Tips for planning Instagram feed

The first impression is the last impression. And if you want to put it digitally, you could say the first profile interaction is the last profile interaction for a user, so make it count. Create a visually pleasing Instagram feed with a proper planning, strategy, and a bit of creativity. You’ll have to work closely to improve your Instagram game. Here are some tips to plan your feed to improve your game.

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1.     Define your Aesthetic

The Instagram feed is the first thing that people notice. Make it worth their while. Choose an aesthetic that will tune and portray your brand and style. This could be a color scheme, a mood, or even a consistent type of content. For example, some feeds are bright and colorful, while others might be minimalistic and monochromatic.

Also, you can create an effect that colors gradually change from one post to another, now it’s the same color palette of colors belonging to the same family or different. That’s all up to you.

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2.     Use a Grid layout

Think of your Instagram feed as a grid of three columns. Now, the rows and columns have to be balanced to strike a visually appealing look. Instead of the usual row-by-row layout, consider experimenting with unique grid patterns. For instance, you could use a checkerboard style, where you alternate between two types of posts (e.g., photos and text quotes). Another idea is the 'diagonal' pattern, where similar types of posts appear diagonally in your feed.

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3.     Plan your posts

It is very important to plan your posts in advance and use apps like Later, Planoly can help you with the visualization of your Instagram feed. Plan your content, the style, and the apply the necessary promotion strategies, like buying Instagram likes from credible Instagram likes service providers for the initial boost required for the post to spread to a larger audience.

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4.     Strike a balance of content

Similar type of content will bore your followers. That doesn’t mean you’ll post out of your niche. Make content in different formats and styles. Use a mix of posts such as images, videos, carousels, and Reels. Also, vary your subjects; if you’re a fashion brand, include product shots, lifestyle photos, behind-the-scenes content, and user-generated content.

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5.     Consistency in Filtering and Editing

Make the feed look consistent, and one way to do this is to use the same filter or the same set of filters across your posts. This consistency will give your feed a unified look, making it more attractive and professional. You can use apps like VSCO and Lightroom, or if you don’t want to go that far you can always use Instagram’s own editing tools.

Besides filters, introduce other consistent elements that reflect your brand identity. This could be a recurring motif, a specific border style, or a consistent overlay that appears in all your posts. These elements become part of your brand signature on Instagram.

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6.     Pay Attention to Lighting

Lighting drastically changes the way your photos look. It can totally turnaround the quality and mood of your photos. Professionals mostly try using natural lighting as it tends to give a warmer. More inviting feel to the photos. Which brings us to our next point.

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7.     Always use High-Quality Images

High quality images in the feed make your feed look like how you want it to be perceived by the people. Always aim for the highest quality images possible. This means avoiding blurry, low-resolution, or poorly cropped images. High-quality images look more professional and are more engaging to users.

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8.     Focus on Seasonal Themes

Plan your content around seasonal themes, using colors and subjects that reflect the time of year. This not only keeps your content fresh but also makes your feed visually appealing and relevant. For instance, incorporate warm, earthy tones in autumn or vibrant, lively colors for summer.

9.     Create Visual Stories

Think of your Instagram feed as a storyboard where each row tells a part of a story. This approach is particularly effective for launches or campaigns where each row can unfold a new aspect of the product or story, creating anticipation and coherence.

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10.     Use Negative Space

Negative spacing involves the posts with more blank space. Use that space creatively. This can help yours posts stand out. This involves strategically placing simpler, less busy images next to more detailed ones. It not only grabs attention but also makes your overall feed look organized and clean.

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11.     Opt for Asymmetric Posting

Symmetry is “awe” but asymmetry is “awesome”. Make your feed awesome with some unorthodox posting style. You could post several related images in a cluster that together form a big picture and then balance it out with smaller, individual posts. This asymmetry can make your feed more dynamic placing your different in the crowd.

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12.     Use Themed Dividers

Creating visual breaks or dividers can help your feed look more organized. You can add these to signify shift in theme or content. This could be a text-based post or a distinctive visual marker. It helps in keeping the content organized and sets the rhythm for the audience’s viewing experience.

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13.     Optimize with Strategic Hashtags

Once you’re sorted with the visual feel of the feed, move towards sorting of it. strategically use hashtags that not only categorize your content but also weave into the story or theme of your feed. Use them creatively in captions or as part of graphic elements, this will also garner you with more Instagram views and likes as they would appeal to a larger user base.

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Conclusion

Instagram feed planning is a front window of your virtual world. Having a well planned and executed feed will always ensure that your feed is delighting and retaining the audience. These tips will always ensure that your feed is lively, creative, and visually sound.

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