1. Be committed
This is the only way it’s going to happen.
You need to be dedicated.
If you have an excuse, leave it at the door.
If you want to build your brand the correct way you need to be committed from the first day.
2. Pick an unforgettable name.
It needs to make sense to your brand and it needs to connect and be memorable.
Say out loud to yourself
“hey go follow me on Insta- [insert username here]!”
“Hey go follow me on Insta – @mamanowwhat!“
Is it “sunshinebabez718”
Because hello!
You’re a babe and you love sunshine!
Well, so do you 717 other accounts! Put extra thought into your account name.
This is how everyone is going to remember you and what they will call you!
Be authentic, be real but make sure to always be you!
A few of my favorite names are
@ashlifit - Unforgettable way to spell Ashli and her account is obviously about fitness!
@emilyhickblog- Unforgettable and I know I will it be a 'blog style' profile!
@momsarehiptoo- Unforgettable and it's a good reminder that even though we're Moms, we've still got it goin' on!
@fullcirclemom- Unforgettable and this will be an all around Mom page!
If you click the links it takes you right to their page! Check them out!
3. Your Bio
Your bio should basically be your elevator pitch.
An elevator pitch is a short description that explains your concept in a short period of time. You only get 150 characters on insta to tell every person who visits your page what you’re all about!
Make it count!
Mamanowwhat's bio is:
Parenting Blogger who gives tips and tricks for your family to have fun, save money and time!
We put in the effort so you don’t have to!
Join below!
Short, sweet and to the point.
Things I’ve learned NOT TO DO in your bio
* Try not to add a link that takes your viewer to a completely different site.
If it’s to your website, your blog, your store- that’s great!
But if you tag someone else’s Instagram account you’re telling them it’s OK to leave your page!
* If you are looking to grow or to become an influencer make sure your bio is professional
* DO NOT LEAVE IT BLANK. Use your 150 characters!
4. Create a theme
So many accounts have “presets” to make their page flow and be aesthetically pleasing. This gives your page a more professional feel.
Instagram comes with so many filters!
Pick one that fits your vibe, and stick with it!
I use the filters that are already on my IPhone.
I have an iPhone 8+ and I use the “dramatic cool” feature for winter. When seasons change, I will change my page as well.
I will change it up to more of a hint of pink instead of blue tone.
5. Keep your posts consistent
Have you heard the term “niche”
It’s basically a particular kind of product or service.
Parenting
Fashion
Handcrafted Good
Traveling
Nutrition
Whatever your niche is, stay loyal to that.
If you’re trying to become an Influencer or grow your account stay within your niche.
You are building your following and you want engagement so make sure whatever reeled them in, is what you keep posting.
Example: A Fishing Page.. the last thing your followers want to see is your daughters Chorus concert. You will lose engagement and followers if you don’t post within your niche.
If you have different niches to post about I recommend having separate accounts.
6. Connect with your followers
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT!
If you want to grow your following and engagement on your posts you must also follow and engage. PERIOD.
That’s why our #1 was BE COMMITTED. This is the biggest one so if you skipped passed the first 5
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ONE
You need to like, comment, send, share and save your followers post!
When they see you doing that they will do it in return!
This takes effort.
This takes time.
Most importantly it takes patience.
Lots of patience and understand.
You will like someone’s page and they won’t like yours.
You will follow someone and they won’t follow you back.
Those aren’t your people! Bye Felicia!
You want QUALITY OVER QUANTITY.
If you have 10,000 followers but barely any engagement that’s not Ideal.
So the ones who unfollow- let them go! They weren’t your people!
Once again, you need to like, comment, send, share and save your followers post!
When they see you doing that they will do it in return!
You have to get your name out there.
Unless you’re famous- or you know someone famous this isn’t going to happen overnight.
You need to find your Tribe.
Find your village that supports you and love you and celebrates who you are!
7. How do I connect with my followers?
When I first opened up my Instagram account I had no idea how to find my people!
* So I started looking up hashtags
#letterboards #iloveletterboards #bloggermok #funnymoms
and followed those so I could see who else was using them.
Connect with those like minded individuals.
Then I saw the #momsthatloop hashtag
* What in the world is a loop?
A loop is an Instagram account you go to and gain followers!
Usually it’s a distinct niche
“Moms”
“travelers”
“bloggers”
You sign up to post on a certain day, the Admin sends you an image and wording, you then post on your account and you get followers.
My first loop I did I gained about 300 followers.
My mind was BLOWN!
I had my account for about a month and I was at 200 and in 24 hours I gained 300 followers!
Most important thing about looping is NOW GO ENGAGE!
I send a direct message to 98% of my new followers!
It’s short and simple
“Hey new friend! We post funny letter boards, we hope you can relate to our page!”
BOOM!
They know I’m a real person.
They now know I post funny letter boards.
And I left them guessing... “would I relate to their page?”
So potentially, I will get my new follower to go view my page, like and comment!
THIS TAKES TIME AND CONSISTENCY!
I have realized if you don’t engage with your new followers they could potential become a “ghost follower” where they don’t like or comment on your page!
That can throw off your algorithm.
When you loop you will get people that unfollow you.
It happens.
I say to myself, BYE Felicia!
Those weren’t MY PEOPLE.
I know it’s easier said than done but don’t let it bother you!
I totally understand it's a waste of time when people do that, but don't let it discourage you!
These are the 7 accounts I’ve used to grow my following (loops and shout out accounts)
@momsthatloop @travelgirlsfollowloop @coffeetalkmamas @loopsformamas @mumma_follow_loop @american_hustlers1 @friendgagements
These ladies put so much time and energy into these accounts!
They are doing it to help us grow!
Thank you all so much for helping me reach my goals!
It takes a village and I'm so lucky we are in this together!
* 10 for 10
Have you seen a post like this?
These have been so helpful to me!
10 like for 10 likes.
Go to your friends page, like 10 of their photos and then they like 10 of your photos!
It helps boots your engagement and you get to know your friends more!
Which brings me to my favorite part of engaging!
* Making friendships.
Making real connections with people you may never have met in real life before.
I am apart of a few messaging groups where we all share our ideas, tips and tricks, encourage, support and love each other.
Build a community.
Build a brand everyone talks about.
8. Posting your pictures
* In your caption ask an open ended question.
Or just ask a question!
That encourages your viewers to comment!
* I also use an emoji to catch my viewers eye while they’re scrolling through Instagram.
* I always use 30 hashtags so I know my post is going to AT LEAST 30 pages!
Some people have mixed feelings about hashtags- they work for me and I haven’t found it to deter my followers so I always use them!
There are SO MANY apps that can help you generate hashtags that fit your photo!
Always use hashtags that relate to your post so you attract the correct following!
I personally use Tailwind- it schedules my posts for my best times of day and it gives me the best hashtag options!
Hashtags are great but you must use them correctly!
I’ve learned that if you use a very popular hashtag like #parenting your photo is going to be lost in the matter of seconds because millions of people are using it too.
Your photo will get lost in the mix.
If you use #myeverydayparenting your photo is more likely to stay on the top of the page, exposing your photo to more viewers.
Let hashtags work for you!
* Once you share your photo also share it to your stories with a “sticker” or “GIF” over it enticing your followers to go check it out!
9. Sign up for influencer programs
(If you read our previous post about becoming an influencer
you know what programs I’m talking about)
If you haven't read this check it out once you're done here!
They will repost your images!
That drives in real, loyal followers!
In your followers eyes, you’re already “insta famous” if a brand is posting your image!
It gives you “insta cred” and gets your name out here to their following!
10. know your profile insights
I highly recommend to switch to a business account! With a business Instagram account you can see all of your insights!
You can see profile visits, your impressions, your audience stats and much more!
This is so important for managing your account!
I also have the app “Followers+ 1K”
It shows me who unfollowed me, my ghost followers, media insight and so much more!
Most apps you have to pay but this app I’ve found it to be the best and it’s FREE.
Only down fall is you have to have 1k followers.
But don’t fret, there are so many others that are free and give the same insights for less than 1K.
Everyone wants to know their stats and these are great tools to help with that!
Google says in order to be an influencer you have to be at a consistent engagement of 3%!
To find your engagement
LIKES+COMMENTS/FOLLOWERS
Ex:
100likes+12comments/650followers= 17.2% engagement rate!
11. Remember why you’re doing this
If you ever lose sight of what’s going on
If you get stuck in the addiction of looping
If you get frustrated you’re not growing as fast as you want
REMEMBER WHY YOU DID THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE. Was it to make extra money for your family?
Is it to bring awareness to a cause?
Is it to promote your small business?
Use the swipe-up feature?
Whatever it is remember your WHY.
Skipped to the bottom, did ya?
Here it is in a nutshell...
Be committed
Create a memorable name
Your bio should be your elevator pitch
Stay within your niche
Connect with your followers-MOST IMPORTANT
How to engage/where to go to engage- MOST IMPORTANT
Best way to post your photos so you get more viewers
Sign up for influencer programs that will repost your images to a bigger following
Switch to a business profile
When you get frustrated, remember why you started this in the first place
I’m not an expert in anyway!
I am just sharing my tips and tricks that I believe got me to
10K within 6 months!
If any of this helped you out, drop a comment bellow!!
I HAVE NOT BEEN PAID TO POST THIS ARTICLE
Wanna read more?
Check out
5 ways for Stay at Home Moms to Make Money
Messy Play Activities for kids
These are all so great! I’m going to have to start trying to use these!
Another incredible and informative read for a wannabe blogger like me. Thanks for real leads that will help me launch!
Amazing post ! You had shared some of these tips with me during our convos and the have really helped me. Will be applying the additional tips you listed. Thank you for sharing! Real queens fix each other’s crowns 👸🏼💖
Thanks for all the tips. Going to make sure to apply these!