
Posting on Instagram can be a breeze if you know the basics. To start, you need to have a smartphone with the Instagram app installed.
You can also access Instagram from a computer, but the mobile app is more user-friendly. Make sure your account is set up and you're logged in.
Choose a visually appealing background image or video to make your post stand out. This can be a photo or video you've taken yourself, or one you've downloaded from the internet.
Preparing Your Content
You can share images on Instagram that aren't just square, but also horizontal or vertical. To do this, simply pinch the screen of the photo you've selected on the Library screen.
To get the most out of your image, it's worth noting that while Instagram does allow these options, the images still need to fit into specific dimensions. This means you might still need to crop a tiny bit of your photo to get it to fit.
You can save your post for later by going back to the filtering and editing step, tapping the back arrow in the top left, and selecting "Save Draft."
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Edit Image
Now that you've selected your image, it's time to give it a makeover. Click the 'Next' button in the top right hand corner to proceed to the editing stage.
Instagram offers a range of filters to enhance your image. You can also adjust the brightness and contrast to get the desired look.
During the editing process, you can add music to appear with your post using the music icon at the top of the screen. This adds an extra layer of engagement to your content.
Type Your Caption
As you prepare your content for Instagram, it's time to think about the caption that will accompany your photo. Writing a nice, interesting caption is a great way to optimize your post in Instagram's search.
Captions can help you tell your followers about a post, inspire them, or add humor. You can also add hashtags and tag people, locations, or brands in your post.
Captions are an essential part of your Instagram post, and writing something can only benefit you.
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Add Your Location

Adding your location to your post can be a great way to give your audience more context about where you are and what's going on. You can do this by tapping "Add Location" on the new post page. This will allow people to easily find your post on the feed.
Marking your location can be especially helpful if you're posting about a fun vacation or event. On the new post page, tap "Add Location" to put a location on your image. This will make it easier for people to find your post.
Your post will show the location between your name and the block of content on the feed. This will help others know where you are and what's going on.
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Saved Drafts
You can save your Instagram posts as drafts if you're not ready to post right away. This feature is super helpful for when you're in the middle of creating a post and you need to take a break or switch to something else.
To save your draft, simply go back to the filtering and editing step, tap the back arrow in the top left, and select "Save Draft." This will save your progress and allow you to come back to it later.
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Adding Context and Engagement
Captions are a great way to tell your followers about a post, inspire them, or add humor. They can also be a way to add context to your photo.
Captions can be as short or as long as you like, but keep in mind that they should be concise and easy to read. Adding a caption will help your followers understand the story behind your photo.
Captions also allow you to add hashtags, which can help your post get discovered by people who are interested in the same topics as you.
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Use Hashtags
Captions are a great way to tell your followers about a post, inspire them, or add humor. You can also add hashtags and tag people, locations, or brands in your post.
Hashtags are a powerful tool for getting your post seen by more people. With Instagram's search feature, users can search for content with hashtags, increasing the chances that your post gets seen.
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Adding relevant hashtags in your caption is essential. If someone does a search of a hashtag you placed in your caption, they might find your post as well as others that included the same one.
If you're unsure how to use hashtags effectively, you can read a blog on the secret formula to hashtag success. This will give you tips and tricks on how to use hashtags to your advantage.
You can also use hashtag stickers on your Instagram story. Type in your hashtag and press done, and users will be able to see your story on that hashtag's page.
Play with Emojis
Emojis can make your posts more eye-catching and fun. They can add a personal touch and make your content more relatable.
You can use relevant emojis that fit with your post. For example, if you're posting a vacation photo, a palm tree 🌴 or a plane ✈️ can show you flew somewhere.
Here are some popular Instagram emojis you can use:
- ❤️
- 😍
- 😘
- 😂
- 😊
- 😎
- 💕
- 😉
- 💋
- 👍
Just be sure not to overdo it – too many emojis can come off as desperate.
How to Use the Feed
To get your content out there, most of it will be discovered on the home feed, where your followers will find all your new content. You can post on the feed by following 6 simple steps.
First, open up Instagram to start the process. Tap the plus button on the bottom to begin creating your post. You can choose to add an image or video from your camera roll or take a new one right in the app.
For adding a Boomerang or collage, tap on the respective icons in the bottom right corner. Once you've chosen your content, press "Next" in the top right corner to move on to the next step. You can resize an image or video by pinching the screen to fit Instagram's dimension requirements.
Now it's time to filter or edit your photo on Instagram. There are a number of built-in filters to choose from, ranging from pumped-up colors to black and white. Once you're happy with the way your post looks, press "Next" to move on to the final step.
How to Stories
You can post on Instagram Stories by tapping the camera on the top right of your Instagram home page. This is a great way to share content and grow your engagement.
Instagram Stories allow you to take photos and videos by pressing the circle button on the bottom of the screen, or swipe up to upload photos and videos from your camera roll. You can also use Instagram's story filters to make your content more visually appealing.
To access Instagram's story filters, swipe left on your screen, and you'll see a variety of options, including stickers, text, and other filters. You can have fun with these features to make your content more engaging.
Once you're ready to post on Instagram, you can choose to share on "Your Story", with "Close Friends", or message it to individual people or groups. This allows you to tailor your content to your specific audience.
You can also schedule your Instagram Stories with Later, which is a simple process that allows you to plan your content in advance. However, keep in mind that Instagram Stories do not have the auto-publish option, so you'll get a notification on your phone when it's time to post.
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Credit the Original Creator

Crediting the original creator is super important. It's the first tip for a reason, and it's not just a suggestion.
Always ask for permission to share user-generated content (UGC). This is as simple as sending a friendly message to the creator.
You can easily credit the original creator by tagging them. This way, they get the recognition they deserve.
Remember, crediting the creator is a must. Don't skip this step, or you might miss out on building a stronger relationship with your audience.
Be Purposeful with UGC
Be purposeful with your user-generated content (UGC) by always having intention behind what you're sharing. This means not just posting for the sake of posting, but instead choosing to share content that serves a specific purpose.
Having a clear intention behind your UGC can help you connect with your audience on a deeper level. For example, you might be looking to inspire your followers with a motivational story, or get a laugh with a funny meme.
Your UGC should always have a purpose, whether it's to share product reviews, showcase customer testimonials, or simply to entertain. As Tip #3 suggests, "don't just post for the sake of posting", but instead make sure your content is serving a specific goal.
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Advanced Features
You can schedule Instagram content in advance using tools like Later or Planoly, which allow you to upload photos and videos, create carousels, and add captions and hashtags.
These platforms enable you to schedule posts to automatically appear on your Instagram page at a certain time or give yourself the chance to manually review before the post goes up.
Instagram offers a variety of interactive features to enhance your stories, including Instagram Music, AR filters, GIFs, and Boomerangs.
You can have fun with your stories by experimenting with these features and finding what works best for your brand or personal account.
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Sharing and Promotion
Sharing user-generated content is a great way to engage with your audience and show appreciation for their creativity. You can do this by resharing the content they've created using your product or service, like Adobe's @lightroom and @photoshop Instagram accounts.
To make finding user-generated content easier, consider creating a branded hashtag that your followers can use when posting their content. This way, you can simply search the hashtag to identify posts from your followers.
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You can also use Later's user-generated content features to find and share UGC on Instagram. With Later, you can search for UGC in five different ways, including browsing your Instagram mentions, searching by hashtag, and adding content from a URL.
Later's tool automatically credits the original creator, so you can give them proper credit when you share their content. This is a great way to build trust and encourage more users to share their content with you.
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Find & Share
Sharing and Promotion is all about engaging with your community and showcasing their creativity. You can do this by sharing user-generated content, which is a proven way to generate engagement and interaction with your community of followers.
Adobe's @lightroom and @photoshop Instagram accounts are great examples of brands resharing the designs and photographs of their followers daily. They always credit the original creator of the post, which is essential.
To make finding user-generated content easier, consider creating your own branded hashtag that your followers can use when posting their content. This way, you can simply search the branded hashtag to identify posts from your followers.
You can also use Instagram's interactive stickers, like polls and quizzes, to make your content more engaging. These stickers can be found in the "Find & Use Instagram Stickers" section.
Sharing user-generated content is an affordable and fun way to spice up your Instagram posts. It also helps that 55% of consumers say they trust user-generated content over any other form of marketing!
If you're looking for an easy way to share UGC to Instagram, consider using Later's user-generated content features. You can search for UGC in five different ways with Later's tool, including browsing your Instagram mentions, browsing your Instagram tags, and searching by hashtag.
Here are the ways you can search for UGC with Later's tool:
- Browse your Instagram mentions
- Browse your Instagram tags
- Search by hashtag
- Add content from a URL
- Collab with contributors
Later's UGC tool automatically credits the original creator, so you can give proper credit when you choose to share.
Grow Your Audience
To grow your audience on Instagram, you can start by posting regularly and creating content that resonates with your target audience. This will help you earn engagement and awareness, especially if you're a business or brand.
If you're a business or brand, you'll want a solid strategy for earning engagement and awareness.
To begin creating content for the platform, you can start by posting to Instagram.
Shopping Feature
To use Instagram's shopping feature, you'll need to create a shop through your profile on Instagram. This allows you to tag and link products to boost your sales.
If you sell physical goods, Instagram's shopping stickers are a great way to promote shopping and drive sales. To use them, your business must have an Instagram Business account.
You'll be able to choose from a list of all your products to select the one you want to highlight, and then tap on it to change the sticker design.
Content Creation
To create engaging content on Instagram, you'll want to start by selecting a photo or video to share. You can choose from photos and videos already saved on your phone.
You can select multiple images to create a carousel post, which allows you to share multiple visuals in one post. This is a great way to showcase different aspects of your content.
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Upload Your Visuals
To upload your visuals, start by selecting an image to share as a post to your feed. You can choose to upload a single image or multiple images to create a carousel post.
You can upload multiple images to create a carousel post, and you can also upload a video. To do this, select the blue "Add Content" link in the grey box, and choose a file to upload.
Each image in your carousel post can have the same dimensions, but if you're adding a mix of vertical and square photos, be aware that the vertical photo will be cropped into a square or vice versa.
Here's a quick tip: if you're unsure about dimensions, check out an infographic for Instagram dimensions.
To add multiple images to your post, tap the icon just above your photos to the right that looks like stacked squares. This will allow you to see a number on the corner of every image or video you tap, noting where the content will show up in the carousel.
You can choose up to 10 images for a carousel post, so don't be afraid to get creative and share multiple visuals with your audience.
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Crop the Image
You can share horizontal or vertical images on Instagram, but they still need to fit into specific dimensions. Pinch the screen of the photo you've selected on the Library screen to get more of your image seen.
Instagram allows for flexibility in image orientation, but you might still need to crop a tiny bit of your photo to fit.
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13 Edit
Editing your content is a crucial step in the content creation process. Typos happen to everyone, and it's easy to catch and fix them before they go live.
Tap the three dots that appear on the right across from your name to edit a post. This will give you the opportunity to make adjustments and save them.
A single spelling error can make a big difference in how your post is perceived. Make sure to review your content carefully before publishing.
Camera Modes
On Instagram Stories, you'll see a horizontal swipe list at the bottom of your screen, where you can choose from a list of fun camera modes.
You can select from camera modes like Create, Live, Boomerang, Layout, Superzoom, and Hands-free to capture unique and engaging content.
The Create mode allows you to add text, drawings, and other effects to your photos and videos.
The Live mode enables you to broadcast live video to your followers, creating a sense of urgency and immediacy.
Boomerang mode creates a looping video of a moment, perfect for showcasing a quick action or movement.
Layout mode lets you combine multiple photos and videos into a single post, adding visual interest and variety.
Superzoom mode applies a dramatic zoom effect to your photos and videos, making them more dynamic and engaging.
Hands-free mode allows you to record videos without holding your phone, giving you more freedom to move around and capture more content.
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Best Practices
Sharing user-generated content (UGC) on Instagram can be a great way to engage with your audience and make them feel special. This can be done by posting UGC content on your feed and stories.
Before you post UGC content, take a look at this blog post for guidelines.
Sharing Options
Sharing user-generated content on Instagram is a great way to add some variety to your feed, and it's also a trusted form of marketing, with 55% of consumers saying they trust it over any other form of marketing.
You can share UGC on your stories or fill your feed up with it, and to make the process easier, consider using Later's user-generated content features. Later's tool allows you to search for UGC in five different ways.
Here are the search options available with Later's tool:
- Browse your Instagram mentions
- Browse your Instagram tags
- Search by hashtag
- Add content from a URL
- Collab with contributors
Later's UGC tool also automatically credits the original creator, copying their handle and post description over with the post, so you can give proper credit when you choose to share.
Featured Images: pexels.com


