How we grew Josie’s to 30k followers on Instagram

(without a single paid ad)...

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In the ever-evolving world of social media, organic growth can feel like a daunting challenge. However, with the right strategy, consistency, and creativity, it’s absolutely possible to build a loyal and engaged following.

One of our standout success stories is Josie’s, a beloved brunch restaurant with six locations across Hampshire.

Through social strategy and community management, we helped them hit 30,000 followers on Instagram organically. Here’s how we did it.

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1. Defining a Clear Brand Identity

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One of the first steps in our strategy was refining Josie’s digital identity. Josie’s is known for its indulgent brunch dishes, specialty coffee, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. We ensured their Instagram reflected this by focusing on:

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A consistent visual aesthetic with warm tones and mouth-watering food photography.

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A friendly, down-to-earth brand voice that resonated with their audience.

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A balance of content types, including food shots, behind-the-scenes moments, and customer interactions.

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2. Levering High-Quality, Engaging Content

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Instagram is a visual platform, and quality content is key to standing out. We invested in professional photography and videography, ensuring every post was visually appealing and shareable. Some of our most successful content types included:

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Close-up food shots – Highlighting textures, colours, and the sheer indulgence of Josie’s dishes.

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Reels and Stories – Short, engaging videos showcasing menu items, coffee pours, and behind-the-scenes action.

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UGC (User-Generated Content) – Encouraging customers to share their meals and featuring their content in our feed and stories.

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3. Mastering Reels & Video Content

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Reels have been a game-changer for Instagram growth, and we made them a priority. By creating:

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Recipe breakdowns

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Behind-the-scenes kitchen clips

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Time-lapse coffee pours

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Viral and entertaining trends featuring the Josie’s team

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We tapped into Instagram’s algorithm and expanded Josie’s reach to new audiences.

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4. Engaging with the Community

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A key part of our strategy was fostering genuine engagement. We actively:

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Responded to comments and DMs, creating a two-way conversation.

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Engaged with local food bloggers, influencers, and businesses to build relationships.

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Ran polls, Q&As, and interactive stories to keep followers engaged.

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5. Consistent Posting & Strategic Timing

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Consistency is crucial. We posted 3-4 times per week, ensuring a mix of static posts, carousels, and Reels.

We also used insights to determine the best times to post, maximising reach and engagement.

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6. Collaborations & Giveaways

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Partnering with local influencers and running occasional giveaways, helping us tap into new audiences. We ensured giveaways aligned with Josie’s brand, offering experiences like brunch for two, coffee's, or free pancakes.

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The Results

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With this structured, organic approach, Josie’s Instagram steadily grew to 30K highly engaged followers. More importantly, this translated into real business results, with increased footfall, higher customer engagement, and a thriving online community that continues to grow.

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Final Thoughts

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Building an engaged Instagram following organically takes time, effort, and creativity—but it’s absolutely achievable. By focusing on high-quality content, community engagement, and strategic growth tactics, we helped Josie’s transform their social media presence into a powerful marketing tool.

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Want to grow your restaurant’s Instagram presence? Let’s chat!

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