How to Make a Post on Instagram: Beginner's Guide

Are you new to Instagram and wondering how to make your first post on the popular social media platform? You're not alone!  

Whether you're an individual looking to share your life with friends and family or a business trying to reach new customers, mastering the art of the Instagram post is essential.

In this beginner's guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know to create engaging, eye-catching posts that will help you build your following and achieve your Instagram goals!

Setting Up Your Instagram Account

Before you can start posting on Instagram, you'll need to set up your account. The process is quick and easy: 

How to Create an Account in the Instagram App

1. Download the Instagram app from the App Store (for iOS) or Google Play Store (for Android). 

2. Open the app and tap "Sign up." Enter your email address or phone number and tap "Next." You can also sign up with your Facebook account. 

3. Create a username and password. Your username is how people will find you on Instagram, so choose something memorable and relevant to your brand. 

4. Add a profile photo and brief bio describing yourself or your business. Use keywords related to your niche to help people find you. 

5. Switch to a Business Account if you plan to use Instagram for your brand. This unlocks additional features like analytics and the ability to run Instagram ads. 

Once your account is set up, take some time to explore Instagram's interface. The home screen shows your feed, with the latest posts from accounts you follow.

Along the bottom are five icons: Home, Search, Post, Reels, and Profile.

Familiarize yourself with each one.

How to Create an Account on Desktop

Creating an Instagram account through your computer's web browser is just as straightforward as using the mobile app. Here's how to get started: 

1. Visit Instagram.com in your web browser and click "Sign up." You can also sign up with your Facebook account if you prefer. 

2. Enter your email address or phone number. Remember to use an email address that only you can access, as you'll need it for account recovery if you ever forget your password. 

3. Enter your full name, create a username and password. Choose a username that represents you or your brand well, as this is how people will find you on Instagram. 

4. Enter your birthday. You must be at least 13 years old to create an account, and it's important to use your real birthday even if the account is for a business or brand. 

5. Read and agree to Instagram's terms and policies by clicking "I agree" if you accept the terms. 

6. Add a profile photo by clicking on the circle at the top of your profile and uploading an image from your computer. You can skip this step and add a photo later if you prefer. 

Once your account is created, take some time to complete your profile by adding a bio and any relevant website links. If you plan to use Instagram for business purposes, you can switch to a Professional Account through your settings to access additional features like detailed analytics and advertising tools. 

Note: While you can create and manage your account through desktop, some features like posting Stories or Reels are only available through the mobile app or through the Meta Business Suite. However, you can still post photos and videos to your feed, engage with other users' content, and manage your profile settings through the desktop version. 

Related: Learn how to craft an awesome Instagram bio.

Crafting Your First Post

Now that your account is ready, it's time to create your first Instagram post! Here's how: 

1. Tap the plus sign icon at the bottom center of the screen (on the left toolbar on desktop).

This opens the New Post screen so you can post to Instagram. 

2. Select the photo, video, or carousel of photos you want to post from your camera roll (or upload one from your folder from desktop).

You can also take a new photo/video within the app.

Instagram supports aspect ratios between 1.91:1 and 4:5. 

3. Crop your media and tap "Next."

Now you can scroll through Instagram's library of filters to change the look and feel.

Tap a filter to apply it, and double-tap to adjust the strength. You can also use the editing tools to adjust brightness, contrast, saturation, etc. 

4. Write your caption!

Your Instagram caption is your chance to engage your audience and provide context for your post. Great captions are authentic, informative, and sometimes funny.

Include a strong first sentence to capture attention as only the first 1-2 lines show in the feed without tapping "more." 

Use emojis to add personality and break up your text into short paragraphs for readability. Draw attention to important words with CAPITALS or by sprinkling in asterisks. 

If you are promoting a podcast or YouTube video, you can use Castmagic to generate captions for you. Click here to learn more about our Instagram caption generator! 

5. Add relevant hashtags.

Using hashtags can dramatically increase your reach and help people discover your posts. Instagram allows up to 30 per post, but optimally it’s best to use between 5-15.

Mix popular hashtags with more niche ones specific to your post/ brand. 

6. Tag relevant users by tapping "Tag People" and selecting their profile.

Tag partners, clients, inspirations, or anyone you want to connect with. Only tag people relevant/related to the actual image. 

7. Add your location by tapping "Add Location".

This can put you in front of users searching that specific geotag. 

8. Once you're happy with your post, tap "Share"!

Congratulations, you've just made your first Instagram post!

Repurposing Video and Audio Content with Castmagic

If you create long-form content like podcasts, YouTube videos, or recorded interviews, you can streamline your Instagram posting process using Castmagic. Let’s explore how you can turn your existing content into engaging Instagram posts. 

1. Import Your Content

Upload your audio or video file to Castmagic. The platform supports various formats including MP3, MP4, WAV, and even direct imports from YouTube or Vimeo. You can also sync content from your RSS feed or other platforms. 

2. Generate Instagram-Ready Content

Once your content is uploaded, Castmagic can automatically create:

- Engaging captions for your Instagram posts that capture your content's key messages

- Ready-to-use quotes and highlights perfect for photo posts on Instagram

- Short video clips ideal for Reels or feed posts

- Social media carousels summarizing your main points

- Hashtag suggestions relevant to your content

3. Customize Your Output

Use Castmagic's custom prompts feature to tailor the generated content to your brand's voice and style.

You can adjust the tone, length, and format to match your Instagram aesthetic and audience preferences.

The better your input, the better the output (i.e. captions, hashtags, etc...) will be for your followers.

4. Find the Best Moments

Castmagic's Clip Finder feature helps you identify the most engaging segments of your long-form content. Look for:

- Memorable quotes that would make great text overlays

- Powerful moments that could work as standalone clips

- Key insights that could be turned into carousel slides

- Shareable tips or advice from your content

5. Export and Post on Instagram

Once you're happy with the generated content, you can export it directly and use it for your Instagram posts.

Remember to:

- Review and fine-tune the captions and hashtags before posting

- Verify that clips meet Instagram's format requirements

- Add your personal touch to the AI-generated content

- Mix automated content with original posts for variety for your followers

This automated approach helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule while ensuring your Instagram content remains high-quality and engaging.

It's particularly useful for content creators who want to get more mileage out of their existing long-form content without spending hours manually repurposing it for different platforms. 

Pro Tip: Use Castmagic's pre-built prompts for social media content to quickly generate variations of your posts. 

This helps you test different approaches and find what resonates best with your audience. 

Check out our presets page which features popular prompts from Castmagic users. You can also read about our social media posts generator here.

Maximizing Post Performance

Now that you understand the basic mechanics of posting on Instagram, let's talk about some strategies to maximize your performance: 

Post consistently. 

Choose a realistic posting schedule you can maintain over time, whether that's daily, every other day, or a few times per week. Consistency is key for growing your following. 

Pay attention to timing. 

While there's no universal "best time" to post, you can use Instagram Insights (if you have a Business Account) to see when your followers are most active. Experiment with posting at different times and measure engagement. 

Focus on quality over quantity.

It's better to post one really great, on-brand post than several sloppy ones. Your feed is like your portfolio, so curate it carefully. 

Develop your brand's unique visual aesthetic.

Choose a consistent color palette, editing style, and vibe that align with your brand identity. Over time, users will come to instantly recognize your content in their feeds. 

Engage with your community of followers.

Instagram is a social media platform, so be social! Respond to comments on your posts. Follow relevant accounts, like and comment on their content. The more you give, the more you get back in return. 

Leverage Instagram Stories and Reels.

Feed posts are just one way to engage on Instagram. Share behind-the-scenes peeks with Stories, and create short entertaining videos with Reels.

The Instagram algorithm currently prioritizes Reels, so take advantage and expand your reach. 

Track your analytics.

Use Instagram Insights to track key metrics like reach, impressions, profile visits, and site taps. See which types of posts perform best and use that information to refine your strategy over time. 

Also see: How to Create an Instagram Business Account Easily 

You're Ready to Post!

Now you’ve got all the knowledge you need to craft scroll-stopping posts on Instagram. Remember, succeeding on this visual platform takes time, creativity, and dedication. Focus on defining your brand, creating high-quality content, writing engaging captions, and connecting with your community. 

Keep learning, keep experimenting, and most of all, have fun! Instagram is an incredible way to build your audience, drive traffic and sales, and express your unique point of view. So get out there and start posting - we can't wait to see what you create! 

And, if you want help generating social media posts from your existing content, click here for a free trial of Castmagic.