Discover my 30-day Instagram plan! Learn my steps to start Instagram as a new blogger to grow my account and increase my presence online!
Hey everyone! I'm excited to share my 30-day Instagram plan with you. I've put a lot of thought into this, and I'm confident it will help me achieve my goals and connect with all of you in a more meaningful way.
I’m not a new user on Instagram (I joined many many years ago), but I rarely open the app. I never really got the hang of it, until now that is! All is changing in my business. I will create the dream life that I want. And to do that, I need to start using Instagram and be good at it! That includes using reels to showcase my business.
So I’m taking the step to learn how to use it. That includes how to create and post reels, how to create a story, how to use the filters, add music and text overlays – all the things!
I first started by watching tons of YouTube videos all about Instagram, why to use it over TikTok, what is the difference between Instagram reels vs. stories, all about how to create reels, etc.
Now that I’ve got better idea about what Instagram is all about and how to use it, I need to create a plan, a in instagram strategy, if you will.
3 Key things that have helped me so far:
- I watched this video from Modern Millie, going over a full 30 day Instagram plan on how to get started with Instagram.
- This video from Brock and Chalene Johnson’s Build Your Tribe channel that goes over how to update your Instagram profile.
- Alicia from Pixistock offers a Free 30 Day Content Planner Template for google sheets that I have downloaded and am using!
Before I really get started on forming my Instagram Strategy, I first started scoping out the app and looking for similar accounts to emulate, get ideas for how and what I could post, and then study their posts.
Here what I’ve learned by studying other accounts:
Take short video clips, one after another and then add music and text. Some clips can be more complicated where I’m talking or showing me try on outfits, and others can be super simple where I show a cup of coffee and include a text overlay.
Well, that seems simple enough. Its just the start I’m sure its more complicated than that, right??
Ideas for things I can post:
- Morning routine
- Nighttime routine
- Sunday glow up
- Putting Makeup on in bathroom
- Food prep
- Grocery shopping
- Target shopping for decor
- Packing my purse
- Getting outfit on for the day
- My favorite part of working out is the roller stretches afterwards
- Random shot of things I'm doing (the workout weights or mat, the coffee, the smoothie, stirring a matcha tea, writing in my agenda/making a to-do list, working on website, me at desk, my bed before bedtime, a shot of veggies at the grocery store while shopping, skincare on counter) and use a text overlay and link to a related blog post
- Sunday reset (whatever I'm doing on the errands day)
- Clips with movement (Lemon slice falling into cup of water, pouring smoothie into cup, scrolling on instagram
- What's in my makeup bag displayed on bed
- Inspiring quotes that link to my blog posts
- Pictures of my breakfasts or healthy meals
What About Taking Instagram Courses?
Now, I also thought about courses, training etc. but it’ll be too costly for me right now, and I’m not sure I’ll get the full value of them since I am really starting at step one. Well, I do have an account already, so maybe I’m already part way there!
I checked out Chalene and Brock Johnson’s IntsaClubHub free resources. Once you get sent their freebies, you will be invited to join InstaClubHub’s 14 day trail period for $7, which I signed up for!
Here’s What I’m going to do for my 30 Day Instagram Plan:
1. Identify Niche and My ideal follower
2. Optimize My Profile Username, Name, and Bio
Follow this video.
Use this step by step guide on how to actually update your instagram details.
3. Create profile link with all my links
I use smart.bio as it is included in my yearly Tailwind App subscription. Check mine out at smart.bio/RealKatieOsborne
4. Post my first 12-15 posts.
This is just to fill up your account so that is doesn't look empty when visitors check out your account.
5. Decide on how often I will post
Post 2x/day Monday to Friday (that's 5 reels and 1 image per week).
6. Brainstorming Content Ideas
I've brainstormed a variety of content ideas based what I think my audience and ideal follower will prefer, along with following current trends.
7. Create a Content Calendar
I’ll create a detailed content calendar to plan out all my posts in advance. This will help me stay organized and ensure that I'm posting consistently. I will use Pixistock's Free 30 day Content Planner Template.
Each weekend, I will plan out the posts for the following week and save the reels as drafts on my cell phone.
All the still image posts for the week will be scheduled using Tailwind App on my computer.
8. Finish the Plan and Start Posting!
I will finish planning my content this weekend and start posting on April 1st, 2024.
As My 30 Day Plan Commences:
1. Create a list of and follow top creators
Engage with their posts in a meaningful way. Don’t simply comment “dish looks yummy, nice dress” etc.
2. Engage with My Audience
I'm planning to actively engage with all of you by responding to comments, messages, and mentions. I'll also be liking, commenting, and sharing posts from my followers and other relevant accounts in my niche.
4. Make Post Templates in Canva
Create folder for Social Media Posts, then Instagram Reels, Instagram Posts, and Instagram Stories. Design templates and create a few variations that fit my branding (fonts, colours), so I can easily create new variations of posts quickly, all fitting within my brand and aesthetic.
5. Plan a Brand Photoshoot
Take pictures of myself to use in social media posts (and Pinterest pins, my website, and anywhere else I they are needed!)
At The End of My 30 Day Instagram Plan:
Analyze and Adjust
Lastly, at the end of the 30 days, I’ll analyze which types of content perform best and adjust my strategy accordingly when I make my plan for the next month.
Where I’m Starting At:
- Current follower count: 65 (my account used to be personal so that is mostly people I know)
- Posting Start date: April 1st 2024
Posting Frequency (My Goal):
- Post 2x/day M-F (5 Reels and 1 image per week)
My Instagram Profile (Before and After):
Instagram Profile Changes I Made:
Username Changed To:
I've changed it about 5 times now, which isn't great. But I think I've settled on @RealKatieOsborne
Name Field Changed To:
Helping moms on a budget level up their lives.
Bio Field:
Empowering budget-savvy moms to elevate every aspect of their lives. (emoji)
Fashion, decor, beauty, wellness & more! (emoji)
Let's upgrade together! (emoji)
I made these changes and I'm still not loving what I wrote, but it's good enough to start. I am not married to it and can make changes again in the future.
Anyways, I'm thrilled to embark on this journey with all of you, and I can't wait to see where it takes us over the next 30 days! Let's do this together!
#InstagramPlan #ContentStrategy #EngagementGoals