6 Things to Post on Instagram When You Have No Content
Running out of content ideas for Instagram? Worry not, sport, we're here right on cue with your safety net.
Being a social media manager is hard. Trust us, we know - we work with some of the best ones in the world. As the person in charge of visual storytelling, not only do you hold your brand's image in the palm of your hands, but you're also responsible for keeping things fresh while executing strategy. You're well versed in the lingo, you're up to date on the trends, and you're likely producing some amazing influencer campaigns. But there is one looming aspect of the job that haunts you day in and day out. Running out of things to post on Instagram.
Content is the focal point of an Instagram strategy, yet so many digital marketers managing social lament that it's a sparse commodity. Beyond brand images and catalog or lookbook shots, what does it take to furnish a well-balanced Instagram gallery? How do you make sure that your bank of visuals never dries up?
Content Ideas for Instagram Posts
You're already well educated on the fundamentals. It's now time to learn how to simultaneously keep your gallery interesting, help you tell your brand story and accelerate follower retention. Not to mention never be plagued again by the pestering fear of having nothing to post. Stick to the program and you won't ever revert to publishing lame content again in an act of panic. After this article, you'll always have ideas for things to post on Instagram, we promise.
#1: Share Behind The Scenes Content
This is quickly becoming a classic. People don't just care about your products or service, they are interested in what goes on in and around your company. While raw video footage can be saved for your Instagram Story, a well edited shot of a model posing for a photographer, a stylist arranging a hem, or your company's designer mid-drawing is all fantastic feed fodder.
For example, tibi is using a great image of their designer mid-crayon stroke to tease the release of their new handbag collection.
#2: Share Memes That Will Make Your Community Laugh
Some accounts have built entire social strategies around memes, but a little meme-ing can go a long way. It's an awesome method to reveal your brand's personality while showcasing a sense of humor. And whoever doesn't like humor should not be desired as a follower. Just sayin'.
Sustainable cool girl brand @reformation gets cheeky with it. They regularly post memes to their Instagram feed, and on average, those memes get the most engagement from their followers. Know what makes your audience laugh and it could pay off big time in the form of likes, comments, and follows.
#3: Share User-Generated Content (UGC) From Your Community
Some brands happen to be a veritable user-generated content goldmine. Whether they've created a custom hashtag used daily by the thousands, happen to have built an über Instagrammable brick-and-mortar location, or are simply just popular AF, when you're out of original content, UGC is the next best thing. It makes your audience feel loved, while simultaneously incentivizing them to tag your brand more in the hopes of being featured, thus bringing your account more exposure and converting new followers. A little goes a long way!
The folks over at @darling started a hashtag that became renowned among aesthetic-focused circles. You might have heard of #ThatsDarling? They have copious amounts of images to choose from, should they ever run out of original content.
#4: Repurposed Content Through Regraming
Have you yet to amass a following that yields abundant earned content to choose from? Not to be confused with UGC, this is a prompt to repurpose other Instagrammers' content from around the community, even though you haven't been tagged in it. The 'Gram is rich with high-quality visuals, ripe for the #regram. Most users will be flattered by the feature and might even return the follow, just don't forget to give the credit where it's due.
#5. Flat Lays to Highlight Products in Everyday life
We know what you're thinking. Product shots don't work as well as lifestyle images. How about combining both notions into one beautiful image for a stunning engagement-spawning combo? Demonstrating how your product can fit into your consumers' lives instead of always displaying aspirational photos that speak to the subconscious can be a real win.
Laid-out merch pertaining to the @anthropologie lifestyle? Two birds, one stone. These guys are pros.
#6: Share Videos
If you belong to one of the 3 niches where video content outperforms regular content, may we suggest that you get right on that? But before venturing blindly, get up to speed on everything you should know.
Everyone thinks that social media is so easy. Boy, are they wrong. It's not just about haphazardly posting fun pics. It's accurately calculated, highly strategic and completely measured. Your brand's social media editor has a lot on their plate and running out of content should be the last thing they have to worry about.
How to Schedule Your Ideas for Instagram Posts
In addition to staying afloat with visuals to post, planning your content ahead of time can bring some clarity to your job and make you so much more efficient. It's frighteningly easy to do with Dash Hudson's scheduler: not only will it make your life easier, but it'll make you feel like you're always one step ahead instead of two steps behind. A content calendar is inevitably going to initiate foresight, which will have a ripple effect on your content strategy as a whole. You'll be able to anticipate things that once felt difficult to keep abreast of, like seizing opportunities during certain holidays and other important timely viral moments.
The scheduler tool allows you to keep a bank of content at your fingertips and to schedule as far in advance as you wish. Gone are the days when your gallery's aesthetic was a guessing game - this solution lets you preview what your grid will look like, and our drag and drop function will help you seamlessly rearrange its order if it needs some tweaking. The final kicker? Scheduling all that good content ahead of time is also going to help you bring more value to your audience, as well as turn your Instagram account into a huge traffic and revenue driver. Can you say no-brainer?
