Remember the old days of Instagram? You’d post a photo, throw in 30 hashtags, and hope for the best. You believed that Reels were the only way to grow and that collaborating with other creators was a bad idea.
The truth is, the game has changed. The old way of growing on Instagram is dead, and if you’re still using those strategies, you’re not just falling behind—you’re getting left behind.
The new way of Instagram growth is intentional, strategic, and data-driven. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and focusing on the activities that truly move the needle. You don’t need luck; you need a modern strategy that works.
Today, we’re breaking down the 4-step framework for the new way of Instagram growth. Let’s leave the old rules in the past and start building a brand that’s impossible to ignore.
Step 1: The Strategic Content Mix (The 40/30/20 Ratio)
The “old way” believed that you could only grow with Reels. The “new way” understands that a well-rounded content strategy is what builds a loyal audience and a powerful brand.
The 40/30/20 ratio is a simple framework for diversifying your content and getting the most out of every format. This ensures you’re reaching new audiences while also nurturing the one you already have.
Actionable Step: Structure your content around this ratio:
- 40% Reels: This is still your primary tool for reaching new audiences and going viral. Focus on high-impact, short-form video that hooks people in the first 3 seconds.
- 30% Carousels: These are your educational and trust-building assets. Use carousels to dive deep into a topic, share value, and establish your expertise. This format is great for high engagement and saves.
- 20% Stories: Use Stories to build a personal connection and a thriving community. This is where you can be authentic, ask questions, and share behind-the-scenes glimpses into your life and business.
- 10% Lives/Posts: The remaining 10% can be used for static images or going live, depending on what works for your brand.
Step 2: Mastering Instagram SEO
The old way was to use 30 hashtags and “pray to rank on them.” The new way is to use Instagram’s search engine optimization (SEO) to get discovered by people who are actively looking for your content.
Instagram is no longer just a visual platform—it’s a search engine. When you use keywords strategically, you position your content to be found by a pre-qualified audience.
Actionable Step: Do a quick audit of your content and your strategy.
- Keyword Research: Identify the 5-10 main keywords people would search for to find your content (e.g., “social media strategy,” “Instagram growth hacks”).
- Implementation: Use these keywords in these key places:
- Your Bio & Name: In the name field of your bio, use a primary keyword (e.g., “Marketing | Instagram Growth”).
- Captions: Use your keywords naturally in the first two lines of your captions.
- Reel On-Screen Text: Add keywords as text on your Reels, as Instagram’s algorithm can read it.
Step 3: Leveraging DM Automation
The new way of Instagram growth is to use DM automation to get leads and reach. The old way was to manually handle every single DM, which isn’t a scalable option for a growing brand.
DM automation isn’t about being spammy or robotic. It’s about using smart tools to deliver value, save time, and build relationships on a larger scale.
Actionable Step: Use DM automation strategically to get leads and reach.
- Lead Magnets: Use a DM automation tool to automatically send a free checklist or guide to anyone who comments a specific keyword on your post.
- Answer FAQs: Set up automated responses for common questions you get in your DMs.
- Build Your Community: Use automation to send a welcome message to new followers, asking them a question to start a conversation.
This allows you to nurture your community and generate leads without being chained to your phone all day.
Step 4: The Power of Strategic Collaborations
The old way was to avoid collaborations, thinking that other creators were your competition. The new way of Instagram is built on community and collaboration.
Strategic collaborations are a win-win. They expose your brand to a new, pre-qualified audience and position you as a respected authority in your niche. You’re not fighting for a piece of the pie; you’re baking a bigger pie together.
Actionable Step: Commit to setting up 1-3 collaborations a month.
- Find collaborators: Use Instagram’s search bar to find creators in your niche who are at or slightly above your level. Look for accounts with a similar audience, but with content that’s slightly different from yours.
- Pitch an idea: Don’t just say, “Let’s collaborate.” Pitch a specific idea, like a Reel collaboration where you both share a tip or a carousel post where you each contribute a slide.
- Cross-promote: Make sure you and your collaboration partner both promote the content to your respective audiences.
The Bottom Line: Upgrade Your Strategy, Upgrade Your Growth
The days of posting and praying are over. The old way of Instagram—the guesswork, the reliance on a single content format, and the fear of collaboration—is dead. What you’ve just learned is not a set of new hacks, but a complete strategic framework for a modern, intentional approach to growth.
By embracing a content mix, mastering SEO, leveraging smart automation, and building community through collaborations, you’re not just chasing trends. You’re building a powerful, sustainable brand that can stand the test of time. This “new way” gives you predictability, control, and the ability to turn passive followers into an engaged community and a profitable business.
It’s time to stop playing by the old rules and start building a brand that’s impossible to ignore. The future of your business is built on strategy, not on luck.
Which of these new strategies are you going to implement in your Instagram plan today? Let me know in the comments!