In January of 2020, I felt the same way you are feeling right now. Unsure of how Instagram works, not understanding why people aren’t seeing my content & trying to figure it all out! As a result, you have come here looking for answers. You’ve come to the right place! I am sharing the strategies I used to grow on Instagram. The truth, there will always be something else to figure out, so take it one step at a time friend. Instagram is complex and there are so many “Instagram experts” who know how things work. I am NOT one of them, but I am someone who has done multiple things to help grow my account from 941 followers in January 2020 to over 6k December 2020. I have had low times, high times, medium times, but these last 5 months my Instagram growth has been consistent because I stopped trying to play the “what is Instagram doing game” & provide value.

In this article, I will tell you how I grew my Instagram this year. By all means, I won’t hold back any secrets!

So let’s get started with the keys:

#1 Why do you want to grow your Instagram?

What is driving you? My why is why not me. Why can’t I be the person to share my creative gifts with the world. If you don’t know me already, I am a nurse and all of my life I have been creative in some way or another, but I always felt that I could only do one thing. I think it was the comfortable in me. You know, that voice saying you are safe here… you don’t need to step out of your nurse bubble. Nothing wrong with the nurse bubble because I LOVE my job. So what is driving you? Why do you want to grow your Instagram? (write this one down)

#2 Get uncomfortable on Instagram

Certainly, your comfort zone is NOT going to get you to where you want to go. The moment that I started writing things that made me cringe, my community began to relate and speak to me in a different way. Undoubtedly, being in your comfort zone does not serve you friend. I know we all imposter syndrome and feeling that what we do is inadequate. It is quite the opposite.. The world needs to hear your story. We need to know & someone out there is waiting for you to start talking so they can have the confidence to do the same. JUST GO FOR IT.

#3 Invest in yourself:

Honestly, I could’ve spent the whole year searching for things that I should be doing. Googling for hours and hours. Instead I invested in course which taught me how to do things. Don’t get me wrong, I did research and the learning is endless, but INVESTING in yourself will always get you to your point of interest quicker.

# 4 Community not Instagram Followers

Every single person who has decided to click the follow button on my Instagram person is a part of my community. A community that is absolutely amazing. One that helps one another, supports women, and lifts each other with positive words. Whether they are in my community for travel, blogging, social media tips or REEL help, I invite them in & grab them a drink. No follow goes unnoticed because it means that someone wants to be a part of the story you are creating. That being said… create a community to help you grow on Instagram.

# 5 Nurture your Instagram Community

Whether you have 1 follower or 10,000 followers, you should be nurturing them. I think this is why some of my friends want to call me a mama. Ahah. Honestly, take time to get to know your community and give them the opportunity to get to know you. Do not ignore them, but embrace them by answering DMs & comments. Nurturing your community will help you grow on Instagram. Remember unfollows are normal.

# 6 Collaboration on Instagram

YALL, this is the absolute best and most vital thing I have learned in my Instagram journey. I am not referring to engagement pods, but those people who you genuinely support. Find people within your niche and CONNECT with them. Instagram was created for connection and the best way to grow is by connecting with likeminded and never seeing someone as your competition because you are the light. There’s room for all of us sis! Joining Facebook groups is a great way to meet people.

# 7 Be yourself

Man, I harp about this every Wednesday on Instagram Live at 10am CST. You are the reason that someone clicks the follow button, so why change. Don’t get online and try to change yourself because that helps no one. There are some people who want to get dressed and be on stories. My community knows I will come on stories with my blue light glasses, hair in a bun & just have a conversation. If you are someone who likes to be dressed then DRESS it up! Just be you!

# 8 Be consistent on Instagram

You’ve probably heard this everywhere, but if you want people to follow you for content CREATE. You have to keep creating and showing up. Being inconsistent will not help you or your business. When I lived in California, I got so consistent that if I got on stories after 10am people in my community would DM and check on me. So create a posting schedule and STICK TO IT. Make sure to utilize “ALT Text.”

At the end of the day, I cannot wait to hear your Instagram growth story!

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