25 Instagram Post Ideas for Influencers & Businesses [Boost Engagement]

Growing your Instagram audience and building your personal brand are vital to succeeding as an influencer. The more followers and engagement you have, the more money you can earn by promoting products and services on your page.

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Affiliate marketing strategies and sponsored posts can be very lucrative. If you grow your audience to 50,000 followers, you could earn as much as $250-$500 per promotional post, depending on your niche.

Best Instagram Post Ideas for Insta Influencers

So how do you grow? There is a ton of influencer competition battling for the attention of the masses. Did you know that there are over a billion Instagram users? To carve out your slice of the Instagram influencer pie, you’ll need to be creative and cater to your target audience.

We’ve compiled 25 creative Instagram post ideas to boost your engagement, following, and success as an influencer. Let’s take a look!

Use Carousel Posts

Carousel posts let you include additional images or videos in a single post so users can scroll through to see more. There are so many different things you can do with this type of post to increase engagement rates or provide more value, such as:

SHOW MULTIPLE PICTURES OR ANGLES
STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIALS
SHOWING MULTIPLE RELATED PRODUCTS
COMBINING HIGH-QUALITY IMAGES AND VIDEOS

Do An #Askmeanything (Ama) Post

“Ask me anything” posts are a great way to generate a ton of active engagement. They tend to receive a lot of views, comments, and tags, which is great for connecting with your audience and growing your follower base.

This #askmeanything post racked up pretty good engagement for micro-influencer @pilot.juliette!

Consider topics your audience would like to discuss and what they want to know about you. Be creative, and don’t forget to comment back.

Prompting followers to answer questions is a surefire way to generate engagement on your social posts. Asking the right questions could help you come up with a new product or Instagram content ideas for the future!

Show Some Love With User-Generated Posts

User-generated content is another great way to boost engagement, build social proof, and connect with your audience. UGC also saves you time and effort since you’re simply sharing content someone else made.

This example from Buffer highlights one of their follower’s photos. It’s cute, creative, and will earn you points with your fans.

Apple uses the hashtag #ShotOnAnIphone to share photos taken by iPhone users. This is an easy way to generate content for your social media feed and get your Instagram followers to support your own brand.

Leverage Daily Hashtags

This may seem obvious, but don’t miss opportunities to use daily Instagram hashtags. Whether it’s a holiday, seasonal post, or special event, these topics are low-hanging fruit for likes and other engagement.

#ValentinesDay

#WednesdayMotivation

#Anniversary

#TGIF

This is a great, sincere example of how to use the daily hashtag #TGIF from micro-influencer @hehehijee. The goal with daily hashtags is to be sincere and connect with other Instagram users on a more personal level.

Create High-Quality Video Content

Brands often want to promote their business, products, and services via video. Top brands tend to use a variety of mixed-media content to extend their reach.

So if you want to land lucrative brand sponsorships, you’ll want proof that you have mastered the art of Instagram video content. Check out our post on Instagram video ideas for more inspiration.

This video from micro-influencer @Smithsbrothershawaii is short but super creative. You don’t need a drone, an expensive camera, or top-tier video editing skills to start shooting your Instagram videos. Just mix up the types of content you post to attract different demographics.

“In fact, videos shot on a budget can often appear more authentic (and be more effective) than high production videos,” Lauren Ufford of Shopify explained. “You can shoot compelling videos for your brand’s Instagram page on just a smartphone, with the option to edit it using Instagram itself, a computer, or a variety of useful mobile apps.”

As an influencer, people from around the world and from all walks of life will be tuning in to learn from you. It is important to offer value by sharing your unique insight or expertise and making it clear how you stand out from the crowd.

For instance, micro-influencer @samanthakozuch shares how she makes it in the social media game and how others can, too.

This post gives insight into email marketing and how her audience and future followers can take the first steps to success.

Interview Someone Your Audience Finds Interesting

Interviews often offer unique and creative content your audience won’t find anywhere else. Interviews make for easy video content and also broadcast another helpful skill for influencers.

You and your interviewee will both benefit from the exposure, introducing you to a wider audience and encouraging other personalities to join you for future interviews. You can even ask your fans whom they would like to see in an interview or what topics they would like covered.

The above from @mattandersonintl is an excellent example of an interview specific to his Instagram audience.

How do you conduct an interview? First, find someone your audience wants you to interview and set it up. Next, send over a list of questions you will be asking your interviewee to ensure they are prepared. Then, you do the interview, edit as needed, and post. It’s that easy!

Add a call to action

Since you can only link one external website in your Instagram Bio, why not make the most of it and use a service such as Linktree or Linkin.Bio? These websites allow you to link to several locations in your Instagram profile, such as your website, social media accounts, blog page, or anything else.

For example, the clothing brand Lucy and Yak use Linktree to connect their Instagram page to their website, competitions they are hosting, their Depop page, and informational pages on their ethical impact and clothing sizes.

Use Insta Story Highlights as another feature of your bio

A fantastic way of adding content to your bio is with Instagram Story Highlights. Here you can store key information and show off your personality!

Thebodyahomeforlove uses simple cover images for each of its highlights to fit the theme without being overwhelming. It’s a neat and easy way to navigate the bio while providing additional information.

Use Instagram Stories

Instagram Stories are a super quick format for viewing, and the content is only available for 24 hours. Stories are separate from regular posts, allowing creators to upload quick updates that leverage followers’ FOMO.

Stories are also a great place to post updates to your actual posts since they are aggregated differently and appeal to different audiences.

Go Live

Going live is a great way to connect with your audience and get real-time engagement. Users can interact in real-time, purchase stickers, and ask questions you can answer immediately.

Link to your content

Posting an update to your Instagram Stories every time you upload a new photo on your feed is a great way to ensure your content reaches everyone, even those who may have missed your post on their timeline.

Offer a sneak peek for your followers

Create hype around new content or upcoming projects by offering a sneak peek into your Stories. Hint at new exciting announcements to generate interest and conversation amongst your followers and make them want to return to your page to see the final result!

Countdown to something exciting

Another great way to build hype around a new project or event is to make use of the countdown sticker in Stories, which will allow you and your users to countdown together in real-time.

Create a Story storm

With each Instagram Story being less than a minute long, they are usually used for quick, concise content. If you are looking to say something a bit longer, try creating a Story storm. This is a stream of shorter Stories all connected to talk about a single topic.

Write attention-grabbing captions

Although Instagram is primarily a visual platform, captions are still important. Instagram captions can be up to 2,200 characters long, so there’s a lot of space to get a message across. I suggest keeping it snappy unless you have something more meaningful to say and remaining consistent across your posts.

Since only the first two lines of Instagram captions show up in the news feed without having to tap to “see more,” these two lines are the most important. Use the beginning of your caption to grab your viewer’s attention and entice them to keep reading. Here’s a quick checklist for creating consistently great Instagram captions:

Make the most of the first sentence. Get the most important information across as soon as possible, so people see it at a glance.
Include a call to action or ask a question. Encourage users to interact with your content and post comments.
Add value, such as a handy tip, an experience, or even a funny anecdote. Whatever it is, make sure your readers feel they have gained something from taking the time to read your caption.
Write like a human; Don’t be a robot! Be personable, friendly, and let your individuality shine through in your words.

Collaborate with other influencers

You can set up an interview or organize a takeover (more on that next!).

Collaborating with other influencers is a great way of reaching a new audience.

Events such as a contest that encourages groups to follow multiple accounts and share posts are a fantastic way to both boost engagement and expand your following – plus, they’re a lot of fun!

Orchestrate a “takeover”

Organize a time with a brand or other influencers where someone temporarily takes over another account to create and share content. This will usually be relevant to the associated channels and could be anyone from a celebrity, an influencer, or even a behind-the-scenes team member.

Takeovers are especially popular since it combines two channels and is an opportunity for fresh, exciting content. Takeovers allow both parties to get in front of a new audience.

A fun type of user-generated content is inviting your fans to join you in content creation! For example, say you wear a great new outfit or try out a new makeup look; Invite users to recreate your look and post about it to showcase them and boost engagement.

Encourage them to tag you and share side-by-side of the looks on their own Instagram feed. Similarly, you can use your fans as inspo for a fun way to connect with them. You can tag them to give credit and build social proof in an inspirational content series!

Run A Competition Involving People Posting/Tagging You In Their Stories

A common strategy to boost engagement is to do an Instagram giveaway or competition that involves your followers sharing and/or tagging others. For the relatively low cost of a free product or other rewards, you can have a post with a strong CTA to engage and spread the word about you. Just don’t overdo it with these types of posts, or you might look spammy.

Try Instagram Reels

Like TikTok, Instagram Reels allow you to create and discover short videos. Reels are an opportunity to appeal to a different type of audience, and the videos are stored on the Explore page, offering a different way for new followers to find you.

Reels can also be a great place to repost your TikToks if you post there too.

Cross-posting is a quick way to boost engagement across platforms without putting in extra work.

Post a tutorial

Tutorials or how-to content are fantastic ways to provide your followers with engaging, valuable information. Instagram is a great place to give your target audience tips about pretty much anything, with photos, video clips, and captions. Product tutorials are common sponsored posts.

For example, nearly half a million people watched this simple video tutorial:

Stay fun and relevant by taking part in a trending challenge. Past examples include the mannequin challenge and ice bucket challenge, which raised awareness for ALS.

Avoid promoting anything dangerous, but participating in trending dance moves, makeup challenges, and similar trends can be a great way to mix things up with additional content.

These trends are a great way to increase your visibility through the Explore page and hashtags. They also make for simple video posts.

Celebrate random holidays

Celebrating a random holiday is easy filler content, but it can also inspire personal post ideas. Be sure to add this list of fun holidays to your content calendar for cute and interesting Instagram posts, often with minimal effort!

Talk About Important Issues

A lot of people rely on social media as their primary source of news. If you can become a source for breaking news or important updates related to your niche, you can quickly build authority and provide value that will give your audience a good reason to keep checking out your page.

VISIT AN EXOTIC LOCATION, THEME PARK, OR ANOTHER INTERESTING PLACE.
TRY OUT GIVEAWAY POSTS.
LEARN SOMETHING NEW AND VIDEO OR PHOTO DOCUMENT IT TO BRING YOUR VIEWERS ALONG FOR THE RIDE. (PAINTING OR COOKING CLASS, LEARNING TO SEW, ETC.)
DO SOMETHING THAT REQUIRES A COSTUME AND MAKE IT OVER-THE-TOP.
SHOWCASE YOUR PET OR PERSONAL LIFE TO SHOW YOUR FOLLOWERS YOU’RE DOWN TO EARTH AND JUST LIKE THEM!
POST FOOD PORN – WHO CAN RESIST MOUTHWATERING FOOD PHOTOS? YOU MAY HAVE TO STRETCH YOUR IMAGINATION TO TIE IT TO YOUR BLOG CONTENT FOCUS, BUT EVERYONE LOVES FOOD!
HAVE A COMPETITION AND INVITE COMMENTERS TO TAG FRIENDS AND SHARE YOUR CONTENT ON THEIR STORIES.
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE POSTS
MEME YOURSELF!

Just remember. No matter what you do to make your content enjoyable, it should fit your focus to drive engagement. If you’re taking a trip to Disney World and your focus is food, showcase the food at the park!

If your focus is fitness, show what a workout walking in the park can be. If you have a DIY crafts Insta, MacGuyver, a cooling fan out of ice, park maps, and a bubble wand (you could just buy a fan, but where’s the fun in that?)

Get the inside scoop about park history if you’re a history buff. If you’re an engineer, explain the science behind roller coasters. As successful Instagram influencers know, relevant posts are all about presentation.

Stay Creative and Connect with Top Brands Using Scalefluence

There are infinite creative Instagram post ideas at your disposal as an influencer. With an influencer marketing platform likeScalefluence, Instagram influencers keep their creativity when working with our network of brands and businesses.

We know how important it is for you to stay true to your personal brand to ensure your audience gets your very best. Working with us, you also get paid what you’re worth. No low offers per post or free item deals. This is your craft, and as an influencer, you deserve to get paid top dollar for your creativity, time, and follower count.

Get paid as a Scalefluence influencer and take your creative talents and Instagram marketing to the next level!

FAQs

Creating attractive Instagram posts takes a little bit of practice, a touch of talent, and high-quality pictures. Beauty is subjective, but we can all agree that fuzzy pictures aren’t fun to look at. Invest in a high-quality camera and powerful editing software, and use the right formats to create pictures.

Other than that, it is up to your to capture your niche in an eye-catching way.

Visual topics are well-suited for Instagram. For this reason, fashion, beauty, art, and photography are popular categories. People also love positive content like #love and #happy.

Popular categories aren’t always what you want to focus on. For one, there is more competition when creating content on these topics. You are better off focusing on niches that you are passionate about and can provide a unique perspective on.

There is a fine line between following best practices and lacking innovation. Posting creatively can mean a lot of things, but if you take it too far, you may just cause confusion. Experiment with different post types, Stories, and Reels to see what works best for your brand. Beyond that, consider posting a mix of expected and irregular content and tracking the results. Continue to focus on what works while ditching what doesn’t.

25 Instagram Post Ideas For Influencers To Boost Engagement