Everyone says something different about Instagram growth:

“It's all about visibility!”

“No, you need more followers!”

“Design matters!”

“Your hook is everything!”

They're all right — but they're all missing the foundation.

The most important thing is your positioning.

 

How to Grow on Instagram in 2025

1. Why Account Positioning Comes First

Your positioning determines your content, visuals, audience, conversion path, and monetization. Without a clear positioning, you're just posting into the void.

Before anything else, answer these:

  • Who is your target audience?

    Who do you want to attract and convert? Ideally, it overlaps with your product's user base.

  • What content can you stay excited about long-term — that also connects to your product or mission?

    If you're not obsessed, you'll burn out.

  • Where will your content come from?

    Original thoughts, curated quotes, repurposed videos — or a mix?

  • Which creators are you benchmarking?

    Knowing your competitors helps you stand out.

2. A Real-World Positioning Example

Take our account: @ceo.planet

  • Core content: Founder quotes + motivational videos

  • Product link: All quote and video content is made using VDraw's carousel AI tool

  • Audience: Aspiring entrepreneurs, startup builders, and creators

  • Content sources:

    • TED Talks

    • goatd.minds (inspiring reels)

    • Foundr (founder interviews)

We chose content that fits our brand voice, provides value, and showcases our tool in action.

3. Build Your Profile Like a Pro

Your profile is your first impression — make it count.

  • Handle: Keep it clean and searchable. Use keywords like “MarketingWithZoe” or “RunningWithLily.”

  • Username (Title): Include your name + your creator role (e.g., Zoe | Growth Coach)

  • Bio (3-sentence format):

    1. Who you are

    2. What you've done (credibility)

    3. What followers will get from you + CTA

Example:

Built 3 brands from 0 to 6 figures.

Helped 500+ creators grow with IG.

Follow for real growth tips.

Avoid links in bio too early — Instagram may reduce your reach or flag your account.

 

Build Your Profile Like a Pro

4. Don't Overdesign — Stay Visual, Stay Simple

In early growth stages, focus on Reels-first content. Reels get organic distribution even for small accounts.

Types of posts:

  • Reels with video + captions

  • Carousel-style Reels (slideshow with music)

In most cases, native Reels perform better than turning carousels into video.

Keep your visual style simple, clean, and colorful. If you're not a designer, use AI tools to Generate carousel posts — it generates scroll-stopping posts in seconds, based on proven visual layouts.



These tools analyze thousands of top carousel posts and create designs that actually work. Instead of spending hours designing, I just paste my text and get beautiful posts ready to go. In today's world, AI isn't optional — it's a shortcut you need.

5. Content Rhythm = Growth Rhythm

  • Minimum: 3 posts/week

  • Ideal: Daily posting

Use a batching method to reduce stress and increase quality:

  • Monday–Tuesday: Create content for the week

  • Friday: Review post performance, adjust plan for next week

  • Wednesday–Thursday: Research, write blog posts, or manage other growth tasks

Planning ahead ensures consistency without burnout.

6. Hook, Headline, and Content Strategy

To grow, your post must stop the scroll. That means great:

  • Headlines:

    • How-to: “How to Write Instagram Hooks That Actually Work”

    • Numbers: “3 Hooks That Boosted My Reach by 300%”

    • Twists: “Stop Posting. No One's Watching — Here's Why”

    • Questions: “Why Isn't Anyone Liking Your Posts?”

  • First 3 Seconds or First Slide = Hook:

    Use emotional contrast, bold claims, or open loops to keep people interested.

  • CAT Formula:

    • Content: Give value

    • Action: Ask for follows, tags, comments

    • Trust: Add social proof (e.g., “used by 4,000+ creators”)

7. Master the Algorithm: Play By the Rules

Instagram is run by multiple algorithms — Home feed, Explore, Reels, Stories.

Meta defines Reels as “the growth engine,” so let's focus there.

What Helps You Grow:

  • Strong first 3 seconds

  • High watch-through rate

  • Saves > Shares > Comments > Likes

  • Trending sounds or hot topics

  • Clean visuals, subtitles

What Hurts Reach:

  • Low-quality video

  • Watermarks

  • Clickbait or misleading hooks

  • Community guideline violations

Key metric to track? Sends per Reach.

If lots of people share your post, Instagram will push it further.

8. Don't Just Post — Plan Like a Marketer

Creators often get stuck in daily posting without a plan. You need a weekly marketing schedule:

  • Map your content themes

  • Define your growth goals

  • Track performance and adapt

Without this, you're just “posting” — not growing.

Final Words

Instagram growth isn't magic. It's method.

Set your positioning, create value with visual content, use tools that save time, and play smart with the algorithm.

Don't post more. Post better.