If there is one thing that makes people happy on Instagram, it's getting more likes and more followers. You can deny this until you're blue in the face, but let's face it: everyone has some small desire to become an Insta-celebrity. And why not? Your posts are awesome and they deserve to be seen by the masses! Keep the following tips and tricks in mind next time you plan on posting, and watch the "likes" fill up your notification bar.

1. Create a personal brand/theme.

If you aren't an athlete, celebrity or company, finding a theme that carries through each of your photos may be difficult. If you want more followers, building an Instagram identity is crucial to distinguishing yourself from the millions of other users. This could mean promoting your skill or a talent, like musician @treemusique. If mountains are your calling then you may find inspiration from @outwhore or @christinavolkenn. Your account could also be completely location based with a focus on aesthetics, like Seattle-based photographer @samsaimo. Whatever your passion, you can find a niche following on Instagram.

2. Catch people at the right times.

According to the Huffington Post, the best times to post on Instagram are 2 a.m. and 5 p.m. The theory behind this is that less people are posting at these times, yet there are still engaged users around these times. Posting at 2 a.m. makes it so your posts are the first thing your followers see in the morning; posting at 5 p.m. make your posts more likely to been seen by people at the end of the workday. There are many other studies that try to determine when the actual best times to post are. Learn for yourself when the best times are to engage with your followers.

3. Post on hump day!

Instagram engagement does shift depending on the day. According to a study by Later, Wednesday is the best day to post if you want the most engagement from your followers. This may be because everyone is losing steam mid-week and turns to Instagram as a way to relax and take a break. So keep your posts positive so followers are more likely to engage.

4. Use hashtags...sparingly.

This may not seem that important to some people, but using hashtags can actually get you more visibility on your photos. Just by using Google and Twitter, you can search for what hashtags are trending. Some trending tags right now are #follow4follow, #doubletap and #model. Using too many hashtags might be a bit overwhelming, though, so focus on picking a few unique, targeted hashtags for your photos that are relevant to your audience.

5. Engage and use the "Explore" tool.

Using the "Explore" tool can help you find new and exciting photos that are trending based on whom you follow. By engaging with users outside of your direct following, you are gaining more visibility for your own account. If you want to get your photos onto the explore page, you need to be actively commenting and replying to your followers. Create engaging conversations, and this gives you a higher chance of having one of your photos featured.

6. Don't over-edit your pictures.

Although filters can be fun and make photos look unique, people prefer more natural-looking pictures. According to PostPlanner, images with no filter tend to have more engagement. Lower levels of color saturation and brighter, more colorful photos will also get you more likes. They key here is to constantly be posting great content and high quality photos with thought-provoking captions. Keep your posts authentic and creative.

7. Selfies help, too!

People want to see the creator behind the content, and in some cases, photos that show people's faces get more likes than photos that don't. Selfies are a fun way to show your followers what you are doing, but it is important not to seem too narcissistic! Put pictures of yourself in context by giving people a reason to care about your photos, like showing yourself with a long-lost friend, or after running a 5K. If you are taking pictures of other people, be sure there is high resolution to optimize digital enhancement.

These are just a few simple ways to help give your Instagram some credibility. What is most important is that you post about the things you love and care about -- the likes and follows will come easier if you are passionate about your content.