5 Content Ideas for Engagement Worthy Posts on Instagram
We get it… you scroll through Instagram hoping to find inspiration for what you should post today. You come across beautiful photos, stunning graphics, and Reels that look like they were filmed by Greta Gerwig herself.
And instead of feeling inspired - you are left feeling defeated.
There are so many different things you can post about as a small business owner on social media, but you aren’t even sure where to begin, or what to write, or how to design. Well, we’ve got it handled for you.
So if you aren’t sure what to post on Instagram this week, try out these 5 content ideas!! P.S. We even have Canva templates to help you out with the design and strategy portion!
Monday - A Carousel Sharing a Three Step Strategy
In the world of Instagram, carousels are the gold standard for delivering information in a visually engaging format. Imagine it as a mini-slideshow, where each slide presents a step of a three-part strategy.
This method works so well because it's structured and easy to follow, and people love actionable content that provides clear steps towards a specific goal.
Whether you're revealing a DIY project or a simplified business process, the carousel format allows you to break it down into digestible bits, ensuring your audience absorbs every nugget of wisdom.
Bonus: Carousels also tend to perform really well on the explore page, allowing you to have an added element of discoverability with this style of content!
Feeling stuck on how to create an informative Instagram carousel? Here are a few ideas you can try…
Wedding photographer: The 3 key moments you need to account for in your timeline on your wedding day
Virtual Assistant: My 3-step process to clear an email inbox in 15 minutes
Social Media Manager: The exact 3 part strategy I use to audit an Instagram account
Tuesday - An “About Me” Post to Establish Trust
Transparency and authenticity (I know, buzzwords that we don’t always love to here) are actually key components of building and growing an engaged community online. Rather than trying to give you a fluffy approach to this, we want to tell you EXACTLY what to post on Instagram!
Enter the "About Me" post – a window into your world that humanizes your brand. Lean into sharing your journey, experiences, and values will create a genuine connection with your audience. Think of it as a virtual handshake, giving your followers a glimpse into the face behind the brand. By revealing your story, you're not only building trust but also fostering relatability and a sense of community.
And this post doesn’t have to be difficult - there are a few ways you can approach this!
EASY: post an image of yourself and write a caption that tells your story
INTERMEDIATE: create a graphic that give people insight to who you are, and invite others to do the same in the comment section (Pssst… you can use the template we linked above to make this even easier)
ADVANCED: Create a Reel where you are talking to camera, or with a voiceover on top of B-Roll clips, and tell your journey of how you got to where you are today
Wednesday - A Mindset Quote Your Audience Needs to Hear
Quotes are like tiny parcels of motivation and inspiration that your audience can unwrap with a single scroll. We love them. We adore them. We create them *literally* all the time.
However, to truly connect, your quote should address the challenges or aspirations of your audience. Find a mindset quote that resonates with their journey and pair it with a captivating visual that you can post on Instagram.
This combination not only grabs attention but also encourages your followers to pause and reflect… oh and like, comment, share, and save, giving you a nice little boost in engagement on Instagram. It's a simple yet effective way to infuse positivity and relatability into your feed.
Oh, and this Canva template we have, it is ALWAYS a winner! Not only do we use this in our strategy, but we see this style of content performing well for all of our clients and customers. With this “Moving Messages” style Reel, you can easily edit and create in Canva, and post a Reel in minutes WITHOUT even having to show up on camera. Add a trending sound, and enjoy the nice boost in engagement on this piece of Instagram content!
Thursday - An Insightful Tweet with An Image
Sharing your expertise and knowledge is a powerful way to position your brand as an industry authority… and we all know how Tweet screenshots perform so dang well on Instagram, so it’s a no-brainer to combine the two together.
Imagine offering a snippet of invaluable advice paired with an eye-catching visual as a piece of content on your profile. It's like serving a bite-sized piece of wisdom on a silver platter.
Don’t have a Twitter (... we mean “X”) account? NO WORRIES!! You can easily create this style of content in Canva (cough*we have templates for that too*cough). And if you are struggling with exactly what to write, use these ideas as inspiration for your post:
Pull a quote from a podcast that you were recently on - we bet you can find a TON of hidden gems of things you said in that interview!
Go back to your top performing Instagram content and see if you can pull a small snippet from an educational Carousel, or maybe an idea from an insightful Reel, or even something profound you wrote in the caption.
Give an unpopular opinion about something going on in your industry! We love to lean into this one a ton because we are able to talk about things that we value, while also distinguishing ourselves as experts on Instagram.
Friday - Four Things You Wish You Could Tell Your Younger Self
Nostalgia is a universal emotion that can create a connection point with the people in your community on Instagram. This specific content idea invites your audience to join in a trip down memory lane as you share four pieces of advice you'd offer your younger self.
It's a personal touch that not only showcases vulnerability but also encourages your followers to reflect on their own journeys. By connecting on a deeper level through shared experiences, you're fostering a genuine and lasting connection.
Remember, Instagram is more than just a platform; it's a stage for showcasing your brand's uniqueness, insights, and personality. Now that you're armed with these strategic - and fun - content ideas, it's time to put them into action and witness your engagement soar.
5 FREE Canva Reels Templates
Get your hands on 5 FREE Canva templates to help you create Instagram Reels for your small business!!
Manu Muraro is the founder of Your Social Team, an Instagram training membership and content shop to help social media managers and Instagram savvy women entrepreneurs to beat the algorithm and grow their organic engagement (yes, even in 2021).
This year she also launched Your Template Club, a Canva Template subscription to provide social media managers and Instagram savvy business owners with content templates designed for engagement in their inbox.
Born and raised in Brazil, Manu moved to the U.S. in 2000 right out of college to work for Cartoon Network, where she made an award winning career in creative and strategy. In 2017, Manu started Your Social Team with the mission of helping women entrepreneurs and social media managers grow engagement and sales through Instagram without the overwhelm.