5 Ways To Source and Create Quality Instagram Content

5 Ways To Source and Create Quality Instagram Content
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Your Instagram game is on point, but do you know how to source and create quality content for it? There’s an art (and science) to finding the best hashtags, choosing the right filters, and scheduling all your posts ahead of time. Why not save yourself some time this year so you can do the things you actually want to do?

Every business wants to be on Instagram these days…even if that’s not why they’re there. It’s where the most engaged audience is, after all, but it can also feel like too much work at times. How do you provide value for your followers without spending every waking hour on social media?

One of our favorite ways to do this is with content curation. You don’t have to personally create every single one of your Instagram posts (unless you want to, of course). With the right tools and a little bit of outsourcing, you CAN create an endless supply of beautiful, shareable content. We save tons of time and enjoy discovering and sharing our favorite posts, and we think you will too!

Here are the top five ways you can source content for your Instagram account:

  1. Instagram It

This is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s still worth noting that you should take advantage of the platform you’re on to discover new content for your feed.  Search hashtags like #food, #travel, and #style to find posts that suit your aesthetic. If you’re looking to share something specific (like black-and-white images or videos), search for that too!

Let hashtags be your bestie on Instagram. The key to using hashtags is to follow others in the same niche and use hashtags that are specific to your industry. Think about your target audience and who they’d be following. If you’re a #fashion brand, for example, using hashtags like #ootd and #style will yield the most targeted results. ArXe Ventures found several of their clients would exponentially increase post engagement just by adding a couple of hashtags in captions.

  1. Curate On Unsplash and Pixabay

Unsplash is a free stock photo site with tons of high-res images that are perfect for sharing on social media. All of the photos have been approved to be used on social media, so you don’t have to worry about searching for high-res images elsewhere. The site has become a go-to for tons of bloggers and brands we love!

Much like Unsplash, Pixabay is a free stock photo site with unlimited creative commons photos. We’re big fans of its clean interface and simple navigation.

  1. Ask Your Audience

You probably already know what kind of content your followers engage with, so why not ask them? Letting people know you’re open to their suggestions en route to finding the perfect filter for one of their photos. Even if you don’t follow all the suggestions, knowing what your followers enjoy will help you create a more cohesive feed.

  1. Use an App

Similar to how you can use Instagram to source new content for your feed, there are also apps that allow you to do this!

Repost: This app allows you to repost anything already on Instagram with credit given to the original poster.

Hashtag: Use this app to search for popular hashtags in your niche by scrolling through an endless feed, similar to how you would on Instagram itself.

Unum: A free app with a feed full of beautiful photos from talented photographers around the world. If you’re looking for stunning landscape shots or photos with minimal editing, this is your jam!

Instagram Content

Instagram Content

Pinterest: Pinterest is one of our favorite places to find content for social media. If you’re looking for foodie shots, fashion inspiration, or pretty decor ideas, this is absolutely the place to look.

Preview App: This app does exactly what it sounds like – it lets you upload photos, videos, and carousels and then rearrange the order of the posts. Preview your Instagram feed before you post on Instagram.

Iconosquare: This is an app that helps you manage your Instagram account. It allows you to search hashtags, schedule posts ahead of time, learn about your audience, track engagement, etc. It has tons of great tools that help streamline the social media process. We are obsessed with it!

We’ve saved the best (or at least the most time-consuming) for last… If you’re looking to spend less time scrolling through endless, repetitive hashtags and more time creating your own Instagram masterpiece, it’s time to look into hiring a content creator. 

One last service we would recommend is Inflact (formerly called Ingramer). It allows you to schedule your posts, and automate interactions with your followers – including mass DMs to keep them all posted!

  1. Outsource

Sometimes you can’t find what you’re looking for on Instagram, so this is when it’s time to hire a content creator. Just like with any other job, there are great ones and not-so-great ones. If you want to find the perfect person for your brand, check out Upwork or Fiverr. We use them all the time to find creatives (and we hire through them often).

Some freelancers will work on an hourly basis, and others can create a package deal for you—it’s all up to you! A few things to consider when hiring:

Do they have experience?

If not, ask for examples of their work. There’s nothing worse than hiring someone who doesn’t know how to do the job.

Do they understand how to use the right hashtags?

We always check for this before hiring, but sometimes it slips our minds. Nobody wants their posts lost in Instagram Siberia, so make sure you’re hiring someone who knows how to work it.

Can they inspire you?

Even if they aren’t creative, make sure they have a way of getting your creative juices flowing. We always try to hire people who are not only talented, but can help us brainstorm new content ideas too!

Do they understand what you’re looking for?

When you’re hiring someone on an hourly basis, be clear about what it is you need. Even if you do all the work, make sure they know exactly what you want them to accomplish so nobody is disappointed when it’s time to check out.

Conclusion

These are just a few ways that you can source quality Instagram content. There are lots of great sites out there, so get creative! Whether it’s by hashtags, communities, apps, or hiring someone else to do the work for you – may your Instagram feed be filled with endless beautiful imagery.

Thank you for reading!