How to Get Started on Instagram: A Step-By-Step Guide
Ready to create your first Instagram account? Here’s how to get started on creating your very own account!
Posted 3 months ago
Written by
Mackenzie TaylorPosted 3 months ago
Instagram is still a major key player when it comes to promoting yourself and your brand online. But if you’ve never done social media before, it can be … slightly daunting and frustrating trying to figure out where to even start when it comes to starting and using Instagram for the first time. In today’s guide, we’re going through step-by-step how to get started on Instagram.
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What is Instagram? 🤔
If you haven’t heard of Instagram, you might have been living under a rock. And that’s okay! Sometimes we wish that we lived there as well.
Instagram is a video and photo-sharing app. You can take, edit, and publish content for your followers and even non-followers (if your account is public!). Users of the app can interact and engage with your content by liking, commenting, sharing, saving, and even subscribing.
How to sign up for Instagram? 📲
Need help signing up for Instagram? No worries! We’ve all got to get started at some point.
- On your mobile phone, download the Instagram app.
- On desktop? Click “log in with Facebook” or fill out the form.
- On Android? Click “sign up with email or phone number.”
- On iPhone? Select “sign up.”
Enter your email address or phone number and click “next.” Or, if you’d prefer, you can sign up using your Facebook account.
Once you’ve figured out your special username and password, you’ll need to fill out your profile information and click “done.” Additionally, you could set up extra security features like multi-factor authentication.
Need help with figuring out the perfect username? Click here for our tips on getting the perfect one.
How to upload a photo on Instagram 📸
Now that you have your account all created and set up, it’s time to start uploading photos to your account. Because what’s the point of having an Instagram and not showing the world your incredible photos?
You can upload up to 10 photos at a time on a single post (this is called a carousel post, and you can learn how to create and auto-publish a carousel post here), or do a single post with a video or photo. Whatever you want!
So how do you upload? Well, that’s the easy part:
1. Click the + icon at the top-right-hand corner and choose what type of post you want to share. Today, we’re going to keep it simple and teach you how to upload a post directly on your profile. Tap “post.”
2. Choose your photos or videos for your upload
From here, you have a few options to choose from. You can look through your camera roll and select photos straight from your media library, or you can take a new photo or video on Instagram. Once you select and/or take a new photo or video, click “next.”
3. Add filters
If you’re interested in jazzing up your photos, you can select “filter” and one of the pre-made filters on Instagram to add to your photo and video.
4. Edit your image
You can also select “edit” and adjust brightness, contrast, structure, and more. Whenever you are happy with the adjustments to your photo, click “next.”
5. Write an Instagram caption
When you get to the “new post” screen, you can now add a caption, tag people (if you have people in your photo that you want to add), and add a location.
6. Click “Publish”
Now that everything is added to your post, you can now click “publish.”
Curious to see how your content performs? Want to track your likes, comments, and engagement? Flick can help break down all of your analytics for your account. Start your FREE 7-day trial today:
How to add a photo or video to your Stories 🤳
Instagram Stories are 24-hour images or videos that you can add to your profile that will show up at the top of your followers’ Home Screen. How do you add to your Stories? Here’s our step-by-step guide.
Want to know the way to create the most engaging Instagram Story? Click here to read our guide.
1. Tap your profile picture on the main home feed and/or click the “+” button in the navigation bar.
2. Add your image or video.
You can either upload content that you’ve already captured or create new content within the Story app.
3. Add stickers or filters.
Swipe up or click the sticker icon to add gifs, links, and any other icon you want to your Story. You can also create a poll, ask your audience questions, and more.
4. Publish your Story.
Once you’re done, just click “Your Story” to make the story public to all people, or you can select “Close Friends,” where the Story only shows up on the feed of select friends you’ve chosen.
Voila! Your Story is officially live.
How to follow on Instagram 👯‍♀️
It’s time to start searching for people and following them! Why create an Instagram account if you’re not going to follow anyone? I mean, unless you’re a celebrity and then I guess I kinda get it.
1. Click on the search icon at the bottom of your screen.
2. Type in a person, topic, or brand.
One of the best new features Instagram has released in the past couple of years is the ability to search a specific keyword and filter your search content based on the keyword.
3. Tap the account you’re interested in following.
Once the account opens up, you’ll see a large blue “Follow” button at the top.
If the account is a public account, you’ll immediately be able to follow them. If the account is private, the user will have to accept your follow-up request first.
And that’s it. It’s that easy to start following someone new on Instagram!
How to connect Instagram to Facebook ♻️
ICYMI: Facebook and Instagram are owned by the same company, Meta, so you can easily connect your Facebook to your Instagram and vice versa. When you connect your Instagram and Facebook accounts, you can:
- Login with Facebook into Instagram
- Share stories on both Instagram and Facebook
- Share your Instagram posts directly to your Facebook account
- Sync your profile name and picture across both profiles
Need help with connecting your account? Here’s how to do so:
- Open Instagram
- Click on your profile picture in the bottom right-hand corner
- Click the menu icon at the top right-hand corner
- Tap “settings.”
- Under the Meta logo, click “Accounts Center.”
- Click “Set up Accounts Center”
- Follow the prompts to log in to Facebook.
Ta-da! Your accounts are officially connected!
What is the best time to post on Instagram to reach the most people?
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, but here are some general guidelines:
- Weekdays Rule: Studies suggest weekdays between 11 AM and 3 PM tend to be the sweet spot. People are more likely to be scrolling during their lunch break or afternoon slump.
- Know Your Audience: Consider your target audience’s location and time zone. If you’re targeting an international audience, post when it’s prime time for them.
- Experiment and Analyze: Track your posts’ performance using Instagram Insights. See which days and times get the most engagement. This will help you refine your posting schedule.
Pro Tip: Flick can analyze your audience demographics and suggest the best times to post for maximum reach within your target audience.
How can I increase my Instagram followers?
Here’s how to attract an audience that loves your content:
- High-quality content is King: Eye-catching photos and videos are essential. Invest in good lighting, composition, and editing.
- Consistency is Key: Post regularly to stay top-of-mind. Aim for a consistent posting schedule, even if it’s just a few times a week.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments, answer questions, and participate in conversations. This builds a community and encourages people to stick around.
- Run Contests and Giveaways: Offer exciting prizes related to your niche. This encourages people to follow you, like your posts, and share them with their friends.
- Collaborate with Others: Partner with influencers or complementary brands in your niche. This exposes you to a new audience and adds a fresh perspective to your content.
What are some common Instagram mistakes to avoid?
If you’re wondering if there are some major mistakes you can make when it comes to Instagram, there are. These are the biggest ones you want to avoid:
- Low-Quality Content: Blurry photos, bad lighting, and unedited pictures won’t cut it. Put some effort into your visuals.
- Ghost Town Profile: Don’t just post and disappear. Respond to comments, participate in conversations, and show your audience you’re there.
- Buying Followers: Big yikes! Fake followers won’t engage with your content. Focus on organic growth and building a genuine audience.
- Ignoring Stories: Stories are a fantastic way to connect with your audience in a more casual way. Use them to share behind-the-scenes glimpses, answer questions, or run polls.
How can I use Instagram for business?
Instagram can be a goldmine for your business, but how do you dig in and strike gold? Here’s how to turn those likes and follows into brand loyalty (and maybe some sales!):
Showcase Your Products (and Services) in Style:
- Eye-Catching Product Photos: High-quality visuals are key! Invest in good product photography or videography that showcases your offerings in their best light.
- User-Generated Content (UGC) is King: People trust people! Feature photos and videos from real customers using your products. This builds trust and authenticity.
- Behind the Scenes Magic: Give your audience a peek into your world! Show them the process of making your products or the team behind the brand. This builds a connection and makes your business more relatable.
Run Engaging Promotions and Giveaways:
- Contests and Giveaways: Who doesn’t love free stuff? Run contests or giveaways with prizes related to your products or niche. This is a fun way to get people to follow you, like your posts, and share them with their friends.
- Exclusive Offers and Discounts: Offer special discounts or promotions to your Instagram followers. This incentivizes people to follow you and keeps them engaged.
- Partner with Influencers: Team up with influencers in your niche to reach a wider audience. Look for influencers whose style and audience align with your brand.
Turn Followers into Customers:
- Shoppable Posts and Stories: Make it easy for people to buy your products directly from Instagram. Use Instagram Shopping features to tag products in your posts and stories.
- Clear Calls to Action (CTAs): Tell your audience what you want them to do! Include CTAs in your captions, like “Shop Now” or “Learn More.”
- Track Your Results: Use Instagram Insights to see what’s working and what’s not. This helps you refine your strategy and get the most out of your efforts.
💡 Flick Tip: Flick can help you manage your Instagram business account. Schedule posts in advance, track your analytics, and even collaborate with team members – all in one place! Start a free trial today!
What are some popular Instagram trends and challenges?
Instagram is a dynamic platform, so staying on top of trends is key. Here’s a peek at some popular trends and challenges to keep your content fresh:
- Reels, Reels, Reels! Reels are short, engaging videos that can be a great way to showcase your products or services in a creative way. Hop on trending audio and challenges to reach a wider audience.
- Flick’s Viral Trend Suggestions: Get daily notifications of new trends that are currently going viral. Flick’s AI Assistant, Iris, will also tailor the trend to your exact brand and niche so you never miss out on the chance of going viral.
- Live Q&As and Events: Connect with your audience in real time with Instagram Live. Host Q&A sessions, product demos, or behind-the-scenes tours.
- Instagram Stories: Stories are a fun and informal way to share fleeting content with your audience. Use Stories for product teasers, tutorials, polls, or behind-the-scenes glimpses.
- AR (Augmented Reality) Filters: AR filters can be a fun and interactive way to engage your audience. Create your own custom filter or use existing ones to let people try on your products or experience your brand in a unique way.
Flick Tip: Need some inspiration? Get a free Flick trial for instant access to all the latest social media trends tailored to your account!
Did you know Flick has a Facebook group, The Social Hub? This group will help you connect with like-minded social media managers, content creators, and social media marketing agencies. Join today:
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