The era of generic 'five steps to X' content is over. To stand out, marketers must frame their content as stories, whether personal or from clients. This narrative approach fosters a deeper connection with an audience that craves human experiences over sterile information.

Instead of posting a video directly to the feed, place it on the second slide of an Instagram carousel. Use the first slide as a compelling, static text hook. This piques curiosity, encourages a swipe, and can lead to higher engagement and watch time for the video.

Generic, educational hooks are failing. Instagram now favors 'me-centric' hooks where creators share personal perspectives and lived experiences. This approach builds authority and human connection, standing out in an AI-saturated landscape and getting creators out of the '200 view jail'.

Combine a stationary video on the first slide with a direct call-to-action to "hold the dots and scroll." This encourages users to rapidly scrub through a series of nearly identical photos, creating an interactive stop-motion effect that builds anticipation for a final reveal video on the last slide.

As Instagram is flooded with Reels, the less-common carousel format offers a significant reach advantage. Repurpose existing talking-head Reels by creating a two-slide carousel: the first slide is a static image with a compelling headline, and the second slide is the original Reel. This is a low-effort, high-impact strategy.

Data reveals Instagram Reels now achieve double the reach (30%) and engagement of traditional photo or carousel posts (13-14%). With Instagram's head confirming the app is being redesigned around Reels and DMs, marketers should shift all focus to video and deprioritize static image content.

A carousel's first slide needs more than a headline. Add a 'bonus hook' or subtitle that answers the audience's 'Why should I care?' question. This second hook should create high stakes and tap into an emotional outcome, compelling users to swipe through the entire post.

The more time spent scripting, refining, and editing a post, the less authentic it becomes and the worse it typically performs. Higher-performing content often results from reducing the time between the initial idea and hitting 'publish.'

In an era of highly produced brand content, raw, unpolished videos can feel more authentic and are more likely to stop the scroll. This "imperfect" quality is a strategic advantage, not a weakness, as it stands out against overly polished feeds.