How should I start on Instagram so that I can get followers and likes?

I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Create a reel showing the whole process, the story of your designs, what made you decide to do it this way, and how you actually did it. Also, a TikTok account can be very useful for you.

Tully said:
Create a reel showing the whole process, the story of your designs, what made you decide to do it this way, and how you actually did it. Also, a TikTok account can be very useful for you.

Thank you! I will try TikTok; I think it might help.

Phoenix said:

Tully said:
Create a reel showing the whole process, the story of your designs, what made you decide to do it this way, and how you actually did it. Also, a TikTok account can be very useful for you.

Thank you! I will try TikTok; I think it might help.

You’re welcome :pray:

You might not understand how IG or any social media works yet, so please don’t take my explanation as roasting you. Your account has followers, and what you post usually goes onto their feeds. Instagram doesn’t just broadcast your posts to everyone on Instagram; it pushes posts to specific people based on an algorithm. If your post meets or exceeds the algorithm, then non-followers will be exposed to your content, and they might follow you to see more. High engagement—likes, comments, replies, etc.—is more likely to get your post beyond your followers.

If you don’t have followers anywhere else, you can drive traffic to your Instagram by posting on other social media accounts, or even by marketing in real life (asking people to follow you, posting flyers, etc.). Get people to share your posts. You can also ask questions in your posts to increase engagement or include mistakes that invite correction. Tag larger accounts and ask for feedback from other artists. Social media is hard work, but persistence will eventually pay off. Good luck!

Mal said:
You might not understand how IG or any social media works yet, so please don’t take my explanation as roasting you. Your account has followers, and what you post usually goes onto their feeds. Instagram doesn’t just broadcast your posts to everyone on Instagram; it pushes posts to specific people based on an algorithm. If your post meets or exceeds the algorithm, then non-followers will be exposed to your content, and they might follow you to see more. High engagement—likes, comments, replies, etc.—is more likely to get your post beyond your followers.

If you don’t have followers anywhere else, you can drive traffic to your Instagram by posting on other social media accounts, or even by marketing in real life (asking people to follow you, posting flyers, etc.). Get people to share your posts. You can also ask questions in your posts to increase engagement or include mistakes that invite correction. Tag larger accounts and ask for feedback from other artists. Social media is hard work, but persistence will eventually pay off. Good luck!

OMG thank you so much for your tips, I really appreciate it a lot! Also, how can I make people share my post on their feed?

Phoenix said:

Mal said:
You might not understand how IG or any social media works yet, so please don’t take my explanation as roasting you. Your account has followers, and what you post usually goes onto their feeds. Instagram doesn’t just broadcast your posts to everyone on Instagram; it pushes posts to specific people based on an algorithm. If your post meets or exceeds the algorithm, then non-followers will be exposed to your content, and they might follow you to see more. High engagement—likes, comments, replies, etc.—is more likely to get your post beyond your followers.

If you don’t have followers anywhere else, you can drive traffic to your Instagram by posting on other social media accounts, or even by marketing in real life (asking people to follow you, posting flyers, etc.). Get people to share your posts. You can also ask questions in your posts to increase engagement or include mistakes that invite correction. Tag larger accounts and ask for feedback from other artists. Social media is hard work, but persistence will eventually pay off. Good luck!

OMG thank you so much for your tips, I really appreciate it a lot! Also, how can I make people share my post on their feed?

Great question! Post your art, and ask your followers to post their favorite art in that genre to their feed and tag you. You could also ask them to repost your art to their feed. Then you can respond to their posts and reciprocate. Comment wisely on posts by artists you like—people might click through to see what you’re about.

Mal said:

Phoenix said:
Mal said:
You might not understand how IG or any social media works yet, so please don’t take my explanation as roasting you. Your account has followers, and what you post usually goes onto their feeds. Instagram doesn’t just broadcast your posts to everyone on Instagram; it pushes posts to specific people based on an algorithm. If your post meets or exceeds the algorithm, then non-followers will be exposed to your content, and they might follow you to see more. High engagement—likes, comments, replies, etc.—is more likely to get your post beyond your followers.

If you don’t have followers anywhere else, you can drive traffic to your Instagram by posting on other social media accounts, or even by marketing in real life (asking people to follow you, posting flyers, etc.). Get people to share your posts. You can also ask questions in your posts to increase engagement or include mistakes that invite correction. Tag larger accounts and ask for feedback from other artists. Social media is hard work, but persistence will eventually pay off. Good luck!

OMG thank you so much for your tips, I really appreciate it a lot! Also, how can I make people share my post on their feed?

Great question! Post your art, and ask your followers to post their favorite art in that genre to their feed and tag you. You could also ask them to repost your art to their feed. Then you can respond to their posts and reciprocate. Comment wisely on posts by artists you like—people might click through to see what you’re about.

BRO, THIS IS AMAZING! I’ve never thought about it this way, but it makes so much sense. I’ll try this. Thank you again for your help!

Video, video, video. Instagram recently said they will prioritize smaller accounts, original content, and videos over all other media types. Use trends, audio, and engagement (polls, questions, etc.). It’s definitely not easy, but it is possible!

Reels help me a lot to get new followers and to go beyond my usual interactions.

Jem said:
Reels help me a lot to get new followers and to go beyond my usual interactions.

Oh, I get it. I didn’t know. I’ll try it. Thanks for the help :slightly_smiling_face:

My best advice is to engage with other animators and artists on IG. Don’t stress too much about the numbers—focus on sharing your passion and building community!

Phoenix said:
I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Create content and post it consistently. Use hashtags with high following numbers and engage with accounts that target the same audience. Comment and like before posting your content.

Blaine said:

Phoenix said:
I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Create content and post it consistently. Use hashtags with high following numbers and engage with accounts that target the same audience. Comment and like before posting your content.

I see. Should I start following and commenting before posting my first art?

Phoenix said:

Blaine said:
Phoenix said:
I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Create content and post it consistently. Use hashtags with high following numbers and engage with accounts that target the same audience. Comment and like before posting your content.

I see. Should I start following and commenting before posting my first art?

Yes, this will help you be visible. Don’t just comment and like—give insightful thoughts about others’ posts. Do this 30 minutes before posting your content.

Phoenix said:
I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Instagram Reels is your best option to scale. Make a posting schedule—ideally 2-3 times a week. Don’t forget to add location tags and keywords related to the content. Add trending music and cross-share on your story with a location tag.

Dior said:

Phoenix said:
I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Instagram Reels is your best option to scale. Make a posting schedule—ideally 2-3 times a week. Don’t forget to add location tags and keywords related to the content. Add trending music and cross-share on your story with a location tag.

Thank you so much for your answer! What kind of location should I put? It’s not my actual location, right? :sob:

Phoenix said:

Dior said:
Phoenix said:
I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Instagram Reels is your best option to scale. Make a posting schedule—ideally 2-3 times a week. Don’t forget to add location tags and keywords related to the content. Add trending music and cross-share on your story with a location tag.

Thank you so much for your answer! What kind of location should I put? It’s not my actual location, right? :sob:

You can put any location. It’s not your exact location. For example, if you want to reach a local area, you could use a nearby spot. Or, if you’re in New York but want to tap into an audience in Paris, you can use that location.

Dior said:

Phoenix said:
Dior said:
Phoenix said:
I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Instagram Reels is your best option to scale. Make a posting schedule—ideally 2-3 times a week. Don’t forget to add location tags and keywords related to the content. Add trending music and cross-share on your story with a location tag.

Thank you so much for your answer! What kind of location should I put? It’s not my actual location, right? :sob:

You can put any location. It’s not your exact location. For example, if you want to reach a local area, you could use a nearby spot. Or, if you’re in New York but want to tap into an audience in Paris, you can use that location.

Is it okay if each of my posts has a different location?

Phoenix said:

Dior said:
Phoenix said:
Dior said:
Phoenix said:
I’m starting now on Instagram. I’m an Animation Designer student, and my university recommended us to create an Instagram. I wanted to post some drawings, but whenever I start, I can’t gain attention. Usually, my posts get like 3 likes and all of them are from my friends :sweat_smile:. I’m going now for my 4th account, but I want to do it differently. I want to start it the correct way, but I’m not sure how to do it. Please give some advice.

Instagram Reels is your best option to scale. Make a posting schedule—ideally 2-3 times a week. Don’t forget to add location tags and keywords related to the content. Add trending music and cross-share on your story with a location tag.

Thank you so much for your answer! What kind of location should I put? It’s not my actual location, right? :sob:

You can put any location. It’s not your exact location. For example, if you want to reach a local area, you could use a nearby spot. Or, if you’re in New York but want to tap into an audience in Paris, you can use that location.

Is it okay if each of my posts has a different location?

Yes, absolutely.