand. Only by consistently (and strategically) creating content and engaging with your audience can you find a voice amongst the masses.
While there are many strategies to employ depending on your objectives, here are some tried and true things that you should avoid.
Follow-Unfollow
Someone told you if you just follow enough people, they’ll follow back and you’ll be on your way to your own Instagram throne. Simply unfollow them later on once you’ve gotten their follow.
DO NOT DO IT. This is not engagement. This is not authenticity. This is not the key to a long relationship with a loyal fan base. You’ll also be discounted.
Like A LOT of Their Content
Trying to get noticed? Blowing up someone’s Instagram with your inauthentic likes is NOT the way to win their hearts. Instagram may even ban you if you exceed 60 likes per hour.
Leave Irrelevant Comments On Photos
Don’t get me wrong, sometimes this works and your sunglass smiley face emoji might hit the mark on that particular photo. Your insincere, “this is awesome” might even do the trick a time or two.
Imagine; however, if you took the time to actually find users that align with your mission or values and you provided actual value or humanity in your comment.
Hire a Company to Grow Your Account
You may have heard of companies touting insane Instagram growth but the question you need to ask is, are their practices in-line with Instagram’s terms of use (or are they likely to ban you) and will the engagement reflect that of real fans?
Automated Services
Along with the above, signing up for a software that utilizes bots to “do the work for you” will also likely be met with falling out of favor with Instagram. Be sure to check whether it is a third-party application Instagram approves of.
Using Irrelevant Hashtags
This is strategy often used in hopes that you’ll stand out amongst the others when they go down the hashtag rabbit hole. Posting a picture of ice cream and using #bestbbq might stand out in the flood of barbecue images but it’s not a tactic that promotes trust and loyalty of prospective followers.
Tagging Pages in Your Photos
This is tactic to use sparingly as a means to generate awareness on relevant pages and/or to add value to their page. If you’re constantly tagging the same pages as a means to be seen by someone (aka spamming their user-generated content), you will alienate and lose favor with those pages.
Conclusion on Organic Growth For Instagram
The truth no one wants to hear is that building a following on any social platform takes time and consistency. There are plenty of creative ways to do it while not coming off as a sleazy business owner in the process.
Instagram is all about finding your tribe and growing your community. Authenticity shines brightest.
Which of your least favorite Instagram strategies are we missing?!
Also, take a look at our post on strategies for local businesses on Instagram.
Follow our Instagram page (@livlenmedia).
