Instagram is still one of the hottest spots online to connect with customers – if you have good Instagram post ideas. Even Gen Z thinks Instagram is cool. Research shows that many prefer it to other platforms – and that includes TikTok.
90% of Instagram users say they follow at least one business; This means that brands have a chance to connect with existing customers to strengthen their relationships and engage potential customers.
Since adult Instagram users are on the platform for about 30 minutes a day, you’ll want to create creative Instagram posts to grab the attention of your followers.
Check out Moyens I/O’s own social media rewards program, Fridge-worthy, for inspiration. Here’s the 3rd episode where a bank upends generations of legends:
Or read on for our helpful list of 20 Instagram post ideas for business. You’ll want to bookmark this page as you try to ignite the creative spark.
20 Instagram post ideas
Below we have our consider of the best Instagram post ideas. However, don’t take our word for it. Try some of these for yourself and see how they do!
Get real with the reels
View this post on Instagram
Once in a while it’s a good idea to show the face (or faces) behind the brand. With the reels you can show small parts of your daily life, your passions, your goals and fun facts about yourself or your team.
Try this post every time you get a new stream of followers. It’s a chance to remind long-time followers while also letting new viewers get to know the real you.
Host a raffle
Showcasing a product or service in a sweepstakes is a great way to increase engagement on Instagram.
By inviting users to tag friends, share the post and follow your page, you can generate excitement about your offers and reach new audiences for a very low cost.
In terms of Instagram content ideas, this provides a return on investment.
Build branded content relationships
Instagram has a branded content partnership feature that makes it easy for creators to feature branded content posts in their posts.
By building relationships with creators and collaborating on content ideas for Instagram, you can garner more attention for your products and services.
Note a new feature from Instagram that allows brands to use data and filters to find the best creators for upcoming campaigns. It is currently being tested with several US creators and brands.
share memes
Humanize and humor your brand by sharing relatable memes that you know will resonate with your audience.
When done well, memes can increase brand awareness and strengthen customer engagement. You will appear more authentic by connecting with the audience on an emotional level.
Try to keep them fun, timely, and relatable. Best case scenario? You go viral. Worst case scenario? You look cowardly. So maybe you can get a second opinion before posting.
answer questions
View this post on Instagram
Use the Instagram comment section for this creative post.
Creators on Instagram can now reply to comments on their Reel with another Reel. Sometimes words don’t do a query justice. With real answers, you can take the idea of ”show, don’t tell” to another dimension.
Our own findings show that Reels with human and voice perform better, so keep that in mind when creating your response.
Read more about Real answers here:
save the date
If you’re going to host an event live or in person on Instagram, you’ll want to share a save of the date with your audience.
Because stories are fleeting, creating a post leaves something for followers to come back to if the time of the event is on their minds. They can also add to their Saved posts as needed, which has the added benefit of speeding you up in the algorithm.
Uncover industry myths
There’s a lot of information on the internet these days. However, as a business owner you are probably an expert in your field.
Help debunk some common myths viewers may have with a record-setting post.
For example, skincare company Paula’s Choice breaks down three common misconceptions about moisturizer. Take their lead and focus on several legends at once.
Build a carousel
Did you know that on average, Instagram carousel posts gain 1.4x more reach and 3.1x more engagement than regular posts on Instagram?
You can share multiple photos or videos with Instagram carousels. Users just need to swipe left to view them all. Since you can share up to 10 images, these types of posts come in handy when a single image doesn’t do your message justice.
Some ideas for a carousel post include creating a slideshow presentation, much like Contra, a freelance platform, does in preparing client talks.
Alternatively, you can use a carousel to expand a visual story, as the Slovenian tourism board does when promoting a holiday on the ski slopes.
Share a reference
Many times people ask for social proof before they spend their hard earned money on your business. This means they will often turn to online reviews, third-party websites, or even your own comment section to see what others have to say.
One way to stay ahead of the game and provide front and center social proof is to share testimonials in your posts. This will help build trust among your audience.
Just don’t go overboard with references. It should not be the dominant post type in your feed.
Show an influencer using your product
Another type of social proof you can share with viewers is an impressive endorsement. Such partnerships can bring new audiences to your brand and show that a trusted figure is vouching for your product.
Just make sure it’s a good match in terms of vibrations and values.
Ask the audience a question
If you want viewers to engage with your content or even engage with each other, post a question in one of your Instagram posts.
For example, BetterHelp, a virtual therapy company, asks users, “What is one piece of advice you will never forget?” She asked. The question gives users a chance to reflect and engage, as well as learn from crowdsourced ideas.
These types of questions can also be used to hear what type of products, services or event content your target audience would like to see.
show a tutorial
View this post on Instagram
What could be better than displaying your product? To show you how to best use your product.
Posting tutorials provides value for current and potential customers. Consider ways to share tips and tricks so your business can get the most out of what it has to offer.
go behind the scenes
View this post on Instagram
While your products and services can be polished, your social media doesn’t have to.
Release it and let your audience see what’s going on behind the scenes. It will humanize your brand and get them to know the people behind it.
Show before and after
Showcase your brand’s creativity with a before and after photo like the bedroom makeover above.
If you are providing a service to customers, this is the perfect opportunity to show you how magic you bring into people’s lives.
The before and after also provide tangible evidence of what your business is capable of.
jump on a train
Is there a certain type of video that is very popular on social media? As a brand, you don’t have to sit on the sidelines. Finding your own spin on a trend is a great way to get noticed.
This could mean joining the latest dance craze, showing how your work shines, or creating an ASMR video (short for autonomous sensory meridian response) like the post above.
Share user-generated content
Let viewers know you’ll love seeing your product in the wild. By creating a hashtag and asking users to tag you in their posts, you can share how others see your product and use it in their own lives. Or even fan art like @blippi’s post below.
Let users know that you will share their pictures and provide credit when credit is due.
Share your mistakes
By now you’re probably tired of us telling you to humanize your brand, but people really like getting to know the real you!
One way to do this is to point out the mistakes you’ve made along the way in your work or life in general.
You can even help prevent others from making the same mistakes as you.
Ask for creative input
Next time your team brainstorms, take it to Instagram!
Fujifilm, for example, asked viewers to help them choose a custom frame for one of their prints.
No one knows what your customers want better than your customers themselves.
Share an action shot
View this post on Instagram
Uncover the mystery behind your products and services by showing what lies behind glossy photos.
With an action shot, you can invite viewers to see how your creations are made. Take Ru Ru Baked for example. This ice cream shop dives into exactly how vegan oreo and caramel pints are made.
You can also play with the options to speed up or slow down the video to make your action shots more dynamic.
View this post on Instagram
Create a year in review
Sometimes it’s good to stop and think about the past. By sharing it in a yearly review post, you can show how far your business has come in a short amount of time. Yes, you are completely allowed to brag about your achievements.
Also, you don’t need to register a year until December or January for review. Whenever your business celebrates a milestone, look back and evaluate the steps or major moves it has taken to get there.
Put some of these Instagram post ideas to use with your other social channels and save time using Moyens I/O. You can schedule and publish posts, engage audiences, and measure performance from a single dashboard. Try it for free today.
