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Beat The Instagram Algorithm: Revive from Zero to Influencer

November 4, 2024

Is your Instagram account flatlining? You’re not alone. Instagram’s constantly evolving algorithm makes it tough to stand out. But with the right approach, you can grow your account and even turn it into a powerful tool for your business. In this guide, I’ll share the exact steps I used to revive my own account, along with a bonus tip that could help you avoid a costly mistake on Instagram.


1. Choose Your Brand: Personal or Business?
One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to create a personal brand or a business brand. People connect more easily with other people than with corporate brands. Just look at influencers like Oprah Winfrey and Gary Vaynerchuk, whose personal brands have far more followers than their businesses. When it comes to Instagram, personal brands often grow faster because audiences relate better to real faces and personalities.
Your Move:   Decide if a personal brand (you as the face) or a business brand is right for you. If you’re the heart of your business, a personal brand could drive stronger engagement and follower growth.

2. Define Your Foundation
To create a brand that resonates, you need a solid foundation. Be clear about your mission, audience, and unique offer. Ask yourself: Who do I help, and how? This clarity will guide your content and make it easier to attract the right followers.
Your Move:   Write a clear mission statement that defines who you serve and what unique value you offer. Use this as a guiding principle for your content.

3. Craft a Winning Instagram Bio
Your Instagram bio is a small but crucial space to grab attention. With only 150 characters, every word counts. A strong bio can immediately attract the right followers by clearly explaining who you are, what you do, and why they should follow you.
     Bio Formula:
   –   Line 1:   Who you help and how. (e.g., “I help busy moms get fit in 20 minutes a day.”)
   –   Line 2:   Build authority with specifics, like “Featured in Forbes” or “Coach to 300+ clients.”
   –   Line 3:   Add a call to action. Give people a reason to click your link, like a free guide or discount.

4. Start Posting Content
Don’t wait to build a following before you start posting. Aim for 9 to 12 posts to create a visually appealing feed. Think of your content as answers to questions people are already searching for. Instagram works like a mini search engine, so creating content that addresses popular questions is a great way to attract new followers.
Your Move:   Use Google’s “People also ask” feature in your niche to find popular questions. These questions make great content ideas for Reels and posts.
    5. Use B-Roll for Easy Reels
   Not ready for talking to the camera? Start with B-roll content. These are simple clips of you doing everyday things, like having coffee, walking, or working at your desk. Save these clips and use them to create engaging, relatable Reels.
     Your Move:   Set up a “B-roll folder” on your phone to store these clips for easy access when creating content.

6. Don’t Chase Viral Trends
Going viral can be exciting, but it doesn’t always translate into followers or sales. Focus on quality content that resonates with your ideal audience, rather than trying to go viral. An experiment I did with frequent posts increased engagement slightly but didn’t lead to sales. It’s quality, not quantity, that counts.
Your Move:   Aim to connect with your ideal audience rather than trying to attract a large but unrelated group.

7. Leverage Your DMs
Direct messages (DMs) are where real engagement and sales happen. Encourage comments on your posts, then follow up in the DMs to build relationships. You can even use tools like ManyChat to automate responses based on specific keywords, saving you time while maintaining engagement.
Your Move:   Create a strategy for engaging in your DMs, like responding to comments with a message or using automation tools to streamline responses.

Bonus Tip: Avoid This Costly Mistake
Many business owners miss out on Instagram’s potential by neglecting to engage with their followers. Don’t just post and forget—make engagement a part of your strategy. Interact with your audience to build trust and keep them coming back.

These proven steps can help you grow a vibrant, engaging Instagram account that works for you in 2024. Ready to take your Instagram game to the next level? Stick with these strategies, and don’t forget to be authentic, consistent, and engaging!