How to Grow Social Media Followers for Your Business in 2025

If you run a business, you already know how important it is to build a strong social media presence and grow followers. But to be honest, growing social media followers for your business can nearly feel impossible sometimes.

It can be frustrating to see how posting content daily with new ideas doesn’t seem to move the follower count much.

While the businesses with more social media followers are already enjoying advantages like more visibility, higher conversions, and sales. Especially in 2025, when nearly 76% of people are more likely to buy from brands they follow online.

In this guide, we’ll share tips on how to grow social media followers for your business. We’ll also share real-life stories from brands who used these tips and tricks to increase social media followers. Let’s get started.

1. Engage With Your Competitor’s Audience

If you want to learn how to grow social media followers for your business from scratch. One of the easiest ways is to follow in your largest competitor's footsteps and engage with their audience.

Remember as kids, how we learned new things by quietly watching and copying others. You can do similar things to grow your social media followers for your business.

You can start by observing your competitors and their audience. Their audience consists of people who are already interested in what you have to offer. They just don’t know about you yet.

By connecting with them, you can build your social media following faster with the right kind of audience. You can start by:

• Following the users who often comment or like posts from your competitors.

• Leave genuine and helpful comments on their posts. Make sure your comment provides some value to them.

• Offer friendly advice or answer questions when you can.

These steps will naturally make them curious to know more about you. As they reach your website, you can show why you are better than your competitors.

Once they find you offer more and better services/products, they will start to prefer you over them.

2. Utilize User Generated Content

If you want more people to follow your business, start showing off what your current customers share about you. This is called user-generated content, or UGC.

In fact, posts with UGC see 28% more engagement than brand-only content, which means more eyes on your business and more social media followers over time.

When real people post about your brand, it feels more honest and exciting to new followers.

• Create a hashtag for your business and ask customers to use it when they post about your products.

• Share your customers’ best photos, videos, or reviews on your own social media profiles. Always give them credit.

• Try running a contest or giveaway where people must tag your brand or use your hashtag to join.

3. Optimize Posting Times Based on Analytics

You might have noticed how some posts get more likes and comments while others go unnoticed. One secret that matters is timing.

If you want to know how to grow social media followers for your business, paying attention to when your audience is online can actually make a difference.

Most social media platforms offer analytics that shows you when your followers are most active. Instead of guessing, use these insights to schedule your posts at times when more people are likely to see them.

• Check your social media analytics to find peak activity times.

• Use a scheduling tool to post during these windows.

• Track your results and adjust as you learn what works best for your business.

4. Implement a Consistent Posting Schedule

Consistency is the foundation for building a strong social media following.

When people see regular updates, they are more likely to remember your brand and come back for more.

Social media marketing experts agree that having a steady flow of content can help you increase social media followers and boost engagement over time. To stay consistent without losing quality you can:

• Use a content calendar to plan your posts in advance.

• Decide how many times a week you can post without sacrificing quality.

• Review each post to make sure it reflects your brand and adds value.

Case Study: How SmartBug Media Increased Followers by 400%

SmartBug Media wanted to know how to grow social media followers on Instagram. They started using a content calendar and committed to posting educational and funny updates several times a week.

Over twelve months, their social media following increased by 400 percent, and they also saw higher social media engagement and website traffic. Their example is a great reminder that consistency plays a big role in how to grow social media followers for your business.

5. Engage in Meaningful Conversations

True social media following comes with making connections and turning followers into active participants in your brand’s story.

When you focus on conversations, you move from broadcasting messages to creating a community, which is the best way to grow social media followers for your business. To start interactions, you must

• Respond Quickly: Answer comments and direct messages in a timely manner. Even a simple thank you can show you value your audience.

• Ask Questions: Start discussions in your posts. Invite your audience to share their opinions or experiences.

• Join Ongoing Discussions: Find relevant conversations on other pages or groups in your niche. Contribute advice or encouragement instead of just promoting your business.

6. Work with Micro-Influencers

Working with micro-influencers is one of the most effective ways to grow social media followers for your business, especially if you are looking to reach new and engaged audiences.

Micro-influencers are social media influencers who have built a dedicated following in a specific niche. Their followers range from 1,000 to 100,000 followers.

These creators build trust with their audience, making their recommendations feel more like a friend’s suggestion than an advertisement. This is a new way to create a smart social media marketing strategy that works.

To Build Successful Influencer Partnerships, You Must:

• Find the Right Partners: Search for micro-influencers whose values and audience match your brand. Look at their engagement, not just their follower count.

• Create Win-Win Campaigns: Offer collaborations that benefit both sides. This could be product samples, giveaways, or co-created content that brings value to both your audiences.

• Measure Results: Use a social media follower tracker to monitor new followers and engagement after each partnership. Adjust your strategy based on what works best.

You can try experimenting by collaborating with certain microinfluencers. This will help you understand how to grow social media followers for your business in a way that fits your voice and audience.

7. Use Short-Form Videos to Grow Social Media Followers

There’s something about short videos that just works for people today. People want to hear quick stories.

If you’re wondering how to grow social media followers for your business, short videos are one of the easiest places to start.

Short-form video lets you show your brand’s personality in less than a minute. You don’t need fancy equipment. Most viral clips are shot on a phone, often behind the scenes or during a real moment.

Just think about the questions your customers may ask or the steps they might find interesting. To make an interesting short video you can

• Try a viral trend

• Invite a team member to give a peek in their lives

• Share a product tip or show a new feature in action

• Reuse blog content

8. Share Behind-the-Scenes Content

People love a good story, and nothing builds trust faster than a peek into the real day-to-day of your business. If you want to grow social media followers for your business, take your audience behind the scenes.

These moments make your brand feel approachable and human.

Most brands only show the final product. Let your followers see what happens before the launch, who’s working on what, or how a simple idea turns into something bigger.

Team introductions, bloopers, or work-in-progress shots are some of the best ideas you can work on. Short stories and reels work best for this kind of content because they feel personal. To make behind-the-scenes content work

• Show a quick team meeting or someone setting up for the day

• Share a small win or lesson learned

• Let a team member tell why they love what they do

How a Behind-the-Scenes Video Helped WWE Reach Millions

One of the best examples of behind-the-scenes content going viral is when WWE shared a BTS video of wrestler Jacob Fatu practicing his big entrance for a SmackDown show. The clip got over 7 million views and started a huge conversation online.

9. Utilize Social Listening Tools

Want to know what people really think about your business? Social listening is how you find out. It’s a must for any modern social media marketing strategy. By paying attention to online conversations about your brand and industry, you spot what matters to your audience.

You also uncover chances to jump in and connect, which helps grow social media followers for your business. There are simple ways to do this.

Tools like Hootsuite and Sprout Social let you track mentions, competitor names, and keywords related to your work. When someone mentions your brand, reply quickly.

If you see a question about your industry, join the conversation with a useful answer. This not only increases your social media engagement but also shows that you care.

• You can set up alerts for your brand and industry keywords

• Watch what customers say about competitors and look for ways to offer value

• Track trending topics to inspire your next social media content ideas

Case Study: How Wendy’s Used Social Listening to Win Fans

Wendy’s is known for its witty Twitter presence, but that started with careful listening. By watching what people said about their brand and fast food in general, they joined conversations with clever replies. This helped Wendy’s grow its social media followers and build a community that loves to interact with them. (source)

10. Use Polls and Surveys to Spark Engagement

People love to share their opinions. Polls and surveys are an easy way to make your social media followers feel seen and heard.

If you want to grow social media followers for your business, try adding these interactive tools to your content plan. They help you learn what your audience cares about while also encouraging participation.

When you post a poll on a trending topic or something specific to your industry, you invite quick feedback. You also show that your brand values input. After the poll closes, share the results. Add a few thoughts on what those numbers mean for your business.

• Pick topics your audience already talks about

• Use polls in stories or regular posts, depending on the platform

• Invite followers to share the poll with friends or coworkers

11. Give Followers Something Special: Exclusive Promotions

Nothing builds excitement like a good deal that only a select group can access. When you offer exclusive promotions just for your social media followers, you give people a reason to hit that follow button and stick around for more.

This approach is a tried-and-true way to grow social media followers for your business and reward those already in your community.

Time-limited offers or special codes available only through your Instagram stories, Facebook posts, or Twitter feeds make followers feel valued. Be clear about the exclusivity so people know they are getting something unique.

Let your audience know how long the deal will last. When you do, followers are more likely to act quickly and even share the news with their own circles.

• Launch a flash sale or giveaway only on your social profiles

• Announce a follower-only discount with a simple graphic or story

• Encourage your followers to tag friends or share the post to spread the word

12. Join Online Communities and Groups from Your Domain

Sometimes, the best growth comes from finding smaller online groups where people already talk about your industry.

While learning how to grow social media followers for your business you can use social media forums like Reddit threads, Facebook groups, or even special forums just for your field. When you answer questions or share a tip from your own experience, people start to notice your name.

If someone needs advice and you have a real answer, give it. When it feels right, let them know they can find more of your ideas on your social media profiles. This kind of honest participation can do more for your following than any big ad.

Case Study:

The skincare brand Paula’s Choice spent time on Reddit’s r/SkincareAddiction, helping users with detailed advice and transparent product info. Over a single year, they saw a 26% boost in Instagram followers. (source)

13. Implement a Referral Program

Word of mouth is still one of the fastest ways to grow social media followers for your business. According to Nielsen, 92% of people trust referrals from people they know.

When your current followers tell their friends about your brand, those new faces already trust you a little more.

You can set up simple referral codes or links, so it’s easy to see which new followers joined because of your program. Make it easy for people to share by offering a reward, a discount, early access, or a small freebie.

Over time, a well-run referral program becomes one of the most cost-effective social media marketing tips for steady follower growth.

14. Host Interactive Q&A Sessions

Sometimes, the best way to increase social media followers is by showing there’s a real person behind your business. People love the chance to connect directly with experts or business owners. Live Q&A sessions are perfect for this.

You can set a date, let your followers know what to expect, and invite them to send questions in advance. When you answer questions on Instagram, Facebook, or even LinkedIn you create a two-way conversation leading to a stronger social media following.

Don’t forget to save the session as a post so people who missed it can watch later and still join the conversation.

15. Collaborate with Complementary Brands

Growth is easier together. Teaming up with another business can give both of you a fresh boost. You can look for brands that aren’t direct competitors but share a similar audience.

Maybe you sell coffee, and there’s a local bakery that makes amazing pastries. You can host a joint giveaway, share each other’s posts, or co-create a social media series.

Cross-promotion helps both brands grow social media followers by reaching people who are already interested in what you offer, just from a different angle. This is one of the most practical social media marketing strategies for small business growth.

16. Share User Testimonials and Reviews

There’s nothing more powerful than seeing real people talk about why they love your brand. You can collect honest reviews and testimonials from happy customers and turn them into eye-catching posts or stories.

If your customer is comfortable, tag them in the post for more reach and authenticity. This kind of social proof builds confidence for new visitors and can quickly increase social media followers.

Highlighting positive feedback helps you celebrate your current community and encourages others to join in.

Your Next Steps To Increase Your Social Media Followers

Growing your social media followers takes time and real effort. It is about sharing your story and connecting with people, not just posting for the sake of it.

You can try different tips from this guide. Look at what gets people talking or brings new visitors to your page. Even small wins help your business grow.

Focus on building a loyal community, not just big numbers. Stay open to learning. Social media keeps changing, so try new things and keep improving.

If you want help planning your next steps, Better Marketing is ready to support you. Our team is here to help you with LinkedIn and Instagram marketing. We will turn followers into real results for your business. Contact Us Today!

FAQs on Increasing social media followers

1. How can I grow my Instagram followers for my business?

You can start by posting helpful content regularly. Use short-form video, behind-the-scenes stories, and real customer moments. Add relevant hashtags, post when your audience is active, and reply to every comment. Collaborate with micro-influencers or brands in your space.

2. What are effective ways to convert social media followers into customers?

Give followers a reason to act. Share quick tips, success stories, and limited-time offers. Use strong calls-to-action like “Shop now” or “Book a free consult.” Link your content to landing pages. Offer helpful responses to DMs.

The more value you offer, the more likely your social media followers will turn into paying customers.

3. How do startup businesses gain followers on social media?

Startups grow by showing personality and purpose. Share your story, daily progress, or the people behind the brand. Engage with niche communities and reply to every comment or message. Run a small giveaway or poll to encourage shares. These small efforts help grow social media followers without needing a big budget.

4. What are the best tips for increasing social media engagement?

Ask questions. Share stories. Use polls, reels, and short videos. Respond quickly when people comment or message you.

Engagement grows when your content feels personal and easy to react to. The more people interact, the more your posts show up, helping you build a stronger social media following.

5. How do I get my first followers on social media for my business?

Invite your current customers or contacts to follow you. Post useful content, even if it’s simple. Join groups or threads where your target audience hangs out. Share behind-the-scenes moments and ask for feedback.

6. How can I improve my social media presence?

Use a consistent brand voice. Post regularly. Share what makes your business different. Use tools to track your content performance and adjust based on what works. Try short-form videos, testimonials, or a live session.