Spoiler alert: Don’t use carousels on Instagram if you don’t want more engagement and higher reach.
Look, sometimes a one-and-done fabulous image on Instagram is what you want. Other times, you want a video. But while those post types are ideal to add into your content rotation, what you really want to do is add in carousels.
Carousels are those posts that have up to 20 slides/images for you to scroll through, and they’re engagement Gold. Why? We’re going to show you.
Why do carousels get better traction than single images?
Carousels outperform single image posts nearly every time. And while we will give you specific reasons, it boils down to this: Users interact with swipe features more, so that’s what the algorithm will prioritize.
But here are the deets:
- Carousels create a “Second Chance”: Let’s say a user scrolls past your carousel initially. I mean, how dare they? Anyway, Instagram will then show it to that user later on — but it’ll start with the second image in your carousel so it appears totally new to the user! Major score.
- Algorithm Boost: When a user swipes left to right, it counts as engagement, and that higher interaction will then tell Instagram to push your content out even more.
- Audio Integration: You know how you can attach music to a reel? You can do that with a carousel, too, and when you do? It makes your carousel eligible to be viewed in Reels and video feeds. Instant widespread push.
- Storytelling: Got a good story to tell or sequence to detail? Carousels are perfect for this, allowing you to create mini stories on each slide when you add captions.
When to use Carousels vs. Single Images
This depends upon what your goal is, but here’s the breakdown:
Do you want to storytell, increase your saves, and punch up your visibility on the platform? Use carousels.
Do you want to highlight a particular aesthetic or single image that delivers shock value? Go with a single image.
But your goal should be a mix of content styles to create a balanced feed, and this next section will show you how.
Carousel Tips & Best Practices
You can simply dive in and start creating them, but we always find a few handy tips are best as you’re getting going.
- If you want slides/images with text, we recommend using a graphic design platform like Canva. Plan your slides out, add the text, then download to use in your scheduling platform (Later ), Hootsuite, Constant Contact, Brandwatch, etc. — we use Later).
Choose a carousel template from Canva, then customize by swapping out the background images, using your brand fonts and colors, and adding text.
- Your carousels can have up to 20 slides, but we think 8-10 well-chosen images fare better. You want to engage your user, not wear them the heck out, you know.
- Aim to create and post 2-3 carousels per week, tucking them into single image posts and video. Yes, they take much longer to prepare, but the effort is well worth it.
- Every post needs a hook, so plan your strongest hook on the first slide to grab attention, and then make sure your second slide’s content is strong enough to make the user want to continue on.
Carousel Ideas for the Hort Industry
- Do This/Not That: Highlight a common plant growing mistake, show the correct alternative, then use the slides to add details/tips.
- Plant of the Week/Month: This is a great way to educate your followers on the care of a particular plant. If you’re selling that plant, make sure you have a lot in stock so you don’t run out!
- Step-by-Step: Ideal way to teach users how to do something — propagation, correct planting methods, hardening off, planting a container, watering, etc.
- Seasonal Checklists: Readers love checklists, and seasonal ones for gardeners are often shared and saved. Create a carousel with your best 10 tips for spring, for example, and then link in your bio to products on your website.
- Pest / Disease guides: Similar to the Plant of the Week / Month, you can highlight a garden pest (or garden good guy!) or a disease, with slide that give information on how to manage/eradicate the problem.
The bottom line when creating content for social media is to always have the user in mind — what will draw them in? What do they need to know that they do not already know? What problems are they having? Then create different kinds of content to attract them, keep them engaged, and then hopefully, convert them to customers/clients. Carousels are an ideal way to infuse some excitement and interest into your Instagram feed, making the experience for the user an unforgettable one.
