Why Planning IG Posts Matters

I’m kind of an impulsive person - I decide I want something done, and then it has to be done now. Time and time again, I bring my camera along but want a quick photo so resort to my phone instead. Then I just have to share it, even though I have no clue what I want to say in the caption, or how I want to edit the photo to match with the rest of my feed. It’s not a great time of day to post - I know my followers aren’t very active at this hour or on this day, but I just can’t wait! So I post the picture…and then I wish I didn’t.

If you’re like me, you just want to live in the moment. You want to share life as it plays out, and shout it from the rooftops in the exact time you’re feeling so exhilarated. You can’t wait, you just can’t! But maybe you should.

Sometimes, after I photograph a wedding, I edit until 3am just because I am so eager to share one of the gorgeous images taken during the day prior. I have to share something, and it’s hard to resist sharing them all! I tell myself maybe I should add a few photos to a single post, a few of my favorites (bad idea, I should give each one their very own feature!). I choose a photo I love, one that doesn’t match up with the current flow of my grid, not even a little, and I type up a cliche, weak caption about how fun the wedding day was and how I can’t wait to share more. Even though I got to share such a beautiful photo, I look at my feed dissatisfied, and unhappy with the broken color story, the dull caption, the lack of visibility from posting at a time where only the crickets are logged on.

I’m here to tell you that pre-planning your social media posts is truly a game-changer. You want top quality content with skillful sharing that will get your ideal response and engagement? Open your phone, right now, and download Plann…or anything along those lines. Choose maybe 6 photos you love and want to feature, and arrange and rearrange them until your preview gives you the same feeling you get when looking at all of your favorite IG grids! Really think on a caption, brainstorm and edit, and do not rush a thing! Sleep on it, and reread them again tomorrow. Would you like it? Would you comment it? Now you’re onto something!

I love using Unfold to create IG stories that stand out from the options Instagram itself has to offer. Design some stories drawing attention to your new photos, to get the most visibility possible! Fill up that camera roll with everything pretty and have your schedule ready to go. I know it’s hard to wait…trust me, I have zero chill. But once you see the difference in quality, so will your followers, and you’ll have a grid you can be proud of!

When finding the right time to post, utilize your Instagram stories to post a survey. You know what's way easier than guessing what time your followers want to see your posts? Just ask them! I asked my followers what hour they spend the most time on Instagram, and came back with 8pm and 9pm. It's good to occasionally post the question again, as followers change and schedules change too. If the followers who respond to your survey tell you what time they're active, they're the followers to listen to - you already know they're the ones engaging! When I impulse post, I see a major difference in engagement - I try to remind myself this every time I feel like I just can't wait.

Here's a challenge for you - post the way you usually would...in the moment, brief, generic caption, no testing to how the photo matches up on the grid. Check back in a few hours and jot down the likes and comments. Then, make a plan, type up a totally awesome caption, and post at your most visible hour. Compare the responses, and see your results!

Let me know in the comments how it works out!!