The Ultimate Guide to Every IG Feature

What to post to reach your goals.

Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, recently posted a reel explaining the importance of Stories. Essentially, Stories help you deepen connections with your current followers, keeping them engaged and interested in sticking around. People who post regularly to stories see less unfollows than people who don’t.

It got me thinking—each part of Instagram serves a unique purpose, and knowing how to use each of these features properly can determine your success on the app.

So, let’s break down how to use Reels, Carousels, Stories, Single Posts, and Lives to support your goals:

1. Reels: Instagram’s go-to tool for growth. If you’re looking to bring new people into your world, Reels are where you want to focus. They’re meant for bite-sized, niche-related content that’s either entertaining, educational, or both. Whether it’s a quick tip, a behind-the-scenes process, or something funny that only your ideal followers would get, Reels are designed to pull in fresh eyes. Think of Reels as a fun introduction: the content should be engaging enough to make a stranger hit “follow” and stick around to see what else you’ve got.
   

2. Carousels: the multi-photo or slide format posts that allow you to dive deeper into educational content or social proof. These are ideal for followers who are already somewhat familiar with you and need more convincing to make a purchase or stay engaged. Carousels are perfect for “How-to” guides, client testimonials, or before-and-after transformations. When people swipe through, they’re engaging with more of your content, which signals the algorithm that they’re interested in what you offer. Carousels build trust and nurture the relationship, making them a great tool for moving followers closer to sales or commitment.
   

3. Single Posts: ideal for quick messages like checklists, quotes, or short updates. These are easy to digest and keep you top-of-mind without requiring much commitment from your audience. Single Posts are like friendly little check-ins—short, sweet, and nurturing for your current followers. Use them for quick inspiration, relatable thoughts, or helpful mini-tips. While they don’t always reach new people like Reels do, Single Posts are great for maintaining the relationship with those who already follow you.
   

4. Stories: help to bring out your personality. Share snippets of your day, your family, your hobbies—anything that helps your followers get to know the person behind the profile. Stories are fleeting (they disappear after 24 hours) which makes them perfect for more personal, low-key content. Instagram loves when we use Stories consistently, so show up as you are. If Reels bring new people in, Stories help them feel like part of your inner circle, which ultimately leads to stronger community ties and even sales.
   

5. Lives: connect with your followers in real-time, a fantastic way to deepen community. Lives work best when you have a mix of educational content and personal engagement. You can answer questions, share expertise, or just chat about your week. Lives are a great space to build trust because your followers can see and hear you in real-time. Even though they might seem intimidating, they’re an excellent way to show your authenticity and make your followers feel like they’re getting exclusive access.

Each part of Instagram has its own superpower, so think about your goals and mix things up to see what works best. Using a combination of these tools helps you stay dynamic and reach your followers in different ways, from casual connections in Stories to informative Carousels that build trust. The best part? You don’t have to do it all at once. Pick what feels most aligned with your goals right now, and start experimenting!

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This week: dancing to the beat of your own drum, everything you’re doing wrong, and how to save someone from falling off a cliff.

HOP ON THESE TRENDS:

If I was your Instagram strategist, here are 3 Reels I’d encourage you to recreate for your brand: