How to Create Content Buckets for Instagram Content

This is the first part in a series on creating content for Instagram. This simple method is one that I share with clients that are struggling with figuring out what to post on Instagram.

This method helps them ALWAYS know what to content to post on Instagram.

What's the real issue here?

This my dear is an age-old question. What do I post on the Gram? In this series, I will share with you my simple method for determining what to post on Instagram. How to Crack the Code on What to Post on Instagram reveals the first step in the process.

Not knowing what to post on Instagram prevents people from posting. Heck, it's even prevented me from posting before. When your struggling with this the idea of what to say can consume you to the point that you end up not posting anything. I mean what in the world are you going to say?

It consumes people though because you just want to get it right. You want to say the right thing at the right time in the right way. Whatever it is you say...IT'S GOT TO BE RIGHT!

Can I get an Amen?!

What's even more unnerving is if you don't post how will people get to know you. If they don't know you then they will not buy from you or use your products and services. How will they connect with you if they never hear from you?

This insatiable need to get it all RIGHT ALL the time is holding us I mean you back. In more ways than one. Let me get back on topic here...deciding what to post on Instagram. As a Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads consultant (and former social media manager that still dabbles in it) clients will ask me during a strategy session about what they should be posting during a launch. When they come to me with this question I normally start by asking them three questions then the plan follows.

Who are you really?

The crux to the entire process is deciding what do you want to be known for on the Gram. Like for real stop what you're doing and ask yourself this. "What do I want to be known for?" "What are my values, interests, likes, behaviors?" Wow! It sounds like I am asking you questions so we can get to know your audience to run a Facebook and Instagram Ad. To be honest it's very similar. When my clients run Facebook Ads I have them complete an ideal client form. The form asks detailed questions about your Ideal Clients attributes, likes, and behaviors. You will then use that info to create audiences to show your Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads to. People want to get to know and what you are about before spending money with you. If you are an influencer brands want to know that you align with their companies mission/purpose and their values before sending their customers to you showing that the two of you are in partnership together. Especially as of late how many companies, influencers, entertainers, etc have been canceled because either the people decided the brand/company did not align or the other way around the brand/company felt like the person did not align with their core values?

TAKE ACTION: Decide and write down 2-3 attributes that you want to be known for. See below for examples.

All of the ladies above generally make posts about what they say they are about in their Instagram bio. If you scroll the last nine posts in their profiles more than likely you will find multiple mentions of the content buckets listed in their bios. Your bio should do the same.

As an influencer, you would want to think about what brands do I want to work for and what kind of people are into those brands. Lastly, you will want to consider what are the beliefs and values of the people that like those brands. What do they use those brands for? What do THOSE people like to see? What are they interested in? The brand's customers are ultimately your customers.

I know that's some meta stuff right there. Take a sec and let that sink in.

Then think about what do THOSE people want to see in combination with what you want to be known for.

What is content and what are content buckets?

In both cases, your attributes will become your content buckets. You will use these content buckets to determine what you will post. Content buckets are just ways to organize/categorize the content that you share. Content in this case would be the information that you share with your audience. On Instagram content can come in the form of video, static images, and LIVE streams. Your content buckets help you create content with intention for your ideal audience. Examples of content can come in the form of tutorials, entertainment, questions, education, etc. Your content buckets help you fill your Instagram feed, stories, and LIVEs with information to share with your audience.

So here is another example:

My three things that I want to be known for are my faith, family, and my business (Facebook Ads Consultant). These are the basis for my content buckets.

Now I combine that with what I want to do for my customers. I help business owners generate consistent and qualified leads with Facebook and Instagram Ads. So the idea here is to create content that showcases these things my faith, my family, and my business.

When someone comes to my Instagram page it's my job to display content buckets. You should be able to see them in my Instagram Stories, Feed, bio, and LIVEs. Any place that you provide content on this channel should for the most part display one of the three things that chose to be known about.

Now all of your content doesn't always have to fit in these content buckets, but most of it will. The content buckets help give people a clear idea of who you are and what you do if the content you post has a relatively consistent theme. You can also expand your content buckets from 2-3 buckets. It is up to you what you have time to create excellent content for and what you want to be known for. The goal here is make intentional content via content buckets for your Instagram account.

As an influencer, you will choose the attributes that you want to be known for as well. Some or all of these content buckets will be related to what you actually influence others on. When you pitch brands they can see what you stand for, what interests you, and how your brand aligns with their brand.

Your Instagram bio is a great place to explicitly make known your content buckets. Making it keenly aware of what you want to be known for. Here you can tell people before they even begin to view your page what you believe, who you help, and how you help. This blog post shows you how to make a Power Bio that will help you showcase who you are, what you want to be known for, your values and beliefs.

To sum it all up, do some deep diving and write down 2-3 attributes that you want to be known for on Instagram. These will serve as your content buckets. Answer these questions for yourself. What do you do best? What are your core values and beliefs? What do you influence others to do? How do you help others?

This is the first part of a three-part series on how to create content for Instagram. If you need more help with figuring out how to use Instagram for your business grab a seat in my masterclass on How to Beat the Instagram Algorithm. Check out this link to join us: https://glyndadove.lpages.co/class-beat-the-ig-algorithm/