I still remember the day I decided to get “serious” about my small jewelry business on Instagram. I spent a ridiculous number of hours crafting what I thought was the perfect bio, only to realize later I forgot the most crucial detail: a call-to-action. Honestly, I was so focused on making the bio sound cool that I forgot to call anyone to action, like DM me or check out my shop. That one little oversight probably cost me dozens of potential customers. Since then, I’ve learned a lot by trying and experimenting with different approaches to get followers on Instagram.
I’d like to share with you the most important things that I learned from it all, so you won’t make the same mistakes.
Writing an Engaging Bio to Get Followers on Instagram
When someone lands on your profile, your bio is often the very first thing they read. Think of it as your digital handshake, it should be brief, clear, and compelling. After my disastrous “perfect” bio (with no call-to-action, mind you), I made a point to incorporate a short statement that explained what I do, who I help, and what I wanted people to do next. Something like:
“Helping entrepreneurs grow their brands. DM for tips!”
It immediately lets visitors know why I’m on Instagram and how they can engage with me. Don’t be afraid to inject a little personality, just make sure it’s in line with your brand voice. In my case, this casual tone got me followers on Instagram, friendly style works because I’m just a small business trying to connect with like-minded individuals. If your brand is more corporate, you’ll probably want to adjust the style accordingly.
Choosing the Perfect Profile Picture
At first, my profile pic was a random snapshot from a vacation in Spain. Sure, it was a fun memory, but it did nothing to represent my jewelry brand. A clear, high-resolution headshot works best if you’re a personal brand. If you’re running a company, opt for a recognizable logo. According to TopTierSMM, your profile image is the first thing people see, so it needs to be:
- Clear and high-quality
- Relevant to your brand
- Easily recognizable even in a small circle
With their amazing guides and services, you can grow your Instagram with TopTierSMM.
Optimizing Highlights
Instagram Stories is a great way to get followers on Instagram and for many new followers, can be an easy way to understand what a page is about in just one glance. I remember putting random Stories in my Highlights when I first started with no rhyme or reason; it would look cluttered and confusing. Nowadays, I group them logically:
- Tips & Tricks
- Behind the Scenes
- Client Testimonials
- New Arrivals
One time, I accidentally mixed personal vacation stories into my “Behind the Scenes” Highlight. It showcased more of me devouring gelato than making jewelry—fun, but not quite on-brand.
Strategic Username Selection
My very first Instagram handle ever was @JewelryHobbies_123. It was weird and long-winded, so not easy for anyone to remember. The numbers really made it look even less professional. Later, I changed it to my actual brand name—short and sweet. So, much easier to search and feels more in line with my business.
Understanding Your Target Audience
When I first started out, I posted a little bit of everything: pictures of my dog, my lunch, random selfies, and every once in a while, my jewelry. Guess what? My audience was confused—and uninterested. But when I really started concentrating on my craft—showing the design process, posting styling tips, sharing behind-the-scenes of packaging orders—my engagement took off.
Ask Yourself These Questions:
- How old are they?
- What are they interested in?
- What can you help them with?
By discovering these details, you can create content that caters precisely to what individuals are searching for. It’s not boasting of everything in your life; rather it’s sharing those parts that will appeal to your targeted audience, and you can get more followers.
Making Quality Content
Instagram is a visual platform, so crisp, well-lit photos and videos are a must. In my early days, I’d post blurry snapshots of bracelets under harsh kitchen lighting. No surprise, those didn’t get much love. Upgrading to even a basic light box or using natural sunlight can make a world of difference.
Storytelling Matters
Rather than just posting a product photo with “New item!” in the caption, I share the inspiration behind each design—like how I sketched it on a napkin while traveling. This narrative hook helps potential customers form a deeper connection, making them more likely to comment, like, or even buy.
Hashtag Strategy
Hashtags aren’t magic; however, used carefully, they do put your content in front of the right people. My usual recipe includes the following ingredients: Popular Hashtags, Niche-Specific Hashtags, and placing them naturally rather than stuffing them.
This approach narrows down the vast Instagram audience to those who are genuinely interested in what you offer. For instance, in the past, I’d copy-paste the same 30 hashtags for every single post, sometimes including irrelevant ones like #dogsofinstagram because I thought “maybe dog lovers will also like jewelry?” well, it was a rubbish idea so don’t make my mistake here and always align your hashtags with your actual content.
Engagement Boosting
Engagement is a two-way street. Consistently responding to comments and DMs makes your profile feel alive. Seeing you actively respond, people are more inclined to leave a comment the next time around.
Interactive Stories
Use engagement stickers (polls, quizzes, question boxes) to spark interaction. A simple poll like “Which do you prefer, gold or silver?” not only encourages people to vote but also invites them to DM you for more info or styling tips.
Leveraging Reels and Stories
Reels have been a game-changer to get more followers on Instagram. I once posted a Reel showing the step-by-step creation of a custom necklace set to upbeat music. It gained 500 new followers in just a few days, something I’d never achieved with static posts. Stories, meanwhile, help to keep you on your followers’ radars day-to-day. Sharing quick updates or behind-the-scenes moments humanizes your brand.
I once posted a Reel without any caption or hashtags because I was in a rush. It didn’t do nearly as well. A good caption and relevant hashtags can make your Reel more discoverable.
Collaborations with influencers
Collaborations don’t have to mean partnering with mega-celebrities. One time, I did a collab with a micro-influencer—someone who really loves handmade jewelry and has an extremely engaged audience. We ran a simple giveaway, and we both grew in our followings. Authentic collaborations work best; stick to influencers whose followers mesh well with your niche.
Running Giveaways
Host a giveaway in order to spike some excitement and have new people check out your profile. Give away a prize that resonates with your audience, something like a custom piece from your product line. Make it clear what the rules are—whether it’s following, liking, commenting, or tagging friends—so people know how to enter. It’s the quickest way to spike engagement and gain new followers who are really interested in your brand.
Track Performance
Don’t guess. Use Instagram Insights to see which posts or Reels get the most engagement. For me, Reels perform way better than photos, so I invest more in creating short video content. Insights will also tell you when your audience is most active, allowing you to time your posts for maximum visibility.
Consistency is Key
Consistency breeds familiarity. Whether you post daily or a few times a week, stick to a schedule that you can maintain. I use a content calendar on my phone with reminders so I never forget to post. Over time, your followers will come to expect and look forward to your updates.
Final Thoughts
Optimizing your Instagram profile doesn’t have to be rocket science. Start by re-refining your bio, updating your profile picture, and making sure that your Highlights are logically grouped. Continue experimenting: track your performance, engage your audience, and post content that really speaks to them. Each little tweak brings you closer to an active and dynamic presence on Instagram—a journey of trial and error.
Ready to take it to the next level? So go ahead, make a tiny change today: update your bio, change your profile picture, or plan a fun Reel. You’ll be amazed at how even the smallest of tweaks can make such a huge difference. Here is to creating an Instagram profile that truly reflects your brand and connects with your people!