What to Post on Instagram When You’re Just Getting Started

Getting started on Instagram can feel overwhelming. With millions of people posting polished photos and viral videos, it’s easy to wonder: What should I post? Will anyone care? If you’re asking yourself these questions, you’re not alone.

The good news is, you don’t need to be an influencer or a professional photographer to start sharing great content. Everyone starts somewhere, and the key is to simply begin. In this guide, we’ll walk you through practical and approachable Instagram post ideas for beginners, so you can start building your presence and enjoying the platform with confidence.

Start with an Introduction

If you’re new to the platform, one of the best ways to start posting on Instagram is with a friendly introduction. Share a photo of yourself and tell people who you are, what you love, or why you’re joining Instagram. It doesn’t have to be perfect just authentic.

Example Post Idea:

A smiling selfie with the caption: “Hi, I’m Alex! New here and excited to share my journey in art, photography, and all the little things I love. Let’s connect!”

This helps you break the ice and lets others get to know the person behind the profile.

Share Your Hobbies or Passions

Think about what lights you up what you love doing in your free time. Whether it’s cooking, fitness, painting, reading, or hiking, sharing these passions makes your profile feel more personal and relatable.

This is a simple and sustainable way to post regularly without running out of ideas. It also helps you attract people with similar interests, which is great for building community.

What to post on Instagram if you love:

• Cooking: Photos of your meals, recipes, or kitchen setup

• Books: Recent reads with quick reviews

• Travel: Favorite travel memories or dream destinations

• Fitness: Your workouts, routines, or motivational quotes

Show Behind-the-Scenes Moments

People love seeing real, unfiltered moments. Behind-the-scenes content gives a glimpse into your daily life or process and makes your account feel human and approachable.

Examples:

• A messy desk while working on a project

• Your morning coffee ritual

• Progress shots of something you’re creating

• A candid snapshot of a fun moment

Behind-the-scenes content is especially useful if you’re a creator, artist, or small business owner looking to connect more deeply with your followers.

Instagram Post Ideas for Creators and Professionals

If you’re using Instagram to build a brand, promote a business, or showcase your creative work, you’ll want to create content that highlights your expertise while still feeling personal.

Here are some Instagram content ideas for new users in creative or professional niches:

• An introduction to your work or niche
  (e.g. “I’m a freelance graphic designer helping startups build bold, clean branding.”)

• Your workspace or creative setup

• Before-and-after transformations

• Tips, tricks, or lessons learned in your industry

• Client testimonials or shoutouts

• User-generated content (reposts from happy customers or collaborators)

Even if you’re still learning, showing your journey, progress, and passion is valuable. Don’t wait until you feel “established” start now.

Get Creative with Instagram Features

Instagram offers more than just photo posts. To increase engagement and variety, try using different formats like Stories, Reels, and Highlights.

Instagram Stories

Stories are a great place for casual, in-the-moment updates. You can post:

• Daily activities

• Polls and questions

• Quick updates or tips

• Mood-of-the-day posts

Stories disappear after 24 hours, making them ideal for experimentation.

Instagram Reels

Reels are short-form videos that are great for reaching new audiences. Even simple Reels like time-lapses, tutorials, or mini-vlogs can perform well.

If you’re not sure how to start posting on Instagram with Reels, keep it light and fun try trending audio or short “day in the life” clips.

Highlights

You can save your best Stories into Highlights on your profile. Organize them by topic (e.g. “Travel,” “DIY,” “Tips”) to help visitors learn more about you at a glance.

Captions and Hashtags Matter

You don’t need to be a poet or copywriter to write good captions. Just be yourself. Ask questions, share thoughts, or add a simple description. Authenticity goes a long way.

Caption Tips:

• Keep it short and sweet, or go long if you enjoy storytelling

• Use emojis for tone and clarity

• End with a call-to-action (e.g. “What are you reading this week?”)

Hashtag Tips:
Using relevant hashtags helps people discover your content. Include a mix of broad and niche hashtags related to your post. For example:

• #newtoinstagram

• #dailyphoto

• #creatorsoninstagram

• #smallbusinessowner

• #artistsoninstagram

Avoid spammy or overused tags like #followme or #like4like they rarely help your growth.

Build Confidence and Consistency

Many new users struggle with confidence in the beginning. Here’s how to ease into it:

• Start small: Post once a week or every few days until it feels natural

• Engage with others: Like, comment, and connect with similar accounts

• Learn by observing: Notice what types of content you enjoy from others

• Stay consistent: Even if your audience is small at first, consistency builds momentum

It’s okay to experiment. Your style, voice, and content will evolve over time.

Conclusion

Getting started on Instagram doesn’t have to be intimidating. By focusing on what you love and sharing it authentically, you’ll begin to attract like-minded people and build your confidence. Whether you’re showing your daily life, your creative projects, or your professional journey, there’s room for your voice on Instagram.