Reaching 100,000 followers on Instagram is a game-changer. It opens doors to brand deals, builds credibility, and boosts your visibility.
Yet, very few make it that far. Only 3.15% of Instagram users ever hit the 50,000-100,000 follower mark. Joining this elite group requires strategy, creativity, and persistence.
Think it sounds impossible? It’s not. We’re sharing expert tips to help you get there, including insights from two influencers who’ve grown their accounts to 100K.
Want to hit 100k Instagram followers on your account? From consistency to high-quality content, these expert tips are designed to help you succeed. If you’re ready to unlock the secrets to Instagram growth, let’s get started.
How to Hit 100K Followers on Instagram - Expert Tips for Organic Growth
We connected with two influencers who have successfully reached the 100K milestone: Laura El and Ellen.
Laura El is a New York City artist and founder of Stellar Villa. She uses stunning visuals captivate her audience. Ellen is one of the three Southern sisters behind The Perennial Style, a lifestyle account brimming with charm and authenticity.
Below, we’ve gathered their best advice along with additional expert tips to set you on the path to success!
Be Consistent and Show Up
When it comes to Instagram growth, consistency is important. The data shows that consistent - and frequent - posting is a factor for ranking in the feed and getting more followers. According to data collected by Hootsuite, the sweet spot is six to seven posts per week.
But quality matters just as much as frequency.
Laura El points out that consistency doesn’t mean sticking to a strict schedule. “Successful accounts vary widely in how often they post,” she says. “The key is to stay consistent without lowering quality.”
Ellen from The Perennial Style agrees. “Consistency was crucial in our early growth,” she shares. Her team started by posting 1-2 times daily but later focused on creating higher-quality posts at a slower pace. “Even if you post once a week, make it count. Consistency builds trust, and trust leads to growth.”
To stay consistent, consider using social media management tools to plan and schedule your posts ahead of time. This makes it easier to stay organized and on track. Check out our recommendations for the best social media management tools to help you get started.
Quality Over Quantity: Stop Posting Just to Post
Improving your content creation skills is key to standing out on Instagram.
“If I had to choose just one strategy that helped me reach 100k followers, it would be focusing all my efforts on becoming a better content creator,” Laura El shares. “When you put in the work to create the best content possible, success on social media will follow.”
Here are some tips inspired by Instagram’s own creator recommendations to help you elevate your posts:
Understand Your Audience
Take the time to learn what resonates with your followers. Use Instagram Insights or top social media management tools to analyze engagement metrics like likes, comments, and shares. Create content tailored to your audience’s preferences and interests for better connections.
Focus on Visual Appeal
Instagram is a visual platform, so you need to create content that stands out. Use high-quality images, cohesive editing styles, and vibrant visuals to grab attention and make your posts memorable. As an artist, Laura El has visual appeal dialed in. Nearly every post is an original piece of artwork her followers can enjoy.
Tell a Story
Go beyond static posts by telling compelling stories. Use captions, carousels, or Reels to narrate personal experiences or share your journey. Stories connect on a deeper level and encourage followers to engage. The Perennial Style leverages this through Instagram Stories and Reels about their travels and key moments in their lives.
Experiment with Content Formats
Keep your content fresh by trying different formats like Reels, Stories, carousels, or Lives. Experimenting helps you discover what works best for your audience while showcasing your creativity. Laura El mixes things up with popular Reels and Stories that show her process as well as her art.
Stay Consistent and Authentic
Post regularly to stay top-of-mind with your audience, but never sacrifice authenticity. Share real moments, challenges, and successes to build trust and long-lasting relationships with your followers. The Perennial Style regularly shares family events, such as birthdays, baby showers, and anniversaries.
By focusing on these strategies, you can create engaging, high-quality content that helps you stand out and grow on Instagram.
Focus On Content That Really Drives Results
Creating great content on social media goes beyond simply posting—it requires a clear strategy to be effective. A solid social media marketing strategy ensures that your content aligns with your goals, engages your audience, and maximizes the impact of each post. The key here is to build that strategy around content that drives results.
Laura El found unexpected success with still images, even though the platform has become video-driven. "Though Instagram favors videos, I still post images and mix in videos to stay relevant," she says, recommending @creators for tips on different post formats.
For Ellen, Stories, and carousels are top performers. “Stories offer a real-time, behind-the-scenes connection. Carousels let us tell a story across slides and keep followers engaged,” she explains.
While Reels generate buzz, Ellen finds that Stories and carousels create lasting engagement with her audience. In fact, the data shows that carousels generate the highest engagement on Instagram overall, when compared to Reels and image posts.
Leverage Hashtags Strategically
Are hashtags crucial for discoverability? This is a frequent question in social media circles.
And the answer is yes.
“Hashtags were definitely huge for our growth! They played a major role in helping people discover our content, especially for targeting specific topics or niches,” Ellen explains. “For example, using location-based hashtags like #DallasBlogger helped us connect with brands seeking local influencers. It allowed us to stand out in our city’s community and attract the right partnerships.”
In addition, Ellen and her team created their own branded hashtag, #perennialtravels, which has proved highly effective in growing an audience for their travel content.
To find the right mix of hashtags, she recommends some research to identify trending and niche-specific tags that target the ideal audience. "By blending popular hashtags with more targeted ones, we reached new audiences and grew our community thoughtfully and effectively," Ellen adds.
Focus on Engagement
Building a loyal community on Instagram means focusing on meaningful connections, not just follower counts. Responding to comments, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and showing genuine interest creates a welcoming space that keeps people coming back.
"A large follower count is nice, but it’s really just a vanity metric. Real impact comes from building authentic relationships,” says Laura El.
The benefit of consistency in engagement is that it transforms followers into advocates, which helps build trust and long-term growth.
“Engaging authentically with followers, showing the real, behind-the-scenes side of our lives, and creating conversations has helped us connect on a deeper level,” Ellen advises.
That said, she emphasizes that not everything needs to be shared - it’s perfectly fine to have boundaries. "While it’s valuable to let people into your life, it’s also OK to keep certain parts private. What matters most is showing up as your genuine self, whether through your challenges, achievements, or everyday moments. That authenticity is what creates a deeper bond with your audience.”
Collaborate with Influencers and Brands
People often highlight how partnerships drive revenue but rarely mention their power to grow your audience. Partnering with influencers or brands that align with your niche can introduce your account to new audiences. Collaborative shout-outs and reposts help attract followers who share similar interests. The Perennial Style often tags the places she’s visiting to further her reach.
“Collaborations and shout-outs have been a huge part of our growth," Ellen says. "When brands repost our content, it allows us to cross-promote and reach new followers we might not have connected with otherwise.”
Collaborating with other influencers can also help move the needle in a similar way.
“Teaming up with other influencers and bloggers has also been valuable, not only for follower growth but for building genuine friendships in the industry. These partnerships have expanded our reach and led to connections I truly cherish,” Ellen says.
A great way to get started and find brands to collaborate with is to join Instagram’s Creator Marketplace, where brands and creators can more easily build branded content partnerships.
According to a recent HubSpot blog, standing out to brands and securing partnerships requires a strategic approach that involves:
- Clearly defining your brand identity.
- Understanding and connecting with your audience.
- Maintaining consistency in your posting schedule.
- Using hashtags and geotags effectively.
- Tagging relevant brands in your posts to increase visibility.
- Making sure your bio includes contact information for easy outreach.
- Taking the initiative to pitch paid sponsorship opportunities.
- Recognizing and advocating for your value as a creator.
Adapt to the Algorithm
Adapting to Instagram’s evolving algorithm is a must if you want to stay visible and connected with your audience. The platform constantly shifts its focus, so yesterday’s strategies might not work today. Staying flexible and trying new formats will help you keep up.
When Laura El noticed her still images weren't performing as well as they once did, she responded by mixing things up. “The algorithm is always changing, so I have to keep experimenting. Now, I’m adding more video content, like process videos and artwork reveals, to stay relevant.”
The Perennial Style also faced setbacks, especially with the shift from a chronological feed to an algorithm-driven one in 2016. "We saw engagement drop, and hashtags became less effective," says Ellen. "To adapt, we focused on Stories, which appear at the top of feeds and aren’t as impacted by the main algorithm. Staying active in Stories has helped us maintain visibility.”
Both Laura and Ellen emphasize consistency, flexibility, and adapting to new trends to thrive despite algorithm changes.
Patience + Persistence = Progress
Growth takes time. And while there are some reports online of Instagrammers growing their followings to 100k within a few months, for most Instagrammers, it takes at least a year or more.
It took Laura El about five years to reach 100k, with most of her growth happening in the last 10 months after returning to Instagram with her fine art prints business, Stellar Villa. She notes that stepping back from commissions and shifting her focus allowed her creativity to thrive, which led to rapid growth.
Ellen from The Perennial Style reached 100k after four years on Instagram, though she’d been building an audience long before. One of her biggest challenges was adapting content as her life evolved, shifting from travel and events to family and lifestyle. For Ellen, the most loyal followers are those who embrace the journey and appreciate her authenticity through each chapter.
What Happens When You Hit 100K Followers on Instagram?
Reaching 100k followers is a big milestone, but it doesn’t guarantee instant success or endless engagement. The real value of hitting 100k lies in the doors it opens for partnerships, brand collaborations, and audience trust. After all, less than 4% of Instagrammers reach this level, which could make your audience very valuable.
While hitting 100k followers on Instagram isn’t a secret trap door to any new Instagram features - or to making a living off of your Instagram account - it is an opportunity, one each Instagrammer has to navigate once they reach it.
Laura El notes that while reaching 100k has elevated her art career, she still faces the challenge of reaching her audience consistently. “Even top-performing posts only reach a fraction of your following,” she explains. She began building an email list to stay in touch and keep her business and art top of mind with potential clients.
Ellen shares that while 100k brought exciting opportunities and visibility, her personal life hasn’t changed much. “It’s about building a community that genuinely cares,” she says. "The work doesn’t end once you hit a follower milestone - potential partners will still examine your engagement metrics."
Instagram followers are a valuable asset for businesses aiming to grow. A strong follower base can enhance visibility, drive engagement, and unlock new revenue opportunities. But 100k followers isn’t an endpoint. It’s just the beginning of new and different efforts to grow engagement and perhaps build the paid partnerships that can come with it.
Alternative Ways to Reach 100K Followers
While organic growth is ideal, some take different routes to hit the 100k mark. Some of these routes include:
Buying Followers
More than a few services offer to sell Instagram followers, and while this might seem like a quick shortcut to 100K Instagram followers, it comes with drawbacks.
Buying followers might increase numbers quickly, but it often results in low engagement. Purchased followers are typically inactive or bots, which means they can’t comment, share, and promote your brand like real people. This can damage credibility, reduce engagement rates, and even put you at risk of a penalty from Instagram.
In 2024, the FTC even declared buying fake followers to be illegal, because it misrepresents their influence on consumers.
Buying an Established Account
Some people buy established Instagram accounts on sites like Social Tradia. These are real accounts that were built organically and are being sold. While this can quickly grow your following, the audience has to align with your brand, as connecting with a purchased audience can still be challenging.
"Instead of buying followers, invest in tools or classes to improve your content. Building a genuine, engaged community takes time, but it’s far more valuable than just a big number. "
Laura El, @iamlaurael
Final Thoughts
When it comes to growing your Instagram account, both Laura El and Ellen from The Perennial Style emphasize the importance of quality and authenticity. Laura advises against chasing fleeting algorithm trends, instead urging creators to focus on improving their craft. She highlights that investing in content quality - whether through practice, exploring creative techniques, or taking courses - lays a strong foundation for growth. "Without quality content," she explains, "even the most optimized strategies will fall short."
Ellen underscores the power of authenticity, sharing how opening up about personal issues in Stories and posts has created meaningful connections with her audience. Both influencers agree that meaningful growth comes from creating high-quality, genuine content that resonates with your audience and builds trust.
For both influencers, the takeaway is clear: focus on high-quality, authentic content, and meaningful growth will follow.
At Softailed, we can help you find the best tools for tracking social media success, like follower growth, engagement, and more. Check out our top picks for the best social media management tools on the market. You can also use our Best Picks tools to compare social media management tools side by side.
FAQs
How much does Instagram pay for 100k followers?
Instagram doesn’t pay users directly based on follower count. However, with 100k followers, you can earn money through brand collaborations, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts. Many brands see accounts with 100k followers as valuable marketing partners, as this follower count often indicates an engaged audience.
Earnings from brand deals vary based on niche, engagement rates, and content quality, but for influencers with 100k Instagram followers, these partnerships can become a steady source of income. Studies show that the earning potential of an Instagram influencer with over 100k followers depends on different factors, but it typically ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 per sponsored post.
According to the Statista report for the top English-speaking countries, a macro-influencer can charge $1,800 per Instagram post.
Is 100k a lot of followers on Instagram?
Yes! Hitting 100k places you among the top tier of Instagram users. While millions of people are active on Instagram, 76% have fewer than 10k followers. Reaching 100k marks you as a “macro-influencer,” a level where you have both reach and impact, making your account highly attractive to brands and providing greater influence within your niche.
Can you make a living with 100k followers on Instagram?
Absolutely. Many influencers with 100k followers monetize their accounts through brand deals, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, and even direct sales. With the right mix of high-quality content and a strong engagement rate, influencers at this level can create multiple income streams. Although it requires dedication and a consistent strategy, making a living with 100k followers is achievable.
How many followers do you need on Instagram to get the blue tick?
There isn’t a specific follower count requirement for Instagram verification. However, having a large following, such as 100k, can help make your case for the blue tick. Instagram considers other factors like authenticity, public presence, and relevance within your field. While 100k may improve your chances, demonstrating that you’re a real person or brand with a unique identity is just as important.
How long does it take to grow 100k followers on Instagram?
The journey to 100k varies widely. For some, it takes a year, while others spend several years working toward this goal. Factors like niche, content quality, consistency, and engagement strategy all influence the pace of growth. Some influencers achieve rapid growth through viral content, while others grow steadily by building a loyal community over time. Patience, adaptability, and a focus on quality content are key to reaching this milestone.
Allison has more than 15 years of experience in helping businesses of all sizes - from small startups to enterprise-level organizations - navigate the ever-changing landscape of social media and marketing.
