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9 DIY Instagram Growth Strategies to Grow Organically in 2025

Anthony Kelechukwu

October 1, 2024

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Instagram is a platform with over 2 billion monthly users, and is definitely one of the most effective social media channels for personal brands, influencers, and businesses looking to grow their reach.

But here’s the catch; the competition is fierce, which is why most people still find it difficult to even grow 1,000 followers on Instagram.

But wait, if you are wondering why your IG posts are not being seen, or you are still figuring out how to go viral on Instagram, don’t you think that knowing the right Instagram growth strategies is something you need?

Because following the the right Instagram growth hacks will help give your profile the boost it deserves and you will start seeing results organically.

So, this guide is packed with 9 effective DIY Instagram growth strategies that are simple yet powerful enough to help you see real results in 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Instagram has more than 1.3 billion monthly active users, making it a key platform for personal and business growth.
• Optimizing your bio, posting consistently, and using relevant hashtags are some of the best ways to grow your Instagram account.
• Engaging with your audience and using Instagram Reels are essential to driving organic growth.
• Proper analysis and monitoring of your performance can significantly increase your engagement rates and overall success.

1. Optimize Your Instagram Bio

Your Instagram bio is the first thing potential followers see when they visit your profile, and you know what? …first impressions matter!

An optimized bio with clear information can increase profile visits by 30%. But unfortunately, many people don’t pay attention to their bio simply because they think it doesn’t matter.

But the answer to “What drives growth on Instagram?” would start with making sure your bio is both informative and engaging.

In fact, Sharing a bit about yourself or your brand’s personality can make followers feel more connected to you. Just make sure you are giving enough information while being transparent and authentic.

Also, Like with SEO for websites, your Instagram bio should have relevant keywords so that people can find you through search. Ideally, using keywords related to your niche would be a good practice.

If you desire an action, like a website visit, make sure you include a clear call-to-action so that our visitors know exactly what to do next.

Here’s an example from Glossier Inc. Instagram page.

Did you notice the bio? “Glossier Inc. is a people-powered beauty ecosystem ✨Skin first. Makeup second.™️ 😀👋 Official Beauty Partner of the @wnba“

A bio like this is clear, concise, and provides immediate value to anyone landing on the profile.

It’s also worth mentioning that verified accounts see a 20% increase in engagement, so getting that blue checkmark is a goal to keep in mind.

2. Use TailwindAPP Smart Schedule

Let’s be honest, being consistent is the key. But when do you have the time to actively publish posts on Instagram? Sometimes, your busy schedule might not permit you to open the app the whole day.

But that’s not the problem. The real problem is that not publishing new content consistently will hurt your Instagram account, and drive your visitors away.

And yes, that’s where tailwind app smart schedule comes into play.

So, you don’t know what it is yet? It is a social media post scheduler that helps schedule out your posts during peak times to boost your visibility and engagement.

Tailwind analyzes your audience and suggests the optimal times to post when your followers are most active. That’s what makes it smart. On top of that, Tailwind can help you discover the best hashtags to use on Instagram to increase your reach.

It also has a built-in analytics tool that pulls data directly from Instagram to let you keep track of what’s working and tweak your strategy accordingly.

You don’t even need to hire anyone for the visuals because Tailwind has a built-in Instagram post design tool that combines the power of AI with your creativity to produce the best results.

All you need is to upload an image, or generate one and import them into your design.

3. Write Compelling Captions

Despite focusing on visual content, Instagram posts need a descriptive caption to make them stand out, especially now that everyone wants to be on the platform.

But what the heck are captions on Instagram?

Just like pin descriptions in Pinterest SEO, Instagram captions describe your images and videos. But not just that, they can be useful in engaging and encouraging interactions on your posts.

In fact, research shows that posts with longer captions (up to 1,000 characters) see 50% more engagement than shorter ones.

But simply writing longer captions isn’t the key. Your focus should shift to writing captions that resonate.

Tell a story that aligns with your brand, because people love stories. Use clear CTAs and hashtags to increase your chances of going viral on Instagram.

Remember, the more engaging your caption is, the higher the chance people will stop scrolling and interact with your post.

4. Use Relevant Hashtags

If there’s something you need to remove from your Instagram growth strategy, it shouldn’t be hashtags. Why? …because hashtags are Instagram’s version of SEO.

If someone is searching for specific topics on Instagram, what they do is simply type in a hashtag related to what they are looking for.

And that’s one way hashtags can be useful on Instagram. Another way is when your competitor uses the same hashtag as yours on their post.

Hashtags are clickable on Instagram, SO if one of your competitors is using the same hashtag as you, their followers might end up clicking on the hashtag, and your post might just be sitting right in front of them.

You might want to ask “How do i know the best hashtags to use on Instagram?”

That’s one of the best features of Tailwind app Smart Schheduler. Apart from publishing your posts at the optimal time, Tailwind helps you find trending and related hashtags to add to your post caption.

These hashtags pop up as soon as you start writing. And you can add or remove anyone you don’t want.

Pro Tip: Use 10-20 hashtags per post for optimal engagement without appearing spammy.

5. Get Verified on Instagram

Even though this isn’t a must-do, having that blue tick next to your image can help increase credibility. And not just that, it can also increase engagement by 20%.

The blue verified badge signals to other Instagram users that you’re a public figure or a brand that’s worth following, and not a bot.

Instagram profile verification is open to everyone, as long as you are consistent in posting, and your profile is complete. All you need is to head over to your Instagram settings, select ‘Account Center’, then ‘Meta Verified’, and follow the instructions.

Being verified on instagram is not only for celebrities or big brands. Even smaller accounts can also apply, especially if they have strong engagement and visibility.

6. Utilize Instagram Reels

Adding reels to your marketing mix is one of the most effective instagram growth strategies right now.

In fact, Reels now make up more than half of the time users spend on Instagram, and they are getting way more views than regular video posts. I’ve personally had Reels get over 20,000 views, which is way higher than my average post.

But why do reels perform so well? Why does Instagram love to promote this content type?

Reels were introduced in response to the growing popularity of TikTok. And Instagram is promoting them, aiming to compete with TikTok and attract new users. And it’s working.

To start with, Instagram reels have a higher reach compared to other post types, with an average impression rate of 67%, making them useful for anyone looking to boost their Instagram presence fast.

To make things even more interesting, Instagram has a section dedicated to Reels, so that viewers can easily scroll through.

Trust me, if you have a good caption for your reels, and you are using relevant hashtags, people who are interested in your business are more likely going to find you through reels.

7. Engage Actively with Your Audience

One of the biggest factors that influence Instagram growth is engagement. And you need to prioritize this, honestly.

Engaging with your audience can actually make your posts more visible. In fact, accounts that are actively engaged see an increase in engagement.

The more you engage with your followers, the more likely they will like, comment, or share your content. And the more they engage, the more Instagram pushes your content out to other people.

The easiest way to keep your followers engaged is by responding to their comments. It’s pretty easy to hit the “like” button on someone’s comment, but going one step further by replying is way more meaningful.

So next time someone leaves a comment, try replying with something thoughtful.

But don’t stop there! Engage with their content too to build relationships with them. Follow them back, like their photos, and drop a comment on their posts every once in a while. It’s a two-way street, if you show love to your followers, they’re more likely to keep interacting with your account.

8. Run Contests or Giveaways

Who doesn’t love free things? Everybody does, including you. That’s why running contests and giveaways is one of the quickest ways to grab attention and get new followers on Instagram.

When people see that they have a chance to win something cool, they’re much more likely to follow your account and engage with your posts. During my last giveaway, I gained over 1,000 new followers and my engagement shot up by 50%.

Running a contest gets people talking, tagging friends, and sharing your content, which helps you reach even more potential followers. Plus, the more your giveaway gets shared, the more eyes are on your profile.

When planning your giveaway, it’s important to offer a prize that your audience actually cares about. It doesn’t have to be expensive, but it should be something your followers would be excited to win.

For example, FlySafair airline offered, in a recent contest, offered free flight tickets as a prize, which was something their audience genuinely wanted.

You can also team up with similar accounts to reach a wider audience. Partnering with another account on a giveaway lets you tap into their follower base, giving you a boost in visibility.

If you’re interested in running a contest but not sure where to start, check out my article on the 7 Best Social Media Sweepstakes Tools for some great tools to help you manage and track your giveaway. These tools can make the whole process smoother and ensure that your contest is a success.

9. Use Attractive Visuals

Instagram is a highly visual platform, and the truth of the matter is that the quality of your visuals can make or break your engagement rates. Period.

High-quality images or videos can attract far more attention than low-quality content, with posts that feature sharp, vibrant visuals receiving up to 94% more views than those without.

But wait, what does it mean to create visually appealing content?

You might think it’s about having the latest camera or editing software, but that’s far from it. In fact, creating visually appealing content is about capturing your audience’s attention in a way that tells a story and communicates your brand’s message.

The hard truth is that users often make snap judgments based on the quality of the visuals they see. And as the platform becomes even more competitive, investing in good visuals can give you a significant edge.

It doesn’t even have to be expensive. you can find Instagram post designers on Fiverr for less than ten bucks!

Another important tip is to include variety in your content. Use carousel posts to showcase multiple photos or tell a longer story, and include short-form video content, which is increasingly prioritized by Instagram’s algorithm.

Should You Hire a Freelancer?

After going through all these DIY strategies, you might be wondering if you should hire a freelancer to help manage your Instagram growth.

well, the answer depends on your goals, resources, and time availability.

If you’re handling a business account or multiple social media platforms, outsourcing some of the work can free up your time and provide expertise that you may not have.

In fact, here are some scenarios where hiring a freelancer could be beneficial:

• You don’t have time: Consistent posting, engaging with followers, creating Reels, and analyzing data all take time. If you’re stretched thin, hiring someone to manage your Instagram can relieve that burden.
• You want expert help: If you’re new to Instagram or struggling with growth, a social media freelancer can provide insights, manage your strategy, and help you get more out of the platform.
• You need high-quality content: Freelancers, especially those with experience in photography, graphic design, or copywriting, can elevate your content quality, helping you stand out on the platform.

However, if you’re just starting out and don’t have the budget to hire someone, these DIY strategies should still help you grow effectively.

You can always consider bringing in a freelancer down the road as your Instagram presence and business expand.

Conclusion

There you have the nine powerful DIY Instagram growth strategies to help you organically grow your account in 2025.

Each of these tactics is designed to give your account a boost and help you get noticed in a crowded space.

One thing you need to remember is that growing on Instagram isn’t an overnight success; it’s going to take time to build genuine relationships with your audience, create valuable content, and be consistent over time.

So, whether you’re looking to get your first 500 followers or aiming to hit 10k and beyond, these strategies will set you on the right path. Take the time to experiment with each method, track your results, and refine your approach based on what works best for your audience. Before you know it, your Instagram account will be growing faster than ever.

Thanks for reading.

Which other Instagram growth strategy did we miss? let me know in the comment section below.