Instagram post ideas that increase engagement
As a photographer, it can be easy to post our photos, add some hashtags, a great caption & call it a day. But in an oversaturated market, trying to find new clients in an even more saturated platform, it can seem impossible to please the algorithm.
When I started to shift my mindset and think of what my content could be beyond showcasing my photography, is when I started to see engagement.
Every time I create content for social media I ask myself the same thing…
“what value does this piece of CONTENT add?”
Adding value to your content can look like…
- Educational tips
- Being relatable or funny
- Something unique (like an photoshoot that provides inspo)
The point is to create something that people want to engage with.
Your photography is beautiful on its own, but people see your post & think - “wow that’s beautiful”, and then keep scrolling because you haven’t given them a reason to engage.
Instagram post ideas that increase engagement
These are just ideas. To find what really works for you, you need to know who your ideal audience identify what they want to see, hear, and consume. Then test it out and track what does well!
But here are some ideas to get you started...
Instagram post ideas that encourage saves
- Highlight local locations and what’s great about them
- Share ideas for family photoshoot outfits - how to save money, how to use what you already have, etc.
- Share a tip on how to prepare for a shoot (ex. In home vs. Outdoor shoots)
- A shoot that is truly unique to you
Instagram post ideas that encourage likes
- Something personal, like sharing a story about yourself that relates to your photography
- BTS photos of you doing your thing!
- Sharing important updates with a personal touch - ex. Upcoming mini session & why it’s special for you
- Testimonials from clients (overlay them on your images in canva)
Instagram post ideas that encourage SHARES
- Something incredibly relatable, but not so personal to you (ex. Quotes, messages of encouragement, etc)
- Things that are funny & relatable
Instagram post ideas that encourage comments
- All of the above, but with a good call to action! Make sure you are asking questions or telling people to comment (nicely!).
With each post make sure it’s…
- Visually appealing (try layering your photos with text in canva first)
- Has 1-3 CTAs (calls to action). Ex. Save for later! (But you can get more creative with it)
- Has music on it (Instagram prioritizes carousels with music and pushes them as reels)
- Include a geo-tag to help local people find you
- I’d like to say hashtags, but I honestly don’t use them & it’s fine for me. If you do use them, add them in a comment.
- After you post, like, save, and comment on your post. You can also log into your personal account (if you have one) and like and save from there to get things started.
- I do not post my photos in my stories because I feel like it limits engagement because people rarely click on it.
Please remember, these are things that have worked for me, but may be different for you.
The important thing is to test out new things, try and be original to yourself and your brand, and keep an eye on what does well and lean into that!
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