The Unwritten Rules To Instagram That Will Increase Your Following

Getting the most coveted letter on Instagramrequires a celebration!It’s like pledging and getting a letterman jacket with your nickname written all over it. But making it to 100K… yikes now that is something to brag about it.

Now that I have arrived I will give away something slightly amazing or we’ll go have drinks together. One of the many questions people ask me, after the typical “how do you start a blog,” is how do you build a social media following.

Well, I don’t have all the answers (sorry Kanye) but let’s start with how to build your following on Instagram.

If you want more people other than your family and friends to follow you, here are a few unwritten rules to Instagram that will increase your following. 

1. Post something interesting, thought-worthy, or inspiring.

Similar to blogging, consistency is the king to success. The entire concept of social media is sharing. So you should share something every day, but not all day. Limit yourself to 1-3 times a day. Be transparent. And don’t be afraid to delete something if it only gets 1 1/2 likes.

View this post on Instagram

#DovePartner My mother started my @Dove obsession when I was a teenager (yes that’s a picture of baby Denny). I used to watch her get ready for bed and the Dove Beauty Bar was the only thing she used on her skin. Mom will always be the most beautiful woman in the world to me. I continue her tradition of amazing skin-care thanks to her favorite cleanser, the Dove Beauty Bar. _________________________________ Beyond my need for a sentimental tradition, I keep using the Beauty Bar because its gentle on my skin and not drying like other soaps. Some soaps are too harsh for my body and give me small bumps. This is never an issue when I use Dove. Instead, it leaves my skin feeling like heaven, with a natural glow! Thanks to its signature 1⁄4 moisturizing cream, it helps replenish nutrients lost while cleansing. I almost don’t need any lotion! _________________________________ I’m a Dove girl through and through. Ladies, have you experienced the #DoveDifference yet? 🗣 I’d love to hear your Beauty Bar stories using #DoveDifference! (PC: @skovro_visuals)

A post shared by Ty Alexander (@tyalexander) on Apr 2, 2019 at 11:41am PDT

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

2. Take your followers with you to concerts, fashion shows, conferences…just not to the bathroom with you.

View this post on Instagram

Yesterday ended in such a golden way. If you read my post earlier in the day you know it started off with some trashy emotions. But I meditated. I prayed. And then I beat my face and got dolled up for our event with @jcrew. We cackled, shed some thug tears, and gushed over each other’s style. Thank you @discovercharmcity for being a great event partner and huge XOXO to @istylelikeme and @shoptini for letting us dig deep into your stylish souls. I went home full and happy to be able to do the one thing I love most: talk! 😝 If you missed it we’re going on tour... J/K but there will be more events. It was great meeting you all. 😍 (be sure to swipe left to #MeetMyCrew) #ad #gigspon

A post shared by Ty Alexander (@tyalexander) on Nov 2, 2018 at 12:56pm PDT

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

The main reason people (even myself) follow you is because you are filling a void in their own life at a particular moment. You are doing something at a particular moment that they are not. They’re sitting somewhere, bored or just being nosey, living vicariously through your camera phone. So put on a show and document the fun shit that happens. Just not the actual shit that happens!

3. Set up the perfect shot.

View this post on Instagram

My good friends over at @prettymuchbeauty have a new vanity glam mirror and it’s on sale and you get a discount because you’re my cuzzin! What is your life ma’am! Use discount code: gorgetribe for 10% off! (Merry Christmas 🎄)

A post shared by Ty Alexander (@tyalexander) on Nov 30, 2018 at 1:12pm PST

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

Listen. No one cares about your Thanksgiving meal unless it appears as a chef prepared it. Instagram has built its reputation on great photos and so should you. Take the time, move things around, ask people to slide over and set up the perfect shot.

4. Use hashtags on your own pictures, not on others.

This is something that I just realized a few weeks ago. You ever wonder how people got 47 weeks down your timeline? Like, were they really scrolling and stalking you that hard. Most likely no. The answer, hashtags! Good hashtag placement means more people see you, which means more people will potentially double tap and eventually follow. But commenting with hashtags on other people’s photos does NOTHING!

5. Tag people only if their face is really in the photo.

View this post on Instagram

Don’t we look like an episode of ‘Girlfriends’? This picture makes me giggle with joy because my experience in San Francisco with @Uber was nothing short of amazing. The @Uber team was on site at the @afro.tech conference bringing awareness to their UberHue Employee Resource Group. Seeing a brand dive deep into the celebration and advancement of people of color in the workplace warms my entire soul. #AllTheGreatMinds #ad #gigspon

A post shared by Ty Alexander (@tyalexander) on Nov 29, 2018 at 3:46pm PST

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

I actually encourage you to tag me in your photos…if I am actually in the photos. A lot of times if you just add my user name in your status I never see them because people are double tapping like crazy and my mentions fill up quickly. Then you think I’m bougie because I don’t comment. But on the flip side, the quickest way to get people to report your account as spam or block you is tagging them in party flyers and even inspirational quotes. STOP!

6. Modesty has no place here, bragging is ok.

View this post on Instagram

Here’s what I’ve learned about living my best life: Step 1: You’re writing the manuscript and you get to be whoever you want whenever you want. Women (Black women especially) are often criticized for changing their minds. I’ve owned a magazine, I’ve been a model, I’ve managed models... I’m an author, a blogger, an influencer, I own an online accessories boutique (go follow @shopobsessorized)... I can also read music and I’d love to learn to play an instrument (the violin intrigues me)... there’s so much to being Ty. A part of living your best life means you get to do it all, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t. They are LIARS! Step 2: Ignore anyone who tells you that you can’t. In most cases, they are projecting their inability to live their best life on you. Step 3: Learn the 4 components of FAITH. Believe it. Receive it. Speak It. Become it. 🙌🏾 These women on this @essence list are phenomenal and I’m in awe that I actually call a few of these pioneers my friends! Thank you for including me #EssenceMagazine #Essence #GorgeousInGrey ••• The link to read the article is in my bio•••

A post shared by Ty Alexander (@tyalexander) on Apr 26, 2018 at 9:32pm PDT

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

Don’t let anyone tell you that bragging is bad. Even in real life bragging is good, especially when you’ve worked really hard for it. Here’s where writing an uber-long status update is ok. Explain how much it means to you. Your followers will congratulate you.

7. We love selfies, but please be cute.

View this post on Instagram

I hear it’s cold and snowing where you are 😝 my condolences, you should be here! Anywhos hello from the largest ship in the world. The #SymphonyOfTheSeas from @royalcaribbean is my home for the next two days. If you’ve been watching my stories you’ve already seen me and Leeroy’s foolishness. Question for you: have you been on a cruise, what was your thoughts? #ComeSeek #RoyalWow #royalcarribean #royalcarribeancruise (also check out this hashtag 👉🏾#TravelGorgeous to see my past adventures) #gigspon #RichAuntieLife

A post shared by Ty Alexander (@tyalexander) on Nov 16, 2018 at 6:24am PST

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

I mean. Selfie is officially a word. So for all those who are hating on the concept, get over it! Selfies are a thing, period. But here’s where some of you go wrong. Your selfie should be slightly wonderful. Even if you have to take 107 of them buggers to actually find one good one, do what you’ve gotta do. Make your selfies great and use them in moderation. One selfie per week. Unless you are a beauty blogger and even then, switch to the other side or something.

8. Pictures that appear as inside jokes never work.

The drunk picture. The picture of you with the guy at your favorite chicken spot. No one cares. And not because they really don’t care, but because they just don’t get the joke! We weren’t there so we don’t know exactly why any of this is funny to you and no matter what you type we won’t get it.

9. We get it you have followers, no need to thank them.

Yes! There was someone who went and liked every single one of your pictures from the last 26 weeks. Praise him for those likes. Trust me, we don’t care. For real!

10. Do contests!

People love freebies. End of story. Make the rules state that your followers have to share with their followers and those new people have to follow you!

If I missed anything feel free to comment with your tips in the comment sections.

Become a Patron!