Ideas for Engaging Instagram Posts in 2025
- Emily Wheeler
- Jan 3
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 3
Creating Image Posts on Instagram
Both Carousels (multiple image posts) and Single Image Posts are still really important on Instagram for building rapport with your online community - even though Reels have recently stolen their thunder in terms of reaching new people (and being shown to non-followers).
Your images give a flavour of your brand and are predominantly shown to people who already follow you, so you can think of them as 'warm' - they've already felt a connection to you and what you do! Therefore, a lot of image posts are about nurturing, not necessarily 'attention grabbing' for account growth.
This article will guide you through some ideas for creating engaging posts that you can make bespoke to your business.
I also have a similar article which gives you the same guidance for making Instagram Stories, if you'd like that info too!
Six Ideas For Instagram Carousels (That You Can Use Again & Again):
Remember that these are multiple-image posts, where your audience swipes through, as long as your first image intrigued them!
⭐ Step-By-Step Storytelling: 'I started here, then did this, then this happened, and that's how we got here...'
⭐ Photodumps: Carefully curated images that fit well together! Popularly used for 'this month' or 'this week' or even one particular event. Help people feel like they were there.
⭐ Before & After: Most of us cannot resist checking out a visual transformation... ideally photographs, but words from clients and customers could work too. 'First I felt like _______.... But now I feel/now I realise __________'.
⭐ How-To Guides: Share an interesting skill or process so that people can learn something! Either explain it step-by-step for your community to try themselves, or to give an insight into how you do things in your area of work.
⭐ Product or Service Details: A chance to showcase something you sell, and then focus in on your favourite details and features. Invite questions, too!
⭐ Sharing Reviews and Testimonials: Screenshots or quotes from happy clients and customers, perhaps grouped by product or service (i.e. they all loved 'x')
As of 2025, some people have an update where you can share photos of varying size in one carousel, but check that this is the case for you and that your slides won't be cropped when you post!
Also, bear in mind that the second image will sometimes be shown first in people's feeds (which is a good thing, because it means it's getting featured twice!)
4 Ideas for Single Posts (Again, Find Out What Works Well & Repeat It!):
⭐ 'People' Photos - of you and your team or collaborators. A personal touch goes down really well, including images of pets!!
⭐ Celebratory Announcements and Teasers - not sales or discounts, but joyful news that you're sharing with your community, like a milestone, new location, or a birthday!
⭐ Collaborations or 'Name Checks' - if you've been somewhere popular that's in-keeping with the vibe you're creating for your brand, take a photo and tag the place in it, especially if they are very active on socials! You don't have to officially collaborate with somewhere to reference them on your grid, just make it clear that you were visiting as a guest. Thank them for a lovely morning/class/meal/experience/stay...
⭐ Infographics - saveable, useful information that is also visually appealing. Something that people want to come back to. Phrases like 'ideas for _______' or 'things to do when ________'.
⭐ Relatable quotes - if a meme or quote makes you go 'YES, THIS!' then re-sharing it on your feed is a great way to show your community what sort of wavelength you're on. They'll see your sense of humour! People who relate will be able to align themselves as 'your kinda people'. Credit the original image whenever possible (and even tag the creator, as any tagging is great for the algorithm to learn that you're interconnected and not just in your own world!)
In January, many people's Instagram grids switched from square to portrait with new dimensions of 3x4. Creating portrait posts rather than square ones is now recommended for everyone, but try and keep the most important parts of the image in the centre, so that it still makes sense if shown as a square... (I know this sounds confusing, message me if you need clarification!)
What To Avoid Posting on Instagram:
Overt Sales Content
Heavily Filtered or Badly Lit Images
'Wide' Landscape Images (unless there's a good reason for it, like being a landscape photographer!)
Square Videos (they'll be shared to the Reels feed, get automatically cropped, and look odd!)
If you have any questions about creating single or multiple-image posts on Instagram, just message me or comment on this post and ask. Someone else is probably thinking the same thing and will be grateful you asked!
For more guidance on creating content for your heart-led business, keep an eye on my socials, and have a read of these posts too:
