How to Get More Instagram Followers as an Artist in India

Instagram has become one of the most powerful platforms for artists to showcase their work, connect with collectors, and even sell their art. In India, where digital engagement is booming, leveraging Instagram effectively can help artists build a strong following and turn their passion into a profitable career. However, gaining real, engaged followers requires more than just posting your artwork.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through proven strategies to grow your Instagram as an artist in India. From optimizing your profile to using the right hashtags and engaging with your audience, these tips will help you increase your followers, boost engagement, and expand your reach.

Optimize Your Instagram Profile for Maximum Visibility

Your Instagram profile is like your digital portfolio. If it's not properly set up, potential followers may not take you seriously.

How to Optimize Your Profile:

✅ Choose a Professional Username: Keep it simple, recognizable, and easy to remember (e.g., @YourName_Art).

✅ Use a Clear Profile Picture: A high-quality image of yourself or your signature artwork helps establish credibility.

✅ Write a Strong Bio: Clearly state who you are and what kind of art you create. Example:“🎨 Indian Artist | Watercolor & Digital Art | DM for commissions”

✅ Add a Link in Your Bio: Use Linktree or Beacons.ai to direct people to your portfolio, shop, or art competitions.

💡 Pro Tip: Use a call-to-action (CTA) in your bio like “Follow for daily art inspiration!” to encourage engagement.

Post High-Quality & Consistent Content

Posting frequency and quality play a huge role in growing your Instagram following.

What to Post:

🎨 Final Artworks: Showcase your finished paintings, sketches, or digital pieces.📽 Behind-the-Scenes: Share your creative process through time-lapse videos or carousel posts.🖌 Work in Progress (WIP): Engages followers and makes them excited for the final piece.💬 Personal Stories: Share your inspirations, struggles, or success stories to build an emotional connection.💡 Art Tips & Tutorials: Short how-to videos or carousel posts work well for engagement.

Best Posting Frequency:

📌 Post at least 3-4 times per week for steady growth.📌 Use Instagram Stories daily to stay on your followers’ radar.

💡 Pro Tip: Maintain a consistent aesthetic (color palette, art style) to make your feed visually appealing.

Use the Right Hashtags to Reach a Wider Audience

Hashtags help your art get discovered by new people. Using relevant and popular hashtags increases the chances of your posts appearing on the Explore page.

Best Hashtags for Indian Artists:

✅ General Art Hashtags: #IndianArtist #ArtistOnInstagram #ArtLover

✅ Medium-Specific Hashtags: #WatercolorArt #AcrylicPainting #DigitalArt

✅ Engagement-Boosting Hashtags: #ArtChallenge #Inktober #SketchDaily

✅ Location-Based Hashtags: #ArtIndia #DelhiArtists #MumbaiArtScene

📌 Use a mix of trending and niche hashtags (10-15 per post) to maximize visibility.

💡 Pro Tip: Save a few hashtag sets in your Notes app for quick access.

Leverage Instagram Reels & Video Content

Instagram prioritizes Reels and video content, making them the best way to go viral and attract more followers.

Ideas for Artist Reels:

🎥 Time-lapse Painting Videos (Speed up your painting process)🎭 Art Challenges & Trends (#DrawThisInYourStyle)🖌 Before & After Reveals (Sketch to finished piece)💡 Art Tips & Hacks (e.g., “3 Tips for Blending Watercolors”)🎶 Trending Audio + Your Art Process

📌 Reels get 2-3X more engagement than regular posts. Try posting at least 2 Reels per week for maximum impact.

💡 Pro Tip: Use trending songs & audio clips to increase your chances of appearing on the Explore page.

Engage with Your Audience to Build a Community

The more you interact with your followers, the more Instagram’s algorithm will boost your visibility.

Ways to Engage:

💬 Reply to All Comments: Engaged followers are more likely to share your work.📥 DM (Direct Message) New Followers: A simple “Thanks for following! Hope you enjoy my art 😊” makes a difference.📊 Use Instagram Polls & Q&A: Great for Instagram Stories to start conversations.📢 Shoutouts & Collabs: Partner with other artists to cross-promote.

💡 Pro Tip: Tag & engage with bigger art pages (e.g., @worldofartists, @artsnacks) to increase your chances of getting featured.

Run Art Giveaways & Contests

Hosting an art giveaway is a great way to increase engagement and attract new followers.

How to Run a Simple Giveaway:

🎁 Offer a free print, postcard, or small artwork.📌 Entry Requirements: Ask participants to follow your account, like the post, and tag two friends.📆 Announce a Deadline & Winner to keep things exciting.

💡 Pro Tip: Partner with another Indian artist to increase reach and get more engagement.

Collaborate with Influencers & Art Pages

Collaborations expose your work to larger audiences and bring in new followers.

How to Find Collaboration Opportunities:

📍 Reach out to art influencers, illustrators, and brands that share your aesthetic.📌 Offer Guest Features: Ask big pages to share your work (e.g., @ArtistsOfIndia).🖼 Tag Art Pages Regularly: Many feature the best-tagged artworks on their stories.

💡 Pro Tip: Even small influencers (5k-20k followers) can help you grow fast when you collab with them.

Final Thoughts

Growing your Instagram as an artist in India takes strategy, consistency, and engagement. By following these 7 proven methods, you’ll not only increase your followers but also attract art buyers and commissions.

✅ Want to gain more exposure for your art? Join TERAVARNA's art competitions and connect with collectors worldwide!