How to Make a Channel on Instagram

Instagram's Broadcast Channels give you a direct line to your most engaged followers, bypassing the algorithm to land right in their DMs. This is more than just another feature, it's a powerful tool for building a loyal community and keeping your audience in the loop. This guide will walk you through exactly how to create your own channel, what to post to keep people interested, and the best practices for turning casual followers into a true community.

What Are Instagram Broadcast Channels Anyway?

Think of an Instagram Broadcast Channel as a one-to-many messaging tool. You, the creator, can send messages, photos, videos, polls, and voice notes directly to an unlimited number of followers who choose to join. Unlike a standard group chat, however, only you (and any collaborators you invite) can send messages. Your followers can react with emojis and participate in polls, but they can't clutter the chat with their own messages. This keeps the conversation focused and easy to follow.

This feature offers a unique space that sits somewhere between your public feed and your private DMs. It’s more immediate and personal than a Story that disappears in 24 hours, but less formal than a polished feed post. Most importantly, it's a dedicated line of communication that isn't at the mercy of the ever-changing algorithm.

Why Start a Broadcast Channel?

Before you set one up, it’s good to know why they are so effective for creators and brands. Here are the core benefits:

• Direct Audience Communication: When you share something in your channel, your subscribers get a direct notification. It's one of the few ways left to reach people directly without fighting for attention in a crowded feed.
• Build a Deeper Community: Channels create a sense of exclusivity and closeness. Sharing behind-the-scenes content, personal thoughts, or early access makes your subscribers feel like true insiders, fostering loyalty and a stronger connection.
• Get Instant Feedback: Want to know which thumbnail performs better for your next YouTube video? Curious about what topic to cover in your next Reel? Run a poll in your channel and get immediate input from your most dedicated fans.
• Drive Traffic and Sales: When you drop a link to a new product, blog post, or video in your channel, you're speaking directly to a warm audience. This can be an incredibly effective way to drive qualified traffic and announce launches.

How to Make Your Channel on Instagram: a Step-by-Step Guide

Creating a broadcast channel is surprisingly straightforward. As long as you have a Creator account, you should have access to the feature. Here’s exactly how to set it up in just a few taps.

Step 1: Go to Your DM Inbox

Open the Instagram app and navigate to your Direct Messages by tapping the paper airplane or messenger icon in the top-right corner of your screen.

Step 2: Start a New Message

In your DM inbox, tap the "Compose" icon at the very top right of the screen (it looks like a square with a pencil in it).

Step 3: Select "Create broadcast channel"

On the "New Message" screen, you'll see a list of your contacts. Near the top, below the search bar, you'll find the option to "Create broadcast channel." Tap on it.

Step 4: Set Up Your Channel Details

A new screen will pop up where you'll configure your channel. This is where you give it a personality.

• Channel Name: This is the first thing people will see. Make it clear and compelling. Good names often include your brand name and hint at the purpose. For example, "Chris's Creative Corner," "Daily Marketing Tips," or "The Inside Scoop."
• Audience: You can select who can join. It's usually best to keep it open to all your followers to maximize growth.
• End a channel: By default, channels run indefinitely. However, you can set an end date and time if you're creating a temporary channel for a specific event, like a product launch or a webinar series.
• Show channel on profile: Toggle this option on. This is incredibly important as it will add a direct public link to your channel right on your Instagram profile, making it easy for new followers to discover and join.

Step 5: Tap "Create Broadcast Channel"

Once you’ve filled out the details, tap the "Create broadcast channel" button at the bottom of the screen. Congratulations, your channel is now live! Instagram will prompt you to share your first message. It’s a good idea to send a welcome message right away to greet your first members.

How to Get People to Join Your New Channel

Creating your channel is only half the battle, now you need to get people to join. Sending that first message automatically pings your entire follower base with a one-time invitation, but you need a sustainable strategy to keep the momentum going.

Use the Story Sticker

The most effective promotion tool is the channel sticker in Instagram Stories. When you create a Story, tap the sticker icon and select the "Channel" Sticker. You can customize the text to entice viewers, like "Join for Early Access!" or "VIPs Welcome." Anyone who taps this sticker can instantly join your channel.

Put the Link Everywhere

• In Your Bio: Because you toggled "Show channel on profile" during setup, a link is already there. But you should still mention it in your bio text, e.g., "Join my broadcast channel for daily tips 👇".
• Callouts in Captions: In your Reels and feed posts, add a call to action like, "I'm sharing the behind-the-scenes of this shoot in my broadcast channel. Link in bio to join!"
• Dedicated Content: Create a Reel or a carousel post specifically announcing your channel. Explain what people will get by joining - exclusive content, first looks, Q&As - and give them a clear call to action to click the link in your bio.

Cross-Promote on Other Platforms

Don’t forget about your audience elsewhere. Share your channel link with your email newsletter subscribers, your TikTok followers, or your community on X. These are often some of your most engaged fans who would love another way to connect with you.

What to Post: Your Broadcast Channel Content Strategy

You’ve got a channel and you’ve got subscribers. Now, what do you actually share? The key is to provide value that people can't get from your public feed.

1. Raw, Behind-the-Scenes Access

This is the bread and butter of a good broadcast channel. Don't overthink or overproduce it. People join because they want the unfiltered version of you and your brand.

• Share your process: Show a picture of your messy desk, a quick video of you setting up for a shoot, or a screenshot of your content ideas.
• Unfiltered thoughts: Use voice notes to share a quick thought or idea you had on your morning walk. This builds an incredibly strong personal connection.
• Life updates: Share small wins, challenges you're facing, or just a simple 'hello'. It humanizes your brand.

2. Exclusive Content and First Looks

Make your subscribers feel special by giving them things no one else gets. This is the single biggest incentive for someone to stay in your channel.

• Early access: Let them see your new YouTube video or listen to your podcast episode an hour before anyone else.
• Special offers: Share a channel-only discount code for your products or services.
• "First to know" news: Announce your next workshop, product drop, or personal news in the channel before you post it publicly.

3. Two-Way Conversation (Through One-Way Tools)

Just because they can't message you doesn't mean it can't be a conversation. Use Instagram's interactive tools to engage your audience.

• Polls are your best friend: Ask subscribers what content they want to see next. Let them vote on your new logo design, the topic for your next blog post, or the thumbnail for your upcoming Reel.
• Ask for reactions: Post a new idea and say, "Hit the 🔥 emoji if you love this idea!" It's a simple way to gauge sentiment and make people feel involved.

Best Practices for a Thriving Channel

As you get comfortable, keep these principles in mind to maintain a healthy and engaged channel.

• Be Consistent: Don't launch your channel, post three times, and then disappear for a month. Find a rhythm that works for you, whether it's a few times a week or once a day. A ghost town channel is a useless one.
• Mind the Notifications: Remember that every message you send can trigger a notification on someone's phone. Don't spam them with dozens of mundane updates a day. Cluster your thoughts into a single, high-value message when possible.
• Mix Your Media: Keep things interesting. Don't just send text. Use voice notes, post candid photos, share short video clips, and run polls. A variety of formats will keep your audience engaged and looking forward to your updates.
• Maintain the Vibe: A broadcast channel is informal. It’s not the place for perfectly crafted PR announcements. Your tone should be authentic, conversational, and genuine. Let your personality shine through.

Final Thoughts

Creating an Instagram Broadcast Channel is simple, but growing it into a thriving community hub requires a thoughtful approach. By providing unique value, engaging with your audience, and staying consistent, you can transform this feature from just another notification into one of your most powerful brand-building assets.

As you build that deeper connection in your channel, keeping the rest of your content - like the feed posts, Stories, and Reels that actually promote the channel - on track becomes vital. For our own strategy, we use Postbase to visually plan and schedule everything in one beautiful calendar. It ensures our main feed is consistent and professional, freeing up our creative energy for those spontaneous, in-the-moment updates that make the broadcast channel feel special.