Do you want to make money online? You should learn how to create Instagram content that you can use to grow an audience that will want to buy from you.
The platform is a great option for many businesses and niches. Keep reading to learn how you can come up with good content.
But first, this post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure policy to learn more.
Choose Your Niche
The first thing you should do before you create Instagram content is come up with a niche. Your niche refers to the main topic of your content.
A niche can be anything from pets to music to finance. You can also go deeper and choose a more specific niche, such as dogs or pianos rather than pets or music.
Having a niche will help you come up with content ideas. It will also make it clear to potential followers whether or not your account is right for them.
Without a niche, you may struggle to get anyone to your account. Then, you won’t be able to monetize your Instagram account and turn it into a business.
Select Brand Pillars
Within your niche, you should figure out two or three main sub-topics to cover. The best brand pillars to use will depend on the niche, but you could choose things related to the history of your topic, product reviews, or something similar.
You can use the brand pillars you select to categorize your content ideas. Then, you can make sure you have a good variety of content to publish on your account.
Use your pillars to keep from focusing too much on one topic and not enough on the others. As your account grows, you can always adjust your brand pillars.
Brainstorm Content Ideas
Next, you’ll want to write a list of ideas you have that fit into each of your pillars. You can use your notes app or a piece of paper, but I prefer to use a tool like Trello.
I have a board where I track content ideas, and I added a list for each of my pillars. That way, whenever I want to brainstorm or if I get a random idea, I can jot it down.
When you’re planning your Instagram content, you won’t have to wonder what to post. You can just go through your list of ideas and pick the topics that sound best.
Get the Right Equipment
In most cases, you can create Instagram content with the gear you already have. Assuming you have a smartphone, most models from the past few years have a great camera.
If you want to edit your photos, you can use an app or website like Canva. You can also create graphics to add to your account and make your content more interesting.
Of course, you can also upgrade to a new phone, or you can even buy a DSLR if you’re serious about photography. Either way, don’t let a lack of equipment keep you from starting an Instagram account.
Experiment With Content Types
Once you start to create Instagram content, test out the different formats. You can start with simple photos since those are the easiest to create.
Then, there are carousel posts, which are like standard posts but with multiple slides. Reels and videos are another great option, and you can use them to grow your account.
Finally, you should post content to your Instagram stories. Use all of the different content types to see which posts perform best for your account.
Test Multiple Posting Schedules
Another way you can experiment is with the best posting days and times. A good place to start is with your target audience; consider when they’re most active on the app.
For example, if you want to target working professionals, avoid posting during the work day. But don’t be afraid to test out a few schedules to see what gets you the best results.
Then, you can find a good schedule to follow, but you may need to adjust it as your account grows. Keep your schedule in mind when you plan and create Instagram content to make sure you never miss a post.
Track Your Analytics
It’s one thing to create Instagram content, but it’s another to create content that gets you the results you want. After a month or so of posting consistently on Instagram, check out your analytics.
Now, you’ll need to figure out your goals first. For example, if you want to get more followers, you’ll need to track metrics like follower growth but also impressions and profile visits.
If you’re looking to generate sales, you’ll want to track metrics like website clicks or DMs. No matter your goals, be sure you keep an eye on your analytics every month or so.
If you find something isn’t working, you’ll know to change your strategy in some way.
Schedule Your Content
A lot of us have other responsibilities aside from posting on Instagram. If you want to make sure you always have content ready to go, consider scheduling it with a tool like Later.
You can upload all of your photos and media to your account. Then, you can write your captions and schedule the posts to go out on the day and time of your choice.
Later also lets you store hashtag sets, so you don’t have to write them manually every time. The program is free, but you’ll get more features if you pay for it.
Batching content creation can help you save a lot of time. Plus, you’ll be able to post at the ideal times for your account even if you’re busy.
Why Create Instagram Content
Consider a few reasons why you should incorporate Instagram into your routine.
Grow a Business
One of the best reasons to start using Instagram is to market your business. You can use the different content types to attract your ideal clients and customers.
Build Connections
Another great reason to create Instagram content is to meet new people and make connections. This is a great option if you hate networking in person because you can get to know people through comments and messages.
Get Creative
You can also use Instagram as a creative outlet. If you like photography or videography, the platform is a great place to share your work with others.
Have Fun
Social media can be a very stressful place, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re using Instagram for business or not, try to have fun with your account.
What Content Is Best for Instagram?
The best content for Instagram depends on your niche and account. Some people are very successful with Reels and other videos, while others do better with photos or graphics.
That’s why it’s super important to experiment with all of the different options to see what works for you.
Does Instagram Pay You for Creating Content?
Most people that make money creating Instagram content don’t get paid from Instagram directly. They did used to have a Reels bonus program, but Meta recently cut the program.
You can make money on Instagram through brand sponsorships, affiliate links, or by selling your own products and services.
How Many Followers Do You Need to Start Making Money?
There’s no ideal number of followers to make money on Instagram. Depending on your niche, you may be able to make a bit of cash with less than 1,000 followers.
But the larger your audience, the more opportunities you’ll have to get brand deals or to sell your own offers. So don’t be afraid to focus on audience growth to help increase your earning potential.
Final Thoughts
If you want to grow an online business, you should create Instagram content. Be sure you choose a good niche and come up with some content ideas to get started.
Then, experiment with posting schedules and content types to figure out what gets you the best results. If you want to learn more, enroll in The Instagram Marketing & Sales Academy.