I Gain 50.000 Followers in a Week / How to go VIRAL on Instagram?

InstagramMARKETING

Jul 25

I gained over 50,000 followers in just one week organically. And in this video, I will share the tips with you.

My name is Arina, and I am a brand designer, I work with visual design for branding, websites, and social media.

And I've been managing my own personal Instagram account since 2014 and portfolio design account since 2020.

Over the years, I've experimented with various types of posts and videos, but recently Instagram's algorithm has been changing a lot. Do you also remember Instagram without Reels? And even without stories?

Recently after different trials, my Reels started going viral, and I gained over 50,000 followers in just one week.

Today, I'm excited to share the strategies and tips that helped me achieve this growth so that you can apply them to your own Instagram journey.

Understand Your Audience

The first step to going viral is understanding who your audience is and what they want to see. Spend time analyzing your follower's demographics, interests, and behaviors. Use Instagram Insights to track which posts perform best and try to identify any patterns. Check what other people or brands in your niche are doing, that perform well.

Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, ask questions in your captions, and encourage users to interact with your content.
Research hashtags: Use hashtags that your target audience follows. Mix popular and niche hashtags to reach a broader yet targeted audience.

2. Create High-Quality Content

I know this sounds like a cliche. But quality is key on Instagram. Whether it's photos, videos, or graphics, make sure your content is visually appealing and professional.

Film with good lighting: You don't need the most expensive gear, but a good natural light near the window, along with basic editing tools, can significantly improve the quality of your content.
Focus on consistent aesthetic: Maintain a consistent style or theme for your profile. This makes your page visually cohesive and more appealing to new visitors.

One crucial aspect of building a successful Instagram presence is mastering your feed aesthetics and maintaining consistent branding. This not only makes your profile more attractive to new visitors but also reinforces your brand identity to existing followers. Here are some tips to achieve a cohesive and visually appealing feed:

3. Develop Your Visual Style

Choose a color palette and stick to it. Whether you prefer bright, vibrant colors or a muted, monochromatic look, consistency in colors and fonts can make your feed look more professional. Use the same filters or editing style on all your photos to maintain this consistency.

Plan Your Feed Layout: This helps ensure that your images flow well together and that your overall feed aesthetic remains cohesive. It’s not just about individual posts but how they look together.
Consistent Font and Style: If you use text in your posts, such as quotes or graphics, stick to one or two fonts that align with your brand identity. Consistency in font choice contributes to a unified look and helps in brand recognition.
Create a Content Mix: While maintaining a consistent aesthetic, vary your content types to keep your feed interesting. Mix up photos, graphics, and videos, but ensure they all fit within your chosen theme. This variety keeps your audience engaged while still reinforcing your brand identity.

4. Leverage Instagram Reels

Reels are a powerful tool for reaching a larger audience. The Instagram algorithm favors Reels, often showing them to users who don't follow you yet. And this is the strategy that worked for me. It doesn't mean it will work for you too. I see a lot of creators that leverage post carousels that go viral for example.

Be creative: Trends are great, but try to add your unique twist to make your Reels stand out - this is much better because then you can find a unique format or style that others will associate with you.
Hook viewers early: The first few seconds of your Reel are crucial. Capture attention quickly to increase the likelihood of viewers watching the entire video. You can film the same content, but hook it differently and it will get a different amount of views.
Use trending music and effects: Incorporating popular songs can boost your Reel's visibility.

5. Post Consistently

Consistency is important on Instagram. Regular posting keeps your audience engaged and improves your chances of being noticed by new followers. Here I wouldn't say that you need to have a rule. It is more important to just show up online.

Create a content calendar: Plan your posts to ensure you maintain a consistent posting schedule, if it helps you.
Create a visual feed plan: This works much better for me rather than usual content calendars. I created a free Instagram feed planner, it is fully editable in Canva. I use it myself and you can download it too in the description of this video.