How to Create High-Performing Carousel Posts on Instagram

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When Instagram first emerged as a social media platform, it was all about photo sharing but like most successful apps, it has evolved. Today, users rely on this digital arena to shop, discover new experiences, and, more importantly, create engaging and top-performing carousel posts on Instagram. Marketers worldwide rely on Instagram for marketing and selling their products. 

However, as with most social media marketing aspects, you have to do more than randomly post pictures. Successful carousel posts on Instagram require thoughtfulness, creativity, and proper timing to achieve the desired effects. You have come to the right place if you are new to Instagram carousel posts or want to improve what you already know. 

Instagram Carousel posts refer to the old-fashioned “album-style” posts that the social media platform's users can use to share up to 10 photos at a time. The main difference between the Instagram carousel and the regular posts on users' feeds is that carousels can show up again if they don't engage as much as they hope to. The carousel shows a different picture every time it appears. 

Creating Instagram carousel posts requires that you keep some things in mind. They include:

Whether you are relying on Instagram carousels for marketing purposes or are just posting for your audience, doing so in a digestible and engaging way can help you achieve your goals quickly. Here are some tips to get you started:

Plan Your Carousel Post Strategically 

Before creating Instagram carousel posts, you need to figure out what you want to achieve and how you can do it. You need to have all the videos and photos you want to post in advance. Even though the Instagram platform has its own editing tools, editing your content in advance will save you some time and keep you from making mistakes.

Ensure that it is Eye Catching

Instagram users will scroll to the following user within a split second if they don't find anything interesting about their posts. With that in mind, strive to create a carousel post that attracts users and keeps them yearning for more.  

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A post shared by IG Growth Coach (@brock11johnson)

Must Evoke Feelings of Desire for What You are Selling

If you are looking to sell through your platform, ensure that your products are desirable. You can do this by editing your pictures accordingly and placing them strategically in your carousel posts. 

Have a Creative Call to Action 

A Call to Action, CTA, is used to direct users into taking specific actions. For instance, you might post some of the products you are selling, and at the end, post details about your physical location where interested customers can pick their products. You can also use CTA to ask users to subscribe, like, or follow a link for more information.

Person holding a mobile phone showing Instagram account with carousel posts.

Take Advantage of All the Ten Slides

As aforementioned, the Instagram carousel allows for up to 10 videos, photos, or mixture simultaneously while the minimum is two. Now that you have chosen this option, you might as well stretch it to the limit. There is no problem posting more photos or videos about your products or services. 

Interested customers will look at all the 10 pictures, especially if they want to know if you have various products with different prices that suit their needs. 

Use First Image as Scroll Topper 

Using the first image as a scroll topper increases the chances of your audience seeing all the posts. Also, assuming your initial post did not engage as much as you wanted it to, it will reappear in the users' feeds, this time with the second image as the scroll topper. 

Depending on what you want to achieve, the scroll topper should be what you consider your best. Some users might unconsciously move to the next person's post, but if your scroll topper was eye-catching, they can go back and view your other posts in the carousel.

Incorporate Both Images and Videos in Your Posts 

Instagram allows users to share both images and videos in their posts. By taking advantage of this, you give your viewers various options and different angles to consume your content. 

Remind Your Audience to Swipe for More 

Having a carousel post is not enough in itself; you must prompt users to swap to see more. As much as it is evident that there might be other posts in your Instagram carousel, reminding your audience to swipe increases their chances of doing so. 

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A post shared by Viral Solutions: Your CMO (@viral.solutions)

Keep in Mind the Visually Impaired 

Not every Instagram user has perfect eyesight. Considering images and videos that can easily be viewed by the visually impaired is a perfect way of reaching out to every possible user in your feed. 

Do Not Bore Your Audience with a Lot of Information 

Instagram is mainly for sharing videos and images; concentrate on that. You can create a separate link that redirects the interested parties to your content to provide more information. 

Additional tips on how you can create high-performing Instagram carousel posts include:

Find Out If Your Marketing Strategy is Working 

Finding out their marketing strategies are working is significant for most businesses, but they don't know where to start. Viral Solutions is here to help; we can take your business to the next level with a full-service marketing agency. 

We know how social media marketing works, including Instagram's carousel posts. If anything, the components to a successful Instagram carousel post are more accessible than you think! It just takes strategy and planning. 

Contact us to find out how we can help with a free audit

 


At Viral Solutions we are committed to seeing YOU succeed. It is our goal to grow your business with proven digital marketing strategies that will help your business for the long haul.

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Filed Under: Social Media, Tools & Technology

About Lauren Zylyk

During her time working for Walt Disney World, Lauren quickly grew a social media presence on platforms, mainly through Instagram. With a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing paired with her passion for marketing, Lauren grew her audience even more by creating a blog and through use of other social media platforms. She loves the impact that social media has and how quickly it can get information around worldwide.
When she is not busy keeping up with the latest trends online, she can be found baking cookies in the kitchen, watching hockey, or at the gym. She loves hot yoga and trying out any new dessert recipe. She can’t cook, but she can sure bake!