EP. 010 | 5 Posts to Create Content Strategically on Instagram
Podcast Summary
In this episode, I dive into the diverse types of content that you can post on Instagram and the specific goals associated with each type. I cover the five main post types—Instagram feed posts, carousels, reels, stories, and live videos—and how to effectively use them to market your small business.
I emphasize the importance of a well-rounded Instagram strategy that includes all post types while also playing into your strengths and understanding your audience's content consumption habits.
Throughout the episode, I share valuable insights and tips on how to optimize each post type for engagement, reach, growth, and nurturing relationships with your audience. So, let's dive into the show notes to get a deeper understanding of how to leverage each type of Instagram post to achieve your marketing goals.
Episode Highlights
01:26 - Instagram Feed Posts: Amber explains the goals associated with feed posts, including maintaining consistency and messaging, achieving engagement boosts, encouraging audience saves, and connecting with the audience on a personal level. She also provides recommendations for post types such as quote posts, infographics, and brand photos.
04:08 - Instagram Carousels: Amber discusses the goals of carousels, focusing on conveying messages, diving deeper into topics, and providing value to the audience. She also explains the dominance of carousels in the explore tab, and the unique ability of carousels to be shown in a follower's feed more than once, offering tips on optimizing the first and second slides for maximum impact.
06:01 - Instagram Reels: Amber highlights the growth and reach potential of reels, including their ability to reach new audiences and potentially gain new followers. She also shares insight into the additional effort and time required for creating reels, along with tips for maximizing reel content and utilizing the reels tab effectively.
08:40 - Instagram Stories: Amber explains the primary goal of building rapport with the current following through stories, debunking the misconception of using stories to reach new audiences or grow the follower base. She also provides tips on creating authentic and engaging story content, along with utilizing story highlights to extend the lifespan of valuable stories.
10:55 - Instagram Lives: Amber discusses the unique ability of live videos to connect with the audience in real time and highlights the goals of nurturing the relationship with the audience and facilitating growth through collaborations. She shares insights into utilizing live videos to create exclusive and timely content, splicing live content for reels, and leveraging live rooms for gaining exposure to new audiences.
resources + tools mentioned
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Mastering Instagram: Understanding Different Post Types and Their Goals
I want to give you a deep dive into the various types of posts you can create on Instagram and the goals associated with each of them. As a small business owner, it's crucial to have a well-rounded Instagram strategy that incorporates different post types to effectively market your products or services. Let's break down the main post types and their respective goals to help you understand how to leverage them for your business growth.
Instagram Feed Posts
We're all familiar with Instagram's classic feed posts, consisting of single photos or graphics. The goal of feed posts is often misunderstood. These posts aren't designed to go viral or exponentially grow your following. Instead, they serve as valuable maintenance content, allowing you to consistently show up and provide value to your existing audience.
However, don't underestimate the engagement potential of feed posts. Creating quote posts, infographics, and personal brand photos can drive likes, comments, and shares, ultimately strengthening your connection with your followers. Remember, the key is to stop the scroll and craft engaging captions that resonate with your audience.
Instagram Carousels
Instagram carousels offer a unique opportunity to share deeper, more comprehensive content. Whether it's a series of photos, graphics, or videos, carousels allow you to convey a message or educate your audience on a specific topic. This post type tends to dominate the explore tab, as it keeps viewers engaged for longer periods and provides in-depth information on various topics, thus adding value for your current audience.
One fascinating aspect of carousels is their ability to show up in followers' feeds multiple times, enhancing their potential reach and impact. By optimizing the first and second slides to hook and retain audience attention, you can make the most of this feature and deliver valuable content across an extended period.
Instagram Reels
Instagram Reels have become a vital tool for nurturing your current following and reaching new audiences. These short, vertical videos not only cater to your existing followers but also leverage a distinct algorithm and a separate feed to reach potential new followers. The goal here is growth—using Reels to showcase your brand's personality and connect with a wider audience.
Creating Reels demands time and certain skills, but the potential rewards are substantial. Additionally, you can exceed the normal duration limits by posting longer videos and still have them show up as reels, expanding your creative and marketing opportunities.
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories serve as a unique avenue for building rapport with your current followers. Contrary to popular belief, Stories are not primarily for reaching new people; instead, they provide an authentic, uncurated platform for sharing intimate, behind-the-scenes moments with your audience. Stories are temporary, but you can extend their lifespan by saving them to story highlights, allowing for continued interaction and visibility beyond the initial 24-hour period.
The instantaneous and casual nature of stories aligns perfectly with the audience's desire for authenticity and real-time engagement. Remember to leverage stickers and links to encourage interaction and keep your stories engaging.
Instagram Lives
Finally, Instagram Lives offer a real-time channel for interacting with your audience, either for nurturing existing relationships or reaching new people through collaborations. Whether hosting solo live sessions or inviting peers to join you, lives provide a unique and personal touch to your content strategy.
Live rooms, in particular, present an exciting opportunity to broaden your reach by collaborating with others and tapping into each other's audiences. This collaborative approach can lead to substantial growth and increased engagement through cross-promotion.
A Well-Rounded Instagram Strategy
It's essential to integrate all these post types into a coherent and well-rounded content strategy. While each serves a different purpose, when utilized effectively, they combine to provide a comprehensive and engaging brand experience for your audience on Instagram. Don't forget to play to your strengths, consider the goals for each post type, and adapt your strategies to resonate with your ideal audience.
Remember, it's not just about posting content; it's about leveraging its unique features to connect, engage, and grow your audience.