Instagram Follower Growth Strategy: Why Numbers Actually Matter in 2024
We need to challenge that common advice about Instagram followers being "just a vanity metric."
You've probably heard it before - focus on engagement, don't worry about follower numbers, all that matters is having engaged followers.
While that's partly true, it's only half the story, and I'm going to explain why.
In this blog, we'll explore why Instagram follower growth matters for your business success, how to leverage Meta ads for sustainable growth, and the exact strategy you can implement with just £3 per day.
Plus, I'll share my proven DREAMER framework for creating scroll-stopping content that attracts your ideal clients.
Why Continuous Instagram Growth Matters
It's absolutely not about chasing random followers or paying for fake accounts - that's never going to serve your business. But here's the thing: the impact of not growing your Instagram following can seriously challenge your business growth. Think of it less about the total number and more about movement.
Having 5,000 followers with 1,000 gained over six months is much healthier than 10,000 stagnant followers from 2020.
The Business Impact of Audience Growth
Your audience growth needs depend entirely on your business model. If you're running a business where you need one new client every few months, you won't need nearly as many followers as someone running a £9/month membership requiring 30+ new members monthly just to account for churn.
The real challenge emerges when businesses transition from low-volume to audience-hungry offers without adjusting their Instagram strategy.
This often leads to:
Talking to the same audience repeatedly
Growth plateaus that feel impossible to break through
Decreased launch excitement and engagement
Much harder conversions than before
Reduced overall engagement on your content
Understanding Your Growth Numbers
Let's get real about what natural growth looks like.
If you're not running ads and you're still posting consistently, doing stories, and all the things, your natural Instagram growth might be between 30-50 people monthly. That's about 500 people annually - not bad, but not great if you're running audience-hungry offers.
With a healthy 2% conversion rate, that's only 10 potential clients a year just from Instagram. If you're aiming for 50 people in your offers across the year, you'd need to grow your audience by 2,500 to hit that target with the same conversion rate.
The Simple £3 Day Meta Ads Strategy
Here's exactly how to implement a targeted follower growth strategy using Meta ads:
Go into Ads Manager and select 'Traffic' as your objective
Look for 'Instagram profile visits' at the ad set level
Create content that speaks directly to cold audiences
Optimize your profile for new visitors
Monitor and adjust based on results
The DREAMER Framework for Scroll-Stopping Content
Want to create content that actually resonates with cold audiences? Here's my proven DREAMER framework:
➜ D (Desire): Show what your ideal clients want Example: "What if your Instagram actually brought you consistent inquiries from dream clients?"
➜ R (Reality): Address their current situation Example: "Point of view: audience growth is at the top of your to-do list, yet even though you're posting daily, you can't work out why nothing's changing"
➜ E (Evidence): Provide proof it's possible Example: "Meet Sarah who went from 500 to 2,000 engaged followers in six weeks using my four-step process"
➜ A (Action): Give clear next steps Example: "Ready to grow your Instagram with dream clients for just £3 a day? Here's how"
➜ M (Mindset): Address limiting beliefs Example: "'I don't want to have to pay to play on Instagram' - I hear this all the time"
➜ E (Empower): Help them take control Example: "Stop hoping your Instagram is going to grow and take back control with this simple £3/day ad strategy"
➜ R (Results): Paint the picture of success Example: "Imagine finding out someone followed you, binged your content, and then landed in your DMs asking how they can work with you - all within 48 hours"
Profile Optimization: Beyond the Bio
Your Instagram profile needs to be primed for converting visitors into followers. And while everyone bangs on about your bio being important (it is), your top nine grid posts are absolutely crucial when running ads.
What most people miss is that these posts need to:
Have clear, branded covers for Reels and Lives
Show your expertise without making it all about you
Speak directly to your ideal client's needs
Include a mix of content from the DREAMER framework
Make it crystal clear what you do and who you help
If there's no front covers on your reels or lives, if it's just random pictures without context, you're making potential followers work way too hard to figure out if your account is worth following.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Want to make sure your Instagram follower growth strategy actually works?
Here are the biggest mistakes to avoid:
Relying solely on organic reach and hoping for the best
Waiting for that magical viral moment to grow your following
Creating endless content without a strategic plan
Ignoring profile optimization for new visitors
Using the wrong type of content for cold audiences
Remember, this isn't about vanity metrics or chasing numbers for the sake of it.
It's about creating sustainable business growth through strategic audience building. When done right, this £3/day strategy can transform your Instagram from a stagnant platform into a consistent client attraction tool.
Looking to implement this strategy in your business? The Audience Builder Course provides step-by-step guidance, including detailed video tutorials on setting up these campaigns and optimizing them for the best results.
Click here for all the info & to sign up.
What next?
If you’ve found this blog post useful, here are some ways you can be a part of my world:
1) Love an Instagram story? Good, me too! Come say hi & access plenty more of my free tips over on: @sophiegriffithsco
2) Listen to my podcast! It’s all about taking big, bold moves in your marketing with strategic, practical advice and loads of inspiration too! Click here to find out more and listen!
3) Interested in working with me? To check out the client services I offer here click here
Listen to the full podcast episode for additional insights and tips here.
