Instagram is one of the most powerful platforms for connecting with your audience, but with so many brands posting daily, how do you stand out? Whether you’re looking to increase likes, comments, shares, or follows, the secret to boosting engagement is creating posts that resonate with your audience, spark conversations, and encourage interaction. But don't worry, we’ve got you covered. Here are 15 Instagram post ideas to take your engagement to the next level in 2025.
People love seeing what goes on behind closed doors. Sharing a behind-the-scenes look at how your products are made or what goes into a photoshoot can create a sense of exclusivity and connection with your followers.
It humanizes your brand and allows followers to feel like they’re part of your inner circle.
This post from Arctic Glacier Premium Ice™ is a simple example of this, showing candid photos of their employees working hard (and too busy to pose for the camera):
Repost your followers' content, whether they’ve tagged your brand in a post or used your product. UGC not only increases trust but encourages others to engage with your brand too.
People love seeing their content featured. Plus, it shows you appreciate your audience, which builds loyalty.
Sam’s Fresh Salsa consistently utilizes UGC, sharing different recipes created by their followers:
Instagram Stories offer great engagement opportunities with polls, quizzes, and questions. Create interactive polls or ask thought-provoking questions to get your followers talking.
It’s easy for followers to engage with these quick, interactive features, and they make your audience feel heard.
Sharing a glowing review or testimonial from a happy customer can be a great way to build trust and credibility. It’s social proof in action.
Testimonials build credibility and show potential customers that others love your products or services.
This post from Trasca & Co. Eatery is a great example of a testimonial post in action; a simple copy and paste from a Google review, with a graphic overlay on a video, is a simple way to create an engaging, credibility-building post:
Offer a limited-time discount or promotion to create urgency. Make it exclusive to your Instagram followers so they feel like they're getting a special deal.
The fear of missing out drives action. People are more likely to engage when they know time is running out.
Show your followers how to use your products in fun, engaging ways. Create tutorial videos or demos that help your audience see your product in action.
It educates your audience while showcasing your product’s value. Plus, videos are super engaging and shareable.
Hootsuite gave viewers a brief tutorial on how to schedule posts on their platform:
Everyone loves a good meme, and when it’s relevant to your brand, it’s a fun way to show off your personality. Tie in pop culture references or trending memes that fit your brand’s voice.
It’s shareable and relatable content. Plus, tapping into trending topics gives your brand a voice in current conversations.
You probably see this all the time, varying in any content type! But to spark some inspiration, here’s a meme Later.com shared using notable moments from the 2025 Oscars:
Create Reels that show off your products, and services, or just have some fun with trends.
Reels get priority in Instagram's algorithm, meaning more people will see your content. Plus, they’re highly engaging and fun!
Who doesn’t love free stuff? Running a contest or giveaway is one of the most effective ways to increase engagement. Make it simple, like tagging friends or sharing the post to enter.
It incentivizes followers to interact with your content, and people love the opportunity to win something.
This is a common tactic for a reason! Here’s how Alani Nu tapped into this post idea to help celebrate their birthday:
People love hearing stories about how your product or service has made a positive impact. Share a customer success story highlighting how your brand helped solve a problem.
It shows your product’s real-life value and builds emotional connections with your audience.
Throwback posts (TBT to #TBT) offer a nostalgic look back at your brand’s journey. Share milestones or early photos of your product, services, or team.
It sparks emotions and shows how far your brand has come while paying homage to its history, making it more relatable and authentic to followers.
Allow an employee of yours or partner with an influencer to take over your Instagram account for a day. They can share their experience with your brand or product and engage with your followers directly.
People love people! They like to engage with people and see real people on their feeds. Plus, it’s a fun and fresh way to engage followers by shaking things up and putting a new face or spin on your content.
Position yourself as an expert in your field by sharing valuable tips, fun facts, or industry insights. It could be anything from quick life hacks to deep industry knowledge.
People love learning something new and valuable. Sharing this type of content establishes your brand as a trusted resource.
Check out this post where we show best practices for email subject lines:
Share short employee spotlights to introduce your team to your audience. This will humanize your brand and build trust by showing the faces behind your business.
It creates a personal connection with your audience and shows the real people who make your brand happen.
We love this post from Architectural Digest, where they spotlight one of their AD 100 Designers, even asking him to share his answers to some common questions:
Carousel posts are great for sharing multiple images, tutorials, or product showcases. Use this feature to tell a story, show off several product angles, or share educational content step by step.
Carousels encourage people to swipe through, keeping them engaged longer. Plus, they allow you to share more in one post without overwhelming your followers.
There you have it—15 Instagram post ideas to increase engagement and connect with your audience in 2025. From interactive polls to behind-the-scenes content, there’s no shortage of ways to create posts that grab attention and keep your followers coming back for more. The key is consistency, creativity, and staying true to your brand’s voice.
Need help with creative Instagram post ideas or your social media strategy? Let RANDOM help you create engaging content that stands out. Reach out today!
