How to Fix Slow Growth & Low Engagement on Instagram

Hey babes,

Today’s topic is a hot one. There is never a “right” answer for Instagram, but here are some tips and tricks to help you grow on Instagram and increase your engagement. Remember, Instagram is the long game and success doesn’t happen overnight (for most… there are a few lucky ones out there).

Slow Growth/Engagement

• Slow growth/engagement and why does it happen? Few different things…

  • You may have a lot of bot accounts → this results in lower engagement for you bc of the algorithm

    • The algorithm shows your content to a percentage of your audience. If that select percentage doesn’t engage on your content, the algorithm will not continue to push it and show it to people. If your content is being shown to bots, they will not engage, thus resulting in lower engagement

    • How to fix it: Go through and remove AND block these accounts. Do a few every day so it doesn’t feel like your losing hundreds at a time.

  • Find what your audience is interacting with and liking and create more content similar to that 

    • Use your analytics!!! - compare your top posts and see what is performing well

    • Sort by saves and see what people save the most.

    • Saves = hitting the explore page = more growth

    • ANALYZE:

      • locations, lighting, outfits, accessories, hairstyles etc

      • What do your best photos have in common?

        • For ex: Is it full body shots? Is it video/Reels content? Is it parking garage photos? Is it a certain pose?

        • It’s okay to be repetitive in your content if your audience is liking that specific type of content 

• Look at your explore page (posts & reels)

  • What do you see the most? Certain outfits, locations etc

  • Create content similar to that because you know it’s doing well and people are saving it

• Create video content… REELS!

  • Reels have proven to be a growth tool on IG

  • Analyze your reels page and get inspired

  • Just like posting, you have to be consistent

• Noticing that slower growth/engagement happens at the beginning and end of the seasons because we’re in this weird transition phase of the seasons and people are conflicted with what they want to see content wise -  feel like a lot of people are experiencing this right now! 

• Different/new seasons = different/new content trends on IG 

  • Similar to TIkTok, following these subtle content trends really does result in more growth/engagement because people are saving similar things 

• BUT you should always put your own little twist on the trends to make it YOURS, again just like TikTok

• Remember that EVERYONE goes through periods like this. Literally everyone. Part of the IG rollercoaster - ups and downs

A Few Fall Trends We’re Noticing / Content Inspo Ideas…

• Parking garages are back baby!!

  • They have great lighting & simple backgrounds

  • BE CAREFUL! Creeps hang out in parking garages so go with a buddy or bring pepper spray

  • Stay vigilant and aware of your surroundings

• City girl vibes

  • standing in the street, street corners, pretty euro inspired buildings

• Glam vibes

  • night time flash, sequins, glam going out

• combo: Light wash denim / ripped jeans + Jordans/sneakers 

• Holding a coffee! 

• Hair in a slick bun or in a hat 

• Effortlessly chic comfy + achievable vibes

  • sweat sets ladies! wear them casually or dress them up with a blazer

• Still in between color + naturals (both are still doing well but will probably move more into neutrals as we get further into fall) 

• People are responding well to travel 

• Fall inspo that your audience can SAVE (fashion + locations) 

Reels Trends: 

• Good/fun transitions 

• “7 seconds or less” 

• Casually walking -- again effortless chic vibes 

• Romanticizing everyday life 

• “What’s new at ___ (stores like Zara)” 

• Fall fashion inspo

Ultimately, the goal is to inspire and/or educate your audience. This is the content that gets the most saves and shares and that’s what ultimately boosts your content and gets it shown to more people. If this is your business, it’s important to stay on top of the trends and make it your own.

Hopefully these tips helps you increase your growth and engagement. Just remember, there are going to be ups and downs and you have to ride the lows to ge to the highs. Don’t give up!

Here’s our most recent podcast episode on this topic: LISTEN HERE

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram HERE 🖤

Xx, Allysa

Other blog posts you might like:

How to Stay Organized as a Content Creator

How to Create Multiple Streams of Income as a Content Creator

Instagram Creator Tips