How to grow your social media following: 15 proven tips

If you have ever scrolled through social media and wondered how certain accounts skyrocket in popularity, you've probably wanted to be on the other side of that equation! But gaining thousands of followers almost overnight? Now, that's a feat worth discussing.

To garner a massive following at a record rate is less an outcome of sheer luck and more of building a loyal following by implementing proven strategies. In this post, we will discuss how to grow your social media following with 15 tried and true strategies.

We’ll also show you how Gelato’s ecommerce integrations can help you convert those followers into loyal customers, effortlessly blending social media magic with your business goals.

• Consistently engage with your audience to build loyalty and trust on your social media platform.

• High-quality visuals and effective hashtag use can greatly boost post visibility.

• Collaborating with influencers can expand your reach and attract new followers.

• Running contests across many social media platforms and utilizing ads drive engagement and follower growth.

• Analyzing and optimizing your social media marketing strategies based on performance metrics ensures continuous improvement.

Ready to grow your online community? Here are 15 proven strategies that will help you attract and retain more followers across all your social media channels.

1. Offer custom merchandise

Creating custom merchandise offers a tangible connection between you and your audience and turns your followers into brand advocates. Here's how to leverage custom merchandise effectively: 

• Partner with a reliable provider: Use platforms like Gelato that effortlessly integrate with ecommerce sites like Shopify and Etsy.

• Offer limited editions: Create a sense of urgency by launching limited-time merchandise.

• Incorporate user feedback: Engage your audience in the design process through polls or suggestions.

2. Post consistently

Regular posts keep your audience engaged and aware of your presence, leading to higher visibility and more followers. Here's why consistency matters for most social media platforms: 

• Builds trust: When you post regularly, your audience starts to rely on your content, creating a sense of trust and loyalty.

• Increases visibility: Social media algorithms favor active accounts. Posting consistently can boost your content's reach and visibility.

• Keeps your audience engaged: Consistent posting ensures that your audience always has something new to interact with, keeping them engaged and interested in your brand.

3. Engage with your audience

Connecting with your audience is about creating genuine interactions and making your followers feel valued. Here’s how to keep your audience hooked on each social media channel: 

• Respond to comments: Reply to your followers' comments to show you’re listening and appreciative.

• Ask questions: Initiate conversations by asking thoughtful questions, encouraging your audience to share their opinions.

• Host Q&A sessions: Live Q&A sessions offer a real-time opportunity for actively engaging followers and addressing their queries.

4. Use high-quality visuals

Using high-quality visuals can boost your engagement, making your posts more attractive and shareable. Here's how to make the most out of your visual content: 

• Prioritize quality over quantity: Invest in high-resolution images and professional editing tools to ensure your visuals are top-notch.

• Incorporate variety: Mix it up with photos, infographics, short videos, and GIFs to keep your audience engaged and entertained.

• Tell a story: Use visuals that reflect your brand values to create narrative arcs that engage and captivate your audience, adding context and depth to your posts.

5. Leverage hashtags effectively

When used strategically, hashtags can make your content discoverable to a much wider audience. Whether you're new to using hashtags or looking to refine your strategy, these tips will set you on the right track: 

• Research popular hashtags: Look through your social media feeds to find out which hashtags are trending in your niche. Use these hashtags to reach a larger audience.

• Create branded hashtags: Create a unique hashtag that represents your brand or the theme of your campaign. Ask your followers to use it, too!

• Limit your hashtags: Overloading your posts with too many hashtags can look spammy. Stick to a few relevant ones for better impact.

6. Collaborate with influencers

Teaming up with influencers can dramatically boost your social media presence by tapping into their established audience. Here’s how you can effectively collaborate with influencers: 

• Identify the right influencers: Look for influencers whose audience aligns with your target demographics.

• Offer mutual value: Ensure that the collaboration benefits both parties. This could be through product giveaways, sponsored posts, or participating in each other’s content.

• Set clear expectations: Define the collaboration's scope, deliverables, and outcomes to ensure a smooth partnership.

7. Run contests and giveaways

These activities help people engage with your content and share it with their friends. This makes more people aware of your brand. Let's dive into some key steps to get the most out of your campaigns: 

• Offer attractive prizes: Choose rewards that resonate with your audience and are related to your brand.

• Keep rules simple: Ensure the participation process is easy to follow, minimizing any potential confusion.

• Announce winners promptly: Timely announcements keep the excitement level high and enhance your credibility.

8. Utilize social media ads

With the right ad strategy, you can target a specific audience, ensuring your content reaches those most likely to be interested. Here's how to make the most of your social media advertising: 

• Define your goals: Determine what you want to achieve with your ads—more followers, increased engagement, or higher website traffic.

• Know your audience: Use demographic and behavioral data to tailor your ads for the people who matter most to your brand.

• Create compelling content: Design eye-catching visuals and craft messages that resonate with your target audience.

9. Create shareable content

Creating shareable content is essential for growing your social media following. It can amplify reach, increasing followers and engagement. Here's how you can create good, shareable content:

• Focus on value: Share tips, insights, or how-to guides your audience finds useful.

• Use visuals: Images, infographics, and videos are more likely to be shared than text-only posts.

• Encourage sharing: Ask your followers to share your content. A simple call to action can often make a huge difference.

10. Analyze and optimize

To grow your social media following, you must understand what works and what doesn’t. This means regularly analyzing your performance and optimizing your strategies based on the data. Here’s how you can do it: 

• Monitor follower growth: Track your follower count over time to understand growth patterns and identify successful tactics.

• Evaluate engagement: Look at likes, comments, shares, and saves to see which posts resonate most with your audience.

• Analyze best times to post: Determine when your audience is most active to maximize reach and engagement.

Pro tip: You can also use social listening tools to discover what people are saying about your brand, your products or services, and their experience with your brand.

11. Host live sessions

Going live on social media allows you to interact, showcase your personality, and build a deeper connection with your followers. Here are some tips for live session interactions:

• Behind-the-scenes looks: To humanize your brand, offer a glimpse into your daily operations, special projects, or events.

• Product demos: Showcase your product's benefits in a live demonstration to drive interest and sales.

• Collaborative live: Partner with influencers, clients, or other brands to co-host live sessions for broader reach and varied content.

12. Cross-promote across social media platforms

Cross-promoting across your different social media platforms is a savvy way to increase your overall reach and strengthen your brand's presence. Here's how you can make the most of this strategy:

• Link your accounts: Make it easy for followers to find you on different platforms by linking your social media accounts in your bio and posts.

• Promote platform-specific campaigns: Encourage your Instagram followers to join a Twitter contest or watch a Facebook live session.

• Use social media tools: Tools like Hootsuite and Buffer can help you easily schedule and manage posts across different platforms.

13. Optimize your profile

Optimizing your profile ensures that the information is clear and engaging and encourages people to follow your account. Here are some tips to help you get started: 

• Use a clear profile picture: Choose a high-quality image representing your brand or persona. This helps in building a recognizable brand identity.

• Craft a compelling bio: Write a concise and informative bio highlighting what you do and what value you offer your followers. Include relevant keywords.

• Link to your website and other platforms: By linking to your website and other social media platforms, you can make it easy for followers to find more of your content.

14. Share user-generated content

User-generated content (UGC) is a fantastic way to build trust and community on social media. It highlights your brand's real-world impact and gives your followers a sense of involvement. Here's how you can make the best of UGC:

• Share customer reviews: Post testimonials from satisfied customers to show the authentic value of your products.

• Feature user photos: Highlight pictures your audience shares using your merchandise, adding a personal touch to your profile.

• Showcase video testimonials: Share videos of your customers reviewing your products to add a dynamic and trustworthy aspect to your brand.

15. Engage with trending topics

Engaging with trending topics makes your content more discoverable to a larger audience and shows that your brand is current and relevant. Here's how you can effectively tap into trending topics: 

• Be timely and monitor trends: Timing is crucial when it comes to trends. Ensure you're posting while the topic is still relevant and gaining traction. Use tools like Google Trends or Twitter's trending section to keep up with what's hot in your niche.

• Add value: Contribute to trending conversations with valuable insights or unique perspectives. Don't just echo what everyone else is saying.

• Use relevant hashtags: Incorporate trending hashtags to increase the visibility of your posts to a larger audience.

You have a treasure trove of strategies to elevate your social media game! Whether it's offering custom merchandise or engaging with trending topics, each tip is guaranteed to help you attract and retain followers more effectively. Ready to put these tips into action?

You can further elevate your social media strategy with Gelato's print on demand services. By effortlessly integrating with platforms like Shopify and Etsy, you can offer custom merchandise to your followers, turning them into loyal customers. 

Our product range includes customizable t-shirts, mugs, wall art, phone cases, tote bags, and photo books. Gelato also simplifies the process with its global network, delivering quality products swiftly and efficiently. 

Ready to grow your social media following with the power of personalized offerings? Sign up for Gelato today and choose a subscription plan that suits your needs!

What is the easiest social media to get followers on?

Gaining followers often depends on your target audience. However, platforms like TikTok and Instagram are generally considered easier due to their visual format and algorithm that promotes viral content, making it simpler for users to reach new audiences quickly.

How long does it take to build a following on social media?

Building a following on social media varies; it depends on factors like content quality, audience engagement, and consistency. While some may see growth within months, others may take years. Regularly analyze your strategy, adjust as needed, and remain patient for sustained results.

Does posting every day increase followers?

Yes, posting daily can boost your follower count by keeping your audience engaged and ensuring your content remains visible. However, quality matters as much as quantity. Consistently high-quality posts are more likely to attract and retain followers than frequent but low-effort content.

Can you lose followers by posting too much?

Yes, overly frequent posting can overwhelm your audience, leading them to unfollow you. Balance is key: keep your content engaging and share it at optimal times. Use analytics to understand your audience's preferences and tailor your posting schedule accordingly to maintain and grow your follower base.

What is the best time to post to gain followers?

Posting when your audience is most active yields the best results. Generally, early mornings, lunch breaks, and evenings after work are peak times. However, specific optimal times vary by platform and your audience's habits. Utilize analytics tools like Hootsuite to determine your unique best-posting windows.