The post with the most: Top post styles to increase engagement

The way you present yourself on Instagram couldn’t be more important when it comes to engagement. But with so many post types, how do you know which are the best for your engagement levels? Let’s investigate.

Using data collected from 44 million Instagram posts over a thirteen-month period, Later found that carousel posts have the highest engagement rate of all feed post types. Impressive, right? One of the reasons why users love carousel posts is that they give people more bang for their buck. After all, why limit your expression with one image when you can utilise a carousel and showcase a journey consisting of four of five stunning snaps? People love swiping through their Instagram feeds, and carousels are a great way to boost brand engagement. While not a secret amongst content creators, now is the time to step up and ride the carousel if you haven’t done so already.

UGC: A marketer’s dream

User-generated content (UGC) is the Holy Grail in many respects. It enables you to showcase what your brand is capable of, without having to create any content ideas from scratch. Crucially, 84% of consumers state that they trust peer recommendations above all sources of advertising, so you can see where UGC can come in handy. UGC also fosters engagement, as your followers are more likely to get involved with discussions relating to your brand, products, and services when they can see them in action for themselves. No matter how you choose to present it, UGC should be a core aspect of your social media strategy and can produce big returns as far as engagement is concerned. 

The tried and tested

While we’ve focused primarily on Instagram’s latest innovations in this article, we need to end by returning to the tried and tested photo or video post. Instagram is a visual experience, and sharing aesthetically pleasing content on your feed will always lead to engagement. But it’s fair to say that some content creators have become complacent with posts, sticking to the status quo and refusing to think outside the box. And just because reels and carousel posts are leading the charge right now, it doesn’t mean that you should abandon posts and videos. Make sure they’re unique, on-brand, and compelling, and you will still attract engagement from your loyal follower base. 

Recap

An effective social media strategy needs to be broad and adaptable, as social media platforms themselves are constantly evolving. The four post types above will help you maintain impressive engagement levels with your followers as you seek to grow your brand and attract new clients. 

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