Not sure what to post on Instagram today, or can’t think of what to schedule for the week ahead?
We’ve all been there!
You scroll through your camera roll for something, anything, and all you find are approximately one million photos of your dog/cat/baby/food. Not exactly the stuff of an inspiring Instagram feed!
To grow your influence on Instagram and to stand out, you need to consistently share content that is high-quality and fits with your brand style and brand voice. There’s no denying that sometimes our creative minds reach a roadblock, or our schedules get so hectic that we don’t have time to figure out what to post on Instagram on the fly!
The good thing is there are plenty of apps to help you schedule Instagram posts and prepare captions and hashtags (hello: Plann). Also, they help make sure you’ve always got something new for your followers to like and tag their friends in.
40 things to post on Instagram when you’re feeling stuck
Here are 40 amazing Instagram content ideas you can save for when you’re experiencing a serious case of creative block. Pstttt… Want to skip to the best content idea for you? Here’s a quick list of what to post on Instagram:
- A tutorial
- Inspire your followers to get outside and get moving
- Your favorite holiday
- Flaylay what’s in your bag
- Your morning routine
- What you had for breakfast
- Your work-from-home situation
- Your outfit
- Your flavor of the month
- Design a cocktail that your brand would drink
- Flowers
- Latest apps you’ve found
- Something that inspires you
- Your DIY projects
- Inspiring quote
- Your Sunday morning
- Sneak peek
- Ask a question
- Hold an impromptu giveaway
- Deconstruct your equipment and design a flatlay
- Your cute pets
- Post white space
- Sunrise or sunset
- Find an ‘Instagrammable wall’
- Share something you’ve learned recently
- Your book recommendation
- Real talk
- Your go-to coffee (or tea!)
- The pizza you ordered just for you
- A productivity tip
- A bird’s eye view of your shoes or flooring
- The interior of your favorite shop
- A photo of you
- An educational carousel
- An IGTV on a topical issue
- Post someone who inspires you
- Share work in progress
- Poll your audience
- Client review/testimonial
- Pic of your product/service
Instagram content idea #1: A tutorial
What could you teach your audience in a snapshot?
For example, are you a Beauty Blogger? Eyebrows are life!
Ask any girl who isn’t blessed with perfectly neat yet bushy brows and you’ll know how important mastering the art of brow makeup is.
Share your tips on how to use your favourite products, whatever they may be, to engage with your audience on a helpful level.
Instagram content idea #2: Inspire your followers to get outside and get moving
Did you know that exercise can have a massive effect on our brains?
Just 30 mins a day can improve cognitive function, lower anxiety levels, increase memory capability AND boost your mood, yeow!
Technology is fast becoming a huge part of our lives, and for most people, it means more time spent in front of a screen. Set a great example and motivate others to make it part of a daily routine.
Instagram content idea #3: Your favorite holiday
Re-live your favorite holiday experience next time you’re not sure what to post on Instagram and share a series of snaps of your most inspiring place to visit. It’s a great way to re-use content you already have (and a great reason to revisit your holiday snaps!).
Instagram is primarily about a lifestyle so choose a location that made you happy.
Haven’t been on a trip lately? ROADTRIP!
What about planning a trip to the beach – there’s always something about the ocean that makes people happy! (Ocean images are renown for being popular for engagement!)
Instagram content idea #4: Flatlay what’s in your bag
Also known as ‘The Bag-Spill’, a neatly (or messy if that’s your style!) arranged view of what’s in your bag gives great insight into your personality, your must-haves and your life in general.
To prompt your imagination, we’re thinking: your work bag, gym bag, handbag, clutch, artist bag, makeup bag or even what’s in your new shopping bag! Flatlays are an easy and effective ‘go to’ on Instagram.
Instagram content idea #5: Your morning routine
Self-care is an area many people know they need to prioritize more – and when they see others making time for themselves they’ll feel empowered to follow your example.
Do you get up and have some ‘me time?’, or do you jump straight onto your phone to check your Instagram DM’s?
Tell your audience how you set your intention for the day – you’ll either inspire them or if you’re work-o-holics like us, perhaps give insight into what you are planning to change.
Great for building a stronger community.
Instagram content idea #6: What you had for breakfast
Breakfast foods aren’t just delicious to eat, they’re also delicious to look at, especially if you take a photo of it like a pro!
Great styling, composition, and lighting is the key to this shot, and if you can manage to get your hands in the frame too, we’ve learned they get more engagement – the power of human connection!
Taking a photo from a bird’s eye view is a pro tip, so get ready to climb up on that chair safely, of course!!
Instagram content idea #7: Your work-from-home situation
Try a photograph of your desk with a positive caption could help your followers hate Mondays a little less.
Instagram content idea #8: Your outfit
When we need to go full office/business chic, we head straight to Instagram and search for #chicoutfits.
If your office outfit game is strong, do Instagram a little favor — pose, and post your OOTD!
Instagram content idea #9: Your flavor of the month
Are you obsessing over a new piece of camera equipment, your newest Pottery Barn home decor purchase or you’ve scored 3 pairs of Bonds socks for less than $3? Woo! Share what product is getting you so excited.
Instagram content idea #10: Design a cocktail that your brand would drink
Would you like a Plannocolada?
Design a cocktail (or drink!) and give it a fun name that suits your personality (or your brand’s personality!).
Cocktails are a fun way to talk about the end of the week – however, they’re usually taken in dark lighting with very warm tones (slightly orange-y) that don’t perform as well as we’d hope. Always check your lighting when taking indoor shots.
(Psst, not the right fit for your Instagram feed? What about a boomerang announcing the end of week celebrations. Extra points if it’s on brand!)
Need some help with Instagram’s newer features? Here’s what you should be posting to your Instagram Stories!
Instagram content idea #11: Flowers
Our go-to for when we’re not sure what to post on Instagram – blooming yes! Flowers are known to freshen up any feed, grab a posy, hold it against a backdrop and get snapping.
See if you can find you’re ‘on brand’ blooms! Play with nail color, arm, and hand accessories and break through your roadblock with a bit of creativity.
Instagram content idea #12: Latest apps you’ve found
Spread the word about apps, new software or new tools that you’ve found helpful, or fun!
Found something that’s useful and think more people could benefit from knowing about it? Don’t keep it a secret, share it with your audience! The creators of the product may even get in touch to offer you something to say thanks – hint hint
(If you’d like to share how helpful Plann, our visual social media planning app is, we’re happy for you to use any of the images on our website or IG feed! Tag us with @plannthat so we can take part in your conversation!)
Instagram content idea #13: Something that inspires you
Showcase someone who you admire, post an image of their work and describe why they light you up from the inside!
Talk about how they motivate you, and why you’re so inspired and look up to them. Although you might not have met in person, this is a great way to acknowledge someone’s direct influence in your life.
Great for building strong relationships or getting in front of new people.
Instagram content idea #14: Your DIY projects
Trawling Pinterest and been inspired to make something yourself?
(You might need to give yourself a Pinterest curfew for this one otherwise you could keep scrolling all day!)
Whether it’s a DIY floating bookshelf or a mason jar vase, see how you can tie it into your Instagram theme.
Instagram content idea #15: Inspiring quote
Inspirational quotes are a great way to show what you’re working towards, but how about creating your own?
Is there a quote you always say? Or something you imagine your company’s voice would say?
Pull out the pens and paper, or jump onto Canva (you can do this without even leaving the Plann app thanks to our integration!) and create your own graphic to share.
Instagram content idea #16:Your Sunday morning
How do you start your Sunday?
Do you sleep in until 11 AM? Do you get up early for a jog at 6? Or do you wake up at 7 but stay in bed reading or catching up with your favorite Netflix series while drinking coffee? Give your followers a glimpse of how your Sunday mornings are every now and then.
#sundaystyleloves is a good hashtag to use for this!
Instagram content idea #17: Sneak peek
Have you got a project bubbling away in the background, but not ready to do a ‘full reveal’ just yet?
Post a little snippet of what’s going on and create some mystery, one of our favorite things when we’re thinking about what to post on Instagram!
This could be handwriting your to-do list or using a couple of your materials, or even a map with a few areas circled if you’re planning a new adventure!
Instagram content idea #18: Ask a question
Engage with your audience by asking them a quirky question.
It could be anything at all and designed as a fun way to strike up a conversation (and lift your engagement rate).
Instagram content idea #19: Hold an impromptu giveaway!
There’s nothing better than scrolling through Instagram to find a bit of afternoon delight, in the form of a snap giveaway.
If you’re feeling a little flat, nothing will lift your mood faster than by making someone else’s day and giving something away.
Instagram content idea #20: Deconstruct your equipment and design a flatlay!
Collect the equipment or items you love to use daily and lay them all out to create your own flatlay.
Describe why these things are all so important to you – an interesting way to show what your life is like behind-the-scenes!
Brownie points if you can do it in a color scheme!
Instagram content idea #21: Your cute pets
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a fat cat or a cute little pooch, photos of pets on Instagram will brighten anyone’s day.
Instagram content idea #22: Create white space
Is your Instagram feed looking a little busy lately?
Lots of busy photographs making your feed feel a little crowded?
Sometimes busy feed = busy brain, and no space to think of what to post on Instagram!
Step back and take a look at your Instagram gallery, does it need a little white space?
Take a photo of something plain (but still in your color scheme), whether it’s a textured wall, a scene from inside your favorite cafe or the water at the beach or in a pool.
There’s even a hashtag for these types of shots called #photosinbetween
Instagram content idea #23: Sunrise or sunset
There’s always something special about the dawn of a new morning.
Team it up with your own thoughts on goal-setting or reflect on your own milestones
Instagram content idea #24: Find an ‘Instagrammable wall’
You’ve seen them all over Instagram, some of your favorite people are standing (or jumping!) in front of colorful walls.
Why can’t this be you too?
Grab a friend for a coffee and head out to explore – once you get busy snapping you’ll find you’ll leave with many more shots to spread out over the months when you get stuck again!
Pro Tip: We recommend taking a few different shirts, hats or sunnies so you’re prepared for any color combo!
Want some Inspiration? Our favorite hashtag to follow for these is #walltraveled
Instagram content idea #25: Share something you’ve learned recently
Self-guided learning online is a multi-million dollar industry – everyone is learning about something.
Is there anything that has fascinated you lately? Make it relative to the people you’re wanting to continue relationships with!
Instagram content idea #26: Your book recommendation
Whether it’s ‘THE BEST BOOK EVER!’ or the one you’ve just put down, talk about your key takeaways and give your audience something to think about, plus solve the question of what to post on Instagram!
Instagram content idea #27: Real talk
Share something that’s challenging you at the moment or a struggle you’ve faced recently. You never know who might be going through something similar, and reaching out and being honest will help you foster stronger connections with your community.
Instagram content idea #28: Your go-to coffee (or tea!)
Hot Beverages are life. It keeps the mind working on extended work hours and it gives comfort on a cold day. We’re sure your followers feel the same way too.
Think it’s a little drab? These cute coffee stencils from Amazon are a great way to inject personality (and a fun ‘me-time’ moment to add a little joy to your day!
Hot tip! If you’re going to team this shot with a cup of tea, we’ve learned that ‘milky teas’ perform better than darker beverages like black coffees and black teas! How Interesting!
Instagram content idea #29: The pizza you ordered just for you.
We’ll just leave this one here!
Instagram content idea #30 Productivity tips
Productivity is a massive talking point, with thousands of books, podcasts, and productivity apps — everyone is looking to focus on how they can effectively use their time. Time is one of the hardest things to get better at using.
Post about how you manage your time, or techniques that you’re trying out.
Instagram content idea #31: A bird’s eye view of your shoes and flooring
Team this shot with #ihavethisthingwithfloors or #ihavethisthingwithtiles and join the already existing community.
Instagram content idea #32: The interior of your favorite shop
Give a sneak peak of how your favorite place to hang looks from the inside. Bonus points for Scandi-chic minimalism vibes.
Instagram content idea #33: A photo of you
Flash that smile; it’s contagious. Share positive vibes with your followers by posting a happy photo of you!
Post about why you’re passionate about what you do, the big WHY behind what drives you to get better every day and your passions for your Instagram feed. Put that out to the world, and we’ll all fall in love with you.
Instagram content idea #34: An educational carousel
Carousels are absolutely killing it on Instagram right now! These multi-story posts are an excellent way to give free value to your audience by sharing tips and resources.
Instagram content idea #35: An IGTV on a topical issue
Get your face and voice out there by.speaking loud and proud about something you’re passionate about.
Instagram content idea #36: Post someone who inspires you
Put someone else in the spotlight by sharing a business or person you’re loving on right now. You can even use the ‘share business’ sticker on stories to give them a shout-out!
Instagram content idea #37: Share a work in progress
Give your audience a sneak peek of a project you’re working on right now. It’s sure to pique their intrigue and get them dying to know more!
Instagram content idea #38: Poll your audience
Get to know your audience a little better by posting a poll — whether it’s on a serious topic or whether they’re more of a coffee or tea person! Doing this every now and again can help you create more tailored content in the future.
Instagram content idea #39: Client review/testimonial
Received some kind words from a client or customer recently? Show them off on your feed by turning them into a graphic — or even ask them to record a short video!
Instagram content idea #40: Pic of your product/service
It might sound obvious, but don’t forget to shout about your amazing product or service from the rooftops every now and again! This could be a UGC (user generated content) reshare of a customer post, or you using your own product.
Now, you’ve got 40 Instagram content ideas to get you started. But, how would it feel to never have to ask yourself ‘what should I post on Instagram’ again? Well, it can be a reality, thanks to our new content prompts in the Plann app! These have been strategically designed to cover all types of post themes, from behind the scenes, building your community, and asking for the sale. We’ve even color coded them against our known top-performing themes so you can see exactly how the strategy was created for you.
We’ll help you tell a well-rounded brand story with 9 prompts for 50+ industries. Once you see them live and in action, the prompts will help you plan out similar content for your future posts. You can learn more about our content prompts here.
