How to reach 1,000 followers on Instagram so you can go live
Miss connecting with your audience in realtime? Get to the new threshold with these tips.
If you’ve been using Instagram to connect with your audience, you might have recently noticed a change. Without warning, Instagram introduced a new threshold, meaning that users need at least 1000 followers to livestream from a public account. In this article, we’ll quickly break down what the update means, why Instagram is still an important platform for creators, and most importantly, how you can grow your account to that first 1,000 followers.
The new Instagram Live rule
As of last week, Instagram now requires users to have at least 1,000 followers to start a livestream. This replaces the previous open access, where anyone could go live regardless of follower count.
This means if you haven’t yet reached 1,000 followers, you’ll need to grow your audience before you can use one of Instagram’s most direct engagement tools.
This change could be frustrating – especially if you use livestreaming to share behind-the-scenes moments, perform live music, or talk directly to your fans. There’s no confirmed reason why, but the decision may have been made in a bid to ensure higher quality livestreams, prevent spam content, or potentially to slash the cost of livestreaming infrastructure for Meta.
Reaching your first 1,000 followers can certainly be challenging, but it’s more achievable than you may think. But, before we get into that, let’s look at why Instagram is worth your time as a creator or artist.
Why is Instagram important for artists?
We all know by now, for better or worse, that social media plays a massive role in society and is a constant presence in many peoples’ lives. This makes social platforms like Instagram, which is the third largest behind Facebook and YouTube, incredibly powerful and essential marketing tools. This is true whether you’re a multinational conglomerate, or an independent music producer.
Here’s why Instagram is a must-have for anyone trying to promote themselves:
- It’s visual: Whether you’re sharing photos, videos, or graphics, Instagram is designed for creative expression.
- It has a huge audience: With over two billion monthly users, your potential reach is massive.
- It supports different content types: Reels, Stories, carousels, and Lives let you mix things up and find what works for you.
- It connects you to your fans: You can build real relationships, grow a community, and even sell music or merch directly through the platform.
So, if you want to grow your career and connect with more people, reaching 1,000 followers on Instagram is a smart goal to aim for.
How to reach 1,000 Instagram followers
Here are 10 tips on how to grow your profile and hit 1,000 followers on Instagram, letting you livestream once more!
Optimise your profile
In order to grow your Instagram profile, you’ll need to recognise and appreciate the significance of your profile – that is your name, username, bio, even profile picture. First impressions count, but also you need to think smartly about how easy your profile is to find by the right people.
Your username and name on Instagram are two different things. The ‘name’ field is, in fact, a search term. So, choose a username that represents you and is recognisable. Then, figure out keywords and search terms relevant to you (e.g. ‘pop songwriter’ or ‘independent producer’), and incorporate them in your name.
Your bio is your opportunity to concisely explain who you are and what you’re about in the most engaging way possible. Additionally, use a link-in-bio tool like Smart Links to share all your important links – music, merch, socials – in one place.
Define your niche and audience
Focus your posts around a clear niche – such as a musical style, creative theme or visual tone. Think about who would naturally enjoy and engage with your content, and then explore and engage with similar creators. Leave thoughtful likes and comments on their posts to draw reciprocal interest.
Post consistently (without sacrificing quality)
Aim to post regularly – around three to five times each week – and mix formats (Reels, grid posts, Stories). Use Instagram Insights to discover when your audience is most active. Pair consistency with sharp visuals; well-lit, thoughtful compositions help make your feed feel professional and cohesive.
Beware: If you clog up people’s feeds with low-quality, uninteresting content just to stay consistent, it could have the desired effect.
Hook users and Reel them in
Short videos (Reels in this case) get huge visibility. Make the first 2–3 seconds irresistible – a hook that sparks curiosity or emotion. Great intros drive viewership and ultimately conversions into followers. Examples include posing a question, teasing a reveal, or creating a mood-setting moment.
Engage authentically and proactively
You can’t expect your garden to bloom without watering it. Just passively posting might get you some followers, but interacting and engaging is what will build you a community.
Build trust and connection by replying to comments, sending DMs, and commenting or liking similar creators’ content. A tactic often recommended is the “5 likes, comment & follow” method – engage meaningfully with a few posts then follow the creator.
Experiment with your content
Don’t limit yourself to one type of post. Try Reels, carousels, Stories, Lives, and even different editing styles to see what your audience responds to. You might discover that casual behind-the-scenes videos get more engagement than polished photos. Regular experimentation keeps your feed fresh and helps you figure out what works best for growth.
Befriend the algorithm
Instagram’s rules, features, and algorithms change often, and these shifts can have a big impact on your reach. Keep an eye on updates from Instagram itself, as well as social media news sources, so you can adapt quickly. Early adoption of new features often gives you a visibility boost.
Develop your editing skills
Good editing can make your content stand out. Learn basic video editing, colour correction, and how to use transitions to keep viewers engaged. You don’t need expensive equipment – Meta’s own Instagram Edits is a free mobile app can help you produce sharp, professional-looking content that’s more likely to be shared.
And if clean, sharp visuals isn’t your thing, knowing how to edit (whatever aesthetic you go for) is still important for speeding up the content creation process. You can find plenty of free resources and videos online to educate yourself with.
Use hashtags strategically
Hashtags still work, and are a simple but powerful discovery tool. Combine popular, niche, and location-specific tags, so your posts reach a mix of broad and targeted audiences. The optimum number of hashtags to use isn’t exact, but a report by Mention suggests 11, then 4 hashtags per post resulted in better engagement. Just don’t use spammy hashtags, as you could be penalised and harm your visibility.
Collaborate and cross-promote
Partner with other creators for joint posts, shout-outs, or challenges so you can share each other’s audiences. Collaborations not only help you reach new people, but they also show your audience that you’re active in your community and open to creative partnerships.
And don’t forget to promote your Instagram elsewhere – on TikTok, YouTube, X, your email newsletter, or (if you’re a performer) even in your live shows. A little cross-promotion can go a long way in driving new followers.
1,000 followers is just the beginning
Getting to that first 1,000 followers takes time, but by staying consistent, experimenting with your content, and building real connections, you’ll get there. Hitting this milestone doesn’t just unlock Instagram Live – it also means you’ve grown a community that’s engaged and ready to support you.
Remember, growth is about more than numbers. Keep posting content you enjoy making, interact with your audience, and adapt to changes on the platform. The more you put into your Instagram presence, the more you’ll get back.