One of Instagram’s biggest updates of the year was that it’s official that it’s no longer just a photo-sharing app.
Now, you can do a lot more on Instagram with video, shopping experiences, and more.
This is not to say that Instagram is no longer all about photos. But that means when you share it, you have to make it valuable.
All of these changes mean that you need to seriously consider making carousels a big part of your deployment strategy.
Why?
Studies have shown that carousels are the most attractive type of post on the platform.
What are Instagram Carousel posts?
If you’re not familiar, these are “album style” posts in your feed that can include up to 10 photos or images at a time.
The first time someone sees the post on their feed, they will display the first photo as another cover. But unlike regular photo posts in the feed, they have a chance to reappear if the user doesn’t engage, and this time the next photo appears.
Whether you’re marketing an ecommerce brand with “dump” style carousels that showcase UGC for your products or an educational brand that creates informative, memorable infographics to educate your audience, carousels are a great way to frame your content in an easily digestible and engaging way.
Here are some best practices to keep in mind when creating interactive Instagram carousels.
1. Remember the basic copy and content principles
First of all, remember that the Instagram library is just another part of a copy strategy.
If it helps, you can even think of the post as an article first, then format it to fit a carousel once you have an idea draft.
Among the most effective techniques: Get to know your audience and talk to them directly as individuals.
Even though you’re using a public platform where hundreds or thousands read your post, you want each reader to feel like you’re in a personal conversation with them.
An easy way to do this is to use language like “you” instead of “you guys” or “you all”.
You’ll also want to make sure you lead with the most compelling information or image for your reader, and think about “what’s good for them” throughout the library.
2. Use the first image as a “top slider”
The first image in the carousel is basically its hook or place “above the fold”.
You’ll like it Deal with that first image As you would with a title or title image.
Its sole purpose is to make people stop and take notice.
nothing else.
The rest of the carousel, like the other images and caption, can take care of your other post goals and communicate the main message.
Consider keeping the first picture of the property for the most compelling picture in the photo circle.
If you’re creating an infographic, consider keeping the first slide with a short, bold statement that draws people to the rest of the information.
You have a total of 10 images to get your message across. Let the first image do its job and keep it simple.
3. Encourage people to swipe right
Once you grab people’s attention with your first slide, you want to keep them scrolling.
As with any marketing activity, the best way to get someone to do what you hope is Prompt or ask they.
Just a simple line in the caption with a scrollable call-to-action should do it. For example, influencers often put something like “➡️ Swipe to see more!”
Not only does this simple sentence make it clear that the post is a carousel to anyone who hasn’t noticed it before. It also adds a little curiosity for anyone who didn’t have to scroll before reading it.
Another thing that brands and influencers do a lot is add a visual signal In the images, like an arrow pointing to the right in all but the final image. You can also have one continuous line or shape that “spans” across all of your images.
4. Make sure each slide can stand alone
Another thing you want to keep in mind when designing pie slices and arranging information?
You want each slice to stand on its own.
Do you ever come across a bunch of other brands when you’re scrolling from your profile and share every slide with your stories because they all resonate so much?
That is the ultimate goal here.
You never know what will be the first photo someone comes across as people can share specific photos in their stories and messages.
In addition, once the user has seen the first photo, the post may reappear in their feed and display one of the other photos. All images are a potential entry point.
This means that someone should be able to Guess the general topic Or the theme of the circle from each picture inside it.
5. Keep everything together
As you try to shape each image into something that can stand on its own, make sure you don’t accidentally design 10 individual graphics instead of one cohesive slideshow.
You want the photos to look like part of a series.
Some ways you can do this are:
- using Same fonts and colors In all graphics (branding guidelines should make this easy).
- using Same as editing filters, styles, or presets on the pictures.
- Is characterized by Similar or related products.
- put a Series title or watermark in the header or footer area of each slide.
- using Same template design per drawing.
This is all part of having a cohesive brand in general, which can help you Build brand recognition On Instagram too.
Once you get a grip on creating cohesive rotors, you can try to make sure all of your posts are melding together as well.
6. Avoid information overload
It’s also important to remember that adding up to 10 minutes doesn’t mean you want to cram 10 times as much information as you would into any other post.
The best way to handle the Instagram carousel is this: You have more room to convey the same amount of information.
Let the content breathe.
For photo carousels, try not to make each one an extreme, busy, and miniature photo. Allow viewers to zoom in on the details of the scene.
for charts, Don’t try to cram Multiple sentences in one slide. Make sure the text has enough padding around it so that it’s easy to read without holding the phone directly up to your face.
You want to avoid overwhelming passive scrollers with so much information that they don’t take any action.
7. Remember accessibility
Finally, keep in mind that including more photos in your Instagram posts means more to making them accessible to visually impaired users.
Forgetting disabled users excludes a large portion of your potential audience who might want to interact with your content.
You can add alt text to images in the post editor while creating the library. It is also useful to Add image descriptions In the first caption or comment for those using a device that doesn’t show them the alt text.
Keep them swiping
With these tips, you’ll be making circular Instagram posts that get more likes, shares, and comments on people than just a static photo.
Between swipes on photos and the conversation they’ll start, this is one of the most effective ways to increase your engagement on Instagram.
And now you are ready to start!
More resources:
- How Instagram ranks search results
- 52 Instagram Stats and Facts for 2021
- Social Media Marketing: A Complete Strategy Guide
Featured image: vector_IT / Shutterstock
