How To Write The Best Instagram Caption | Atlanta Blogger
Ask anybody and most people will agree that the toughest part of posting regularly on Instagram is coming up with an interesting caption. I know, it can be overwhelming trying to think of what to say. You want authentic engagement from your viewers, but you’re not quite sure how to get it. So then you just end up choosing your favorite song lyrics and going with that, or you pick something simple like a description of the photo such as “sunny day in Orlando”.
If you remember from my post on 5 Mistakes You’re Making On Instagram, showing your personality in your posts is important. And your caption is one of the key places where you can do just that.
I know the idea of writing a captivating caption is easier said than done, so today I want to share some tips you’ll find helpful to write better captions on Instagram. I’ll also share a few examples from my own Instagram profile for you to see the tips in action.
So let’s go!
1. Reveal pieces of information about yourself
Your Instagram caption is the perfect opportunity to connect with your audience on a personal level. You don’t necessarily have to write a journal entry or tell everything there is to know about you. Because honestly, who has the time to read all of that? BUT you can definitely take the time out to share a real piece of who you are.
One way to share a bit of yourself is by doing a bit of storytelling. Is there something that happened recently that made you realize something important about yourself? Share it. Is there an experience you had that you feel others might relate with? Put it out there. Being honest about the things you’re going through in life can help you connect with others so don’t be shy to put yourself out there just a bit.
Another way to tell your audience about who you are is to participate in #FridayIntroductions. Most people use this fun hashtag to share random facts about themselves via a short bullet point list. After you share a few fun facts about yourself, encourage your viewers to share something specific about themselves. Remember connection is a two-way street, so don’t be afraid to ask your audience to share as well!
A template for you to use:
“Hi friends! It’s officially Fri-YAY which means it’s time for #FridayIntroductions and a chance for us to get to know each other! Here’s five fun Friday facts (say that 3 times fast) about me you should know:
[insert your facts]
I’d love to know more about you! Tell me, what do you most look forward to on the weekends? Is it a good glass of wine or a new movie you’re dying to see? Share below!”
Ideas for your five facts:
• Don’t only share what you do for a living, but share WHY you’re passionate about what you do
• What you enjoy doing in you free time
• Your recent favorite song(s) that you have on repeat
• Your zodiac sign and what it reveals about you
Just have fun and keep it super casual as if you were having a real convo with whoever is taking the time out to read your caption.
2. Find out about you audience by asking questions
As I already mentioned, connection is a two-way street. Make sure you keep in mind that your caption is not only a chance to tell about yourself but also an opportunity to learn about your audience as well. And the best way to do that is by asking them questions.
Now I know, I know… asking questions in your captions can be scary. Because there’s always the fear no one will answer your question. It’ll just be left there to linger forever, hanging in the Instagram stratosphere unanswered. How embarrassing right?
But guess what. It’s probably going to happen the first few times you pose a question to your audience. It just is. But you’ll realize it’s really not the worst thing in the world. And the more you do it, the easier it’ll get. The more you start to connect with your followers the more likely they’ll be to interact with your caption and reply to your questions.
So push past your fears and ask those questions!
A template for you to use:
“Lately when I’m feeling stressed I close my eyes for a moment and imagine myself on a beach with a drink in one hand and a good book in the other. Ultimate relaxation goals! If you close your eyes right now, where do you see yourself?”
3. Provide words of inspiration and motivation
We all go through tough times and rough patches in life, and we could all use words of affirmation and motivation from time to time. Providing words of inspiration for your audience and encouraging them with your caption is another great way to connect with them.
If you’re not good with words, you can always google an inspirational quote to share. If you are good with words, however, speak from the heart. Reach into your own current experiences and share something you may be struggling with. How would you want to be encouraged and affirmed? Take those feelings and use them to craft your caption.
A template for you to use:
“Whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed by life’s ups and downs, one of my favorite quotes to keep in mind is (share your favorite quote here). What’s a quote that helps you get through rough times? Let’s take the time to motivate and encourage each other today.”
4. Play a game or pose a challenge
Everyone loves to participate in a fun game, and Instagram is no different. Whenever I play a game or pose a challenge within my caption, I always get tons of engagement.
Some fun games you can play:
• This or that game
• Color photo vs black and white photo (post both and let your followers share which they prefer, and why)
• Name that song (list lyrics & have your followers try and guess the song)
• 2 truths and a lie
5. Ask for advice/help
Most people LOVE being helpful to others, so give your followers a chance to help you. Using your Instagram caption to ask for advice or recommendations from others is a great way to garner engagement from your audience.
For example, whenever the seasons change from summer to fall and the days get shorter I struggle with waking up early. I reached out to my Instagram fam for tips on how to make getting out of bed in the morning easier and they gave me awesome ideas to help.
Asking for recommendations on places to eat within your city is a great way to connect with your local audience. Similarly, if you’re traveling to a new city you can ask for suggestions on things you should do while you’re there.
Coming up with a captivating caption can be a struggle, but the next time you have to write your Instagram caption refer back to this list to help you figure out what to say. Feel free to take the example captions I’ve provided and tweak them to fit your specific needs! Remember, the more you practice the easier it gets. When you put yourself out there honestly, it makes it easier for others to engage in the same way. But above all have fun with it! See you on Instagram!
Did you find these tips helpful?
Drop a comment below & let me know which tips you plan to implement in your Instagram game plan!
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