How to Grow an Instagram Community Organically

Building a strong community is the backbone of any business. The stronger your community is the stronger your bottom line will be! That’s why in this blog post I’m sharing how you can grow an Instagram™ community organically. 

In this blog post:

• Follow Hashtags
• Focus on a Strong Call-to-Action
• Spend Time in the Comments
• Slide into the Instagram™ Direct Messages
• Share Instagram™ Posts from Feed to Stories
• Use @ Mentions
• Find Partnerships and Accountability Partners
• Use Voice Memo in Instagram™ Direct Messages

#1 Follow Hashtags

Instagram™ hashtags will always be one of the most effective ways to get more eyeballs on your content. But if you want to grow your Instagram™ account organically, you can take your hashtag strategy one step further.

Follow hashtags that are relevant to your community so you’ll always see relevant content right in your feed. You’ll also never miss an opportunity to say “hello” and build relationships with other businesses and brands. 

#2 Focus on a Strong Call-to-Action

Instagram™ post captions are the billboards of your feed. If you’re treating captions as an afterthought you’re missing out on a great opportunity to spark a conversation with your followers. 

That includes making sure you include a strong call-to-action. Your followers should never have to second guess what you’re asking them to do. For example, take a look at what the SBZ team did in this Instagram™ post. We encouraged more people to join the conversation by asking people to tag their favorite accounts. A win-win for the Instagram™ algorithm. 

#3 Spend Time in the Comments

Another easy way to grow your Instagram™ community organically is by spending time in the comments. Forget posting and dashing. Trust me, if you’re creating engaging content there are a lot of opportunities to build relationships with your followers right there under your post. 

One way that I love to keep the conversation going is by asking a follow up question. That’s exactly what I did here with this follower who left a comment about my YouTube video. 

#4 Slide into the Instagram™ Direct Messages

If you’re thinking that you don’t have time to focus on Instagram™ Direct Messages (DMs), think again. The DMs are golden, especially when someone is engaging with your content on a consistent basis. 

Go ahead and send them a message to connect further. While this isn’t your opportunity to give a sales pitch, it is a great way to nurture a more intimate, one-on-one conversation. 

#5 Share Instagram™ Posts from Feed to Stories

You spend so much time creating beautiful content for your Instagram™ feed, why not make the most of it? The easiest way to do that is by sharing your Instagram™ posts in your Stories. 

In addition to your Instagram posts, you can also share content from other accounts. That’s exactly what I did here when I shared this awesome quote graphic from the Digital Marketer.

#6 Use @ Mentions

Did you stumble across an Instagram account you love? Or did you share an Instagram post that feels particularly relevant to some of your followers? Make sure you @ mention them. 

This simple engagement strategy lets people know that you’re interested in having a two-way conversation and nurturing real, solid relationships.

#7 Find Partnerships and Accountability Partners

One of the things that has stayed the most consistent since I started my business has been the importance of partnerships and accountability partners. 

I’m not talking about your best friends or family. Instead, these are fellow business-minded people who will keep you on track – and give you a dose of reality when you need it. I talked more about the importance of these collaborations in this IGTV. 

#8 Use Voice Memo in Instagram™ Direct Messages

Sliding into DMs isn’t the only way to organically grow your Instagram™ community with one-on-one conversations. Try surprising and delighting your followers with a voice message. 

It’s completely unexpected, and shows that you’re willing to put in the time to get to know your followers as individuals. 

Feeling Overwhelmed by Complex Content Creation?

Even with all of these organic growth hacks, consistent content creation can feel like an overwhelming task. That’s why I created this FREE Instagram training course. You’ll discover a simple 3-step system that every successful brand on Instagram™ must implement to attract buyers and leads.