How do I get my first 100 followers on Instagram as a new artist?",
The short answer: Stop trying to get followers. Start making content that matters. I learned this the hard way — when I was busking on Tenerife beaches, I wasn't counting likes. I was just playing for whoever walked by. Your first 100 followers should be real people who actually care about your music. Post videos of you making stuff, not polished photos. Be ugly. Be raw. Show the mess. I'm serious — the moment I stopped caring about numbers and started sharing my faith journey through electronic worship music, people showed up. Engage with 10 other small artists daily. Comment like a human, not a bot. That's it. No shortcuts.
Stop posting and ghosting. Instagram's a chat, not a megaphone. Show up, talk to people, share something real—that's what turns scrolls into follows.
I see it all the time. Artists dropping a photo, a link to their song, then disappearing for three days. They wonder why nobody cares.
Here's the thing — Instagram is a conversation, not a billboard. When I was busking on Tenerife, I didn't just play and walk away. I talked to people. Asked where they're from. Shared a laugh. That's what builds connection. Same on Instagram.
This is why I built Selah.fm — to help artists own their promotion without depending on labels or black-box algorithms.
In this article
The biggest mistake new artists make on Instagram
Posting and ghosting. That's it. They drop a photo, a link to their song, and disappear for three days. Then they wonder why nobody cares.
Look, I get it. You're busy making music. You think the platform works like a jukebox — you press play and people listen. But it doesn't work like that. Ever feel like you're just screaming into the void? That's why.
When I was busking, I didn't just play and walk away. I talked to people. Asked where they're from. Shared a laugh. That's what builds connection. Same on Instagram.
- If you're not replying to comments, you're invisible
- If you're not engaging with stories, the algorithm ignores you
- If you're not being present, people notice — and they leave
Posting is step one. Staying is everything. I learned this the hard way when I lost everything and had to start over. Showing up daily matters more than any single post.
How to turn a casual viewer into a follower
You give them a reason to come back. A casual viewer scrolls past — they're not looking for you. So you need to stop their thumb.
I do that by showing something real, not polished. A rough vocal take. The view from my campervan at sunrise. A moment of frustration in the studio. People follow because they feel something, not because your grid is pretty.
When I was busking, I'd get people who just walked by. But if I caught their eye and smiled, played something that made them stop — that's when they'd stay. Same here.
- Give them a moment that's human
- Make it honest, not perfect
- Then they'll hit follow because they want more of that feeling
Trust me on this one. I've seen artists with stunning visuals post once a month and go nowhere. Meanwhile someone posting raw phone videos daily builds a real community. Go figure.
What kind of content to post in your first month
Three things: the process, the person, and the preview.
Show yourself making music — not perfectly, just honestly. Show who you are — your space, your struggles, your faith. And give little snippets of what's coming. No full songs yet. Just teasers.
When I started making electronic worship in my campervan, I posted a 15-second clip of a synth pad with waves in the background. That's it. People asked 'what's this?' That's the hook.
- The process: Show the messy middle of making music
- The person: Let them see your real life and personality
- The preview: Tease what's coming without giving everything away
Don't overthink it. Your first month is about building curiosity, not proving you're a pro. Be a human making art, not a brand selling product.
Why consistency matters more than quality at this stage
Because consistency builds trust. Quality is subjective — your first post might not be amazing, but if you show up every day or every other day, people start to expect you. They know you're serious.
I remember sitting there thinking, 'this video is garbage, should I even post it?' And I posted it anyway. And people loved it. Because it was real.
When I was busking, I showed up at the same spot at the same time every day. People started planning their walk around my set. That's consistency.
- You can polish a video later
- You can't buy back lost momentum
- Show up first. Get good later.
I'm not gonna sugarcoat it — this is hard. Some days you won't feel like posting. Do it anyway. That's how you build something real.
How to engage with other artists without feeling spammy
I comment like a human, not a promoter. 'Love this chord progression' or 'that vocal at 0:45 gave me chills' — specific, honest stuff. Never 'check out my music' or 'great content.' That's noise.
I also share their work in my stories without asking for anything back. Just 'listen to this, it's fire.' When I built Dream or Donate, I learned that giving first opens doors.
People remember who supported them before they needed anything.
- Be specific in your comments — show you actually listened
- Share their work in your stories with genuine praise
- Send encouraging DMs with zero pitch or ask
If it feels spammy to you, it definitely feels spammy to them. Trust that feeling.
One strategy that worked for hitting that first 100
I found five people who made similar music and became their biggest fan. Not fake — real. I commented on their posts, shared their tracks, sent encouraging DMs. No pitch, no ask. Just support.
Some of them followed back. Some shared my stuff. It wasn't a strategy at first — I just genuinely liked their work. But that organic connection grew my first followers faster than any hashtag.
When I was busking, I didn't try to play for everyone. I found my spot, played my sound, and the right people found me.
- Find your tribe — don't try to please everyone
- Serve them first, without expecting anything back
- The numbers come when you focus on connection, not counting
Honestly? I still struggle with this sometimes. The temptation to go viral, to chase the algorithm, to play the game. But every time I've done that, I've lost myself. The real growth came when I stopped caring about growth.
Key Takeaways
- Don't post and ghost: Instagram is a conversation, not a billboard — stay present and engage
- Give them a reason to follow: Share something real and human, not polished perfection
- First month content: Show the process, the person, and the preview — build curiosity, not authority
- Consistency beats quality: Show up daily first, get good later — momentum matters more
- Engage genuinely: Support other artists without asking for anything back
FAQ
How often should musicians post on Instagram?
Daily or every other day is ideal for growth. Consistency matters more than perfection — show up regularly and people will start expecting you.
What's the best time to post music content on Instagram?
It varies by audience, but early mornings and evenings tend to work well for music. Test different times and see when your followers are most active.
Should I use hashtags as a musician on Instagram?
Yes, but use specific ones related to your genre and niche. Avoid generic tags like #music — focus on tags your actual fans would search for.
How do I grow from 0 to 100 followers fast?
Find 5 artists in your genre and become their biggest fan. Engage genuinely, share their work, and build real connections. It's slower than hacks, but those followers stick around.
I don't have all the answers. I'm still figuring this out myself. But I know this: the music industry took 98% from artists when I had my record deal at 21. I walked away from that. Built something different. Lost it all. Started over in a campervan. Found faith on my knees praying to be happy again.
And now? I make electronic worship music. I live by donations. I don't own a house or a car. But He always provides.
Your art matters. Your voice matters. Don't let the algorithm make you forget that.
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