0 to 1000 Instagram Followers in 4 steps
If I were starting my Instagram page from scratch in 2024 (or trying to grow it), this is what I would be doing.
These are actually the same strategies I am using myself on my own account @thelittledesigncorner (with more than 135,000 followers) - so I know they work! :)
1: Create a “binge-able” feed
think like Netflix - create a feed that people get immersed in and want to keep reading and watching
create posts that contain quick, actionable transformations (e.g. get them from Point A to Point B in each post that you share)
If you’re not sure how, try as many different content types as you can (reels, stories, carousel posts etc.) and see what people enjoy from you (and what you enjoy making)
make more of the types of content that get the highest engagement (you can check this in your insights if you’re got a business account, which I recommend you have)
2: Get better at story telling
people are sick of surface-level, how-to content (it’s everywhere) - it’s also easy to replicate by ChatGPT and other AI models
weave your story and experience into your content
share more “how I” content rather than “how to” content
put yourself into more of your content - show up face to camera regularly in your stories and in some of your reels as well
3: Know your content categories
Make a list of 8-12 topics that you will talk about with your content
Here’s some of mine:
branding
Canva
client experience
content creation
design tips
lead generation
finding a niche
business operations
marketing a design business
Notion
pricing
productivity
SketchUp
sales
systems
4: Create content types
Make a list of the type of content you’ll create
Here’s some of mine:
behind the scenes
list
POV
resource
social proof
student projects
stories
tip or tutorial
unpopular opinion
I then put all this into a matrix in Notion and can use this to easily brainstorm content ideas.
This is a system that I adapted after taking a course by Justin Welsh on content creation (which I found helpful).
You can get my Notion content templates in my shop if you’re interested.
5: Get known
when you start your new page nobody is going to know you
so you have to go out and get known
here’s some ideas:
go to the creators in your niche who you enjoy
comment on their content
reach out in the DMs
share their stuff to your page
build relationships with people in their comments area by posting helpful responses to their questions
You then need to do the steps described in this post over and over again, day after day (even when you aren’t seeing any progress).
It takes time to get traction on Instagram, so be patient and put in consistent effort and remember to keep iterating and improving what you do each day.
I hope that gives you some ideas!
Thanks for reading and catch you in my next post :)
Clare x
Dr Clare Le Roy
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