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Happily Hughes

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How to Grow Your Instagram

August 22, 2015
I’ve been meaning to write this post for a loooong time.  I’ve done everything wrong when it comes to Instagram, so I wanted to share what’s worked for me.  You can find me HERE on Instagram.  It’s been about 4 months of the practices I’m going to share below and I’ve seen my following double.  I hope this helps you! 
 
  1. Be Original.  We all try to find our voice on Instagram, but the only way to stick out is be yourself.  Don’t copy others and don’t try to be someone you’re not.  Your followers can tell when your hearts not behind it or if you’re being insincere.  So be you! 
  2. Find your style and stick to it.  When someone looks at your overall profile, there needs to be a thread of cohesiveness throughout.  Whether you’re a monochromatic fan, pastel lover, or bright color admirer, make sure most, if not all of your pictures have that same style.  How?  Using the same couple of filters is key!  
  3. Engage, engage, engage.  3 times a day I log on to Insta and comment on others pictures.  Whether it’s people I follow or those recommended to me by Instagram.  And they are thought out and relevant comments.  A bunch of kissy faces is not going to get a great response.  Take the time and engage with your community!
  4. Reciprocate.  If you have followers that comment on and like your pictures, reciprocate!  Again, make sure they are relevant and thoughtful comments. 
  5. Participate.  FollowFriday, loop chats, and ThrowbackThursday are some great ways to connect more with other Instagrammers as well as your followers.  
  6. Use relevant hashtags.  Find relevant hashtags in your niche and use them on the first comment under your pictures.  How to find the most relevant hashtags?  You can Google them, or use one of those apps that suggests hastags.  I also look at bigger Instagrammers than myself in the same niche and use the hashtags they do.  They’ve grown for a reason.
  7. Comment on relevant hashtags. As soon as you’ve posted a picture, click on several of the hashtags you’ve used.  Like and comment on the 5 most popular pictures in that hashtag, and a couple of the most recent as well.  This will not only bring new and relevant followers to you, it will raise the popularity of your post!
I know I’m going to get the questions about loops.  I have done loops and will continue to do them as it’s a great way to appear before a wider audience.  That being said I would recommend: 1. doing them sparingly as to not irritate your current followers.  2. Only join ones that are comprised of other Instagrammers in your niche.  This will result in a better retention and engagement rate.  

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Samantha Nicole says

    August 22, 2015 at 8:35 pm

    You're a boss <3 Can't wait for our date in Oct! xo

  2. Kirsten Burrows says

    August 22, 2015 at 10:45 pm

    Great tips… I am SO not good at Insta… it is just the last one I think of (should be the first… SO easy to work with!!) Thanks

  3. Amanda Kruse says

    August 24, 2015 at 2:41 am

    Thanks for sharing these tips! I have been stuck with 6k for the past 2 months!

    xx,
    Amanda || http://www.fortheloveofglitter.com

  4. Kaitlyn B says

    August 24, 2015 at 5:17 pm

    These are great tips! How do you get involved in loops? I'd like to try one day 🙂

    Kaitlyn @thebirdsnest

  5. Joleen Pete says

    August 25, 2015 at 1:08 am

    Excellent advice! 🙂

  6. Ashton says

    August 25, 2015 at 2:08 pm

    I seriously love you. These are the best tips… Getting to work NOW! ? I'd love to do a follow Friday with you friend!

  7. Liz Jo says

    August 25, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Great tips! You can also use them for blogging too 🙂

    liz jo @ sundays with sophie

  8. Alex says

    August 25, 2015 at 2:43 pm

    Awesome tips! I'm definitely not the best instagrammer (or picture taker for that matter), but I'll have to try these tips out!

  9. Crazy Shenanigans-JMO says

    August 25, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    I love Instagram and have been working on building it!

  10. Erica Musyt says

    August 25, 2015 at 5:59 pm

    Thank you for this!

  11. Julie is Coco and Cocoa says

    August 25, 2015 at 6:42 pm

    Love following you on IG! I definitely have specific filters that I always use to try to keep things consistent. And I need to up my hashtag game.

  12. Krysten Quiles says

    August 25, 2015 at 8:36 pm

    This? Is awesome. I definitely need to stick to a certain style. Hopefully your tips will help!

  13. Kelly M. says

    August 25, 2015 at 9:55 pm

    So many great tips! I love looking at instagram, but I'm so bad about posting things myself! I definitely notice when people I follow have a certain style or look about their photos…it's almost like their branding.

  14. Rae says

    August 26, 2015 at 3:20 am

    Great tips. Part of me feels like Instagram is just a popularity contest which makes me loathe it but it's a marketing tool that should be used.

  15. Housewife Eclectic says

    August 26, 2015 at 3:40 am

    Such good advice! I finally feel like my Instagram is growing!

  16. Stacey D says

    August 26, 2015 at 4:58 am

    Great tips! I am fairly new at instagram and have taken a while to really understand it.

  17. Alejandra says

    August 26, 2015 at 5:37 pm

    Sticking to a style is the one I need to work on!! I try most of the time.

  18. Living a Fit and Full Life says

    August 26, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    Thanks for the tips! I need to keep growing!

  19. Yona Williams says

    August 27, 2015 at 1:22 am

    I have such a long way to go to grow my Instagram page. For starters, I need to be more active. I will also pay more attention to hashtags and participating in Instagram-related group activities.

  20. Rebecca Hubbell says

    August 27, 2015 at 2:07 am

    These are some really great tips! Instagram is definitely an outlet I want to grow!

  21. Pam Robbins says

    August 27, 2015 at 3:43 pm

    Guess I need to start paying attention to Instagram!

  22. Cathy Mini says

    August 28, 2015 at 3:43 am

    It definitely took me a while to get where I'm at now, but I'm pretty content with my Instagram followers community the way they are now 🙂 I think that Instagram engagement is definitely more important than followers though, that is for sure! Especially if you're looking to monetize your Instagram!

  23. Autumn @ Stay gold Autumn says

    August 29, 2015 at 12:30 am

    These are great tips!! My instagram is private so it makes hashtags not applicable. Do you have any tips on growing a private instagram?

  24. Abby says

    September 1, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Awesome tips! I need to be more intentional about using the best hashtags, and I need to work on creating a cohesive look.

  25. GiGi Eats Celebrities says

    September 1, 2015 at 1:29 pm

    Reciprocating is KEY in my mind and has helped me grow my following! But you also must follow & reciprocate on accounts you actually LIKE!

  26. Taylor Speikers says

    September 1, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    I finally started putting a focus on growing my Instagram this month and these tips are extremely helpful and well timed! thank you!

  27. Carly Ferguson says

    September 2, 2015 at 4:02 pm

    Great tips! Instagram is my favorite social media channel and definitely where I have been focusing my efforts lately! I need to work on organizing my hashtags better and finding some different ones. I love your feed by the way!!

  28. Wendy Rivard says

    October 5, 2015 at 11:56 am

    Great tips! I have to admit that I'm not as engaged on IG as I am on FB. I don't like staring at the small screen on my phone. I wish they had an app for the iPad.

  29. Erika MCMmama says

    October 5, 2015 at 12:08 pm

    Great tips! I've gotten out of the habit of interacting on Instagram this fall – I used to do it whenever I was sitting and waiting for a kid somewhere LOL. I can definitely tell a difference in how engaged my followers are when I'm not engaged myself.

  30. Nicole @ Fitful Focus says

    October 5, 2015 at 2:15 pm

    great advice! I definitely need to engage more!

  31. Elle says

    October 5, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    Good advice – engaging is definitely the way to get more followers who engage with you!

  32. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says

    October 5, 2015 at 6:24 pm

    These are great tips and I do love your IG posts and pictures. Have a great week

  33. Cristina Ramirez says

    October 5, 2015 at 9:18 pm

    I find myself loving instagram one week, and hating it the next. But I love scrolling through the pictures on my feed.

  34. Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says

    October 5, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    Being original is super important. Its always easy for me to tell when somebody isn't being themselves, especially if its somebody that I've been following for awhile.

  35. jillconyers says

    October 6, 2015 at 12:18 am

    Great tips Jess! I need to narrow my focus on Instagram like I did with Pinterest.

  36. Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says

    October 6, 2015 at 12:34 am

    All great tips! I am loving my Instagram these days and definitely engaging with others is definitely a key to growing your following!!

  37. Hollie Muscles & Munchkins says

    October 6, 2015 at 12:36 am

    Love this. I have really been trying to grow my IG. I would like to know your thoughts on personal posts on your IG account? I mix the two because I feel like I am a fitness blogger, yes, but also a mom. Thanks for the help.

  38. Nic Akins says

    October 6, 2015 at 3:41 am

    I really needed to read this. Great post and awesome tips! Thank you for sharing…Nic-

  39. Natalie says

    October 6, 2015 at 7:54 am

    Great tips!! I totally agree with just being yourself. I love instagram and it's so fun to engage with other people!
    Also, I just followed you! 🙂

  40. Carmy D says

    October 6, 2015 at 7:05 pm

    Great tips! I hate it when (usually spam accounts) accounts use irrelevant hash tags when I'm scrolling through looking for photos!

  41. brittany says

    February 18, 2016 at 8:48 am

    Yes, my love these are great and I agree with them all!!!!! Love you!

  42. Britany @ define fettle says

    February 18, 2016 at 9:17 am

    Thanks for the info! You left your link on my question on the FB group {Blogging Boost}.

    Question: What filters do you recommend for bright photos? I’ve been trying to find a good one that will fit with my theme.

    On IG @definefettle if you want to check it out.

    • JessicaHughes says

      February 18, 2016 at 10:35 am

      Hey love! I am a huge VSCOcam fan- I downloaded ALLLL the filters but tend to stick to a couple.

  43. GiGi Eats says

    February 18, 2016 at 2:34 pm

    It’s just like BLOGGING! You have to engage with others and be genuinely interested in their content! Pretty pictures are a bonus too! ha ha!

  44. Sandy Mangis says

    March 25, 2016 at 1:21 pm

    Love this, These are great tips.

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Make sure to go play the favorite game on @chelseapatricia feed as well!

These pictures are from Friday when we got to experience First Call. First Call is a Ritz specialty in which the bartenders make a slow drip infusion drink. They start the concoction in the morning and by 5:45 it’s available for order. This one was an Angel’s Envy, strawberries, and cinnamon old-fashioned. 

If you missed our trip, head to stories or click on my highlight! Where should we head to this summer?? 

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A throwback to @hiltonsandestin The kids and I j A throwback to @hiltonsandestin 

The kids and I just spent a week here and as always had so much fun! 
Can’t wait to share more of this magical place with you 😍

Have you been to @30a before?
.
.
#digitalmarketing #atlantabloggers #influencers #influencermarketing #influencerdigital
It’s better to look back and say “wow I can’ It’s better to look back and say “wow I can’t believe I did that” than “oh I wish I did that” 🌎

Never get tired of going on adventures with these kiddos. 
Tell me your summer break plans mamas, we need new adventures!
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#livethemoment #embracethemoment #mombloggerlife #travellingwithkids
Who else loves to match with their man? I sure do, Who else loves to match with their man? I sure do, and @meundies has the cutest matching loungewear and undies. And they are SO comfortable. These joggers are a staple in our relationship, and you'll see us snuggled up in them watching our favorite show. #ad Use code happilyhughes for 15% off your first order! #meundiespartner
#icyhotpartner With the NEW Icy Hot® PRO at Targe #icyhotpartner With the NEW Icy Hot® PRO at Target I can workout anywhere and get targeted relief on my muscles in minutes. 

Go to @Target and get the Icy Hot® PRO with the massage applicator for 10% off with the Circle Offer from 5/29-6/11.

*Use as directed

@icyhot #Target #AD
If you've been following for awhile, you know the If you've been following for awhile, you know the kids and I have had on our dream board to go on an African Safari. Well, @qatarairways has partnered up with Wilderness Safaris to make this an easy to plan (and pay for) trip of a lifetime! The only option is to pick which package to take- do we want to do the Savannah Safari and Gorilla Trek in Rwanda or visit Botswana, Cape Town, and Wine Country? Click the link in my stories to see all the package options and let me know below which one you would choose. You can get an extra $350 off using code WQR100
Already missing the magic of @ritzcarltonameliaisl Already missing the magic of @ritzcarltonameliaisland, but feeling so rejuvenated and relaxed. Which pic is your favorite? 

Make sure to go play the favorite game on @chelseapatricia feed as well!

These pictures are from Friday when we got to experience First Call. First Call is a Ritz specialty in which the bartenders make a slow drip infusion drink. They start the concoction in the morning and by 5:45 it’s available for order. This one was an Angel’s Envy, strawberries, and cinnamon old-fashioned. 

If you missed our trip, head to stories or click on my highlight! Where should we head to this summer?? 

#rcmemories #loveamelia #ameliaislandwellness #travelandexplore #lifewelltraveled
Life has been a little crazy lately! Moving, getti Life has been a little crazy lately! Moving, getting organized and enjoying this new adventure. 

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