Your Instagram Strategy: Let’s Get Real About What Works Right Now

Let’s talk about Instagram strategies that actually make a difference today. I’m not just here to drop some generic advice—I want to give you the real deal on what’s going to get you noticed, engaged with, and growing on the ‘gram right now. So, let’s dive into the good stuff.

The Magic Word: Value

First things first, if your Instagram strategy isn’t built on providing value, it’s like building a house on sand—just not gonna last. But what does “value” even mean? You hear it all the time, but let me break it down:

• Inspiration: If you can spark a new idea or action in someone, that’s value.
• Entertainment: Let’s face it, we all love a good laugh or a smile when scrolling—boom, value.
• Education: Teaching your followers something new? Yep, that’s value too.

Every post you create—whether it’s a Story, Reel, or Carousel—needs to hit one (or more) of these. In a feed full of fluff, content with substance is what gets people to stop scrolling and actually engage. If you want a “magic bullet” for growth on social media right now, here it is: Give your audience something they can really use.

Carousels & Graphics: Quick, Easy, Effective

Okay, here’s the deal. Not too long ago, I came across a tweet about someone posting 328 pieces of content a week (wild, right?), and someone else? conducting a similar experiment, over five days, they shared 12 Reels and 3 Carousels. The Reels definitely got more likes, but the Carousels? They got people talking—they had 47 comments on one of them!?

So guess what? Carousels are fast to create. Sometimes we just screenshot something from the Notes app and post it.

The key takeaway? High value doesn’t mean high effort! They also help you get more saves and a shares which helps you get more views what the algorithm is now looking for.? So, don’t stress about making everything perfect. Just focus on delivering value quickly and efficiently, and your audience will appreciate it.

Reels: Your New Best Friend

If you know me, you know I love video content, think it’s one of the best ways to package our message and to connect with our audience. Adam Mosseri, has made it clear that Reels are where it’s at. They make up 50% of all time spent on the app—no joke.

If you’re serious about boosting your presence, aim to post at least 2 Reels a week, and if you’re feeling ambitious, go for 3-4. To make this easier, try batching your content—set specific days for filming, editing, captioning, and scheduling. Trust me, it’s a huge time saver!

And here’s another tip, start your Reels with something that grabs attention right away. A strong hook keeps people watching, and a call to action at the end seals the deal. Want more views and engagement? This is how you get it.

Let’s Make Social Media Social Again

Remember when social media was all about connecting with people? Let’s bring that back. Collaborating with other accounts that have a similar audience and engaging with your community are game changers.

And don’t worry, introverts, you don’t need to be on video calls all day to make this work. Even just interacting with a few key accounts and responding to comments can do wonders.?

Stories & DMs: Where the Real Connections Happen

Let’s talk about DMs. Did you know more content is shared through DMs than posts? DMs are where you build deeper connections with your audience. But, we’re all busy, and none of us are online 24/7. That’s where automation comes in handy.

Automated DMs, triggered by a specific keyword, can keep the conversation going even when you’re offline. DMs are powerful because they’re more personal, and the Instagram algorithm loves that. So, if you focus on any strategy, let it be your DMs.

SEO: It’s Not Just for Google Anymore

Instagram is working like a search engine. Yep, kind of like Google. A lot of young people now turn to Instagram or TikTok instead of Google when they’re looking for something.

So, what does this mean for you? Right now, you need to think about SEO in your Instagram strategy. It’s easier than you might think—just make sure to include relevant keywords in your profile name and bio.

Instagram wants to match your content with the right audience, so help it out by making your niche clear in everything you post.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Now’s the time to get real with your Instagram strategy. Focus on providing value, use Carousels and Reels to engage your audience, foster connections through collaborations and DMs, and don’t forget about SEO. If you do this, you’ll be well on your way to not just being seen, but being remembered.

So, what’s your next move??

Drop a comment, share this with your network, and if you’re ready for more tips like these, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter. Let’s crush it together!