How I Grew My Instagram to 64,000 Followers – Hands-Free
A few months ago, I had a lightbulb moment that would change how I approached social media forever. I realized I was spending way too much time on Instagram, trying to grow my following while juggling other commitments. The grind felt endless, and I knew there had to be a better way.
Fast forward to today, and my Instagram account has grown to over 64,000 followers. The best part? I didn’t even have to log into Instagram to make it happen. Instead, I discovered a system that not only expands my follower base but automatically publishes content that sometimes goes viral.
A Sneak Peek at the Numbers
In the past 90 days alone, my account has amassed more than 5 million views and reached over 2 million people, all thanks to the automation I want to share with you. This isn’t just another flashy gimmick; it’s a practical approach that anyone can implement, regardless of their technical know-how.
The Framework
Let’s break it down into two simple workflows that changed everything for me.
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Downloader Agent: This runs daily to grab videos from my primary channel—TikTok. The agent logs these videos into a Google Sheet, organizing them neatly for easy access.
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Uploader Agent: This runs twice daily, posting videos to both Instagram and YouTube Shorts while also experimenting with Threads and Twitter. It automatically updates the Google Sheet to mark videos as published.
Setting Up Your Automation
So what does this actually look like? Here’s a simple overview of how to get started.
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Daily Video Logging: The downloader agent uses an HTTP request to a tool called Appify, which helps extract data from TikTok (or any other platform you prefer). Sign up for Appify, find the TikTok scraper, and grab your API key.
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Google Sheet Integration: Once your videos are downloaded, they’re logged into a Google Sheet. You can set up a template that maps video IDs, captions, and URLs easily.
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Auto-Publishing: The uploader agent checks the Google Sheet for videos marked as “for publishing.” It then posts one video at a time, uploading to various channels like Instagram and YouTube Shorts.
Exploring Appify
When I first encountered Appify, I was a bit skeptical. But after setting it up, I found it to be a game-changer. This tool allows for endless automation possibilities across platforms.
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Step-by-step Testing: Filling out the input form manually helps you understand how to structure your requests better. Once you know what works, switch to the JSON view and integrate it into your automation.
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Versatility: If TikTok isn’t your primary platform, there are scrapers for Instagram and many other social networks. Just find what suits you.
The Role of Blotato
After downloading videos, Blotato comes into play for posting. This tool simplifies the connection between various social media channels, allowing you to link everything in one place.
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Single Sign-On: Connecting multiple accounts across different platforms is a huge time-saver. You won’t have to log in and out from each social media account anymore.
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Custom Settings: For each channel you want to post to, you can customize settings that best fit your content and branding.
What I’d Do If I Started Today
If I were starting from scratch, here’s a streamlined approach:
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Sign up for Appify and choose the appropriate scrapers based on your content sources.
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Set up your Google Sheet using a pre-made template for ease of use.
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Sign up for Blotato to handle your multi-channel postings smoothly.
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Schedule your workflows so that you have a steady stream of content being shared automatically.
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Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on performance metrics to determine what types of posts resonate most with your audience.
Reflecting on the Journey
Looking back, discovering automation tools felt like finding a hidden treasure in the chaos of social media. I often think about how many hours I wasted manually posting and wondering why growth wasn’t happening.
Now, I can create and share content without burnout, allowing me to focus on what matters—engaging authentically with my audience.
Final Thoughts
Automation isn’t just about technology; it’s about reclaiming your time and energy. Embracing this shift changed not just my social media strategy but instilled a sense of freedom in my daily routine.
If you’re curious about building systems that save you from burnout and free up your time, I created something that might help. It’s a small online course called Automation by RoboNuggets, where I share the exact tools and workflows I wish I knew earlier. You can check it out here, only if it feels right for you.
