So you’ve created an Instagram account and you’re dying to get more followers. You’re hunting for the secret sauce, but just haven’t found it yet. Well, welcome to the club!

As the popularity of Instagram skyrocketed in the past 6-12 months, individuals and businesses throughout the world have recognized the importance of the photo-sharing social network. Regular folks may be using Instagram for fun, and more power to them, though businesses are looking for a return on their investment. This includes more followers, website traffic, brand exposure and ultimately increased revenue.

For companies to get more likes on Instagram as well as followers, they must do two things: share catchy, interesting photos and be hyper-social.

Like I mentioned in a previous article titled “Social Media is Like Fishing,” you need content to run a successful social media marketing campaign and for Instagram that means photos. The photos must be targeted and catchy enough to spark interest, which will result in a like or follow. Many times Instagram users see a photo that interests them, like it, then browse the rest of the photos on an account. This leads to multiple likes generated from capturing someone with only one photo. In essence, hook them then reel them in.

When it comes to being hyper-social, businesses must focus on not only sharing their photos with targeted hashtags, but also liking and commenting on photos. Each time you like or comment on an image, users get a notification of such, so the more you like/comment the more you’ll be seen. Like 100 images and you’ve basically sent out 100 handshakes to potential digital friends.