Plant-based Instagram influencers have huge social followings, and are adored in a way that most brands can only dream of.

So what’s their secret?

In this episode of Hootcast, some of Instagram’s top vegan influencers—bestselling author Lauren Toyota, Virtuous Pie marketing director Lia Loukas, and vlogger Steph Yu—share insights on their success, along with tips on how you can grow your following.

Press play to hear the show in its entirety, or if you don’t have a set of earbuds handy, you can read some tips from our conversation below.

Instagram lessons from 3 vegan influencers

Engage with your community by using the right hashtags

did y’all #feedyourface with plants for Easter? If you made some #hotforfoodcookbook goodies share ’em so I can repost on stories today! Maybe you attempted the raspberry funfetti pop tarts? Flakey buttermilk biscuits? Big brekky skillet? Get all these eats and more in Vegan Comfort Classics: 101 Recipes to Feed Your Face ???? available now! ???? @vanessaheins * * * #hotforfood #vegancomfortclassics #vegancookbook #poptarts #easterweekend #feast #pastry #eats #veganfood #whatveganseat #whatveganslooklike #foodie #author #foodphotography #foodtuber #youtuber #cookbooks

A post shared by hot for food (@hotforfood) on Apr 3, 2018 at 7:26am PDT

“Early on I recognized that hashtagging was a thing, and that if I used hashtags like #vegansofinstagram or #whatveganseat—there were a few popular ones—I started getting followers. I also commented on everyone that left a comment.

That was how I found the Vegans of Instagram community and other people who had bigger accounts than me at the time. I would look at the bigger accounts and observe what they were doing, whether it was their hashtags or the types of descriptions they were writing. I wouldn’t copy them, but I gained an understanding of what people were doing on the platform.”

– Lauren Toyota, hot for food

Be consistent with your posting schedule

⚡️GIVEAWAY TIME ⚡️these 2 recipes from the #hotforfoodcookbook can be made using delish #vegan ingredients from @eatgrain and @pranabio and they’re each giving away signed copies of the cookbook (Canada and USA only)… GO FOLLOW each account and check their latest posts for details on how to enter! Then #feedyourface with #vegancomfortclassics like spicy black bean taquitos and baked blueberry cheesecake AND MORE ???? * * * #hotforfood #giveaway #cookbooks #vegansofig #vegancookbook #foodie #recipes #cooking #vegancookbook #eats #comfortfood #whatveganseat

A post shared by hot for food (@hotforfood) on Mar 8, 2018 at 6:52pm PST

“When I started my YouTube channel people said, “You should just post at the same time every week, on the same day,” and I didn’t believe them. I thought, ‘No, no. I just want to do the content when I want to do it.’

But consistency is the key thing. You just have to be on the platform posting and giving people stuff, because they expect it. Once people follow hot for food on Instagram—they want to see a new piece of food inspiration every day. I knew that and I stayed on the platform and did that. And then I engaged back. I didn’t ignore people. I replied in real conversational ways.”

-Lauren Toyota, hot for food

Build a strong visual identity

WEEKEND DONE RIGHT. ✔️ Order online for take-out or delivery and we’ll join you, wherever your plans take you ???? . . LIVE/WORK/STUDY/PLAY at UBC? Get your pizza and ice cream by BIKE! ???? . We now have in-house delivery available on campus. Head over to our website to place an order ???????? . ????: hookedonplants

A post shared by Virtuous Pie (@virtuous_pie) on May 20, 2018 at 9:56am PDT

“Right away I wanted to have a…