Scaling your Instagram profile from 0 to 10k followers is tough. But once you hit that milestone, that’s when the real growth comes: you get new features (like adding links in stories), better algorithm reach, and more credibility with your audience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through proven and practical ways to get more Instagram followers for your business. So grab your coffee, and let’s dive in!

How to grow your Instagram followers from zero

1. Optimize your profile

First impressions matter, and your profile is the first thing people see when they discover your page. Make sure it’s worth following.

Use a clear, professional profile photo that represents your brand. It can be your logo or a product photo that truly shows what your business is about. Write a concise and engaging bio that quickly tells people who you are and what you offer.

Add a call to action, such as “Follow for weekly social media tips” or “Stay tuned for our weekly giveaway!” to encourage visitors to hit that follow button. 

And remember, never make your account private. We’ve seen brands try this “curiosity hack,” hoping people will follow just to see what’s inside. But it can backfire. Instead of getting curious, most people simply move on.

Instead, think of your profile as your storefront: it should be open 24/7, always ready to welcome new visitors.

2. Post frequently and consistently

Consistency builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust. The more regularly you post, the more your audience will recognize your brand and look forward to your content.

The positive news are, you can use Holo to generate social media posts faster, so you never run out of fresh content. Whether you need product shots, lifestyle images, or quick promo creatives, Holo helps you produce scroll-worthy visuals in minutes. No design skills needed.

But posting often is only half of the story. What truly matters is creating valuable content. Don’t just post for the sake of filling your feed. Share something that makes people stop scrolling. 

For example, if you sell skincare products, don’t just upload product photos. Share skincare tips, daily routines, or short videos that explain how to choose the right product for different skin types. This way, people don’t just see what you sell, they learn something useful too.

Pay attention to your visuals as well. Instagram is all about aesthetics, so make sure your photos and videos look clean, bright, and on-brand. Use consistent colors and styles so your feed feels cohesive and instantly recognizable.

Also, take time to learn from your competitors. Check what kind of posts get the most engagement on their profiles. Maybe it’s behind-the-scenes content, customer stories, or tutorials. Then think about how you can make something similar but better. Add your brand’s personal touch or unique perspective to stand out.

When your content looks good, feels valuable, and speaks directly to your audience’s interests, people are far more likely to hit that follow button and stick around.

3. Focus on Reels

If there’s one feature that can skyrocket your reach on Instagram, it’s Reels. Even if your follower count is still small, Reels give you the chance to appear on the Explore page and reach people who don’t follow you yet. It’s Instagram’s favourite content type right now, and the algorithm loves pushing short, engaging videos to new audiences.

Let’s face it, people today love watching short videos. They want quick, entertaining, and useful content that fits perfectly into their scrolling routine. That’s why Reels work so well they’re fun to watch and easy to share.

Keep your Reels short and catchy, ideally between 15 to 30 seconds. Get to the point fast and make the first few seconds count because that’s when people decide whether to keep watching or scroll away. Use a clear thumbnail that grabs attention at first glance, and don’t forget to add captions since many people watch videos without sound.

You can post product demos, behind-the-scenes clips, quick tutorials, or even relatable moments your audience can connect with. Mix in trending sounds or effects when relevant, but make sure the content still reflects your brand’s personality.

When done right, Reels can help your business grow faster by introducing your content to thousands of new viewers who might just turn into your next loyal followers.

4. Host giveaways

Everyone loves a good giveaway. It’s one of the easiest ways to attract attention and boost engagement on your Instagram page. People are naturally drawn to free stuff, and when done right, giveaways can bring a wave of new followers who are genuinely interested in your brand.

The key is to set clear and specific rules. For example, you can ask participants to follow your account, like the post, and tag a friend in the comments. You can also include a requirement that helps you reach your target audience, such as asking them to share the post on their stories or answer a question related to your product. 

This way, you attract people who are actually interested in what you offer, not just random users chasing free prizes.

Most importantly, keep your giveaways real and transparent. Don’t host fake contests or promise prizes you never intend to send. Trust is hard to earn and very easy to lose. Make sure you announce the winner publicly and deliver the prize as promised.

A well-planned giveaway can create excitement, increase visibility, and turn new followers into loyal fans who stick around even after the contest ends.

5. Collaborate with creators and influencers

If you want to reach a wider audience fast, collaborating with creators and influencers is one of the smartest moves you can make. 

These people have already built strong connections with their followers, and among those followers, there’s a good chance your target audience is waiting to discover your brand.

Creators know how to engage their community and present products in a way that feels natural and authentic. When they talk about your business, it comes across as a genuine recommendation rather than an ad, which makes people more likely to trust you.

The key is to choose the right creators and influencers. Don’t just go for the ones with the biggest follower count. Instead, look for niche, micro-creators whose audience matches your ideal customers. 

For example, if you sell fitness gear, work with fitness trainers or lifestyle creators who share workout routines and healthy living tips. Their followers already care about that topic, so your product will fit right in.

A well-chosen collaboration can increase brand awareness, boost credibility, and help your business gain real followers who are genuinely interested in what you offer.

6. Get placements on feature accounts

Another great way to grow your Instagram followers is by getting your content featured on feature accounts. These are pages that regularly repost content from other creators or businesses within a specific niche. For example, there are feature accounts dedicated to travel, food, fashion, photography, or even small businesses. 

When your post gets shared by one of them, your brand instantly reaches thousands of new potential followers. Getting featured is like free advertising. It boosts your visibility, builds credibility, and helps you connect with audiences who already love the kind of content you create.

To make this happen, start by finding feature accounts in your niche. You can search by using hashtags like #featureme or #yourindustrynamefeature. Then, look at the type of posts they share and create high-quality content that fits their style. Tag them in your posts or mention them in your captions to increase your chances of getting noticed.

You can also build relationships with these accounts by engaging with their posts, leave genuine comments, share their content, or send a friendly message introducing your brand. Once they recognise your name, they’re more likely to feature your work.

Getting placements on feature accounts can be a powerful shortcut to exposure. It puts your brand in front of the right audience and helps you gain new followers who already appreciate your niche.

7. Use Instagram ads

Growing your followers organically takes a lot of time. That is where Instagram ads can make a real difference. Ads help you reach a more targeted audience that truly fits your business instantly. 

And with Holo, you can create stunning ad creatives faster and easier than ever. Simply enter your website’s URL, and our Instagram Ad Maker automatically creates stunning Instagram ads based on your brand. 

Holo learns your tone, visual style, and audience preferences, then creates performance-ready content that captures attention and drives engagement. You can choose from several ad types, including:

• Feed ads to promote your products or latest offers

• Story ads to connect with viewers in an immersive way

• Reels-style videos to attract attention with dynamic visuals

• Carousel ads to showcase multiple items or ideas at once

Try different ad formats to discover what performs best for your business. Some audiences respond better to videos, while others prefer carousels or stories. The key is to keep testing and refining until you find your winning formula.

Check out this guide on how to create and launch Instagram ads for the complete steps.

Case studies and success stories

Nothing proves the power of consistency and strategy better than real stories. Here are two examples of how brands successfully grew their Instagram followers:

Goody – Data-driven growth strategy

Goody is a leading hair accessory brand in the US. But despite their established name, the company’s digital presence wasn’t very good; only 7,000 people were following their Instagram account.

Eager to grow their Instagram followers significantly, Goody started gathering and analyzing historical data to understand what types of content drive the highest engagement. They found out that quirky quotes and images of unique braids and hairstyles performed extremely well.

So, Goody doubled down on those content types, and in just two years, the brand managed to grow its follower count by 1419%. Today, Goody has grown a community of 99.3k loyal fans.   

Innisfree Korea – Blending creativity and collaboration 

Another strong example of Instagram success comes from Innisfree Korea, a well-known skincare and beauty brand. Their official Instagram account, @innisfreeofficial, has now grown to more than 800,000 followers, thanks to their smart mix of creative content and collaborations.

Starting in 2025, Innisfree made a noticeable improvement in how they communicate with global audiences. They began adding English translations to their captions, making their posts more accessible and relatable to international fans. This simple change helped them reach a wider audience beyond Korea.

Innisfree also gained massive engagement through exciting brand collaborations. They teamed up with MyMelody, Disney, Looney Tunes, and even K-pop star Jang Wonyoung as the new brand ambassador. These collaborations added a fun, trendy touch to their brand image and kept followers excited for every new launch.

Final Thoughts

There’s no secret hack to blowing up on Instagram. But with a solid strategy, good content, and the right tools, any business can build a strong, engaged following. Show up, stay consistent, and keep giving people a reason to hit “follow.”

Ready to reach more people? Try Holo’s Instagram Ad Maker and turn your ideas into high-performing ads in just a few clicks.

Sign up today, and let’s create something truly remarkable for your business.