I’m happy to admit that Instagram isn’t a platform that naturally calls to me. I’m so not a person who cares for pretty pictures. I described myself as someone who values Function over Fashion or Substance over Style. However, I appreciate the value it offers businesses. Through PropelHer, I have seen first-hand from how powerful Instagram can be for building a community and generating sales. However, for a long time, I hadn’t been showing my own profile @charellegriffith the same love. I decided enough was enough and it was time to start using my Instagram more consistently and strategically.

When it comes to creating an impactful Instagram account there are a number of different elements you need to consider: your bio, your feed, captions, hashtag. And if you want to be a pro you will also consider stories, live, IGTV.

For me, the biggest barrier posting consistently was THE FEED. I know following a structure of some sort would make it easier for me. So I set off on a journey to see all the different ways you could create a cohesive feed and I’m sharing some of what I found in this pos

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HOW TO CREATE A COHESIVE INSTAGRAM FEED IF YOU ARE ONLY USING IMAGES

 

If you are someone who loves pictures then these tips are for you!

 

THE SAME FILTER

An easy way to your whole feed have a cohesive feel is by using the same filer. The easiest way to do this is by using an Instagram filter. For example, I’m a big fan of Ludwig and more often than that any picture that has me in it I use that filter. However, you can also use filters to edit your photograph before uploading to YouTube. I’m a big fan of A Color Story. If you use Plann as your scheduler they offer a range of filters too. And if you really want to go pro about it you can use Lightroom which has amazing presets.

 

A CORE COLOUR

Do you have a brand colour? If so, you can commit to using that colour in every picture. Depending on your colour this may be easy or difficult. However, it does allow you have to a wide variety of images, but still create an overall cohesive look.

 

THE SAME TYPE OF PICTURE

Some of the most popular Instagram accounts only feature the same type of picture over again. The audience knows exactly what they are going to get. This can be seen very often in the #bookstagram community. Maybe you are a selfie, sun-set or flat lay lover. If so, focus purely on that.

 

USING BORDERS

Some people love borders, some people hate borders, but there is no doubt it gives your feed a cohesive look. You can have a white, black or any colour border you choose.

 

EVERY OTHER IMAGE IS A FACE

Just because you only want to use images doesn’t mean you want it to be selfie, selfie, selfie. Why not try every other image being your face (or other people’s face) and then using a mixture of other images in between.

 

MIXING LIGHT AND DARK

Having contrasting will help your photos stand out sitting next to each other. Swapping between a light/bright picture and a darker picture will allow you to use a variety of images, without it looking a bit haphazard.

 

HOW TO CREATE A COHESIVE INSTAGRAM FEED IF YOU ARE USING QUOTES AND PHOTOGRAPHS

 

Maybe you don’t want to use just photographs. I’m a big fan of using quotes on Instagram so here are some great ways to use quotes amongst photographs and still look great.

 

 

CHECKERBOARD

This is a very popular theme on Instagram and works great for people, like me, who want to use a mixture of images and quotes. To achieve this theme you simply alternate between quote, image, quote, image and the result is a checkerboard.

The super strict version of this format will have the quotes all being in the same format as seen on @propelherorg.

 

However, if you are looking for some more freedom, you can mix up the quotes and still have a cohesive feed. Check out @postivepostpartumproject or @richwomenread

 

 

VERTICAL LINE

Maybe you want to mix images and quotes, but have fewer quotes than images. In that case, you can try out the vertical line structure might work for you. This is achieved by having every third image is a quote card.

This is used by @almost30podcast

 

 

HORIZONTAL LINE

This is where every line has a clear theme. Whilst this feed does look nice in order to create the maximum impact it involves you closing three images very close together, which I wouldn’t really recommend.

However, saying that. This is the style Beyonce uses… So who am I to judge?

 

 

 

 

DIAGONAL LINE

This is achieved by posting every fourth picture as a quote. This is particularly impactful if your quotes are drastically different in colouring the majority of your photographs.

 

 

HOW TO CHOOSE WHAT FORMAT TO USE ON YOUR INSTAGRAM FEED

I have given you 10 different ways that you can create a cohesive feed. The best thing about Instagram is you aren’t committed for life. Just choose a format, stick to it and then see how you feel looking at your feed after you have posted 30 pictures. If you are happy continue and if you aren’t try something new.

 

THE KEY TO CREATING A COHESIVE FEED – THE VISUAL PLANNER

 

Now I remember when I first started posting on Instagram for PropelHer that I had to always keep track of whether the last post with a quote or an image. However, thankfully there are now Instagram schedulers that have a visual planner so you can schedule your posts and see exactly how they will look on your feed.

I personally use Later. However, you can also use Planoly or Plann. I recommend you create 30 pieces of content, drop them into your Instagram scheduler and then move the images around until you are happy. Once you are happy with the layout then you can move onto writing the captions and adding the hashtags.

 

I really hope you have found this helpful. If there is anything else regarding Instagram that you struggle with please do send me a message.

And I would love to know what format you are going follow in order to create a cohesive feed.