How to simplify Instagram content planning
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of planning your Instagram content?
“Plan? What plan?”
Unfortunately for most of us, carving out time in our busy schedules for content planning just isn’t a top priority and takes a back burner.
Which then results in that feeling of being overwhelmed with our socials. Having no plan leads to less visibility, minimal growth and struggling with keeping up!
So my goal is to share with you a few steps that you can take to help simplify your content planning throughout the month. Help you stay consistent, visible and connected with your audience!
Here’s how you can break it down and simplify.
Notebook & Calendar
Have a real calendar (like the one you purchase at staples!) and a notebook on your desk. The notebook is there to jot down your ideas as they come to you, so you have an ongoing list (break your ideas down by reels, posts, IGTV etc)
Having calendar that is visible to remind you of your goals and to help strategically plan content around holidays, promotions, launch dates etc.
Batch your Photography
Team up with a photographer, friend or family member and take a bunch of photos.
Why? This will save you countless hours trying to take pictures on your own or searching the web for stock images.
Instagram is a visual platform. Your images don't have to be fancy, but they should be good quality!
Having a bank of images will make your overall content planning much easier and will help keep your grid cohesive and on brand.
Batch your Content & Videos
Batching all your content is the biggest time saver hands down!Schedule a time and day in your calendar once a week, every two weeks or monthly and spend a few hours writing your posts, adding call to actions & hashtags and pairing them up with images or graphics.
Schedule another day in your calendar to record your video content. Throw some make up on, have a couple of outfits and film away!
Scheduling & Insights
If you have a Instagram business account then you can use a scheduling and planning app! Here are two of my favs!
Checking your insights and knowing when your ideal posting time is essential! See when your audience is most active on the gram and post aprox. 1 hour before the peak time. This way when your followers jump onto the app your post has a good chance to show up in their feeds.
Content Ideas
Repurpose older top performing posts (simply change up image and headline)
Repurpose blog posts, newsletters
Use Pinterest for ideas
Use Instagram (save posts that you love, inspire or use as a springboard for ideas)
See what your competitors are creating and pull inspiration. (Don't copy, always make it your own, add a twist)
Google - www.answerthepublic.com
At the end of the day the biggest take away is find a way to plan ahead that works for you! Stay consistent, have a plan and engage daily to see that upwards growth for your Instagram!
