Whether you are new or have been using Instagram for years, you should know captions are crucial for your posts. They can make or break your post as they are the first thing viewers glance at after the visual.
You will be surprised to know that the most-liked Instagram post is a picture of an egg. What made people like this post was not the bland oval food. It was the caption that grabbed everyone’s attention. The zest to beat Kylie Jenner’s post was what drove success for that account!
So we hope now you understand the importance of captions. So without further ado, let us learn what captions are and how you can write the best Instagram captions:
What are Instagram Captions?
Instagram is famous for its high-quality visuals and aesthetic posts, but there is more to it. Users also need words to give context to their visuals — they do this in the form of captions. Whether it’s a photo or video content, a well-crafted caption can enhance the viewer’s experience and encourage more interaction with your post. Captions are Insta copy that converts!
An Instagram caption explains what the image or video is all about to your followers. From prompting viewers to take action and making them laugh to inspiring and enticing them to share your content, it is the caption that seals the deal.
If you fail to articulate captions properly, you can lose in terms of engagements, Instagram follower growth, and reach. This article will provide tips to create the best Instagram captions so you can double delight your viewers with both words and visuals. For more in-depth strategies, check out our guide on engaging Instagram captions to keep your audience hooked and coming back for more.
Top 10 tips for writing convincing Instagram captions
1. Always keep a notepad ready
Caption generation is not a one-time thought process. It will require numerous drafts so keep your notes ready all the time. You can come up with a great idea anywhere.
So jot it down immediately before it flies away. You can edit it or scratch it off later. However, the key is not to let any inspiration go by. For those who struggle with time management, using Instagram automation tools can help streamline the process of drafting and scheduling captions, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to engage your audience.
2. Don’t rush
Sometimes what seems like a great idea at first might sound dumb later but once it’s on the internet you cannot take it back. Thus when writing captions, it’s best to sit on them for a bit and proofread them. Leave a few captions for future posts too which will help save time if you’re aiming to post consistently on Instagram.
Always give time and gauge your words before clicking the share button. Instead of getting embarrassed after publishing the post, critique your ideas beforehand.
3. Brainstorm with others
Taking suggestions is never a bad idea when it comes to social media. Third-party inputs can be highly beneficial and help you improve your caption as they are unbiased. But you don’t have to annoy everyone around you whenever you get an idea.
You can list all the captions that seem viable to you and let your co-workers or friends suggest which one is the best. You can even conduct a poll as they are quick and will lead you to a well-targeted caption.
4. Front-load with a hook
Even though you can place a maximum of 2200 characters in your Instagram caption, not 100% of it shows at first glance. This is because only the first few lines appear on your feed, while the rest is hidden under the click more tab.
However, this doesn’t mean captions should be kept super short. Instead, try to front-load the most exciting stuff so that it can entice the viewers to stop for more. Initially, arm your caption with compelling calls to action and leave extraneous content like hashtags and @mention for the end.
5. Use SEO tactics
Instagram also acts like a search engine. So to help users find you efficiently, you can add SEO keywords in your caption to improve your reach.
You can apply similar tactics that you use in digital marketing on Instagram, too, and it can significantly enhance your searchability. Just don’t stuff keywords and add them subtly to land on top of the Insta search results!
6. Look around
If you get stuck and face writer’s block, you can always check out accounts in your niche and see how they are getting it done! There is no lack of inspiration on Instagram. There are millions of accounts you can follow to keep up with trends.
However, be cautious and don’t plagiarize. Take ideas, not content! Add a personalized touch and ensure that you don’t violate copyright laws before publishing.
7. Include something actionable
You cannot always stuff your captions with CTA’s. Apart from being salesy, you need to be engaging as well. So try to add something actionable which has value for your followers so that they are enticed to do more:
Here are some action-based prompts you can use:
- Asking questions to boost commenting
- Encouraging them to share their experiences
- Inviting them to enter a contest
- Using FOMO and referring them to a clickable link in the bio
- Pushing them to tag their friends
8. Limit hashtags
Even though hashtags were created for Twitter, Instagram took the trend to the next level. Adding hashtags in captions is a common way to drive traffic on Insta. However, as a string of hashtags looks spammy, use them sparingly.
Don’t stuff your content with tons of irrelevant tags just to get followers. It can frustrate your current followers and is not a good long-term approach. So limit them to four or five tops and unless they fit naturally in the content, place them at the end.
Ps: You can always go without hashtags. Sometimes words are enough to deliver the message.
9. Keep the tone light-hearted.
Every social media platform is different, and content needs to be moulded according to its specific tone. Similarly, Instagram is a fun-filled network, so you need to blend in with its feel when generating captions.
You cannot expect a jargon-filled LinkedIn copy to work on Instagram. So instead of just copy-pasting from your other digital channels, adapt your content and make it insta-worthy by adding a fun and personable tone.
10. Be approachable
Instagram is not for the stiff-hearted. Users on it love to connect, so create captions that pull them, not push them away. Here are some methods to
- Be punny as clever posts perform well on Instagram
- Tell stories as readers feel them on a personal level
- Add value by providing informative content as well
- Use emojis to break the ice
- When in doubt, be minimalistic
An post by BritandCo showcasing how to engage meaningfully with your audience in a simplistic light hearted way.
The benefits of writing a good caption:
Here are some significant benefits you can gain by creating excellent captions:
- If your follower’s rate is plateauing while your visuals have remained the same, it may be a sign that your captions are lacking. Revise your caption creation strategy and watch your followers reshare your content within minutes.
- An inspiring caption can get viral and skyrocket your engagement and follower level. So to get your growth back on track, experiment with catchy captions which hold the potential to transform your posts.
- When your posts receive less engagement, it shows that either your content quality has deteriorated or the account quality has fallen. Before blaming followers for everything, take a step back and check whether your captions are on point. A little tweak in words can help revive traffic without needing further change.
- Captions play a huge role in complementing your visuals. No matter how good your images or videos are, if they are not followed by catchy content, you will be unfollowed in no time.
- They also help you keep up with trends as you can brew fresh captions daily. By adding polls, and emojis, you can make your content more.
Ready, get, set, inspire
As it is established that great captions can transform your Instagram reach and engagement, think about a strategy revamp. Put on your thinking cap and equip the tips in this article then hopefully, in no time, you will be able to naturally churn up amazing one-liners that can change the game for you!