What to Post on Instagram: 18 Photo & Video Ideas to Spark Inspiration

By lkolowich@hubspot.com (Lindsay Kolowich Cox)

Instagram isn’t just a go-to social network for individuals anymore. Many marketers have caught wind that it’s a powerful social network where they need to have some sort of presence.

The platform’s heavy emphasis on visual content like photos, videos, illustrations, and GIFs is becoming a critical way for brands to communicate their story and message. Plus, it’s an excellent way for businesses to humanize their brand, recruit future employees, showcase their products and content, and delight and engage customers.

Check out these 18 ideas for videos, photos, and other content you can post on Instagram. (And for more inspiration, check out our list of the best brands to follow on Instagram.)

18 Content Ideas for Videos, GIFs & Photos to Post on Instagram

1. Behind-the-Scenes Content

Instagram is a great platform for humanizing your brand, and giving your audience a sneak peek at what goes on behind the scenes is one way to do that. It’s also a good way to show followers what it’s like to work there, which is great for your recruiting efforts.

Here’s an example from the Boston Red Sox, showing what batting practice looks like close-up (with a really cool, fish-eye shot).

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And here’s one from a small arts and crafts store called Cherry Tree Beads. We love how this one uses the hashtag #employeetakeover to share one of the faces behind the brand, giving followers the chance to get to know who’s on the inside.

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Pro Tip: Posting candid photos of your work environment can help humanize your business and allow your customers to connect with your employees, which can translate into stronger brand loyalty.

2. User-generated Content

Some of the best photos on brands’ Instagram accounts are curated by fans and followers. (In fact, FedEx‘s Instagram feed is almost entirely made up of curated photos.)

Check out the posts people have tagged you in, and if you love them, consider reposting them to your followers. Not only does it make the original poster feel good, but it also shows everyone that you’re listening to your fans. Just be sure the photos you’re reposting are high-quality and that you @-mention the original poster in your caption.

Here’s a reposted image from ASOS. Take note of how they write the caption: They write an entirely new caption, which includes a tidbit on how their followers can get featured on their Instagram page (by using the hashtag #AsSeenOnMe). Then, they credit the original poster using the camera emoji and the poster’s username.