What should you post on Instagram? Here are my top 20 social media post ideas for Instagram that increase engagement and likes.
Continuously creating NEW engaging content for Social Media and Instagram is the biggest challenge as a social media marketing professional. In addition, having multiple accounts to manage substantially increases the number of unique posts created. Having created 50-60 posts per week, I am sharing with you my own post ideas.
1. National or Universally Celebrated Days
There are many calendars available online with some being industry. This calendar will focuses on healthcare such as Breast Cancer Awareness Day and Kidney Cancer. Be sure to add these days to your content calendar. Know your industry. One of the resources I use is the National Day Calendar. This calendar is broad so it’s a great place to curate new ideas.
Where to Post:
- Instagram Feed & Reels: Ideal for quick, authentic snapshots.
- Facebook and LinkedIn: Perfect for popular days that represent your brand.
For Monthly Post Ideas Follow our Instagram.
2. Before and After Pictures
(Instagram Only – Not on Facebook)
Before and After pictures are essential to aesthetics, plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgery, anti-aging procedures, beauty experts, and more. Whether it’s “before and after” new hair styles or bedroom makeovers, people want to see it. According to Realself.com representatives, the before and after pictures result in more views and business than anything else. To learn more check out “Social Media Tips for Cosmetic Surgeons“.
Post before and after pictures on Instagram. Note: Before and After images are not allowed on Facebook.
Where to Post:
- Instagram Reels & Stories: Ideal for cosmetic surgeons.
- LinkedIn: Works well for professionals that are seen publicly such as real estate brokers, speakers, sales, etc.
TIP: When taking before and after pictures use the same positioning, background, lighting, settings and templates for each and every picture.
3. Behind the Scenes
One of my favorite Instagram posts are behind the scenes. As a marketing business the challenge is visualizing what that looks like and getting images. How many times can we post an image of a laptop and cup of coffee? However, getting clients to take pictures is a challenge. Aesthetics has many opportunities to get excellent “behind the scenes” images. Before and After pictures are just one of them.
Listed below are some examples of behind the scenes social media posts:
- Workplace tours
- Action shots of employees and their client’s (with permission of course)
- Demonstrations such as laser treatments and Botox
- Events
- Office pet
- Featured client – example: if you design websites you could feature a new website you just launched.
Where to Post:
- Instagram Feed & Reels: Ideal for quick, authentic snapshots.
- Facebook and X: Keep your videos short and concise.
4. Feature Your Products or Services on Social Media
Weekly or monthly, depending how may products you have and what kind of business you own, do a promotion or featured product on social media. In addition this can be applied to services. For example: some clients will feature one skincare product each month along with a service such as IPL Laser Facial and/or Chemical Peels.
Other ideas:
- Product of the month
- Promotions
- New products
- Product endorsements
- Staff Picks
- Product demonstration
- Procedure demonstration such as make-up, laser treatments, minor surgery
Where to Post:
- Instagram Feed & Reels: Post on platforms that influence purchases.
- Facebook and X: Keep your videos short and concise.
5. Lifestyle Posts
Lifestyle pictures are engaging and effective social media posts – especially on Instagram. Take pictures of satisfied or happy clients or people after they were treated or used one of your products or services. For example: an image of clients or people on the beach after body treatments such as CoolSculpting is an excellent way to communicate who you are and the benefits of the products and services you provide.
6. Inspirational Quotes & Stories
One of the most popular and engaging social media posts is quotes, thoughts and inspiration. Use phrases and quotes that are related to your business.
- Quotes from prominent figures and celebrities who appeal to your target audience.
- Thought-for-the-day. Example: “Beauty might bring happiness, but happiness always brings beauty.”
7. Client Reviews
I love these! If you have lots of great reviews, you have user generated content to post on social media. Share these on Instagram by postings excerpts from a review using a beautiful related image. For example, part of the review said “professional, caring staff” you could include these words over the image. The description might say “New Review from Yelp – Beauty Besties created a customized new look for me that I love, I am always greeted by the professional and caring staff by: Lisa Beauty Junkie”.
TIP: Use a template for sharing all your reviews.
8. Events for your Business
Events are strategic opportunities to create NEW and interesting content to promote your business without the appearance of advertising. Tips for a successful event:
- Invite your current contacts with an email campaign.
- Use posters, signs and flyers clients can easily see when visiting your business.
- Mail invitations to current contacts and target audiences in your region.
- Advertise on social media.
- Share the event before, during and after on social media.
Host an event for one of these:
- Holiday Party
- Anniversary sales
- Staff get together
- Birthday’s
- Open House
- Speaking event
- New Location
- Grand Opening
- Product Launch
9. Business Hours
- Extended hours
- Open on weekends
- Holiday’s you are open
- New location
10. Featured Staff
Feature members of your staff or team. If you don’t have staff feature a business or person you network or collaborate with. Example: If you are a photographer feature a make-up artist you work with. Below are some topics to use to feature your staff member.
- New baby
- Promotion
- New hire
- Credentialing
- Birthday
- Work anniversary
- Recognition
- Review specific to that staff member
11. Local Events
Each month follow upcoming trending events. As I am writing this it is Coachella Festival in Palm Desert, one of the biggest concerts in the Country. The image is from “The Circle of Light” an art installation for the annual Desert X art exhibition that coincides with Coachella, is a popular place for Instagrammers to go for pictures.
Seattle: Bumper Shoot, Taste of Seattle, SeaFair, Taste of Main, Snowflake Lane
12. Promotions
If you do promotions this is a great place to promote them without being too salesey. An image of beautiful eyes and a smooth forehead could have a description such as “Now through July 31st, Botox for eye wrinkles ONLY $350. Call Susy at 206.xxx-xxxx to schedule your appointment”
13. Holidays
Holiday posts create a sense of community, are emotionally appealing, and are easy to plan for and create. If you are a retail business Holiday posts are huge opportunities for promotions. A marketing consultant could tie in Holiday posts to things like “How to Market your Aesthetics Clinic during the Holidays.”
14. Awards
Does your industry give out awards? One example is: Seattle’s Metropolitan Magazine Best Doctors List, which is annual edition of the monthly magazine in which top doctors are chosen from each specialty.
15. Polls and Surveys
Engage your audience by asking for their opinions or feedback. Polls and surveys can provide valuable insights and boost interaction.
Where to Post:
- Instagram Stories: Use the poll or question stickers.
- Facebook: Utilize the built-in poll feature.
- Twitter: Create simple polls to gather quick feedback.
16. Live Streams and Q&A Sessions
Engage with your audience in real-time by hosting live streams or Q&A sessions. This interactive content can address questions, provide updates, or showcase new products.
Where to Post:
- Facebook and Instagram: Both platforms offer robust live streaming options.
- YouTube: Great for longer sessions and reaching a broader audience.
17. Memes
Post business related memes.
Leverage humor and trending topics by sharing memes that resonate with your audience. Memes can make your brand more relatable and boost engagement.
Where to Post:
- Instagram: Perfect for funny and viral content.
- Facebook: Great for sharing with a wide audience, often sparking comments and shares.
- Twitter: Use for quick engagement and to tap into trending memes with hashtags.
18. User-Generated Content
Encourage your customers to share their own photos and stories using your products. Reposting user-generated content (with permission) builds community and authenticity.
Where to Post:
- Instagram: Share in Stories or as a main feed post.
- Facebook: Post on your business page with a call-to-action for more submissions.
19. Contests and Giveaways
Run contests or giveaways to boost engagement and attract new followers. Offer something of value to encourage participation.
Where to Post:
- Instagram: Highly effective for visual and engaging content.
- Facebook: Great for detailed posts with contest rules.
- Twitter: Use to drive quick and wide participation with hashtags.
I covered a lot of things to post on Instagram in this blog and you should have lots of ideas of your own. Please share your thoughts and ideas in the comments. I’d love to hear from you. If there are blog topics you’d like me to cover leave that information too.
