15 Effective Strategies to Grow Your Instagram Without Losing Your Mental Health

Do you want to grow your Instagram account but do not know where to start? Are you finally willing to work on your digital presence and invest in your marketing? Do you think that it is nearly impossible to do so in 2024 without losing your mental health? 

If you answered yes to any of those questions, then fear not, you are in the right place! The good news is that with a solid marketing and social media strategy in place, it is never too late to build an Instagram following that will help you spread awareness about your business. With over 2.35 billion users on Instagram in the world today(1), Instagram is still one of the preferred social media platforms many marketers use to help businesses achieve their objectives.

But first of all, why should you listen to me?

In the past five years, I have worked as a marketing consultant and a content writer for several small and big-sized companies from different industries based in Lebanon and abroad. 

From luxurious and prestigious jewelry companies to family-owned and service-based companies who want to grow their digital presence, I have been through it all. 

I know what it takes to grow an Instagram account and a solid social media presence that will eventually lead to successful results and help businesses achieve their objectives.

Then, let’s clear some misconceptions about Instagram:

If you think you need to be ON all the time and share every tiny bit of your life on the platform to grow, then you are luckily mistaken. I say luckily because if you are anything like me, then that simple fact is enough to make you put your phone down and never think about growing your digital presence at all!

Times have changed on the platform and today, you do not have to use the same social media strategies as before to grow. The overposting and oversharing that previously helped many accounts skyrocket, also led to the burnout of many content creators and influencers who abandoned the platform. (hello 2018!)

Today, posts are living longer and showing up three to four days after posting, allowing some breathing space for creators. This helps them tailor their Instagram strategy to their preferences and the preferences of their audience! Social butterflies could continue posting everything they fancied on their accounts, but more reserved and discrete ones now had their chance in the spotlight as well.

So whether you belong to the first or second group or are somewhere in between, there is a strategy for everyone, so keep on reading!

Let’s discover together the 15 Effective Strategies to Grow Your Instagram Without Losing Your Mental Health:

1. Determine your purpose: First things first, it is important to know WHY you are using social media in general and Instagram in particular. Are you using it to promote your business, share personal interests, or connect with like-minded individuals? Get as specific as possible about what you want to achieve via your presence on Instagram. Having a clear vision and writing it down will become your guiding principle when you eventually hit obstacles. Understanding your purpose and who you are targeting will help you develop a focused strategy. Which brings me to my next point. 
   

2. Identify your target audience: You might have the best content in the world but if your target audience is elsewhere, trust me all your efforts will go in vain. The next step, therefore, would be to study your target audience and determine if they are on Instagram. Understand who your buyer personas are and study their behavior. Are you targeting a specific niche or do you have different audiences? You could have several buyer personas with different pain points and different needs. Therefore knowing how your business can cater to their needs is an essential step that will help you create targeted content. I recommend that you conduct extensive research about your target audience and get into as many details as possible about your buyer personas, using online tools that will allow you to engage in social listening and gain insights about the needs and preferences of your target market.
   

3. Set your foundation: Once you have identified your purpose and your audience, it is time to go even deeper by asking yourself the following questions: a. What is your positioning and tone of voice? b. What are your competitors doing? c. What makes you stand out? d. What do you like and don’t like to share?  e. What format of content are you most comfortable with? Do you prefer to design posts, or create reels or mini-vlogs? Identify and stick to the formats you are most comfortable with at first, then once you have mastered them, you can start experimenting with other types of content.  f. What are the content pillars you will be talking about? It should be a middle-ground between what you offer, what interests your audience, and what interests you! g. And most importantly do you have a complete customer journey? Where do potential customers go once they are interested in knowing more about your service or they want to purchase what you have to offer? Having a clear and comprehensive customer journey will help you reap the benefits of the efforts you are making.
   

4. Create Engaging and Valuable Content: This might seem like a no-brainer, but I can’t tell you how many times I encountered people posting low-quality content for high-end products or services. Even if your services or products are more affordable, high-quality content is the key to attracting and retaining followers. I would advise you therefore, to focus on creating content that is informative, entertaining, and valuable to your audience.
   

5. Use a variety of content: It is also important to use various formats such as images, videos, reels, and blog posts to keep your audience engaged and interested. As I have previously stated, identify the ones you are most comfortable with and start testing what your audience is attracted to.
   

6. Consistency is crucial: Develop a content calendar and schedule your posts in advance to maintain a regular posting frequency, but don’t worry too much if you are unable to follow it sometimes. When you are overwhelmed with other duties, it is important to show up as minimally as possible - it is up to determine what that looks like - to remind your audience that you still exist and to keep the algorithm working in your favor.
   

7. Utilize Social Media Advertising: Many have criticized the latest drops in reach on Instagram, which is directly promoting its boosting services. Although the content creator in me hates it, and that is why I pace myself so much on the platform, the marketing consultant in me loves it! It is my holy grail because boosting your posts through social media advertising can give you access to a multitude of data and information. Which brings me to my next point.
   

8. Set clear goals for your advertising campaigns and monitor their performance to optimize your strategy. Define the objectives you want to achieve such as increasing your brand awareness or driving traffic to your website before you launch any ads. Once your campaigns are live, monitor closely their performance metrics like click-through rates and conversion rates. Analyze the data to identify successful strategies, as well as the areas where you can improve. Continuously optimizing your social media strategy based on data insights will help you maximize the effectiveness of your Instagram advertising strategy and achieve your business goals more efficiently.
   

9. Tracking and analyzing your data is crucial for any successful Instagram strategy. By regularly monitoring key metrics such as engagement rates, reach, follower growth, and content performance, you gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn't. This data also empowers you to make informed decisions about your content, your posting schedule, and your overall strategy. By embracing a data-driven mindset, you can refine your Instagram presence, understand the various patterns, maximize your impact, and achieve tangible growth on the platform.
   

10. Regroup and re-adjust after analyzing your data: After analyzing your data and performance metrics on Instagram, take time to regroup and re-adjust your strategy accordingly. Identify trends, strengths, and areas where you can improve based on the data insights you have gathered. This reflective process will allow you to refine your approach and optimize your content and engagement strategies for better results.
    

11. Engage and Interact with Your Audience: Social media is a two-way communication channel. Actively engage with your audience by responding to comments, messages, and mentions. Encourage discussions, ask questions, and seek feedback to foster a sense of community and build relationships with your followers.
    

12. Avoid Ineffective Methods: The "follow-unfollow" strategy, where users follow others to gain followers and then unfollow them, is not only against Instagram guidelines but also ineffective in the long run. It can lead to a shadow ban, limiting your account's visibility. Instead, focus on organic growth by providing value, engaging with your audience, and building genuine connections.
    

13. Protect Your Mental Health: Social media, if not managed properly, can have a significant impact on your mental health. That is why it is important to set the appropriate boundaries that will allow you to protect yourself, limit your screen time, and take breaks whenever you feel the need. Also, be mindful of the content you consume and curate your feed to include positive and uplifting accounts.
    

14. Surround yourself with a supportive community: Surrounding yourself with a supportive community is crucial for maintaining positive mental health while navigating the complexities of social media. Engage with like-minded individuals and build meaningful connections that offer encouragement and understanding. 
    

15. Remember, good things take time: In the fast-paced world of social media, patience is key. Remember that good things often take time to unfold, including growing your Instagram presence authentically. Avoid comparing your progress to others and stay focused on your journey. Consistency, perseverance, and strategic adaptation based on insights will ultimately lead to sustainable growth and success on Instagram.

To wrap up:

I want to emphasize the importance of a holistic approach to social media success. Remember, it's not just about posting pretty pictures or chasing numbers—it's about understanding your audience, setting clear goals, and continuously refining your strategy based on data insights. Surround yourself with a supportive community both online and offline, and don't hesitate to set the appropriate boundaries if social media starts taking a toll on your mental well-being..

Sometimes, when you feel overwhelmed by the whole process, it is important to recognize when external expertise is necessary. Whether it's refining your content strategy, managing advertising campaigns, or safeguarding your mental well-being, knowing when and how to hire a professional can be a game-changer.  

Even influencers meticulously study their audience and tailor their content to meet their needs and preferences. It's their secret to success, and nothing is as effortless as it may seem. 

Therefore, celebrate your progress and learn from your setbacks. By embracing a thoughtful and intentional approach, you'll be well-positioned to achieve your goals. 

So, here's to your success on Instagram and stay tuned for my upcoming article: How and when to hire a social media Manager?

(1) https://www.demandsage.com/instagram-statistics/#:~:text=There%20are%20currently%20over%202.35,users%20access%20Instagram%20every%20month.