Single Photo vs Carousel
The fact is, both of them can work. Here is a single photo post by @ruby_and_frank_studio showcasing her beautiful ceramic craft:
Carousel posts have a slight advantage when it comes to engagement. This is due to the longer time users spend scrolling through multiple images or videos. Longer time spent on a post is one of the engagement metrics that Instagram use to determine the quality of a post.
Another slight advantage of carousels is Instagram's tendency to show carousel posts to users who haven't engaged with them on their first impression. If they scroll past your carousel the first time, they might be shown it again, but starting with the second image. This can give your content a fresh look and another chance to engage the viewer:
But ultimately, always prioritise the quality of your content. If you have one beautiful image of a product, it's more effective to do a single photo post than to post four mediocre ones.
Reels vs Photo Posts
There’s a lot of debate about this topic. Instagram’s CEO has said that the platform’s focus in 2023 is on both photos and reels, instead of just pushing reels like they did in 2021 and 2022.
That being said, my observation is that the engagement potential of reels is higher compared to photos and carousels, at least for bigger accounts. For small amounts, the difference is not noticeable.
Best Practices For Photo Posts
Here are some best practices to enhance your Instagram photo posting game:
- High-Quality Images: This may seem obvious, but always ensure that your photos are of the highest quality. Clear, crisp images showcase your craft.
- Consistent Aesthetic: Stick to a consistent color palette or theme. This not only makes your feed visually appealing but also strengthens your brand identity. An easily recognisable style can help you build a strong image in your followers’ mind.
- Edit Your Photos: It’s important to edit your photos to make them as visually appealing as possible. My go-to is Lightroom mobile as it provides the biggest set of professional features. Or you can use VSCO or Instagram’s native editing features. But stay away from filters on Instagram; they could look very amateur-ish.
Should You Add Music To Photo Posts
Adding music doesn’t have a boost to engagement or reach as far as I can tell. If you decide to add music, make sure it's relevant to your post. Random music may have the negative effect of confusing or annoying your followers.