How To Get Local Followers on Instagram
According to SemRush, Instagram holds the seventh position among the most visited websites globally, with an impressive 2.9 billion visitors per month. However, these visitors aren’t just passively scrolling through their feeds. A survey conducted by Instagram for Business revealed that 44 percent of users on the platform use it for shopping on a weekly basis. This statistic is undoubtedly music to the ears of every business owner.
But merely setting up a business account on Instagram and showcasing your catalog won’t guarantee conversions and sales, especially if you primarily operate as a brick-and-mortar business. Instagram opens up opportunities to reach potential customers worldwide, which may not be suitable if your business primarily serves a local clientele.
In this guide, we will walk you through effective strategies to gain local Instagram followers. By doing so, you can efficiently deliver your quality products and services to your local community, leading to increased revenue. Let’s dive right in!
Contents
Work With Local Influencers
A local influencer is an Instagram user in your area with approximately 1K to 10K followers, creating relevant content for their audience. Numerous studies, including one by Markerly, have shown that partnering with influencers leads to a significant increase in engagement.
Why is this the case? Local influencers have built trust with their audience within your community, giving them the power to influence their followers in your favor. Moreover, they possess a deep understanding of your industry and target audience, making them valuable allies in scaling your business.
However, finding the right influencer can be challenging. Here’s how to discover the perfect local influencers to collaborate with, ensuring maximum results:
To find influencers on Instagram, you can use the search feature with a hashtag term related to your niche. Input a relevant term to discover the top posts using that hashtag.
For instance, if you own a restaurant in New York, your search could be: #newyorkfoodbloggers or #newyorkrestaurantblogger.
By doing so, you can browse through the results to identify influencers who create content that aligns with your niche.
Google Influencers
Discovering local influencers through hashtags can be effective but also repetitive and time-consuming. However, if you prefer a different approach, you can easily use Google to find relevant influencers.
Building on the previous example, you can search “New York food bloggers Instagram” on Google.
This straightforward method allows you to quickly identify local Instagram influencers who are relevant to your niche. Your next step is to review the results, choose the ones that stand out to you, and begin your collaboration.
Instagram geotags are specific longitudes and latitudes associated with your posted content. They allow you to link your posts to a particular location, which can help in attracting local followers.
Here’s how to geotag your Instagram post:
- Upload the image or video you wish to post. On the next screen, Instagram lets you add tags, captions, and locations.
- In this section, select “Add location.” Instagram will automatically generate a list of locations near you that you can tag in your post.
- If you find a suitable location from the list, tap on it to add it as your tag. Alternatively, if you want to input a specific location, click on the “>” sign and type in your preferred location. Instagram will suggest new locations as you type to facilitate your search.
Furthermore, you can geotag existing posts in your account by following these steps:
- Find the post you want to geotag and click on the three dots in the top right corner.
- In the pop-up menu, select “Edit.”
- Choose “Add location…” in the following interface to input your geotag.
- Once you’ve added the location, repost the content, and the changes will be visible.
By geotagging your Instagram posts, you can effectively connect with local audiences and build a more engaged following in specific locations.
What Does “Copy Share URL” Mean on Instagram
Run Promos and Giveaways
Another effective method to attract local followers is by running local promotions and giveaways. Here’s how it works:
Let’s consider you own a clothing store in New York. If you offer a 40 percent discount on clothing exclusively to shoppers in New York, you are likely to draw in local customers who are interested in your products, especially with the added incentive of the discount. Consequently, your profile will see an increase in followers from the New York area compared to followers from other locations like Atlanta.
That’s why it is advisable to avoid generic promotions and giveaways. For instance, if you give away gift cards, users from anywhere in the world can redeem them, which may not necessarily lead to local followers showing interest in your promotion.
Moreover, consider collaborating with other local businesses that align with your niche to host these promotions. By doing so, you can enhance your giveaways and attract more followers for all participating parties.
You can experiment with these ideas if you’re unsure where to start:
- Trivia contests
- Tag a friend
- Best caption contests
- Like and share to win contests
- Follow to win contests
Feel free to get creative with your promotions and giveaways. The more fun and engaging they are, the better the response from your audience. These strategies can help you build a strong local following and create a sense of community around your business.
Use Localized Ads
Using ads is an effective way to hyper-target your local audience and increase your following on Instagram. The platform allows users to choose the target location for their ads, enabling you to take advantage of this feature to grow your local presence.
You have the flexibility to select your audience from countries, regions, cities, and even specific addresses. The radius meter allows you to pinpoint the exact area you want to target with your ad.
Keep in mind that running ads on Instagram incurs a cost, so ensure your budget can accommodate it before starting a campaign. It’s generally more effective to run your ad over an extended period rather than just for a day, as this allows more time for your targeted audience to see and engage with your content.
By using Instagram ads strategically and focusing on your local audience, you can effectively boost your following and expand your business’s reach within your community.
Final Thoughts
Filtering through the noise of Instagram users and finding potential prospects that can be converted into sales can be achieved by targeting a local audience. As we’ve explored, there are various effective ways to do this.
Collaborating with influencers who already have a local following, geotagging your posts to attract local users, hosting localized giveaways, and running ads targeting specific locations are all strategies that can help you draw in local followers.
It’s important to emphasize consistency in your efforts. Building a local following takes time and effort, so don’t expect immediate results. However, implementing these techniques gives you the best chance to organically gain local followers for your business.
By focusing on your local community and utilizing these strategies, you can enhance your brand’s visibility, engagement, and potential for conversions, ultimately contributing to the growth and success of your business.
