Starting a New Instagram Account? Here’s what your first 9 posts should be
Starting a new Instagram account can feel… a little awkward.
You’re staring at a blank grid. You’ve got big ideas, a beautiful brand, and a lot to say — but what do you post first? And second? And third?
Whether you’re launching a brand-new business, rebranding an existing one, or just starting fresh with your Instagram content strategy, this post will walk you through your first 9 grid posts so your account looks intentional and welcoming from the start (not random or rushed).
✨ Bonus: You can post these all at once to set up your feed right away, or drip them out one by one if you want to ease into showing up.
Let’s make that blank grid feel exciting instead of stressful, shall we?
Why 9 Posts?
Nine posts fill the first full screen of your Instagram grid. It’s what people will see when they land on your profile — which means it’s your chance to make a strong first impression.
Your first 9 posts can:
👉 Help people quickly understand what your account is about
👉 Communicate your voice, vibe, and values
👉 Build trust right away (even with 0 followers!)
👉 Encourage people to follow you, not just scroll away
And trust us — you don’t need to go viral to make this work. You just need clarity, consistency, and content that makes your people feel seen.
Should You Post Them All at Once or One by One?
Here’s the deal: either option works, depending on your style and bandwidth.
✅ Want your feed to look “done” right away? Post all 9 on the same day (or over a few days) before you start promoting your new account.
✅ Prefer a slower rollout? You can post one a day or 3 per week — the key is to be intentional with the order.
Either way, having a plan for your first 9 posts takes out the guesswork and helps you show up with confidence from Day One.
What Your First 9 Instagram Posts Should Include
Here’s the list we recommend to our Your Template Club and social strategy clients all the time.
These aren’t trendy. They’re timeless. And they work.
1. Your Logo or Profile Pic
Use this post to visually introduce your brand. It’s the cover of your story.
👉 Caption idea: “New here? So are we 👋 This account is officially live, and we can’t wait to connect. Stay tuned for more!”
2. Your Face (or Your Team’s Face)
People connect with people. Don’t hide behind the logo forever!
👉 Caption idea: “Hi, I’m [Name]! I’m the voice behind this brand. I created this account because…”
3. What This Account Is All About
Tell people what they’ll get if they follow you — content-wise and vibe-wise.
👉 Caption idea: “Here’s what you can expect from us: helpful tips, honest behind-the-scenes, and a zero-bro approach to business.”
4. A Quick Backstory
How did you get here? What’s the “why” behind your brand?
👉 Caption idea: “I started [Brand Name] because I was tired of seeing [pain point] and wanted to create something different…”
5. Who You Help + How
Get specific here! People want to know they’re in the right place.
👉 Caption idea: “We help [your ideal audience] go from [problem] to [result] through [your offer or service].”
6. A Personal Post or Fun Fact
Something human. Something real. Something they’d actually want to comment on.
👉 Caption idea: “Fun fact: I used to be a [random past job]. Drop a 🐣 if you’ve ever done something totally different than what you do now.”
7. One of Your Offers or things you’re working on
Don’t wait too long to share what you actually sell. It doesn’t have to be pushy — just clear.
👉 Caption idea: “What we do: [Name of your offer]. Designed for [ideal client], created to help you [outcome]. DM us with questions!”
8. A Tip, Resource, or Valuable Hot Take
This one builds trust. Show that you’re here to help, not just sell.
👉 Caption idea: “Struggling to keep up with your content? Here’s a 3-step system that makes it easier (and more fun). Save this for later!”
9. A Call to Action
End your first 9 posts with an invitation — to follow, engage, or DM you.
👉 Caption idea: “We’re so excited to be here. If you’re ready to grow with us, follow along and say hi in the comments 👇”
Don’t Forget: Your Grid Doesn’t Need to Be Perfect
Repeat after us: done is better than aesthetic perfection.
Yes, it’s nice if your colors match and your fonts are on-brand. But what matters most is clarity — people should land on your feed and instantly get:
✨ Who you are
✨ What you do
✨ Who you help
✨ Why they should follow
That’s it. If you’ve got that in your first 9 posts, you’re ahead of 90% of accounts out there.
Want These First 9 Posts Done For You?
👉 Get 10 FREE Instagram Post Templates editable in Canva and with the post idea inside, to get you a head start!
TL;DR: Your First 9 Posts = Your Instagram Foundation
Start with your logo, intro, and face to create connection
Share what your account is about and who it’s for
Mix in personal, helpful, and offer-based content
Post all 9 at once or drip them out — your call
Don’t wait to be “ready” — start now with what you’ve got
Keep showing up — even imperfectly. Because a branded Reel that took you 5 minutes is still 100x better than one that never gets posted. 🤩
Manu Muraro is the founder of Your Social Team, which helps small entrepreneurs grow their business through content marketing, especially email and Instagram.
In 2021 Manu launched Your Template Club, one of the first Canva Template for Instagram subscriptions in the world to provide social media managers and small business owners with content templates designed for engagement.
Manu has also more recebtly started the first Instagram Reels Award Show, The Reelies Awards and an email marketing membership, Your Inbox Team.
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.