If you’ve ever opened Instagram, posted something meaningful, and then felt discouraged by the silence afterward, I want you to know something important:
You are not alone.
I hear from aspiring authors all the time who feel disappointed because their posts are not getting many likes, comments, or followers. It’s easy to look at numbers on social media and let them shape how you feel about yourself or your message. Those little numbers can begin to influence your confidence, your creativity, and even your willingness to keep showing up.
But growth on Instagram is not only about numbers.
Real growth happens when you begin connecting with people through something honest, meaningful, and human. The authors who build lasting audiences are often the ones who are willing to share from the heart, even before they feel fully confident.
If you have a story inside you, your voice matters more than you think.
We’ll Cover:
What “Growth” on Instagram Really Means
When people search “how to grow on Instagram,” they’re often hoping for more followers, more visibility, or more engagement.
Those things are understandable. But I want to gently shift your perspective for a moment.
Growth is not only about becoming visible to more people—it’s also about becoming connected to the right people.
You do not need millions of followers to make a meaningful impact.
If your post encourages one parent, inspires one aspiring author, or helps one child eventually discover your future book, that matters deeply.
Sometimes authors become so focused on follower counts that they miss the beautiful thing already happening: people are listening, learning, remembering, and connecting.
Resonance matters more than vanity metrics. A smaller audience that genuinely cares about your message is far more powerful than large numbers without connection.
Why It Feels Hard to Grow (And Why You’re Not Alone)
Social media can feel emotionally heavy sometimes.
You post something vulnerable or heartfelt, and then you compare your engagement to someone else’s. You wonder whether you are doing something wrong. You start questioning whether your message matters.
I understand that feeling more than you know.
At the beginning of my author journey, I struggled with visibility too. I felt nervous about telling people I wanted to write a children’s book. I hesitated to share my work. Being seen felt uncomfortable for me.
But eventually, my focus shifted. Instead of focusing on my fear of visibility, I started focusing on the impact I wanted to make in the life of a child.
That changed everything.
I realized that if I stayed hidden, children would never have the opportunity to experience the messages I wanted to share. If I never spoke about my book, readers would never find it.
That mindset shift helped me move forward.
Many creators feel stuck before they truly find their voice. That is a normal part of the process. Confidence is often built through showing up imperfectly, not by waiting until you feel completely ready.
Your voice becomes stronger the more you use it.
What Actually Helps You Get More Likes & Followers
There are many social media “hacks” online, but the strategies that create meaningful growth are usually much simpler than people expect.
The first thing I recommend is sharing from the heart.
Ask yourself:
Why is this important to me?
People connect with real emotions, real stories, and real experiences. You do not need to sound polished or perfect. You simply need to sound genuine.
Storytelling will always be more powerful than trends. Trends come and go quickly. One week everyone is using a certain sound or format, and the next week everyone has moved on. But stories stay with people.
Think about the books that impacted you as a child. Most of us can still remember at least one story that shaped us emotionally. That is the power of storytelling.
As authors, that is our strength.
Another important part of growing on Instagram is creating conversation.
At the end of your post, invite people to respond. Ask a thoughtful question. Encourage reflection.
You could ask:
- “When was a time you experienced this?”
- “What books impacted you as a child?”
- “What part of writing feels most exciting to you right now?”
Questions create connection.
I also encourage you to become intentional about what you engage with online.
When you see content that inspires you, interact with it. Leave a thoughtful comment. Share encouraging posts to your stories. Save content you enjoy.
The Instagram algorithm often shows you more of what you engage with. Over time, your feed can become a source of inspiration instead of comparison.
It’s also valuable to connect with like-minded people.
Find other children’s book authors. Observe what kinds of conversations they are creating. Notice how they encourage their audience. Support each other genuinely.
You do not have to build your author journey alone.
Join the supportive community to discover how to write the kind of story children want to read over and over.
What to Post When You Don’t Know What to Share
This is one of the most common questions I receive:
“What should I post on social media?”
The good news is that you do not need endless content ideas to begin, just start with simple moments and reflections.
You could share:
- A lesson you learned while writing
- A meaningful childhood memory
- A behind-the-scenes glimpse of your creative process
- A quote that inspired you
- A page from your notebook
- A story idea you are exploring
- A challenge you are working through
- A message you hope children remember
You do not always need a perfectly designed graphic or a polished video. Simple, thoughtful storytelling often creates the strongest connection.
You can also repurpose your content across platforms. Meta Business Suite allows you to post to Facebook and Instagram at the same time, which can simplify your workflow significantly.
Most importantly, remember that social media is not separate from your author identity. It is simply another place where your voice can encourage, inspire, and connect with people.
A Simple Content Rhythm You Can Follow
One of the biggest reasons authors stop posting is overwhelm.
They believe they need to post every day, constantly create new ideas, or master every feature on Instagram.
You do not need to do all of that.
A simple rhythm is often more sustainable.
You might begin with:
- One storytelling post
- One encouragement post
- One behind-the-scenes or personal reflection post
Three posts per week is more than enough to build consistency.
The goal is not perfection. The goal is showing up.
Consistency helps build confidence over time. The more regularly you share, the easier it becomes to express yourself naturally online.
Some posts will perform better than others. That is completely normal.
Keep focusing on connection rather than perfection.
Your Voice Matters
If you’ve been hesitant to show up online because you feel unseen, uncertain, or discouraged, I want to encourage you today:
Your message matters.
Your story matters.
The encouragement, wisdom, imagination, and hope you carry could make a meaningful difference in the life of a child someday.
Please do not let numbers convince you otherwise.
Keep sharing. Keep growing. Keep believing that your voice has value.