Create the perfect Instagram post - here's how!

Creating an appealing Instagram post that stands out from the crowd and inspires your target group is an art in itself. Whether you want to present your products or services as a company or inspire your followers as a private individual – a successful Instagram post requires more than just a beautiful picture.

From high-quality images and videos and the use of suitable hashtags to the right caption and optimal posting time: In this guide, we show you how to create the perfect Instagram post to increase reach and engagement. Discover what really matters and use these tips to take your Instagram strategy to the next level.

Tips for a successful Instagram post

A successful Instagram post is about more than just a beautiful picture – it’s about communicating your message clearly and engagingly and motivating your community to interact. Here are the most important tips for perfectly coordinating your posts and achieving optimum impact.

1. use high-quality images and videos

Instagram is a visual platform where the quality of your content is crucial. Blurred or out-of-focus photos can detract from the professionalism of your account and reduce the interest of your followers. Therefore, invest in high-quality images and videos that emphasize the aesthetics of your profile and present your content in the best possible light.

If you are not an experienced photographer or don’t have the time for complex image editing, there are various options for creating professional content:

• Ask friends or colleagues: Perhaps there is someone in your circle of acquaintances who has a knack for photography and can help you with content creation.
• Hire professional photographers: If your budget allows, working with a photographer can be an excellent investment. A professional ensures that your brand is presented in the best possible way.
• Use stock photos in a targeted manner: Stock photos can be useful, but they should not make up the majority of your content. As they are used by many other users, you risk losing individuality.

Make sure that every image and video matches the message of your post and is in high resolution. This ensures that your content works optimally on all devices and screens and that your followers are visually addressed.

2. use suitable hashtags

Hashtags are one of the most effective ways to increase the reach of your Instagram post and gain new followers. Through the targeted use of hashtags, you can show your content to people who might otherwise never have noticed your profile. Choose your hashtags carefully and make sure that they match the content of your post and your target group.

Here are some tips for making the best use of hashtags:

• Find the balance: Use a mix of popular and specific hashtags. Large hashtags such as #love or #photooftheday reach many users, but are highly competitive. Niche hashtags with less competition that are specifically tailored to your industry or target group increase the chance that your posts will remain visible to interested users.
• Incorporate branded hashtags: Use hashtags that are specifically associated with your brand or a campaign motto to make your content recognizable. These hashtags help your community grow and make it easier for users to find your content.
• Carry out analyses: Observe which hashtags are performing well in your industry or with competitors. Tools such as Instagram Insights or external hashtag analyses can help you to identify trends and suitable terms.

Pro tip: Choose around 10-15 relevant hashtags per post and avoid using too many indiscriminately, as this can reduce the authenticity of your post. With the right selection, you can reach the right users and create more visibility for your content.

3. keep the text in the caption short

Many users scroll through their feed in passing – on the train, in a queue or during their break. Long texts are often skipped. To ensure that your post gets the attention it deserves, you should keep the text in the caption short and concise.

Here are a few tips for an effective caption:

• Short, concise sentences: Use clear, short sentences that convey the most important information directly, without unnecessary digressions.
• Structured paragraphs: Use paragraphs to make the caption clear, especially if it consists of several short sentences.
• Important information first: Place the most important points at the beginning – this way you ensure that they are noticed even when read at a glance.
• No technical terms and complex language: Use simple, easy-to-understand words and avoid complicated technical terms.

In short: less is more. Make it easy for your followers to grasp the essence of your message at a glance. This way your post will be remembered and increases the chance of interactions and reactions.

4. adapt to your target group

Speak the language of your followers and understand what interests them! Your target audience is the key to a successful Instagram profile, so it’s important to cater to their needs and desires.

Some tips for adapting to your target group:

• Language at eye level: Avoid too many technical terms or complex explanations. Most users are looking for practical tips or inspiration that they can easily implement.
• Understand and show empathy: Put yourself in your followers’ shoes – what could their challenges, questions or wishes be? If your content reflects their interests, a real connection is created.
• Use feedback: Pay attention to comments, likes and messages. Your followers often show you directly what they like and what they want to see from you.

If your followers have the feeling that you understand them and meet them at eye level, you increase the bond with them and strengthen their trust in your profile – and that is exactly what makes your account successful and authentic.

5. build in call to actions (CTAs)

People often need a little push to become active. An effective call-to-action (CTA) clearly shows your followers how they should react to your post – and increases the engagement of your account at the same time.

Why CTAs? Interactions are the be-all and end-all on Instagram. Every comment, like or save of a post signals to the algorithm that your post is relevant and helps to bring it to a larger audience. However, many followers do not respond on their own – this is where you come in!

How to use CTAs successfully:

• Direct CTAs: Ask your followers specifically what they should do. This could be “Save this post for later”, “Double tap if you agree”, or “Share this tip with your friends”.
• Ask questions: Questions are ideal for stimulating interaction. They invite the community to share opinions and experiences and make your contributions lively and personal.
• Interactive incentives: Use appeals such as “Click on the link in our bio for more info” to generate traffic or “Write to us in the comments” to stimulate discussion.

6. the right time to post – plan your post

The time at which you publish your Instagram post has a big impact on its reach and engagement. To get the most attention, you should schedule your posts so that they appear when most of your followers are active.

Why timing counts:

Posts that are published at peak times when your target audience is online are more likely to be seen and reach more people. Instagram rewards timely interactions – the more engagement a post receives immediately after publication, the higher its chances of appearing in the feed of more users.

How to find the right time slot:

• Analyze your target group: Use Instagram Insights to see when your followers are active. This information gives you an indication of when your target group is typically online.
• Use planning tools: Meta Business Manager is ideal for scheduling posts and publishing them automatically at the optimum time. In addition, planning tools such as Buffer or Later help you to define your content in advance.
• Test different times: The best times vary depending on the industry and target group. Therefore, try out different days of the week and times of day and analyze when your posts achieve the best results.

A well-timed post can significantly increase your engagement and help your content get the attention it deserves.

The perfect Instagram post: The right format

Instagram pictures

Instagram now allows various image formats that you can use for your posts. Originally, all Instagram images were square, but today portrait and landscape formats are also possible, which gives you more flexibility. Nevertheless, the width of your images always remains the same, namely 1080 pixels – only the height varies depending on the format:

• Square format (1:1): 1080 x 1080 pixels. The classic and most common choice, especially for profiles that prefer a symmetrical and structured display in the feed.
• Portrait format (4:5): 1080 x 1350 pixels. This format uses more screen height and is ideal for making the image appear particularly present in the feed, as it takes up almost the entire screen on mobile devices.
• Landscape format (16:9): 1080 x 608 pixels. This format is suitable for landscape pictures or wide-angle shots. It shows the entire motif in width, but can appear slightly smaller in the feed than the portrait format.

Tip: If possible, use the portrait format to take up more space in the feed and draw attention to your image. It is also important to check the image section carefully, as Instagram uses square thumbnails and cuts off border areas.

Instagram videos

Instagram also offers various formats for videos, which are crucial for the best possible presentation of your content.

• Portrait format (4:5): 1080 x 1350 pixels. The portrait format is particularly suitable for displaying videos over a large area and maximizing the user experience.
• Landscape format (16:9): 1080 x 608 pixels. This format is typical for horizontal videos and a good choice for landscape and wide shots.

Portrait format is recommended for most videos, as it fills the entire screen on mobile devices and therefore has a more intense effect.

Maximize your reach and visibility with FollowerPilot

If you want to sustainably increase your reach and engagement on Instagram, FollowerPilot can make all the difference. Even with great content and a solid organic strategy, it can be a challenge to stay visible. FollowerPilot helps you to strengthen your profile and gain even more attention.

Our service offers you, among other things

• Real Instagram followersMore followers increase your reach and reach a wider audience.
• More Likes for your postsIncrease the interactions on your posts and improve your chances of being favored by the Instagram algorithm.
• Valuable CommentsBuild real conversations and encourage sharing in your community to strengthen trust and engagement.
• Increase in views and impressionsMake your stories and videos more visible and increase the chance of gaining new followers.

Whether you want to expand your brand’s reach or grow your community, FollowerPilot supports you with safe and targeted measures to get the most out of your Instagram strategy. Take the opportunity to sustainably promote your growth and take your social media presence to a new level. Discover the possibilities with FollowerPilot now and benefit from a stronger presence on Instagram!