Instagram is no child’s play, everyone looks carefree and genuinely looks like they’re enjoying themselves, but behind the scenes, there are some real stressed individuals whose livelihood depends on those ticking numbers. What seems like plain numbers to viewers, is the difference between the big or small check, that brand sponsorship, or even to the absolute extreme, the will to live.

We’re not discussing those whose lives rely on the success of their Instagram page, because I am not qualified to have an opinion on it, but I will try and help you with creating an aesthetic page that will fight the heavily competitive world of influencers.

First of all, this cannot be repeated enough, are you following similar creators? Knowing your niche content can be difficult to pinpoint if It isn’t blatantly obvious like ‘Fashion’ for example, creating content under Lifestyle is genuinely a confusing world, so many people fit into lifestyle category, but can create a different type of content.

What you need to do is, find out where you are leaning towards, then follow those people who create similar content as you, this makes it easier to engage with each other as you know you already have a similar interest. From my experience, lifestyle can go towards (Family, sustainability, Fashion, Growth, day to day life) 

The next step is, remember you’re not a celebrity and you have no notable work or exposure that is driving people’s love and interest towards you. What does that line of harsh words even mean you say? You need to engage to receive engagement. People don’t care about you and they’re only willing to help you if you help them out. The funny thing about Instagram creator is, they remember, and they hold grudges. ‘You’ve been liking and commenting on my post for the last 2 years, but you didn’t do that for my last post. I’m not liking and commenting on yours anymore’ there are some real petty people on Instagram, so don’t take it to heart when you realise, you don’t actually have fans, you just a quid pro quo relationship. But remember those relationships are what will help you get fans. It’s pretty much fake it till you make it.

With the steps above you can get anywhere, but it’s on shaky grounds if your content is terrible. The simple truth is if you’re not matching Instagram’s standard of beauty, are you creating content that is of any value to the reader? So get this, you’re not drop-dead gorgeous, or Instagram tells you you’re not, but you make some cool things, what do you do? Do you continue to post pictures of yourself that is doing pretty well because you’re following the steps from above, but you’re not really growing without effort? Or do you create content with the skills you have, where you’re more natural, less stressed, and people you’re not approaching are coming to you because they find your skills interesting and when you create a how-to, they actually learn something as they leave your page? That’s the difference in content. You need to grow to work less, but you can’t grow if the content isn’t working well.

Those are 3 steps in the countless strategies of growing on Instagram. Be natural and focus on your skills, Instagram is a place to brag about how much better you are, but it’s also a place for more exposure if you have something you are good at, do what you need to let them about it. It can be a way to motivate yourself to improve and teach others.