How to Get 10k Followers on Instagram? While getting 10k followers on Instagram might seem simple in theory, it can be challenging in practice. However, it’s definitely achievable with the right strategy.
The first step is to be realistic. Forget about those misleading claims that promise thousands of followers in a short time (those are more science fiction than reality!).
With a clear head, you can focus on finding the right 10k Instagram followers hacks. Keep calm and let’s dig into these hacks!
Benefits of 10k followers on Instagram
Wondering if having 10k Instagram followers is a good achievement? Sure, it is. Let’s just check the benefits of 10k followers on Instagram.
- More followers, more credibility: 10k followers (ONLY real ones) suggests a more established and reputable presence compared to a new account. This attracts more followers and collaborators.
- 10k followers= special monetization opportunities: Some of the Instagram monetization features like Live Badges or Instagram subscriptions are only available for accounts with at least 10,000 followers.
- More collaboration opportunities: With 10k followers, brands and influencers are more likely to partner with you compared to those accounts with fewer followers.
- More reach and visibility: Your content has the potential to be seen by more people as it appears on Explore and is recommended by Instagram.
How To Get 10k Followers on Instagram (for free): 17 Key Hacks
Here are 17 effective tips and tricks to help you gain 10k followers on Instagram.
#1. Define your niche and sub-niche
First and foremost, specify what niche you have expertise and interest in. Travel, photography, fashion, beauty, fitness, or more?
But, hold on! In a crowded social platform like Instagram, that’s not enough! You should also narrow down your niche to get more targeted followers.
For example, are you in Nature Photography or Portrait Shooting? Just be as specific as you can!
Also read: How to go from 1000 to 10,000 followers on Instagram
#2. Optimize your bio and username
A well-optimized bio can draw potential followers to your profile as you look professional. Say:
- Who you are and what you do (Be short. Do not exaggerate).
- What you’ve got in your bag! (What pain or problem you can help go away).
- Add a link and Ask users (in an attractive way) to join (Your website, YouTube channel, or any other platform).
Remember; an important part of Instagram SEO is using Your Primary Keywords in your username and bio. This way people will find you when searching for that keyword.
#3. Optimize your highlights
Instagram Highlights are like mini-portfolios on your profile letting you showcase your best content and key information permanently, beyond the 24-hour lifespan of stories. Do optimize them by:
- Group your stories into clear and valuable info (others are interested to know) like “About me”, “Travel”, or “Product Tutorials”.
- Design custom covers for each highlight. Use consistent colors, icons, or text to make them visually appealing and informative.
- Keep your highlights regularly updated.
- Put the highlights in a logical order.
#4. Find the top relevant accounts
If you want to be seen, you should make a list of top accounts doing well in your niche and follow them. But that’s not all.
Once you follow them, start engaging with them daily. Like and comment (meaningful and authentic) on their posts.
Engage with their followers by replying to their comments (If you know their questions answers, then let them know).
Moreover, relevant accounts could give valuable insights into your content strategy. Observe what type of content they usually post, what is the best-performing content, and how they reply to their followers’ comments.
Regularly watch them, spot any gaps, and fill them on your account.
#5. Post consistently
Whether you want to get 5k followers or 20k Instagram followers, you should post actively to stay on top mind of your followers and Instagram algorithm!
Consistency includes how often to post on Instagram+ posting at the best times.
#6. Try different content formats
Stories, Carousels, Reels, and Lives all help you grow Instagram followers organically.
However, you should figure out which one works best for you. This is very simple and only requires creating an Instagram content calendar.
Within a content calendar, not only you can define date and time, but also allocate slots for different formats (single images, Reels, carousels, and more).
Then, you can dedicate a week to exploring a specific format. Post only Reels or host daily Live Q&A sessions for a week to see audience response.
Afterward, monitor your insights to see which formats resonate best. Look at engagement metrics like likes, comments, shares, and reach for each format.
#7. Define your content pillars
Content pillars create consistency and clarity. By defining content pillars, you’ve got a clear framework for your Instagram content creation.
Start with these pillars: Educational, Promotional, Entertaining, and Community Buiding.
Now that you have pillars, you can use different Instagram post ideas from tutorials to user-generated content within each pillar.
#8. Create sharable content
Sharable content is the kind of stuff that makes people think, “Hey, my friends would love this!” and hit that share button. But what makes a piece of content sharable:
It evokes emotion: Something that makes you laugh, surprise, or even piss off.
It’s highly valuable or informative: For instance, teaches you something new or solves a problem. This could be anything from a life hack to a mind-blowing fact to a step-by-step guide.
It’s visually mind-blowing: Let’s face it, aesthetics matter. On a platform like Instagram, where visuals are king, eye-catching photos and videos are more likely to grab attention and get shared.
It’s relatable: People (including me) are more likely to share content that they can connect with on a personal level.
It’s funny or entertaining: Humor is a universal language, and funny content is almost guaranteed to get shared.
It’s trending or timely: Tapping into current events or trends can boost the shareability of your content.
#9. Pay attention to quality (Technically)
High-quality content (from a technical standpoint) potentially catches more people. So, pay attention to:
- Instagram post sizes for different formats.
- Good lighting like using natural light whenever possible.
- Strong composition techniques like the rule of thirds or leading lines.
- Basic edits like adjusting brightness, contrast, and color correction.
- Clear and free of background noise or distortion.
- Easy-to-read and large enough fonts.
#10. Leverage Reels and Lives
Include these two formats in your Instagram content plan. Why?
- Instagram prioritizes live videos on the Explore page.
- When you go Live, IG sends notifs to users.
Not still convinced? Learn how going Live on IG helps gain followers.
And Reels? Well, Instagram recommends Reels to non-followers, a wonderful chance to be seen, huh? Find out how to get followers from Reels on Instagram.
#11. Use clear & direct CTA
To increase Instagram engagement, end your captions with a clear and concise CTA that tells followers exactly what you want them to do next (Follow, save, share).
You can also use Instagram story engagement stickers (Questions, Polls, and more) to prompt specific actions from viewers.
Also, read: Why is my Instagram engagement down?
#12. Engage with your audience
One of the most effective 10k Instagram followers hacks is building a loyal community by responding to comments and DMs.
Show them how much you value them. If possible, reply to all comments. If not, create a post from the comments (problems or appreciation) and post it as UGC.
Thankfully, Instagram features like Saved Replies, FAQs, and Welcome Messages help you manage your communications with your audience.
#13. Use hashtags strategically
Hashtags are still useful tools to reach more people on Instagram.
If you want to use hashtags for your Instagram growth, consider these points:
- Include relevant hashtags and not popular irrelevant ones.
- Don’t use the same hashtags for every post.
- Use branded hashtags to get a targeted audience.
- You don’t have to stuff your post with hashtags. 3-5 would work.
#14. Collaborate with others
Collaboration on Instagram will bring you targeted followers if you partner with a relevant account.
The good news is that the Instagram collab feature simplifies this for you.
Remember; Look for accounts that share your target audience and with a following size that complements yours.
#15. Cross-promote your content
First off, connect your Instagram account to your Facebook page. This ensures your Instagram posts will be automatically published on your Facebook.
Link to your Instagram page on other social media platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, or X.
You can even send your page link through Email, SMS, or WhatsApp. Don’t be afraid to promote your account!
#16. Use handy tools
Let’s be honest! Without Instagram marketing tools, it takes much more to get 10k followers on Instagram.
So, don’t be techno-phobic! Use tools like Adobe Express, ChatGPT, Canva, Freepik, or Answer the Public to create content. They’re safe!
Go beyond these tools and try safe Instagram growth services like AiGrow. Imagine what a full package of features like Content Creation, Hashtag generator, Post scheduling, Advanced analytics, Unfollowers tracker, and more, would bring to you?
Organic growth in optimal time!
#17. Track and adapt
At the end of your plan (monthly, two-monthly, or any time), focus on key metrics to assess your performance.
Total follower count, follower growth rate, engagement rate, reach, and impressions are the ones you should track.
And then?
- Focus on high-performing content.
- If certain content types are underperforming, consider experimenting with new formats.
- If your Instagram engagement is down, actively respond to comments and DMs, or ask questions in captions, for instance.
Final Words
Now, you know all about 10k Instagram followers hacks, right? It gonna take time and effort, maybe a few months to one year.
While you’re creating high-quality valuable content with the right hashtags, optimizing your profile, and running an A/B test, you’ll face many challenges.
So, don’t give up, and stay away from shortcuts like buying followers. Instead, get the right tools to smooth your organic growth process.
10k Instagram Followers Hacks: FAQs
Here are the most asked questions about our topic:
How to get 10k Instagram followers fast and
for free?
To get 10,000 followers on Instagram, start with defining your niche and optimizing your profile.
Then, create sharable content with the right hashtags, and clear CTAs. Collaboration with others and engaging with your audience also help gain followers.
How to get 10k followers on Instagram without following anyone?
Optimize your profile, run a contest or giveaway, use Geotags, cross-promote your account, choose the best time to post on Instagram, and engage with your audience to get Instagram followers without following.
How to get 10k followers on Instagram in 5 minutes free?
To be honest, it’s not possible to get 10k real followers in 5 minutes. This process takes time and effort and investing in insightful content, regular posting, active engagement with your followers, and using hashtags and keywords.
