How To Find Interesting Instagram Post Ideas For Your Small Business
Coming up with content ideas that attract ideal clients is one of the most frustrating aspects of social media for most business owners. One of the common questions I answer for my clients is, “What should I post today?”
I have written many articles, blogs, and social media posts throughout my decades-long career as a journalist and digital marketer.
While writer’s block happens to everyone, the one strategy that never fails is having a content bank of ideas for blogs, posts, email newsletters, and video scripts at your fingertips. So how do you create a content bank of awesome post ideas to reference? There are so many digital tools that can help you come up with content ideas — websites such as BuzzSumo, Pinterest, Also Asked, and Answer the Public being among my favorites.
The trick is to tailor these broader topics into content ideas that reflect your brand values while speaking to your ideal audience. These are my five favorite ways to generate on-brand content ideas people want to read. Plug in the content ideas from these sources in a content management tool, such as Trello, or a simple Google Sheet to start building a content bank to reference later.
1. Search the Comment Section for Content Ideas
Reading and responding to all the comments you receive on your blogs and social media posts should be a part of your regular engagement routine. It’s a golden opportunity to connect with your readers and build an engaged community, which will always serve you well.
The comment section of your blog and social media pages is a gold mine for on-brand content ideas. These comments can be a great source of inspiration for content ideas your readers are interested in seeing. Whether your readers ask questions about your content or note what was helpful about your post, you can use that feedback to inform new content ideas from what is already resonating with your audience. The great thing about the comment section is that it’s a never-ending source of content ideas.
So the more you post, the more content ideas you’ll get from commenters. Spark a conversation in your comments using an open-ended call to action that inspires readers to share their pain points about the subject you're discussing. Example: "What's the hardest part about developing content ideas for your business?"
If you’re new to content creation or haven’t received many helpful comments, check your competitor’s comment section. Then, answer those questions with your take in a future post to attract more of your ideal audience.
2. Poll Your Audience
Do you want to know the content your audience wants to read? Just ask!
One of the greatest benefits of using social media for business is the ability to poll your audience to gain insight into want they are looking for from your content. Instagram and Facebook Story polls boost engagement while finding out what topics your audience wants to know more about.
Your email list is another great resource. New people are joining your list all the time. I like dedicating a quarterly newsletter to surveying my list to make sure I’m delivering the type of content they need.
Ask your audience about their struggles, how you can help them, what their life looks like now, and how they want it to look. Use their exact words in your own copy. That way, your readers know you’re talking directly to them.
Some Content Idea Questions Can Include:
What’s your favorite type of content?
A) Blogs
B) Social Media Graphics
C) Videos
Do you want to learn more about [one of your content pillars]?
A) YES!
B) No thanks.
These types of questions will help you come up with topic ideas and help you determine what format your audience prefers.
3. Answer Frequently Asked Questions
Why do your clients hire you?
Aside from your sparkling personality and fantastic customer service, of course, your clients come to you to answer questions they’re struggling with or to solve a problem. Think about the questions you’re asked during discovery calls or the common issues your clients face when they start working with you.
Creating content around these common stumbling blocks will make your readers aware of the problems you solve and the solutions you provide without being overly sales-y in your posts.
Here Are Content Prompts To Use FAQs:
Write down five different ways to answer each of your five most frequently asked questions.
Google your industry. Look at the "People also asked" section. Write your answer to those questions.
Write down five things that are a "No" and five things that are a "Yes" for questions you're often asked. (Keep them in a content bank and use them for easy "yes/no" Reels audio.)
4. Play With Headlines
Nothing says 🛑 Stop The Scroll 🛑 like an attention-grabbing headline.
A flat headline will cost you, readers — even if the rest of the content is inspired.
On average, 8 out of 10 people will read headline copy, but only 2 out of 10 will read the rest, according to the Copy Blogger.
That’s why headlines determine the effectiveness of the entire piece. Our attention spans are short! And there is a very small chance that people will make it to the rest of your post if your headline is a yawn or isn't optimized. By taking the time to craft strong headlines, you can make a big impact on the overall success of your website or landing page.
Headline Writing Tips With Examples
Spark Curiosity: “Social Media vs. Blogging: What's a Better Investment?”
Promise Actionable Solutions: “2 Simple Tweaks that Will Improve your SEO”
Answer A Specific Question: “Fix Your Instagram Engagement in Less than One Hour a Day”
How Headlines Help With Content Idea Generation
Headlines are also a great source of content inspo. Create a content bank or swipe file with headlines and subject lines that catch your eye or make you click. Put your own take on those headlines to help inspire new content ideas. It’s also good writing practice to review past posts. How can you write the headline differently? Can you appeal to a different type of buyer by tweaking some wording?
Headlines are the last thing I write and usually take the longest. I like to think of at least three headline options for each post. If all three are good, I’ll use them to repurpose the content.
5. Use Your Analytics
You probably have a good idea of what pieces of content are the greatest hits for your business. Analytics is the gold standard for determining your top-performing posts, but if you’re not that techy about it, a good indicator is a high engagement rate. If your audience commented, clicked, saved, and shared it several times, it must have provided value.
Measuring results after an established amount of time is an excellent way of finding out how well the content did and gives you extra information about which content interests your audience.
Each month check in on what post performed the best and plug it into a content management program like Trello for reference. This helps you realize your successes and how to improve in the future. Now, what will you do with that fantastic piece of content? I think you know the answer.
You’re going to repurpose it, of course! Content repurposing doesn’t just mean that you reuse an old piece of content again and again. Instead, great repurposing — that increases your SEO and brand awareness — builds and expands on itself over time. Like a fine wine, your content can get better with age. This is how the simple and aptly named A.C.E method will help you ace your repurposing strategy — pun very much intended.
A is For Adjust: Ask Yourself What Needs to be Added, Removed, or Re-Worded?
C is Combine: Where Can You Combine Related Content to Provide New Value and Meaning?
E is for Expand: Is there an Opportunity to Expand on Something You’ve Already Done to Dig Deeper into the Topic?
These steps can help you improve content over time without starting from scratch all the time.
Read More about How to Repurpose Content to Improve Your Marketing. Coming up with a content bank of on-brand content ideas your audience will love can initially seem daunting.
The comment section, polls and surveys, frequently asked questions, and analytics are great sources to nail down content ideas that your audience will resonate with every time.
Happy Creating!
Cyndi, Owner of Ascent StoryCraft
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