5 Things to Know About Instagram in 2021

With a new quarter comes new trends. A huge element of working in the tech and social media industry is constantly staying up to date on what’s new and changing. I make it a part of my daily routine to read through said things and familiarize myself with them so I can best serve my clients and my own community. Though there are always minor things changing here and there, here are the 5 major things to know about Instagram in 2021!

top things to know about instagram in 2021

1. Get ready to learn and teach. 

Instagram, like other social platforms, is gearing towards educational content. Considering so many of us have more time on our hands scrolling through our phones 24/7, a lot of content is capitalizing on that with a more instructional focus. This means you want to emphasize creating content that provides value, like a tutorial, advice, or a quick tip. Ask yourself, “What am I an expert at?”. Based on your answer, create a list of tips, insider thoughts, or lessons you’ve learned on the way to becoming the expert you are in that area. Then figure out what kind of content you will create based on those takeaways. Not only will your audience likely share it with other people who would benefit from your expertise, but they’re also more likely to save it… which is something the algorithm LOVES. 

2. Quality over quantity… still.

I always stress that posting consistently doesn’t matter if your content is subpar. I think so often we get caught up in having to post frequently that we fall into just throwing something up there, instead of asking ourselves if the post/video/reel is actually providing value. Don’t get me wrong, I am all for the occasional fun, spur of the moment get to know me post, but more often than not you should be focusing more on the quality of your content than getting it out there on time. A good way to check in on this is to circle back to my previous point… Does it provide value or a takeaway?

3. Short form is the new norm.

I’ll spare you the time Googling how users like to receive information or content: it is always short form video content! Gone are the days of a 15-minute Youtube video walking through each part of the how-to step by step. Now everything is 15-30 seconds! Yes, we’re talking reels, and yes you should be making them! The thing to keep in mind with your short form video content is that you need to take those extra few minutes to sit down and mentally go through what you’re trying to say or capture. It’s much easier to put a camera on and ramble for 10 minutes, as opposed to keeping it short, sweet, and to the point in 30 seconds. But don’t worry, you’ll get the hang of it, and you’ll really enjoy the increased views.

4. Expand your content’s lifespan.

One of the reasons Instagram often gets a lot of complaints is because of the lack of longevity and short lifespan of its content. Your content on Instagram really only lasts 48-hours. However, with the recent edition of guides you have the opportunity to increase its longevity. Guides are a great way to organize your feed posts by topics to create a mini-blog format. It allows you to pull previous posts into one place and write out captions, perfect for tips, guides, or how-to’s. 

5. Connection is more important than ever. 

In a time where we can all feel extremely isolated, emphasize building that person to person connection, even if it IS through a computer screen. What does that mean? Hop on your stories and talk to your audience. Go live to do a Q&A. Let your community get to know you on a more personal level. Not only does it make your business appear more human, it also builds trust in your business! As daunting as it can seem at first, it will feel more natural with time—like with any new challenge or skill. Don’t worry if it doesn’t feel completely authentic at first, after a few takes and some practice, you might find that it is a great way to make online friends and build connections!

The biggest thing to keep in mind when discovering or following new trends is to stay consistent to your brand. Figure out how you can implement certain trends into your social media strategy in a way that feels authentic to you! Take a quick moment to look over any social media content that you have planned for the next few weeks? Ask yourself, “Am I providing value?” and “Am I getting the most out of the content I’m creating?”.

Which of these things to know about Instagram in 2021 is most exciting to you? Which are you nervous to try?