The Non-Designer Collective

How To Create A Cohesive Instagram Feed For Your Small Biz

When it comes to Instagram, having a cohesive and visually appealing feed is essential for building a professional brand and gaining recognition. It might sound a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re not a design pro, but don’t worry! We’re going to walk you through some tips and tricks that will help you create an amazing Instagram feed. You’ll learn how to maintain a consistent look and showcase your unique style in a professional manner. So, let’s dive in and talk about 5 easy tips that can help you level up your isntagram feed game.

#1 Utilize Your Brand Guidelines

Your brand guidelines are like a trusty compass that helps you navigate the vast landscape of Instagram with confidence. These guidelines provide a clear roadmap for maintaining a cohesive and professional Instagram feed that aligns perfectly with your brand’s identity.

Start by familiarizing yourself with your brand’s colors, typography, and overall style. These elements capture the essence of your brand and play a crucial role in creating a consistent visual identity. Take note of the primary and secondary colors specified in your brand guidelines and incorporate them strategically throughout your feed. By doing so, you’ll infuse your posts with a sense of familiarity and reinforce brand recognition.

When it comes to typography, pay attention to the fonts and styles recommended in your brand guidelines. Use these fonts consistently in your captions, graphics, and any text overlays you incorporate into your content. Consistency in typography not only adds a professional touch but also helps solidify your brand’s visual identity.

Moreover, your brand guidelines might outline the overall style and tone that best represents your brand. Are you aiming for a modern and minimalistic look, or does your brand exude a more whimsical and playful vibe? Whatever the case may be, embrace these guidelines and let them guide your content creation process. Consistency in style will help your feed feel cohesive, polished, and instantly recognizable to your audience.

Remember, brand guidelines are not meant to stifle your creativity but rather to provide a foundation for building a strong and consistent brand presence. While it’s important to stay true to these guidelines, don’t be afraid to experiment and find unique ways to express your brand’s personality within those boundaries.

#2 Use Consistent Editing Styles or Presets For Your Photos

Start by exploring different filters and editing tools available to you. Experiment with various options until you find the ones that align seamlessly with your brand’s aesthetic. Maybe you prefer a warm and cozy vibe, or perhaps a clean and crisp look suits your brand better. Whatever it may be, identify a set of filters or editing techniques that consistently enhance your photos and maintain visual harmony to help you keep your Instagram feed cohesive.

Instead of editing each photo individually every time, you can use presents. Presets are like magic wands that allow you to maintain consistency in filters and editing styles, even if you’re not a professional photographer or seasoned editor. They offer a convenient and efficient way to apply a specific look and feel to your photos, aligning them with your brand’s aesthetic effortlessly.

Start by exploring preset options available in popular editing apps like Lightroom, VSCO, or Snapseed. These apps often offer a wide range of presets created by professionals or fellow Instagrammers, catering to various styles and moods. Look for presets that resonate with your brand’s identity and capture the visual essence you want to convey.

Once you find presets that align with your brand, apply them consistently to your photos. By using the same preset or a small selection of presets, you create a cohesive visual experience throughout your feed. This consistency helps your audience recognize your brand’s distinct style and fosters a sense of professionalism.

Once you find the perfect presets, apply them consistently to your photos. Whether you choose a single preset or a small selection, using the same presets throughout your feed creates a harmonious visual experience for your audience. This consistency helps them recognize your brand’s distinct style and enhances the overall professionalism of your feed.

The best part is that presets can be customized to suit each photo individually. You have the flexibility to adjust the intensity, brightness, or other parameters to ensure a perfect match for each image. This way, you can maintain a consistent overall look while still accommodating the unique characteristics of each photo.

As you delve into the world of presets, don’t be afraid to explore beyond the pre-made options. Experiment with creating your own custom presets that reflect your brand’s unique visual identity. By fine-tuning the adjustments, colors, and tones, you can craft a signature look that sets your feed apart and strengthens brand recognition.

Remember, presets are a creative tool that can evolve with your brand. As your style or branding evolves over time, feel free to explore new presets or make adjustments to existing ones. The key is to maintain consistency while allowing your feed to grow and adapt organically.

You can also purchase specific presets from places like Etsy or Creative Market, or create your own that are unique to your brand and you can easily use over and over to keep your Instagram feed cohesive.

#3 Get Creative with Your Grid Layout

Your Instagram grid layout serves as the blueprint for your feed, and it’s an exciting opportunity to let your creativity shine. Don’t be afraid to have some fun with it! Experimenting with different grid patterns can add a unique flair to your feed and elevate your storytelling game.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to grid layouts. You can try alternating single and multiple images, creating a checkerboard effect that adds visual interest. Alternatively, you can go for a cohesive mosaic effect by arranging your photos in a way that they come together as one captivating image when viewed as a whole. Get playful with different combinations and see what resonates with your brand’s style and content.

To bring your grid layout ideas to life, planning tools like UNUM or Plann can be your best buddies. These tools allow you to visualize and test out different grid arrangements before posting. You can upload photos, rearrange them, and see how they fit together to create a visually pleasing and harmonious feed. This way, you can plan your content in advance, ensuring a consistent and aesthetically pleasing grid.

Remember, your grid layout is not set in stone. Feel free to switch things up and evolve your layout over time. As you try new ideas and receive feedback from your audience, you’ll discover what works best for your brand and resonates with your followers. Embrace the freedom to experiment and find a layout that complements your content while expressing your unique style.

#4 Utilize Templates

Templates are your secret weapon for effortlessly maintaining a cohesive Instagram feed. They ensure that every post, story, and highlight aligns with your brand’s aesthetic and preserves your unique visual identity. With templates by your side, you can confidently showcase a cohesive and professional look that captivates your audience. Say goodbye to inconsistency and hello to the power of templates for a visually stunning Instagram feed.

Platforms like Canva and Adobe Spark offer a wealth of template options that can be customized to suit your brand’s style. Explore their libraries to find templates that resonate with your brand’s aesthetic. From Instagram posts to stories and highlights, you’ll find a variety of options that cater to different content types and themes.

If you’re looking for even more template options and unique designs, consider purchasing sets of templates from creative marketplaces like Creative Market or Etsy. These platforms offer a wide range of professionally designed templates that can be easily customized to match your brand. You’ll find sets of templates specifically created for Instagram feeds, covering various styles and themes. Investing in high-quality templates can save you time and elevate the visual appeal of your feed.

Once you’ve chosen your preferred templates, personalize them by incorporating your brand’s fonts, colors, and graphic elements. This will ensure that each piece of content you create maintains a consistent visual identity and feels like a seamless part of your feed.

Templates not only save you time and effort but also allow your creativity to soar. With pre-designed layouts, you can focus on crafting engaging and valuable content while having the peace of mind that your visual consistency is intact. Templates provide a solid foundation that streamlines your content creation process and ensures a cohesive look throughout your feed.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and modify existing templates or create your own unique ones. The key is to find a template style that aligns with your brand and resonates with your audience. Templates can evolve over time as your brand evolves, so don’t hesitate to refine and update them as needed.

So, harness the power of templates and let them be your creative allies in maintaining visual consistency. With their help, you’ll present a polished and professional image on Instagram, while still having the freedom to infuse your unique brand personality. Explore platforms like Canva, Adobe Spark, Creative Market, or Etsy to discover a treasure trove of template options, and elevate your Instagram feed to new heights.

#5 Schedule Your Posts

When it comes to maintaining a cohesive and successful Instagram feed, planning ahead is the key. Utilizing visual planners such as Later or Planoly empowers you to schedule your posts in advance, ensuring a consistent flow of content that keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.

Not only does scheduling save you time and ensure consistency, but it also allows you to focus on creating engaging captions, researching relevant hashtags, and interacting with your audience. By dedicating specific time slots to curating and planning your content, you can maintain a consistent posting schedule without feeling overwhelmed.

Visual planners also offer insightful analytics that help you understand your audience better. You can track the performance of your posts, identify the best times to engage with your audience, and gain valuable insights into their preferences. This data-driven approach empowers you to refine your strategy and optimize your content to resonate with your followers.

So, take advantage of visual planners and schedule your way to success on Instagram. By planning ahead and visualizing your feed, you can ensure a consistent and engaging flow of content. Building anticipation among your followers and staying organized will help you create a cohesive and professional presence on the platform. Get ready to level up your Instagram game and enjoy the benefits of a well-planned and visually stunning feed.

Break the Rules and Have a Blast: When it comes to Instagram, it’s not all about sticking to the conventional norms. Yes, maintaining a cohesive feed is essential, but that doesn’t mean you have to play it safe all the time. In fact, Instagram is the perfect platform to let your creativity run wild and have a ton of fun along the way!

While consistency is key, don’t be afraid to break the rules and infuse your content with a unique twist. Think outside the box and experiment with different styles, themes, and formats. Surprise your audience with unexpected delights that showcase your personality and spark their curiosity.

Remember, the ultimate goal is to create content that resonates with your audience. Experiment with different styles, themes, and formats to find what captivates their attention. Pay attention to the content that receives the most engagement and adjust your approach accordingly. It’s all about finding a balance between what you love to create and what your audience loves to see.

Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and surprise your audience with unexpected delights. Share behind-the-scenes moments, offer exclusive insights, or create interactive content that encourages participation. By providing unique and valuable experiences, you’ll keep your audience excited and eagerly anticipating your next post.

In the end, it’s the genuine connection you establish with your audience that matters most. So, enjoy the process, embrace your authenticity, and focus on engaging and delighting your followers. By creating content that resonates with them, actively engaging in conversations, and providing unique experiences, you’ll build a loyal and enthusiastic community that will eagerly follow your Instagram journey.

If you follow these steps, you can easily create and maintain a professional looking cohesive Instagram feed your audience will love. By utilizing your brand guidelines, keeping consistency in filters and editing styles, getting creative with your grid layout, utilizing templates, scheduling your posts, and not being afraid to break the rules, you can enhance your brand recognition on Instagram and create an amazing feed.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *