Disclaimer: I am not an expert, I tried it and it worked for me [It might not work for everyone]
Instagram Following:
I don’t know if 6 weeks is enough time to test a method but I tried it and it worked. Although, I am not where I wish to be, but the difference is clear. Several weeks ago, I read about how to increase social media following on one of my various favourite social media experts website. So, after digesting the knowledge, I decided to try it out myself.
This is actually the first time I am religiously paying extra attention to building my following. Just like every blogger, I post pictures and use the popular hashtags with hope to attract more people to my page. But, after reading the article, then I made a decision to test it out. I gained over 800 followers in 6 weeks [If you follow me closely on Instagram, you must have noticed]. So, I thought, why not share with you guys to try out too and let see how it goes. Let’s get straight into it: [Scroll down to continue reading]
Outfit details: Shoes: Primark, Jeans: Zara, Top: Zara, Blazer: Random Vintage Store, Bag: Ailyofficialuk.com[Promo code: MARYAM05 for £5 OFF your order]
Fashion post: Styling Co-Ord with High Street Mania X Aily Official – Why You’re Going To Love Wearing Co-ord
- Location in stories: According to social media experts, adding your locations in stories help boost your reach and gain local followers. For 6 weeks, I tried to add my location on 80% of my Insta-story. Not to make it very obvious or expose your location to avoid any sort of risk. I minimize the location tag to the smallest and add it to a corner of my story no one will pay attention to cos it’s almost invisible.
- Re-shape your bio: See your bio as the first 5 minutes when you meet someone. They said: the first impression last longer. This is the first focus section spotted by anyone visiting your page. So, I reworded my bio and added the major things I want people to know me for which is related to my blog, personal details and important information for an easy contact. I am not saying you must do the same but you want to give people something interesting about yourself to look out for.
Related post: About With Ideal Of Sweden – My Top 5 Website For Daily Entrepreneurial Inspiration
3. Don’t use censored hashtags: I first heard about Instagram banned hashtags at The Blogger Point London Hangout weeks ago and I can partially confirm it can be part of those things stopping you from gaining new followers. So, during my 6 weeks test, I only used chains of popular hashtags in 4 posts. To my results, the pictures with popular chains of hashtags got fewer likes and engagement compared to posts without hashtags. So, most popular hashtags are censored by Instagram. According to Inc.com, use hashtags with less than 10,000 posts for effective return.
4. True niche hashtags: This, I can testify 200% grew my following. In 6 weeks, 5 major accounts reposted my pictures which attracted the type of following I aim to gain. 3 “Black/Melanin girls” promotion pages and 2 “Muslim” pages. This is because I used between 3 to 5 hashtags that correspond to my niche and also made my pictures “High-quality” as I noticed the pictures on these pages are of high quality [I had to step up my picture quality and editing game for this one] – Again, this kind of contradicted ‘popular hashtags’ but you just have to be very specific with the particular post.
*Other things I was doing was posting very early in the morning between 6am – 9am & Around Lunch hours [11am – 2pm], Restructured by blog-post & I tried Instagram adv once
Check out my Instagram @itsmaryamsalam
Last Post: How To Build The Perfect Team For Your Business (Your Team Choice Can Make You Or Ruin You)
I hope you’ve been able to gain few things to test out yourself from this post and I hope you enjoyed reading.
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Instagram: @itsmaryamsalam
Maryam Salam is the founder and chief-editor of Thebloggerpoint.com. She studied BA Fashion Marketing and Branding Degree (Business Dev) at Nottingham Trent University, the UK in 2016 and currently completing her MSc degree in Entrepreneurship & International Business while working as a part-time stylist at Karen Millen. She has collaborated and worked with several brands both in Nigeria and abroad such as ASOS, Next, Accessorize, Maju, Grass-field etc.
If she isn’t busy running around for meetings/shopping her next style content pieces. Maryam can be found creating fashion contents or working on developing business strategies for small and upcoming businesses. You can catch up with her personal fashion style and lifestyle in general here.You can also get in touch with her through mail: maryam.daisy@yahoo.com or on social media @itsmaryamsalam (Instagram)
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Perfect! Am definitely trying this out! Thanks for sharing.
You should.
Thank you for reading…
I LOVE YOUR STYLE.
My goodness, you are beautiful!
But aside from the flattery, this is a fab post, could you share what the banned hashtags are?! I’m probably using all of them haha!
Thanks again for sharing!
I’m away to follow you on instagram now x
Thank you, really appreciate.
Well, according to what I know, banned hashtags are the most cliche and popular ones with mostly over 20K+ post daily. Using it repeatedly can make Instagram classify your post as “spam”.
I use hashtags and recently noticed they don’t work as much anymore, that makes sense now. Thanks for the info, I’ll give a shot and hopefully it works. btw absolutely love your outfit.
5 stylish ways to wear all white by Munastiic
Thank you. Yes, I noticed the same on the post I use hashtags on. They seem to get less engagement too
Thank you for sharing! These have been somethings I’ve been doing and in just 2/3 months I gained 2000 so it does work! Thank you for sharing and BtW you are beautiful! I’m so jealous ❤️
OH, that’s nice to hear….Glad, I shared…
I should try this out, I hope it works
You should definitely try it…
I have actually seen your page grow it’s so amazing I love it!!!!thanks for the tips❤️
Anwwww, thanks…glad I can help
Annnww, Thank you for reading
I forgot to use hashtags on a post recently & got so much likes/ engagements compared to the ones with loads of hashtags!
No more popular hashtags for me.
Thanks for sharing this Maryam
Xoxoxo
I know right….Thank you Rasheedat..
I love everything about you. Your skin color ,style , orientation love love
Anwww, Thanks Shiella, really appreciate
Thanks I tried it and it’s working…. I’ll use it for the six weeks and see how it goes
Sure, use it and let me know how it goes
Thank you for sharing! You look amazing!
To get your posts reposted, did you use major accounts’ own hashtags?
xx Maeva
Anwww, Thank You and Thanks for reading.
Sometimes, I just tag them or use their hashtag.
I’d be trying this out 💙💙
You should definitely try it out…
I am so going to give this a shot….
You should….
Amazing, dear! Thanks for sharing.
xxx,
Tari
Thank you for reading…
Oh my! I don’t know how I’m just reading this. I’m going to give it a try. Great job as always Maryam!
I honestly dint know this “According to Inc.com, use hashtags with less than 10,000 posts for effective return”. I’d definitely be trying it out. Thank you so much
You should definitely try it…
Recently someone told me to use more hash tags but so far it’s not working…..but I’ll definitely try these thanks for sharing
Oh, really?
I love your play of colours on your outfit. I am definitely trying these tips out, can’t wait for progress. Thanks
What’s your Opinion about purchasing some Instagram followers and likes to growing an account?
Not advisable…organic growth is the best
Dope….thanks for sharing. Starting my vlog 2018. I’ve learnt quite a lot from you.
Great post