So, here is what I really did, how and why: I think a lot of people use those strategies but most of them aren’t honest with it because they want it to look like “it just happened to them”. Believe me, Instagram followers growth does not “simply happen” – it is the result of a well executed strategy.

The alternative Follow-Unfollow Game

It happened to all of you: An awesome account followed you and you were super excited about it. Of course you followed back. But when you check the account three days later, you notice they don’t follow you anymore (in fact, you will only see that if you use an App like “Follow Cop” for that…)

This always made me angry and it still does. Those people are playing with your feelings and this simply shouldn’t happen on Instagram. It is however, because it works. You noticed that account, didn’t you?

So, here’s what I propose to get noticed with a similar approach that does actually not hurt anyone’s feelings: The Unfollow-Follow Game of big accounts.

When you follow big accounts in your niche, other people will notice you because you appear as a recent follower of this big account. If they like the content of the big account and yours is similar – they might follow you as well! So start following big accounts in your niche (you can learn from them as well!). And then, go through who they follow and follow them as well. The next day, you unfollow and directly follow them AGAIN. This way you will never be one of their unfollowers (and thus not hurt anyone) – BUT you will again and again show up as a new follower and so other people can notice you. And if your content is good (thus the basics) – they might follow you as well!

This strategy has worked for me and especially helped me to get my first 2-3k Instagram followers. I am not doing it regularly anymore (‘cos I am too lazy) – but it definitely works. Just don’t overdo it (try not to do that with more than 30 accounts at once) – or you will get banned by Instagram!

Loop Giveaways

Yes, Giveaways. You might like them or not – but they work. In fact, they are one of the few things that can help you grow Instagram followers quickly nowadays.

Update January 2019: I haven’t used any giveaways since October 2018 anymore. But since this definitely helped me grow in the beginning, I still want to explain this strategy here!

Usually they work like this: You collaborate together with 30-40 others accounts and buy a prize for the competition. Then you all post a picture of the competition at the same time. Normally there is a dedicated giveaway account (let’s call it ABC giveaway) that only follows those 30-40 accounts. And then in the caption of the giveaway picture there are the rules. Normally, they include that every participant has to follow all accounts that ABC Giveaway is following and that they have to tag a friend as a comment. ABC Giveaways collects the money from all participating accounts and pays some money to big accounts (500k+) to post the giveaway as well. This way the post is seen by a lot of people and thus a lot of people get exposed to your content.

Be wary though, there are a few catches with this strategy:

Shady operators: There is a lot of shady giveaway organisators right now that make a lot of money by organizing overpriced giveaways and not organizing good sponsors. You can always DM me on Instagram as I know a lot of them and can maybe save you from loosing money! Also, you want to be sure that the prize will actually reach a winner!

Wrong niche: If you are doing beauty and the giveaway is a travel giveaway, you will get exposure to people who only follow you in order to participate. They are not interest in your content and will unfollow you later. They will also not engage later if your content isn’t good – so first master the basics and then start with giveaways.

I did my very first giveaway when I was at 5k and that was a good idea. But once you are through with the basics this really helps to get that exposure you need. If your content isn’t what’s stopping you from growing – then exposure might be the only thing you need!