This Post is For Me. Let’s Name it: The Best Strategy for Facebook and Instagram Growth in 2025

Yes, this post is for me. Maybe somebody else will find it useful and interesting, but it is for me. To remember and to stick with the 8 steps as the best strategy for Facebook and Instagram Growth.

1. Step: Create Value, Not Just Noise

I’ve been consistent. But let’s be honest – sometimes I was posting just to post.
What I need to do is this: make every post either inspire, teach, entertain, or connect. That’s the litmus test.

Also, that first sentence? It has to punch.
Think: “What would stop me mid-scroll?”

Mental note: My posts aren’t announcements. They’re mini gifts. Wrap them well.

2. Step: Write Like I Speak. Use Keywords Like I Mean It.

I’ve been writing captions like I’m trying to impress Facebook, Google or X algorithm.
But the algorithm is people.
And people like:

• Real words
• Tiny stories
• Honest vibes
• Sometimes… fake ones too, because thinking is hard and memes are easier. And funny.

Also: Instagram and Facebook now “read” what I write.
So yes – I’ll use real keywords like “photography in Bruges” or “how to boost creativity” or “cat” and “cats” and “two cats” 🙂 But I’ll blend them into my language.

Writing for the algorithm is one thing. Writing something clickwanted is another. One gets attention. The other gets remembered. I talked about the difference here, including the time a car prize turned into a €50 fine: I Made Up a Word That Will Stuck (maybe)

3. Step: End With a CTA That Sounds Like… Me

No more robotic calls to action. I’ll say what I’d say in real life:

• “When do your best ideas strike? Morning? Midnight? In the shower?”
• “Do you collect clip art or actually use it? Be honest…”
• “Have you ever been to Croatia – or is it still on your someday list?”
• “Do you prefer to travel like a local or check off the famous spots?”
• “Pretend you’re a cat. Which would you knock off the shelf first?”
• “Would you rather: Hidden beach or mountaintop view? Comment with the emoji of your current mood.”
• “Save this for the next time your brain feels like a scrambled egg.”
• “Comment ‘MEOW’ if you watched to the end. No context. Let’s confuse the Facebook algorithm.”
• “If this reel made you snort-laugh or eye-roll, I accept both. Also, tell me why.”

Because even in 2025, the best CTAs are just… invitations to talk. And this is what I have to embrace, being an introvert and all. Not so easy, huh.

4. Step: Rotate My Content Formats Like a Playlist

I’ve been leaning too hard on one format when I need a symphony.
Here’s my ideal mix going forward:

• Reels – show, don’t tell
• Carousels – teach or tell a visual story
• Images – clean, powerful, branded
• Stories – casual, fun, human
• Lives – even just once a month

Bonus: I’ll pin my best 3 posts to tell people who I am and what I stand for. Hmmm, it depends on a theme. If I am writing about holidaysincroatia.eu, ok; but what about cats-magazine? I guess audience there is more interested in cats than my opinion on… cats 🙂 or something.

5. Step: Hashtags, Alt Text, and Keywords (aka: Mini SEO for Social)

Okay, past me didn’t love hashtags. But they still work – if used with love:

• 3 niche
• 3 personal/brand
• 2 location
• 2 trending or seasonal

And I’ll stop skipping alt text. I’ll describe what’s in the image like I’m whispering it to someone blindfolded: “Tito, curled up under the printer, dreams of chasing mice made of clouds.” Aim to write it more descriptive.

6. Step: Social Media Is Not a Broadcast – It’s a Café

Note to self: if I want engagement, I have to give engagement.

So before and after I post, I’ll:

• Leave real comments on 10 accounts I love (this is not easy for me as I am not really a chatty one in a real life)
• Reply to everyone who speaks to me (ok, I’ll try)
• React to Stories like I mean it (always. no problem here.)

I’ll stop being a ghost and start being a guest at the party. It’s not easy to be an introvert even online.

7. Step: Share the Stage With Others

No more solo act. (I’ll try, honestly)

From now on, I’ll:

• Collaborate with other creators
• Feature my audience (especially the cat people when on cats-magazine.com)
• Say yes to cross-promos when it feels aligned (while checking on scammers)
• Celebrate real connections, not just curated ones

Because growth comes when we’re part of something bigger – not when we hoard the spotlight.

8. Step: Look at the Data – but Don’t Let It Crush the Joy and Ruin the Day

Every Sunday, I’ll open Meta insights (just for 5 minutes! no more. not obsessively.) and check:

• What people saved (maybe?)
• What they shared (hopefully some)
• What made them click (if any)
• What flopped (and why? why???)

But I won’t overanalyze. Because the only number that truly matters?
Did this post feel like me?

At the End, Still Talking to Myself, LOL

This post is for me. For the days when I’m tired of the algorithm. For the moments I forget why I started. For the times I wonder if anyone’s even out there. For the days I’ve been asking myself why people choose toxic, shallow influencers and celebrities over normal people that could connect to.

Growth on social media isn’t just about tactics.
It’s about returning to the reason I showed up in the first place.
To tell stories.
To connect.
To build something real.

So if you’re reading this and it feels like your story too – then maybe this post was for you as well.