Easy Content Plan for Instagram
Everybody has a different strategy for posting to their social media platforms. When I meet with a client, they usually assume they need to be on every platform. Therefore, social media is overwhelming to them because it is A LOT to keep up with. As a marketer, I am here to tell you - it is a lot. BUT you do not have to be everywhere at once. Pick one, maybe two platforms, if you really want to, and put all of your social media energy into them.
At KAdesign, we are focusing on Instagram and Pinterest. We have a Facebook page but with all the changes Facebook is making for businesses I decided it was not the platform to pour our time into. Instagram is really a daily commitment and that alone can be a challenge, but here is a little trick that might help:
Batch Your Instagram Content 1 Month at a Time
The nature of instagram is very “present moment” based, meaning, it functions best when you are sharing behind the scenes photos and stories of what’s happening with your business NOW. Because of this, I do not suggest sitting down and taking ALL your pictures and writing your posts ahead of time. What I do suggest is having a plan, having back up ideas, and having some stock photos ready to use.
Create Instagram Content Categories
An easy way to think through 1 month of content is to come up with 7 categories that apply to your business and come up with 4-5 posts for each category…and just like that, you have a month of content. I then fill out a monthly calendar and hang it in my office for reference. Here are the categories we use at KAdesign:
Blog
Designs
Client Highlights
Behind the Scenes
Quotes
High Five Friday
Business thoughts
From these categories, I break it up by week and put my post ideas into each day. Some of these I already have images for - the blog, designs, quotes. Others I will come up with the day of, but it is much easier if I already have a post in mind.
Find Stock Photos That Match Your Instagram Brand
Stock photos. A beautiful Instagram grid is an important key to getting people to follow you. However, unless you are willing to invest a large amount of time taking your own photos and editing them to make them look consistent - stock photos (if applicable to your business) are a great little trick. For my business thoughts, I often use stock photos of beautiful spaces I wish I worked in. Though I would be mindful about using too many of these. Business thoughts is the only category I currently use them for.
Create a Publication Calendar
This part is simple but SO effective: map out the month, fill in your posts, make it easy on yourself include the topic, photo idea, and links to use each day.