How to Start Blogging on Instagram: Your Ultimate Guide

Are you ready to get started with Instagram blogging? You’re in for a wild ride!

Did you know that Instagram has over 1 billion active users, and 90% of them follow at least one business account? That’s crazy, right?

It means there’s a huge crowd waiting to see what you’ve got to share!

In this super detailed guide, we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about how to start blogging on Instagram, be that a food blog, a fashion blog, pets, whatever….

We’ll discuss all the cool stuff, from setting up your Instagram account to making money from your posts.

So, let’s dive in and get your Instagram blog up and running.

What is an Instagram Blog?

Instagram blogging is taking over the social media world. It’s a fun way to share your thoughts, experiences, and know-how with tons of people.

Unlike old-school blogging websites, Instagram puts your pictures and videos front and center. It’s perfect since people’s attention span is getting lower and lower, so they love eye-catching images.

But what exactly is an Instagram blog?

Well, it’s pretty simple. Instead of writing long articles on a website, you’re creating short, snappy posts with awesome pictures on Instagram.

These Instagram posts grab people’s attention as they scroll through their feeds.

Now, you might be wondering, “How do I start blogging on Instagram?” Don’t worry, it’s very easy, don’t let the name confuse you. Here’s a quick answer to get you started:

To start blogging on Instagram, first set up a business or creator account. Then, pick what you want to blog about (that’s your niche).

Write a cool bio that tells people what your blog is all about. Then, start posting awesome high-quality images and videos regularly.

Use hashtags that fit your posts, talk to your followers, and try out all of Instagram’s cool features like Stories, Reels, and IGTV to share your message.

Sounds pretty simple, right? But don’t worry, we’re going to dig deeper into each of these steps as we go along.

By the end of this guide, you’ll be all set to start your very own Instagram blog!

Why Choose Instagram for Blogging?

You might be thinking, “Why should I pick Instagram for my blog instead of making a website?” Or will my target audience be on Instagram?

Well, let me tell you, Instagram has some pretty awesome perks that make it perfect for bloggers.

First off, Instagram is where everyone hangs out these days.

With over a billion active Instagram users, that’s a lot of potential readers for your blog!

And here’s the cool part – these users aren’t just scrolling mindlessly. They’re liking, commenting, and sharing stuff they love. That means more people can see your awesome Instagram blog content!

Plus, Instagram users love pictures and videos. We all love looking at cool photos and videos, right?

Well, that’s exactly what Instagram is all about.

But don’t just take my word for it. Check out some of the big-time Instagram bloggers out there. Like @foodiewithluv – this food blogger started out just taking pictures of her meals with her phone. Now, she has over 40,000 followers and works with big food brands!

Or look at @thebucketlistfamily. They turned their family vacations into a full-time Instagram blogging job and now have over 3.1 million followers!

These successful Instagram blogs aren’t just lucky breaks. They show how great Instagram is at connecting bloggers with people who love their content.

And guess what? You don’t need fancy cameras or lots of money to get started. All you need is your phone and your unique way of seeing things to create a blog on Instagram.

So if you think better than other blog platforms for beginners, then get started by creating your Instagram business account.

How to Start Blogging on Instagram

Okay, now that you’re all excited about Instagram blogging, let’s get your Instagram blog set up! Don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it might seem.

We’ll break it down into easy steps.

Create a Creator or Business Account

First things first, you need to switch your regular Instagram account to either a Business or Creator account. Why?

These special Instagram accounts give you cool tools to see how your posts are doing and learn about your followers.

Plus, you can add contact info and even run ads if you want.

To switch to a Business Instagram account,

Just go to your settings,

Scroll down to “For professionals” and Tap “Account type and tools,”

And then pick “Switch to Professional Account.”

From the next page, You can either select Creator account or Business account.

Follow the steps and boom! You’re officially an Instagram blogger.

Craft a Captivating Instagram Bio

Your Instagram bio is super important. It’s like the homepage of your blog. It’s often the first thing people see when they check out your Instagram profile, so you want to make it awesome.

To craft a captivating bio, you’ve got 150 characters to grab people’s attention and tell them what your blog is all about.

Here are some tips for writing a great bio:

When you finish setting up your Instagram creator account, It’s still difficult for people to know exactly what you do when they land on your Instagram page.

So, your Instagram account bio is your chance to make a great first impression. Make it count!

Choose a Niche for Your Blog on Instagram

Now, let’s talk about your niche. What’s your blog going to be about? Food blog? Travel blog? Fashion blog? Or Fitness blog?

There are so many options! But it’s important to choose something specific.

Having a niche helps you attract the right followers and makes your Instagram blog feel more put-together.

Also, choosing a niche for your blog on Instagram helps define the kind of posts you make rather than publishing random Instagram posts.

When picking your niche, think about what you really love and what you can make lots of Instagram posts about.

With your Instagram page, you’ll be posting often, so pick a topic you won’t get bored with!

Select a Consistent Aesthetic for Your Instagram Feed

Last but not least, let’s talk about how your Instagram feed looks.

This is what gives your blog on Instagram its special look and feel. Think of it like your blog’s theme or design.

Your aesthetic could be using certain colors, editing your photos in a particular way, or arranging your posts in a specific layout.

Whatever you choose, try to keep it the same across all your posts.

Instagram feed that looks good together is nice to look at and helps your followers recognize your Instagram posts right away when they’re scrolling.

How to Create Engaging Instagram Blog Post

Now that we’ve got your Instagram account set up, it’s time for the fun part – making Instagram blog content.

This is where you get to be creative and share your unique voice with the world.

Just like traditional blogging platforms, people love value and once you provide them with valuable visually appealing images and videos, they would probably turn into new followers.

Types of Instagram Posts for Bloggers

Instagram has different types of posts you can use, and as a blogger, you should try them all out. Here are the main types of Instagram posts:

Instagram Feed Posts: These are your regular Instagram posts. They show up on your profile grid and in your followers’ feeds.

Instagram Stories: Instagram stories are posts that disappear after 24 hours. They’re great for behind-the-scenes stuff or quick updates about new blog post.

Instagram Reels: These are short, fun videos set to music. They’re perfect for quick tips or tutorials. Reels have become more popular in 2024 since the introduction of TikTok. Your reels are first pushed out to your Instagram followers before non-followers.

IGTV: These are longer videos. They’re great for in-depth tutorials, longer talks about your blog topics or maybe interviews with experts in your niche.

Try using all these different types of posts to keep your content fresh and exciting for your Instagram followers.

Write Captivating Instagram Captions

Apart from visual content, even though Instagram is all about pictures, don’t forget about your Instagram captions! Your captions are where you can really let your personality shine and connect with your followers or let them know which action to take next.

Here are some tips for writing great captions:

For Instagram bloggers, your captions are like mini blog posts. Use them to give more info, share your thoughts, or talk more about the topic of your post.

Utilize Instagram Stories for Blogging

Instagram Stories are super fun for bloggers. They’re casual and perfect for sharing quick updates or showing what goes on behind the scenes of your blog.

Use Stories to:

Many bloggers neglect Instagram stories. Don’t forget to use Story features like polls, question stickers, and countdown timers to get your followers involved!

Also, you can add clickable links to your IG stories to drive traffic to your WordPress blog or affiliate products.

Leverage IGTV for Long-Form Content

IGTV is Instagram’s version of YouTube, and it’s great for bloggers who want to make longer videos. Use IGTV to share detailed tutorials, interviews, or longer talks about topics in your blogging niche.

Use Reels to Boost Engagement

Reels are Instagram’s newest feature and this was to compete with TikTok, and they’re a great way to reach new followers with your Instagram account.

These short, fun videos are perfect for sharing quick tips, showing off your personality, or joining in on trending challenges in your blogging niche.

How to Optimize Your Instagram Blog Posts

Making great blog content is just the first step. To really make your blog on Instagram awesome, you need to make sure lots of people can find and enjoy your posts.

Use Relevant Hashtags Effectively

Hashtags are like signposts that help users find your content.

To find relevant hashtags, use a mix of popular hashtags and ones that are specific to your blogging niche to increase your chances of being discovered.

But don’t go crazy – aim for 5-10 hashtags that really fit your post.

Tagging and Mentioning Other Accounts

Tagging other accounts in your posts can help more people see your content. This used to be a thing back in the day, but it’s still a good way to reach more people with an Instagram page.

If you’re showing a product, tag the brand. If you’re working with another blogger, tag them. Just make sure the tags make sense for your post.

Geotagging Your Posts

If your content is about a specific place (like travel or local food blogs), or maybe you share photos of you traveling to a particular country on your personal account, don’t forget to add the location.

This helps your content show up when people search for posts from that place.

Create Saveable and Shareable Content

To build a profitable blog on Instagram, the best kind of content is stuff that people want to save and share.

This could be helpful infographics, pretty inspirational quotes, or lists of useful tips.

The more people save and share your content, the more Instagram will show it to other people who might end up becoming your Instagram followers.

That will lead us into the next section, but first let me ask you, how many followers do you currently have? If your answer is not much, then be ready to take some notes.

How to Grow Your Instagram Blog Following

Building a following takes time, but if you keep at it, you can grow a big group of loyal followers for your Instagram blog.

Consistency in Posting Schedule

Posting regularly is super important when it comes to growing your following.

Decide how often you can post – maybe it’s every day, every other day, or a few times a week. Stick to your schedule.

Regular posts keep your followers interested and help Instagram show your posts to more people.

Also, you need to vary the types of posts, you might choose to post Instagram stories and feed posts and then occasionally post long-form content on your IGTV.

Engage with Your Audience

Instagram isn’t just about posting – it’s about talking to people too! Respond to comments, ask your followers questions, and get conversations going.

Many Instagram bloggers neglect this.

The more you talk with your followers, the more they’ll feel connected to you, and your content and more likely to follow your Instagram profile.

Collaborate with Other Instagram Bloggers

Working with other Instagram bloggers is a great way to reach new people.

Look for other bloggers who blog about similar stuff and suggest ways you could work together.

Maybe you could do a joint post or take over each other’s accounts for a day, or even post each other’s website link on your Instagram bio.

Cross-promote on Other Social Media Platforms

Don’t just stick to Instagram. Use other social media platforms to promote your Instagram content.

Share your Instagram posts on Facebook, tweet links to your IGTV videos, or make Pinterest pins from your Instagram content.

How to Monetize Your Instagram Blog

Now for the question everyone wants to know – can you make money from an Instagram blog? The answer is yes! Here’s how:

Sponsored Posts and Brand Partnerships

As your Instagram profile following grows, brands might ask you to do sponsored posts.

These are posts where you show off a product or service and get paid for it. Always be honest about sponsored posts and only work with brands that fit with your blog and values.

You can use any Instagram post type for this, and there are prices for the different types of posts.

For example, you can charge less to post an Instagram story that lasts for 24 hours than a feed post that is permanent unless you delete it.

Affiliate Marketing on Instagram

Affiliate marketing is when you promote products and earn money when people buy them through your link.

This can be a great way to make money from your blog on Instagram, especially if you’re already sharing products you love, so why not make money from it.

Sell Digital Products or Services

Use your Instagram blog to promote your own stuff.

This could be e-books, online classes, coaching services, or digital downloads.

But make sure it’s a product your audience has indicated that they love, this might be through the comments or poll, so you don’t create a product no one wants.

Create and Promote Online Courses

If you’ve become an expert in your niche, think about making an online course. Use your Instagram blog to give sneak peeks of the course and get followers to sign up.

Making money with your blog on Instagram is not that hard provided you have gained followers who really you and follow your recommendation.

There are a lot of success stories of people making a full-time income just through their Instagram accounts.

How to Analyze Your Instagram Blog Performance

To keep growing your blog on Instagram, you need to understand what’s working and what’s not. That’s where analytics come in.

Understanding Instagram Insights

Instagram Insights gives you important info about your followers and how your posts are doing.

Pay attention to things like how many people see your posts, how many engage with them, and how your follower count is growing.

Key Metrics to Track for Blog Growth

Some important things to keep an eye on include:

Use Third-Party Analytics Tools

While Instagram Insights is great, other tools can give you even more detailed info.

Tools like Later, Hootsuite, or Sprout Social can give you more in-depth insights into how your blog is doing.

Advanced Instagram Blogging Techniques

Are you ready to take your Instagram blog to the next level? Here are some advanced techniques to try. Let’s do this on a rapid-fire section.

Creating a Content Calendar

Planning your content ahead of time helps you stay consistent and create a story across your posts.

Use a tool like Google Docs or a special social media planning app to plan out your content.

Use Instagram Ads to Boost Visibility

Instagram ads can help you reach more people. Start with a small budget and try different types of ads to see what works best for your blog.

The goal is not to continue running ads, but to give your posts the initial boost to get the ball rolling.

Hosting Instagram Live Sessions

Instagram Live is a great way to talk to your followers in real time.

Do Q&A sessions, give live tutorials, or just chat with your followers to build a stronger connection.

Implementing User-Generated Content Strategies

Encourage your followers to create content related to your blog.

This could be through contests, challenges, or simply featuring follower content regularly. User-generated content helps build a community and gives you extra content to share.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Every Instagram blogger faces challenges. Here are some common ones and how to deal with them:

Dealing with Algorithm Changes

Instagram’s algorithm (the way it decides what posts to show people) is always changing.

Stay informed about updates and be ready to change your strategy. Focus on creating great, engaging content, and you’ll be fine no matter how the algorithm changes.

Managing Time and Avoiding Burnout

Blogging on Instagram can take up a lot of time.

Set limits for yourself, use tools to schedule your posts, and don’t be afraid to take breaks when you need them.

Handling Negative Comments and Criticism

Unfortunately, some people might leave mean comments.

Try not to let it get to you, focus on helpful feedback, and don’t hesitate to block or report really mean users.

Staying Authentic in a Competitive Space

With so many Instagram blogs out there, it can be tempting to copy others. Don’t do it! Your unique voice and perspective are what will make your blog stand out.

The next best thing you can do is, find a creator in your niche that has a good viral post, then put your own twist on it to make it unique and fresh.

FAQs

My Final Thoughts

Starting your first blog on Instagram can be super exciting and rewarding.

It’s a chance to share what you love, meet people who like the same stuff, and maybe even turn your hobby into a job.

But, it doesn’t happen overnight. You can’t start a blog that is profitable in one day. It takes time, consistency, and a willingness to learn and try new things.

So, if I may ask, are you ready to start your Instagram blogging journey? What’s holding you back? Or if you’ve already started, what’s been the hardest part so far? Leave a comment below.