How to Get Started on Instagram

Ready to build your presence on Instagram but feeling a bit lost about where to begin? You're in the right place. This guide is a straightforward, step-by-step roadmap that will take you from creating your account to planning your content and building a genuine community, without any of the fluff.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Profile for Success

Your profile is your digital storefront. It’s often the first and only chance you get to convince someone to tap that “Follow” button. Let's make every element count.

Choosing Your Username

Your username (or handle) is your unique identifier on the platform. Aim for something that is simple, memorable, and directly related to you or your brand.

• For Businesses: Use your business name (e.g., @glossier, @everlane). If it's taken, add a simple keyword like @yourbrandco or @weareyourbrand. Avoid using too many numbers or underscores, as they can look spammy and are hard to remember.
• For Personal Brands: Use your name (e.g., @marieforleo). If that’s not available, try adding your middle initial, an underscore, or what you do (e.g., @yournamecreative, @yournamewrites).

Writing a Compelling Bio

You have 150 characters to explain who you are, what you do, and who you do it for. No pressure, right? Follow this simple formula to craft a bio that converts visitors into followers:

Line 1: I help [Your Target Audience]...
Example: I help small business owners build their brands on social media.

Line 2: ...to [The Result You Provide].
Example: ...to attract clients without spending hours on content.

Line 3: Credentials or Social Proof (Optional but helpful).
Example: 🖋️ As seen in Forbes | ☕ Coffee Enthusiast

Line 4: A Clear Call-to-Action (CTA) with a Link.
Example: 👇 Shop our new collection! or 🎧 Listen to the latest podcast episode.

This structure quickly tells people if they’re in the right place and what they should do next.

Picking a High-Quality Profile Picture

Your profile picture is tiny, so it needs to be clear and instantly recognizable. For personal brands, a well-lit headshot where you’re making eye contact is perfect. For businesses, your logo is usually the best choice. Make sure the design is clean and not cluttered, as it will be displayed in a very small circle.

Switch to a Business or Creator Account

A standard personal account won't give you access to the tools you need to grow. Immediately switch to a Business or Creator account. It’s free and unlocks essential features:

• Instagram Insights: See data on your post performance, audience demographics, and when your followers are most active.
• Contact Buttons: Add buttons like "Email," "Call," or "Directions" directly to your profile, making it easy for people to get in touch.
• Promote Tool: Run paid ads directly within the app to reach a larger audience.

To make the switch, go to your Settings & Privacy > Account Type and Tools > Switch to Professional Account and follow the prompts.

Step 2: Understanding the Core Content Formats

Instagram isn’t just about photos anymore. To succeed, you need to use a mix of content formats. Here’s a breakdown of the three most important types for beginners.

Feed Posts (Photos & Carousels)

This is your portfolio. The grid on your profile is a curated collection of your best work. High-quality visuals are non-negotiable.

• Photos: The classic Instagram post. Perfect for showcasing products, telling a story through a single powerful image, or sharing a quote graphic.
• Carousels: These posts allow up to 10 photos or videos in a single swipeable post. They are incredibly powerful for educating your audience. Use them for step-by-step tutorials, sharing tips, or telling a longer story.

Reels (Short-Form Video)

Reels are Instagram’s short-form vertical videos and are currently the #1 way to reach people who don’t already follow you. Don't overthink it at the start. A good Reel often has three simple ingredients:

1. A quick hook in the first 1-2 seconds to stop the scroll.
2. Clear, valuable information or entertainment.
3. Trending audio to increase your reach.

You don't need fancy equipment, your phone is enough. Focus on providing value, whether it's through a quick tutorial, a behind-the-scenes look, or an inspiring message.

Stories (For Real-Life Connection)

Stories disappear after 24 hours (unless saved to a Highlight), making them perfect for less polished, more authentic content. Use Stories to connect with your existing audience on a deeper level. Use interactive stickers like:

• Polls & Quizzes: Ask your audience questions and let them weigh in.
• Question Boxes: Let followers ask you anything (an AMA) or ask them for their opinions.
• Sliders: A fun and quick way to get feedback.

Stories build community and trust because they feel personal and immediate.

Step 3: Building a Simple Content Strategy

Posting randomly won't get you very far. You need a plan. A good content strategy is about knowing who you’re talking to, what you’re going to talk about, and what you want your profile to look and feel like.

Find Your Niche

You can't be everything to everyone. Your niche is the specific area of focus for your account. A narrow focus makes it easier to attract the right followers - people who are genuinely interested in what you have to say.

Instead of "food," your niche could be "easy vegan recipes for busy moms." Instead of "fitness," it could be "at-home workouts for beginners with no equipment." Get specific.

Define Your Content Pillars

Content pillars are 3-5 core topics you’ll talk about consistently. This simplifies content creation and helps you avoid wondering, "What should I post today?"

For a freelance graphic designer, pillars might be:

• Educational Tips: Sharing color theory tricks or font pairing ideas.
• Behind-the-Scenes: Showing their creative process.
• Portfolio Work: Showcasing finished client projects.
• Personal Connection: Sharing a bit about their workspace or favorite tools.

Brainstorm your pillars, and you'll find it much easier to come up with post ideas.

Create a Simple Visual Vibe

You don't need to be a professional photographer to have a nice-looking feed. Consistency is more important than perfection. A good place to start is by picking a single filter or preset in an app like Lightroom or VSCO and applying it to all your photos. This creates a cohesive look and feel that makes your grid visually appealing and instantly recognizable.

Step 4: Your First 30-Day Game Plan

Putting it all together can feel overwhelming. Here's a week-by-week plan to guide your first month.

Week 1: Build Your Foundation

This week is all about setup and populating your profile. After optimizing your bio and profile picture, aim to publish your first 6-9 posts. Pull one or two ideas from each of your content pillars. This gives new visitors a clear idea of what your account is about right away. Also, start following 20-30 other accounts in your niche to get inspiration and show Instagram what community you belong to.

Week 2: Engage Like a Human

Your focus this week is community, not just content. Post 3-4 times on your feed and start experimenting with Stories. Use a poll or question sticker. Spend 20 minutes a day finding posts under hashtags relevant to your niche and leaving genuine, thoughtful comments - not just "Great post!" Ask questions and start conversations. Reply to every single comment you receive on your own posts.

Week 3: Dive Into Reels

It's time for video. Find a trending audio clip that’s popular in your niche. You can do this by scrolling through Reels and looking for the little arrow icon next to the audio name. Create a simple Reel that offers one quick tip or insight related to one of your content pillars. Add clear text on the screen, and publish it. Done is better than perfect!

Week 4: Review and Repeat

Open your Instagram Insights (tap the Professional Dashboard on your profile). Look at your posts from the past month. Which ones got the most likes, comments, or shares? What type of content seemed to resonate most? Use this feedback to plan your content for the next month. Double down on what works.

Step 5: Using Engagement to Fuel Growth

Instagram’s algorithm favors accounts with high engagement. This means your job isn't done after you hit "publish."

Writing Captions that Connect

A good caption should do one of three things: educate, entertain, or inspire. Start with a strong opening line (the hook) to get people to read more. Then, tell a story or share valuable information. End with a call to action asking your audience to do something, like "Share your favorite tip in the comments!" or "Save this post for later!"

Using Hashtags the Right Way

Hashtags help categorize your content so new people can find it. Think of them as a search engine for Instagram. The best strategy is to use a mix of different types of hashtags (you can use up to 30):

• Broad Hashtags: Relevant but very popular (e.g., #socialmediamarketing, #interiordesign).
• Niche-Specific Hashtags: More targeted to your ideal audience (e.g., #smallbusinesstips, #modernfarmhousedesign).
• Community Hashtags: Hashtags your audience is using (e.g., #creatorsoninstagram, #womeninbusiness).

This mix gives you a chance to appear in big searches while still reaching a highly relevant audience.

Final Thoughts

Getting started on Instagram is not about having a perfect grid from day one. It's about having a clear plan, posting consistently, engaging genuinely with others, and paying attention to what resonates with your audience.

Once you get into a rhythm, managing your content schedule for feed posts, Stories, and Reels can get a bit hectic. That's actually why we built Postbase. I wanted a simple tool that let me see my entire content plan on a visual calendar and schedule everything - especially short-form video for Instagram and TikTok - without the glitches or complexity of older tools. If you're looking for a modern, reliable way to keep your posting consistent, it can make a world of difference.