Abigail Stryker 
You read the title right; my dog’s Instagram, @Ivyspitbulllife, gets more engagement and sees stronger growth than my personal account. There are a few reasons for this. The first being that she is adorable. Moreover, I have a strategy and dedicated posting schedule, very similar to what Maven builds out for our clients, that supports steady growth. I started Ivy’s Instagram on September 1st, 2025, with the intention of sharing cute/funny Ivy content for my friends and family. In the past 90 days, since I really committed to posting consistently with the addition of reels, Ivy’s account has reached 102K followers, received 147K views, and gained over 350+ followers. What is the strategy behind this growth? Let’s dissect!
Understand your audience & post consistently.
I know I’m preaching to the choir when I say that a consistent posting schedule is essential, but it’s true. On Instagram, there’s more room to play between singular posts, carousels, and reels. I aim to post once every day or every other day at a minimum. This is because, with more entertainment-style content like Ivy’s, the three to four times a week rule doesn’t apply as strictly as it would if this were a law firm account. Ivy’s followers want to see what she is up to day to day, whether she’s being cute or mischievous. The key takeaway here is your niche will dictate how often you should be posting, whether it’s every day or a few times a week. Once you know that, commit to your posting schedule so that your followers know what they can expect and enjoy the ride!
Reels, reels, reels!
Instagram is determined to make itself the official alternative to TikTok (and boy is it succeeding!), which is why IG’s algorithm is favoring reels. Reels have a unique ability to cater to short attention spans, but the content must grab users within the first three seconds. If a user stops to watch your reel, even for five seconds, that is enough time for IG’s algorithm to learn that the user is interested in that content pillar. This means that your reels are more likely to pop up again for that user, which can lead to a follower gain.
Now, posting one reel a week isn’t going to move the needle much. I aim to post a reel to Ivy’s IG every other day. However, sometimes simpler, more organic content is what wins. If you look at Ivy’s reels, you’ll notice most of them don’t have fancy editing. What most of them do have is a text prompt in small font that users must read to fully understand the context. By having text in the opening, you’re forcing users to resist scrolling past.
While impressions are great, what’s key is your engagement rate. Engagement tells you that the viewer valued your content enough to take the extra second to like, share, or comment on it. While this might seem like a small act, it’s essential to growth and content prioritization.
*screenshots above are from the past 90 days
Engage like you mean it.
It’s great when users comment on your post, but it’s even better when you respond. In the early stages of building your account, until you reach macro influencer status, it’s imperative to treat your followers like friends rather than fans. I make a point to respond to every comment (within reason) that Ivy receives to build a connection. This practice also demonstrates authenticity, which users look for now more than ever.
The bottom line.
Growing your Instagram following isn’t about luck; it’s about strategy. Whether you’re managing a pet account or a professional brand, the fundamentals remain the same: know your audience, commit to a consistent posting schedule, prioritize reels that hook viewers, and engage authentically with your community. Ivy’s success proves that even without fancy editing or massive budgets, organic content paired with strategic consistency can drive real growth. The same approach we use at Maven for our clients applies across the board: understand what your audience wants, deliver it reliably, and engage. If my rescue pitbull mix can do it, so can your brand. But if you need any help along the way, Maven is here to help you reach your goals!
Posted In Content Marketing, Digital Strategy & Social Media, Media & Culture