Any content creator would know that building a strong social media presence is good practice for creating compelling content. With the perfect training ground being Instagram and curating a feed that your followers won’t be able to get enough of.
Your content can literally be anything – from flatlays of your favorite things, to beautifully composed and brightly colored shots of your recent travels. Creating a feed that highlights the bits and pieces of your life is not only a great creative outlet, but a way to discover what your audience likes.
Below, we break down how you can build on an Instagram feed that is not only follow-worthy, but one you can be proud of.
1. Plan it all out
Every well-curated Instagram feed starts with content planning. More than just thinking of what caption best matches your photo, you should also consider if it matches the overall look and feel of the feed you are going for.
Take these things into consideration when planning your Instagram feed:
- Have a theme and be consistent to have a visually attractive and cohesive profile grid.
- Gather photos and videos that will make up your feed.
- Plan your Instagram feed and think about how your posts will look next to each other. Create a balance and make sure that it is not too busy or cluttered.
- Captions are just as important as your posts and it makes the content whole. Compose it in a clear statement of what you want your audience to do or feel about that certain post.
- Schedule your posts with a help of Instagram planner apps.
Planning out your content in advance is really what is going to make or break your Instagram aesthetic.
2. Themes make a big difference
Aesthetic is the key to turning visitors into followers and growing your account.
The first thing you want to do is decide on the Instagram aesthetic you want for your profile and a great way to get started is by looking for inspiration. Do you want it to be pretty in pastel, black and white, or warm and earthy?
The next thing you want to do is pick a theme and create a cohesive Instagram aesthetic. Choosing the same set of filters and editing it in a way you have sort of rules, will help you keep your photos looking consistent and fit together.
There are tons of different apps that you can use to edit your posts. Do not be afraid of experimenting with filters, fonts, and colors. Find out what works best because the more you post, the more you can understand which tools and effects look good.
And once you have a clear picture of what you would like your Instagram feed to look like, it will make the editing process a breeze.
3. Trade flat lays for a more candid presentation.
Still shots and flat lays are so years ago. Pose with some drama! You’ll want to get creative by incorporating movement into your shots. It would not hurt to shake things up a little and to change your #aesthetics game.
You might want to opt to post a mix of candid and posed shots. Sure, posed photos may look cool, but try to throw a few candid ones into the mix. Not only do candid posts allow your followers to get a glimpse of the real you, but they also give a more effortless quality to your feed.
4. High-quality post is the ultimate game-changer
Aesthetic Instagram feed, candid shots are nothing if you post low-quality images or videos. Gone are the days when you need a fancy camera and expensive editing software. Thanks to our smartphones and editing apps that you can download for free.
Smartphone camera shots tips and tricks:
- Use your grid lines
- Set your focus and have a subject
- Use natural lighting
- Set the exposure by using AE/AF lock feature
- Avoid zooming in
5. Post consistently to Instagram
Consistency is key! You need to update your followers on a regular. That way, you are setting their expectations from you.
You may want to start on posting at different times of the day and figure out when your followers are most active (is it on a weekday or weekend? Is it during their lunch break or before bed?).
Now that you know when they are most likely to interact with you, you need to set a schedule for your posts and stick to it. Map out your week and in that way, your followers get to see all your posts and even know when to expect one from you.
Having a clear Instagram aesthetic is the first step in creating a strong Instagram feed — but it does not end there. Taking time to think about how your posts will look next to each other on the feed, the quality, and your consistency in posting is just as important.
No matter what editing style you choose, it is also important to create balance on your feed, and make sure it’s not too busy or cluttered.
New visitors to your profile are much more likely to convert into followers when they know exactly what they can expect from your feed. And now that you have learned these Instagram feed hacks, you are ready to plan, design, execute, and show off your very own beautifully-crafted Instagram feed. Make your feed stand out and earn those double taps!
