When is the Best Time to Post on Instagram? And Other IG Tips

Let me be real with you: if you ask me what’s working on Instagram right now, I’ll tell you the truth — I have no idea. And that’s because I don’t do social media. My marketing heart belongs to email and long-form content, and an overarching ecosystem. But I know you still may want to show up on Instagram, and probably are asking questions like “When is the Best Time to Post on Instagram?”. So, I brought in someone who does know what’s working: Serena Waller, founder of Dande Agency and host of the Swell Social Hour podcast. She’s your new social media guardian angel. Serena works with wedding pros and creatives, helping them simplify their Instagram marketing with systems, strategy, and sanity-saving tips. And today? She’s breaking it all down for us. If you’re a course creator trying to figure out whether Instagram is even worth your time—or how to make it more worth your time—this one’s for you. Links and Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Checkout the Chasing Simple Content Planner to align your content with your business goals!!Action Step: Check your analytics from Instagram for 30-, 60-, and 90-days. Figure out what has been working in your audience, and if you have time repurpose some longer form content into short form Instagram worthy content.Serena’s Business Book Rec: Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamwork by Dan SullivanSerena’s Leisure Book Rec: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris WhitakerFind us on Instagram and tell us what you thought of this episode: @mrsamandawarfield and @dandeagency First Things First: Know Your Goal Before you dive into what content to post or how often to post it, you need to know what role Instagram plays in your business. Serena says this is everything. Ask yourself: Do I want to grow my audience?Do I want to stay visible to the audience I already have?Do I want to build connection and deepen trust? Spoiler: the answer isn’t always all three. Depending on your business model, service suite, and where your leads are coming from, Instagram might just be a visibility tool or a way to repurpose existing content. And that’s okay. What’s Actually Working on Instagram Right Now? If you’re trying to grow, connect, or just keep the lights on with your Instagram presence, here are the strategies Serena says are actually working right now: 1. Trial Reels These are reels that Instagram shows only to people who don’t already follow you. They’re basically your secret tool for growth. They don’t show up on your grid unless you choose to add them later, and they work like a cold audience ad: “Hey stranger, here’s what I offer.” 2. Series-Based Content Break one longer piece of content into multiple posts (hello repurposing!). Think: part 1, part 2, part 3. It keeps people coming back for more. 3. Raw, Unfiltered Content Forget the curated perfection. Authentic, behind-the-scenes moments are trending. Think casual Reels, honest captions, and vulnerable stories. 4. Stories for Visibility This one surprised me: Instagram stories are now being shown to strangers. They used to just nurture your current followers. Now they can help you grow, too. Even more reason to show up. 5. Collab Posts Co-posting with another account (hello, new audiences!) is a fast-track strategy for increasing your reach. Match Your Strategy to Your Goal Depending on your goal, here’s what you should focus on: If your goal is growth: Prioritize trial reels and collab postsPost at least 3 times a week (but more = better)Use SEO-rich captions and alt text If your goal is visibility: Show up regularly in Stories and on your gridCreate shareable content (think: relatable quotes, useful tips, or fun carousels)Use carousels and vertical posts—skip the single graphics If your goal is connection: Get social in the DMs (it actually boosts your algorithm too!)Share personal stories, client wins, or hot takesBe consistent and authentic in your voice and presence How Often Should You Be Posting? Serena says: 3x a week minimum if you want results. But that doesn’t mean 3 new reels, carousels, and stories every single week from scratch. You can: Take one blog post and turn it into 3-4 Instagram postsPull a snippet from your podcast and turn it into a reelCreate a behind-the-scenes story from the same day you record your YouTube video And if you’re just getting started? One reel and one post per week, both repurposed from other content you’re already creating, is enough. What to Avoid on Instagram in 2025 Serena sees these mistakes all the time: Single images or graphics (they’re out. Carousels are in.)Square formats (go portrait/vertical instead)No alt text or SEO in captionsNot using Instagram’s built-in features like links, tags, collabs, or integrated calendar tools Also? Don’t ignore your analytics. They tell you everything you need to know about what’s working and what’s not. Simple Reels That Are ...