Growing your Instagram audience by a million followers in just six months might sound like a dream. But for food content creator Shivesh Bhatia, it was a mix of smart strategies, relatable stories, and showing up consistently. Here’s a breakdown of what really worked — and how you can use the same formula.
1. Topical Content = Timely Growth
Want to stay relevant? Talk about what people are craving right now. Seasonal hits like mango and strawberry always work. One mango cheesecake reel alone racked up 37 million views and brought in 78,000 followers. The key? Timeliness. Create content that taps into the current mood or flavor of the season.
2. Episodic Series Keep People Hooked
Content that connects like a TV show keeps your audience coming back. Shivesh’s series — A to Z of Desserts, Sweet Summer Treats, No Oven No Problem — gave people something to look forward to. Each episode built curiosity and trust.
3. Start with a Strong Hook
Every successful reel started with a bold, clear opening. One standout? The Suji Bread episode that began with “No oven, no maida bread.” It combined relatability with visual satisfaction — a soft, fluffy loaf being squeezed. That one reel alone brought in 180,000 followers.
4. Festive Feels Work Wonders
Celebrations = content gold. Whether it was Diwali mithais or Christmas cookie twists, festive posts added emotion, nostalgia, and urgency. When people feel connected, they share more.
5. Engagement > Algorithm
Reels don’t grow alone — community does. Shivesh made it a two-way street by replying to DMs, reposting fan recreations, and answering questions. Real interaction turned followers into loyal fans.
6. Recycle Your Greatest Hits
Old doesn’t mean outdated. Shivesh reused high-performing posts with tighter captions and new angles. If it worked once, it can work again — even better.
What Made It Work?
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A clear niche
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Curiosity-led series
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Problem-solving value
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Festive, seasonal timing
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Engaging like a real human
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Relatable storytelling
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This isn’t just about content. It’s about connection. What made Shivesh’s strategy powerful was how real it felt, and that’s something anyone can replicate.
