How to Get Your First 1,000 Followers on Instagram
Let’s be honest—starting an Instagram account from zero can feel intimidating.
You open the app, you see “0 followers,” and suddenly, it feels like no one’s listening.
But we all start there.
I remember sitting at 83 followers wondering why no one was engaging, why the content I put time into wasn’t landing, and whether I even knew what I was doing.
But I stuck with it—and more importantly, I shifted from posting randomly to posting strategically.
Now I’ve grown to over 11K followers, built a multiple 6-figure business, and helped more than 100+ brands, salons, medspas, and personal brands scale their visibility online.
If you’re at the start of that journey—or stuck somewhere along the way—this is exactly what helped me break through those first few hundred followers and turn it into real momentum.
Let’s get into it.👇
✦ 1. I Got Clear on the Problem I Solved
Forget the “pick your niche” generic advice. What actually moved the needle for me was getting clear on one question:
What is the exact transformation I help people achieve?
My audience wasn’t looking for “social media help.”
They were high-level business owners—stylists doing $3,000 installs, medspas with premium services, and personal brands offering high-ticket coaching.
They needed content systems, visibility, and branding that converted. So I created content that clearly showed them I could deliver that.
The clearer your message, the faster your growth.
✦ 2. I Used My Signature Framework: Attract | Align | Convert
This is the method I use with clients and in my own strategy.
✨ ATTRACT – Think of this as visibility content. Reels with a trending sound. Quick wins. Storytelling moments. This is how you get new eyes on your page.
✨ ALIGN – These are carousels, captions, and in-feed content that builds trust. It speaks directly to your audience’s struggles and shows them you get it.
✨ CONVERT – Stories and CTAs are where the magic happens. Talk about your offer clearly and often. Make it easy for your audience to understand how to work with you.
Most people are stuck in the “attract” phase—and wondering why their followers aren’t converting. You need all three to grow and scale.
✦ 3. I Posted Consistently and Intentionally
I didn’t post every day. But I showed up every week.
Even when nothing seemed to be working, I was creating, refining, and testing.
Here’s what I committed to early on:
3–5 (the more the better, as long as its consistent) posts per week (Reels, carousels, and testimonials)
Daily stories with a mix of value + behind the scenes
One weekly CTA to work with me or join a list
If you’re inconsistent, your audience doesn’t know when to pay attention.
Show them you’re serious by showing up on schedule.
✦ 4. I Showed My Face—But Kept It On Brand
You don’t have to be an influencer to build a personal brand.
You do have to be relatable and professional at the same time.
I used stories to:
Talk through client wins
Share day-in-the-life content (but always tied back to business)
Show my face so followers connect with me not just my posts
Strategic storytelling is what helps people go from passive followers to “Where do I sign up?”
✦ 5. I Built Systems to Support the Growth
Once people started showing up, I needed to be ready to handle it.
Here’s what I set up early:
HoneyBook: For contracts, onboarding, and invoices
Notion: For content planning, client dashboards, and task delegation
Time blocking with Google Calendar: For keeping my schedule on track while scaling
Scaling & Outsourcing: Hiring a team to make sure we are always on track and I’m not wearing all the hats
If you want to turn followers into real revenue—you need the systems to sustain that growth.
✨ Ready to Build a Business That’s Booked, Branded + Visible?
You don’t need a huge audience to hit $20K months.
You need content that works, systems that scale, and a strategy you can actually stick to.
That’s exactly what I teach in my free training.
💻 Join the waitlist now for my upcoming masterclass:
“From 0 to $20K Months: How to Build a Business That Stays Booked + Visible”