Instagram is super popular in Malaysia, with over 24 million users as of 2023. If you want to boost your online presence, connect with new folks, or showcase your brand, having a strong Instagram account with loyal followers is key. But how can you get more followers on Instagram in Malaysia? Here are some straightforward tips to help you reach your goal.
1. Make Your Account Official and Improve Your Bio
To start getting more followers, make your Instagram account look professional and trustworthy. Switch to a business or creator account, which unlocks extra features and insights. Also, create a catchy bio, use a clear profile picture, and add links to your website or other social media accounts. This way, potential followers can quickly learn who you are, what you do, and why they should follow you.
2. Invest in Good Content
On Instagram, the quality of your posts matters a lot. You need to share top-notch photos and videos that showcase your brand, products, or services. You can either hire a skilled content creator who knows their way around editing and photography or learn these skills yourself. Additionally, you can use user-friendly tools like Canva, Adobe Spark, or InShot to create stunning graphics and videos for your posts.
3. Stick to a Posting Schedule
Consistency is key on Instagram. Regular posting at optimal times is crucial. You can make this easier by using scheduling tools like Later, Buffer, or Hootsuite. According to Sprout Social, the best times to post on Instagram in Malaysia are Monday at 11 a.m., Tuesday at 10 a.m., Wednesday at 11 a.m., Thursday at 12 p.m., Friday at 10 a.m., Saturday at 11 a.m., and Sunday at 12 p.m.
4. Collaborate with Others
Boost your follower count by teaming up with users who have similar or complementary audiences. Invite guest bloggers, influencers, or customers to create content for your account. You can also repost their content with permission and proper credit. This approach exposes your brand to new people, enhances your credibility, and builds connections with others.
5. Match Your Brand Voice to the Platform
Your brand voice is how you communicate on Instagram. Tailor your tone to fit your target audience and the platform. On Instagram, a casual, friendly, and sometimes humorous tone works well, compared to the formal, professional tone you might use on LinkedIn. Using local slang and terms that resonate with Malaysian users can also help, such as “lah,” “macha,” or “boleh.”
6. Craft Engaging Captions
Captions alongside your posts can make a huge difference in engagement. Use them to tell stories, ask questions, share tips, or issue calls-to-action. You can also jazz them up with emojis, hashtags, or mentions to make them more appealing. For organic posts, aim for captions between 138 and 150 characters, and for ads, 125 to 138 characters.
7. Strategically Use Hashtags
Hashtags are keywords that help users find what interests them on Instagram. They also boost your visibility and expand your audience. You can use up to 30 hashtags per post, but research suggests that 9 to 11 are optimal for engagement. Tools like Hashtagify, All Hashtag, or Display Purposes can help you find relevant and popular hashtags in your niche. Creating your own branded hashtags is also a smart move to promote campaigns or products.
8. Tag Locations and People
Tagging locations and people can bring in more followers. When you tag a location, your post shows up on that location’s page, drawing in users interested in that place. Tagging people, like influencers, customers, or partners, notifies them of your post and may lead to them sharing it with their followers. This strategy increases your exposure and engagement.
9. Engage with Your Audience
Engagement is a must on Instagram. Interact with your followers and others by liking, commenting, sharing, or saving their posts. Respond to comments and messages, seek feedback, or run polls and quizzes on your stories. Building trust, loyalty, and community through engagement is crucial.
10. Host Contests and Giveaways
Contests and giveaways are incredibly effective for gaining more followers. They generate excitement, buzz, and word-of-mouth about your brand. You can run contests that require users to follow you, like your post, tag friends, or share your post in their stories. Partnering with other brands or influencers can expand your reach and prizes. Always follow Instagram promotion guidelines and announce winners publicly.
11. Create Stories, Reels, and Live Videos
Instagram Stories, Reels, and Live videos are different ways to connect with more followers. They showcase your brand’s personality, behind-the-scenes content, and tips and tricks. These formats also boost engagement as they appear prominently on the platform. You can add stickers, filters, music, or text to make them interactive and fun.
12. Utilize Instagram Guides and Shopping
Instagram Guides and Shopping are newer features that can help you gain followers. Guides allow you to create collections of posts sharing tips, recommendations, or stories. Shopping lets you sell your products directly on Instagram. Use these features to provide value, demonstrate your expertise, or drive sales.
13. Optimize for SEO
Instagram is becoming more searchable. Users can now find accounts, posts, or hashtags using keywords. To improve your SEO, use relevant keywords in your username, name, bio, captions, and hashtags. Linking your Instagram account to your website and other social media accounts can also boost your visibility and traffic.
14. Analyze Your Performance
To gain more followers, you must track and analyze your performance. Instagram Insights or third-party tools like Iconosquare, Sprout Social, or Socialbakers can help you monitor metrics and trends. Keep an eye on reach, impressions, engagement, followers, website clicks, and conversions. Identify your best-performing content and learn from your strengths and weaknesses to refine your strategy.
15. Learn from Successful Accounts
Follow and study the top accounts in your niche or industry to learn what works. Stay updated on Instagram trends and see how other brands and influencers adapt. Get inspired by their content, captions, hashtags, stories, reels, live videos, guides, or shopping features. Observe how they engage with followers and other users.
16. Be Authentic and Unique
Finally, authenticity and originality matter. Show your true self and create content that reflects your brand’s values and goals. Avoid copying or imitating others, and steer clear of fake followers or likes. Be honest and transparent with your followers and have fun on Instagram.
17. Conclusion
Getting more followers on Instagram in Malaysia may not be a cakewalk, but with dedication to these strategies, it’s definitely possible. Ensure your account looks professional, post high-quality content consistently, use hashtags strategically, engage with your audience, run contests and giveaways, and explore various content formats and Instagram features. Optimize your SEO, analyze your performance, learn from successful accounts, and always stay true to yourself. If you stick to these steps patiently, you can achieve 1,000 Instagram followers in Malaysia by 2024!