50 Instagram Post Ideas You Can Steal Right Now

Stumped for Instagram post ideas?

Here are 50 engaging ideas you can swipe right now!

Other brands have used these ideas to impress their followers, build their audience, and boost their sales. Why not you?

I’ll reveal the most engaging types of brand posts on Instagram, plus a secret weapon that provides done-for-you content, pre-scheduled daily.

If you’re trying to succeed with Instagram marketing, use these tips to see what works best there. Then customize them to fit your messaging style and social media goals!

50 Instagram Post Ideas for Social Media Marketers

There are plenty here to choose from!

We’ll start with quick and easy ideas. Then move into others, like holding a contest, that will take preparation.

Decide which suits your business and budget, and watch your engagement grow.

Disclosure: Some links below may be affiliate links, which means I may receive a referral fee if you purchase, at no cost to you. 

1. Thought leadership

Visually showcase your expertise! Almost any business can impress their audience by sharing tips on simple graphics.

It may be more obvious for an informational business, but here are several ways to apply it:

Blogger? Create a week-long series of bite-size tips from a blog post.

Create recipes or crafts? Share short how-tos, ingredient info, or insider secrets.

Promoting a product? Create a series of tips on how to buy the best “X”.

Sell a service? Don’t worry, your audience won’t reach your skill level if you show what you know. They might decide they need to hire you!

Create a template and bang out a bunch of them. You could share one every #TipTuesday.

Snappa is my favorite easy tool to help you make speedy graphics.

• • • Try Snappa for Graphic Design Online • • •

Try it out for free! Free-forever version includes 5 downloads.

 

2. Product features and benefits

Associate your product with your brand values, heighten its exclusivity, or share how it solves a pressing problem of your audience.

This will generate enthusiasm among those your product suits best!

Don’t forget to find the best time to post on Instagram to maximize your success.

3. Product launches

Publicize new product launches and classics that are getting an upgrade. Create anticipation!

I stirred interest and got test users by sharing my upcoming product as an IG post.

And before I even launched, I found test users among my audience! A great way to build trust and loyalty.

4. User-generated content

You don’t have to do it all yourself! Share your best customer content (with their permission).

73% of people said user content (or “UGC”) confirmed their decision to buy a specific product. So try it!

Here’s how to repost on Instagram and keep it legal.

5. Influencer and celebrity endorsements

You don’t need to have a huge company or budget to harness the power of influencer marketing. Every niche has their own “tastemakers” whose fans hang on their every recommendation.

Connect with a few and cross-promote.

6. Cause-related marketing

You can’t be all about your own business. Project the ideals and values your company stands for by promoting or donating to an important nonprofit.

7. Holidays and events

My favorite! In addition to major holidays like Christmas and Halloween, small businesses can win engagement with numerous fun holidays that are relevant to your industry and audience.

Need holiday ideas? I have them for every month of the year!

8. Use popular hashtags

My personal hashtag policy differs from this recommendation. Perhaps using wildly popular tags like #ootd or #tbt might work for huge brands that have already built an engaged audience.

But until your account gets there, these tags will have your post buried in the hashtag feed within seconds.

9. Memes

Memes can be effective if they suit your brand style and audience.

You can post animated GIPHY memes on Instagram!
GIPHY offers a one-click solution to turn any GIF into a perfectly looped fifteen-second .mp4 for you to upload directly to Instagram.

via GIPHY

10. DIY ideas

Can you help your followers solve a problem quickly? Share your advice in a DIY post!

Time-lapse videos are eye-catching, and work great for quick DIY tips.

11. Instagram quotes

Quotes are always popular when they’re aligned with your audience’s interests and your brand mission.

My go-to tool for quick quote graphics is Stencil. There are over 100,000 quotes right in the app! You can see my sample below.

Open a template, search by your theme word (beauty, peace, health, marketing) and you’ll instantly get quotes you can pop in.

Easy as pie! Plus you can quickly resize them to the optimal sizes for Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter, if you like.

• • • Try Stencil for quote graphics here • • •

Don’t need a design tool?

12. Instagram giveaways and contests

Grow your following and call attention to your products with contests. Marketers call this a shortcut to engagement!

An easy way to manage contests is with an app like Wishpond.

13. Stunts and extreme sports

If this fits your niche, capture stunning feats and wow your followers.

14. Behind the scenes

Instagram is a great place to connect with your audience and build up know-like-trust with them!

Make them feel special by sharing a sneak peek behind the scenes.

15. Employees and workplace

Show your followers the hard work and commitment that goes into building your brand.

Need a good photo editor for your pics? Pixlr E is a great choice.

16. Hyperlapse videos

Put a fresh spin on otherwise mundane images by making a hyperlapse video.

via GIPHY

17. Stats and numbers

Tell a story by sharing stats that’ll impress your audience.

Perfect for sports teams, nonprofit work, marketing companies and more. Brag a little about what you’ve accomplished!

Remember to keep your graphic simple, since it’s being viewed at a small size.

An easy tool to make quick infographics is Venngage. Sample image below.

• • • Try Venngage for fast infographics here • • •

18. Artsy stuff

Doodles, sketches, and calligraphy are extremely popular on Instagram.

If this fits your niche and your skill set, give it a go!

One of my favorite artistic accounts is Positively Present. I’m a Patreon!

I also recommend Introvert Doodles. Check them out!

 

19. Offers and promotions

Spread the word about sales and offers to drive traffic to your online and offline stores.

Be sure to post both in the feed and an Instagram Story! Add a live link in your Story, and in your bio.

If you don’t have much of a marketing department, you can use sale templates in a tool like PromoRepublic (sample below).

20. Throwback Thursday / Flashback Friday

Seems everyone loves nostalgia!

Using “throwback” posts to highlight the legacy of your business and celebrate its history is an especially effective way to build your brand with #vintagelove.

Below, a throwback collage of a long-ago vacation.

21. Customer testimonials

Share quotes or short videos from customers explaining how they use and love your product or service.

22. Link to blog content

Except in IG Stories or ads, you only get one live link on Instagram – in your bio.

Entice people to click by summarizing what they’ll gain by reading your latest blog post.

23. Recipes

Sharing an easy recipe right on Instagram is truly providing value.

If this suits your audience, post it with a lip-smacking photo or a brief time-lapse video.

24. Reels

Don’t forget this latest feature! These short, 15 or 30-second videos live in their own tab that can be accessed above the account’s feed.

However, when you upload a Reel, you can also choose to post it to your Feed. If you choose this option, the Reel will show up in your profile grid along with your other posts.

25. Frequently asked questions

Answer a FAQ. Encourage your audience to add their questions in a comment!

26. Bag spill photo

Spill the beans! Umm, I mean bag 🙂 Show your essentials and ask followers to name theirs.

• Makeup artists: Spill your cosmetic bag.
• Parenting bloggers: Spill your diaper bag.
• B2B bloggers: Spill your work tote.
• Artists: Flat lay your favorite tools
• Etc!

27. Challenge of the month

Come up with a challenge for your followers, themed to your niche or the season.

PromoRepublic creates a template every month that you can post as-is or tweak with your branding!

28. Get feedback

Have your followers tell you about their needs related to your niche. Is there a kind of tip, blog post, or product they’d like to see more of?

This shows you care and sets you up as the go-to for their needs.

Be sure to follow through!

29. Offer your freebie

Do you offer a relevant freebie when readers sign up for your email list?

Be sure to let your IG followers know! Leave the link in your bio and in an IG Story.

30. Thank a customer

Sometimes a customer will make your day! Post a “thank you” graphic and tag them.

This shows you appreciate your buyers, and gives you another way to mention your products 🙂

31. Reflect

Share with your audience where you were “a year ago today.” Find an old photo or screenshot, or snap a memento to post.

Thank them as a group for helping you reach the success you have!

32. Get advice

Whether you’re potty training, puppy training, or training for a marathon, share a picture and ask followers for their tips.

Everyone loves to be heard.

33. Share clips

If you do a podcast, a free webinar, or a paid training, share short clips as IG posts.

This shows your audience what you’re up to, as well as showcasing your expertise.

34. Gift selfie

Client or associate gave you a gift? Snap a selfie and tag them with your thanks!

Tagging relevant IGers in your posts virtually guarantees engagement.

35. Who inspires you?

Who is an inspiration to you, and why?

If it’s someone you know personally, post a pic of the two of you.

If it’s a famous person, you may be able to find a public domain photo, or you can make a graphic of one of your favorite sayings.

36. Industry trends

What’s new in your niche? If it would interest your audience, or if you’d like to get their take on it, post about it.

37. Share your team

Whether you have a staff or some virtual support, plan a series of posts highlighting your team members, and how they help you.

38. Event selfie

Attending an event? Whether it’s business or personal, consider snapping a selfie and sharing on Instagram.

38. Event insights

If the event drops some knowledge bombs your audience would appreciate, share them!

Create a brief video with a pertinent tip. Repeat with another if they enjoyed it.

You might also share mini-videos of the speakers, if allowed, or create quickie graphics with quotes.

39. Post a job opening

Who better to work for you than one of your loyal fans?

Let them know what you need help with, and have them contact you via DM for the requirements, or put a link in your bio to a Google Form with the pertinent questions.

40. “Look who I ran into” selfie

Here’s a fun one to share. Sometimes you run into someone in your niche, or even someone who recognizes you from being your follower.

Snap a selfie and share!

41. Book selfie

Hold up a book you’re reading and share your thoughts. Or if you’re camera shy, create a nice photo of the book in a flat lay or still life.

Then ask your followers what they’re reading, or what they recommend.

42. Announce an award

If you or a team member earned an award, take a photo and tell the world!

This shows your business or personal expertise. Your followers will love to celebrate with you.

43. New ‘do selfie

Trying out a new look? Love it or hate it, show your audience and see what they think.

44. Share a favorite app

If you’ve found something that makes life easier, let your followers know.

Snap a screenshot for the visual, and add a few sentences about how it helps you.

See if they’ve tried it, or ask what their favorite app may be.

45. Affiliate product review

If you affiliate for products in your niche, you can often get quality images to share on social media. Just be sure you have permission.

To write a great Instagram caption, share your own or another user’s positive experiences with it.

You can put a link to a longer review on your blog in a Story or on your bio.

46. Before and after

A side-by-side comparison, or an Instagram carousel with multiple photos, can be a powerful way to show the results your clients achieve.

Or just do a fun one of your personal history!

47. Family selfie

Help your audience connect with you on a personal level by posting a quality pic of your family from time to time.

Prime opportunities for this are Mother’s and Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Sister’s Day, and so many more.

48. Start a sentence

This is great for comments!  Create a graphic with the beginning of a sentence. Ask your followers to finish it.

Example: “My biggest struggle last week was…”

Wait and see what happens!

49. Travel selfie

I know you travel bloggers do this all the time. But it can work for anyone!

Share a photo with a background that relates to your location. Remember to geotag as that’s proven to increase engagement.

Of course, you can post a beautiful scene, but showing your face will give congruity as well as get more likes and comments.

50. Celebrate a birthday

It was a surprise to me, but posting about my own birthday became a super popular post!

What can I say, people love to celebrate and share their good wishes.

Never run out of Instagram post ideas!

Love the ideas, but no time to implement them? Check out Your Social Plan.

Your Social Plan Pro is a daily posting plan that combines TWO beautiful, done-for-you posts with ONE powerful business-building prompt every day, so you’ll never wonder what to post again.

Get the Pro plan and the 2 daily graphics are already scheduled for you, so you’ll never miss a day posting on Instagram – plus Facebook, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter too, if you like!

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You’ll always know what to post on Instagram, and more!

 

Conclusion

Be sure to pin the infographic to your Pinterest board.

Posting consistently with these Instagram post ideas is key to growing your presence on IG.

Want more?

Learn how to grow your Instagram followers 11 ways!