How to Get NBA Players to Follow You on Instagram
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms in the world. With an estimated 1.3 billion monthly active users, Instagram is by-far the go-to source for beautiful photos, imagery, and videos, all neatly presented in a nearly endless array of square covers.
And while Twitter remains the go-to source for NBA news and rumors, Instagram remains the best source for photos, videos, and highlights. And many times, those photos, videos, and highlights come straight from NBA players themselves.
Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms for NBA players and NBA players are some of the most active and popular figures on the platform. However, if you are looking to get an NBA player to follow you on Instagram, it is going to take some work.
Below, we are going to review just how to get an NBA player to follow you on Instagram. Although the process itself is relatively straightforward, it can still be difficult to garner the attention of an NBA player. However, following the below steps should help you get started.
Why do You Want an NBA Player to Follow You on Instagram?
Before we delve into how to get an NBA player to follow you on Instagram, it may be important to understand just why you would want an NBA player to follow you on Instagram in the first place. Admittedly, the reasons may differ from individual to individual.
However, having an NBA player follow you on Instagram provides you with a certain level of clout and bragging rights. NBA players are some of the most sought after personalities in the world and their celebrity status is celebrated both on and off the court.
In addition, having an NBA player follow your Instagram page, particularly if you run a basketball, sports, or NBA page, can provide you with considerable recognition and can be the boost and motivation you need to continue posting content to Instagram.
And lastly, there is definitely a cool factor at play. NBA players are often inundated with follow requests, proposals, and opportunities outside of the game. Essentially, they have a nearly endless supply of suitors to choose from. But if they choose to follow you on Instagram, it provides you and your Instagram page with a bit more “coolness” that you may have otherwise been missing.
Just How Popular Are NBA Players on Instagram?
As stated above, NBA players are some of the most active and popular personalities on Instagram. However, just how popular are these individuals on the platform? To put it into context, some NBA players have even more followers on Instagram than former President Barack Obama!
Some of the more popular NBA players on Instagram include:
- LeBron James – 80.3 million followers
- Stephen Curry – 38.8 million followers
- Russel Westbrook – 18.7 million followers
- Kyrie Irving – 15.6 million followers
- Kevin Durant – 12.5 million followers
- James Harden – 11.4 million followers
- Chris Paul – 10 million followers
- Lonzo Ball – 9.2 million followers
- Paul George – 8.9 million followers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo – 8.7 million followers
Post Amazing Content
As with many things on Instagram, if you build it, they will come. However, with billions of accounts on Instagram, standing apart from the crowd requires amazing content. This means that simply posting the latest highlights and stats may not be enough to catch the attention of an NBA player.
Rather, you should look to create amazing, high-quality content to your Instagram page. This can include highlight reels, analysis on plays, or compilations of a certain player, team, or even play. Whatever it is, just make sure that it is high-quality and gets the attention of a viewer.
Post Frequently
Similarly, frequently posting on Instagram is likely to catch the attention of both NBA fans and players. In this digital age, users expect frequent, consistent posts to appear on their timeline. Doing so will not only show that you have an active page, but also one that is well-maintained and worthy of following.
Maintain a Certain Level of Followers
In addition, unless you have a personal relationship to an NBA player, you will want to build up your own list of followers on Instagram before expecting an NBA player to follow you. We caution and warn against purchasing followers, as those are easily spotted and may even get you banned from the platform.
However, if you post frequently and post high-quality, engaging content, then you will be able to build your Instagram page over time and organically.
Create an Instagram Page Dedicated to an NBA Player
If you’re interested in having a particular NBA player follow you on Instagram, then creating an Instagram page dedicated to them may be one of the easiest ways to do so. Many NBA players will appreciate the recognition and will follow pages dedicated to them.
Use Proper Hashtags
Hashtags are used on Instagram to categorize content and make it more discoverable. They are also one of the most important parts of any Instagram post. Hashtags help you to expand your Instagram audience and get more reach, views, and follows by expanding your post past your followers.
If you want to get a particular NBA players attention, then utilizing hashtags with their name may be a great way to reach them and others interested in that particular player.
Tag Specific Players
Similarly, many times, NBA players may be too inundated by other posts to notice your post on their latest highlights, stats, or compilation. However, this can be solved by simply tagging that particular player on a post about them.
However, we caution against tagging too many players on one post or tagging a particular player over-and-over again. Not only will doing so make that player unlikely to follow you, but they may end up blocking your account from view.
Send Them a Direct Message
Sending an NBA player a DM, or direct message, is another great way to get their attention and have them follow you on Instagram. However, if you are going to direct message them, be sure to provide some value in your message and a call to action.
By call to action, we mean that you should state from the get-go what you would like. For instance, if you send an NBA player a post of their recent dunks compiled into one video, simply asking them for a like or follow may be enough for them to do so.
Interact on Their Posts
In addition, many NBA players read through all their comments and likes on Instagram. You should remain active on their page and look to both like and comment on their posts. Doing so will put you on their radar and may just get you a follow-back.
Follow Up-and-Coming Players
And lastly, while you may not be able to get LeBron James to follow you back on Instagram, you may be able to have lesser-known players to do so. Oftentimesthose players have less followers and are keener to grow their own presence on Instagram.
Following, liking, and posting about those players may yield you more results and have them follow you back on Instagram.