Wondering why your Instagram page isn’t growing followers?
Whether your IG followers have suddenly plummeted or you’re struggling to gain them in the first place, there can be many reasons why users visiting your profile aren’t making the choice to stick around.
Your profile is the most important part of your Instagram strategy - so if this isn’t optimised to its fullest potential, you’re not going to grow (no matter how many trendy growth hacks from TikTok you try!).
Keep reading to find out which areas of your profile you should be optimising so that you can gain more followers on Instagram and build the IG community of your dreams:
1) Your Name
First impressions count, and Instagram is no exception. As your nameplate is one of the first things people will associate with your account, you’ll want to make sure you choose a name that accurately reflects you and your content.
Your Username
Although it’s tricky finding a username that isn’t taken with the millions of users already on Instagram, you’ll want to pick a username that gives an indication of what you and your content are all about. It’s perfectly fine to keep this simple, too: my username @all.things.greeen is straight to the point and reflects my content accurately!
Your (Actual) Name
I still have my name, Naomi, within this section, but I have also utilised the character limit by placing some keywords here too. Try and choose keywords that accurately reflect your page, and think about what someone would search for in order to find your profile (e.g. Sustainability, Fashion). Your profile is SEO categorised, so be intentional with your keyword choices.
Your Category
If you haven’t already, switch your account to a Business/Content Creator profile and select a page category that accurately depicts who you are and what you do. Selecting a category for your profile also helps the algorithm more accurately categorise your page and posts!
2) Your Bio
Your bio’s purpose is to persuade people to follow you by giving them an insight into WHAT you post and WHO your content is for. However, you only have 150 characters to work with, so use them wisely.
Be clear about what your page is about and what content people should expect if they were to follow you. The more specific and niche your content is, the better. Why should people follow you? What will they gain if they do?
Entice them by listing the benefits of following you on Instagram by promoting the type of content you post. For example, my content on All Things Green focuses strongly on simple, affordable tips for being more eco-friendly, so I’ve mentioned this in my bio.
Finally, you’ll want to finish off strong with a clear CTA (Call-To-Action) to an external link, whatever you want that to be. Do you have a product you’re trying to sell? A blog you’d like others to read? The link in the bio is where your followers will gravitate, so make sure you state the value they’ll get from clicking through (e.g. discount codes/freebies).
3) Your Highlights
Never underestimate the power of your Highlights! The content you display within this section can be a great way to speak directly to your ideal audience and provide a taste of the topics you cover.
When posting stories, think about which ones you’d like highlighted for potential new followers to see when they click through to your profile. However, your highlights aren’t just for highlighting your best content - you can also take advantage of this section to introduce yourself beyond the character limit restraints of your bio!
For example, a 'Work With Me’ highlight can be a good signpost for businesses who want to collab, whilst a ’My Story’ highlight provides a more personal introduction to the face behind the page.
And remember, your highlights should have tidy covers and be clearly labelled. They're an opportunity to show your personality but should be tied to your page's themes.
Consistent branding is key!
4) Your 'First Six'
Feed aesthetics aren't as important as they used to be, but that doesn't mean they don't have an impact: these are the posts prospective followers will use to decide whether they follow you - be it consciously or subconsciously!
Now that Instagram allows you to pin specific posts to the top of your profile, it’s worth choosing six posts that show off your best content whilst at the same time providing an insight into what you’re all about for those taking a quick glance at your profile.
Scroll through your IG grid and think about which posts jump out at you straight away. Which ones would grab people’s attention, and which provide the most value to your followers? Make sure your 'First Six' accurately reflect what your page is about.
The posts should speak to your ideal audience and encourage them to continue engaging with your account - ultimately converting into brand new followers!
Want more insight into how you can improve your Instagram page to attract more followers? With our Social Media Audit, you’ll receive:
A SWOT analysis of your current Instagram strategy
Overview of Insights from your last 30 days
FREE Analytics Tracking Template
And 4 recommended actions to meet your social goal
Tap the button below to enquire about our Social Media Audits and follow us on Instagram @all.things.greenn.marketing for more sustainable marketing tips for brands and creators!
Thanks for reading, and best of luck with your social strategy!
Naomi 💚