Content Ideas to Grow Your Instagram Followers
Feeling overwhelmed by Instagram? You’re not alone. With so many moving parts to the platform - from Reels to Stories to Guides to Live video it’s difficult to know where to focus your attention.
Here are 3 types of content you can focus on, right now, for best results.
1. Short-form, “Snackable” Video Content
Hello Instagram Reels! While all forms of video content continue to grow in popularity on social media, fast-paced, shorter formats such as Instagram Reels are where it’s at. The great news about this style of content is that it doesn’t need to be super polished and it is much less time-consuming, than other video formats, such as YouTube.
The aim of this style of content is watch time. Use attention-grabbing tactics and fast transitions to create visual interest and keep viewers engaged for longer.
Don’t forget video for your feed. Create micro videos and spice up still images with simple animations. This can easily be done using a tool such as Canva.com or with one of the many Instagram Story apps available. Simple looping videos, such as Boomerangs, increase time spent on your post (one of the key ranking signals that the algorithm uses to determine how many people is pushes your content out to) and are a sure-fire engagement-booster.
Pro Tip: If you’re new to Instagram Reels (or TikTok), aim for quantity over quality at first as you get a handle on the platform and work out how best to use it. Try a range of topics, tap into trends and experiment with different editing features. This will help you to determine what works, and what doesn’t, on the platform. The more content you create, the more your content creation skills will improve.
Once you know what works (and what doesn’t) and your confidence grows you can then refine your approach to focus on creating more (higher quality) content in your niche.
> Related post: Instagram Reels vs Instagram Stories
2. Long-Form [macro] Content
This may seem contrary to the point above however, while short-form binge-worthy content is great for reach and account growth, value-packed “macro” content provides many more opportunities for SEO (search engine optimisation) and can be repurposed into multiple smaller pieces of content for Instagram.
Long-form content can include blog posts, vlogs (video blogs), YouTube videos, podcasts or even IGTV. Invest time creating one high-quality piece of content and break it out into smaller, snackable Instagram content such as quotes, lists or diagrams, Reels or Stories and carousel posts with one idea per slide. You could also go Live talking about the topic in more detail and answering questions.
3. Shareable + Saveable Content
Likes and comments are nice but saves and shares are far more valuable Instagram currency, so focus on creating content that users will want to save for later or share with their friends. Memes, graphics, and high-value carousel posts are particular favourites as are interactive Story templates that users fill and share.
Carousel posts are great for engagement, saves and boost the time spent on your content
When in doubt, educate. Positioning yourself as a reliable source of quality information keeps users coming back for more and helps accelerate the all-important know, like and trust process.
Try video tutorials and how-to posts, share a list of useful tools, websites, blogs, podcasts or create fact-packed Reels that will help your followers with a specific problem they may be experiencing.