Hey actor! You’ve got a beautifully creative mind and stories that are waiting to be released into the world…but figuring out how to best showcase that to move your acting career forward on Instagram can be harder than it sounds.

There are so many different ways to produce content these days that it can be SO overwhelming. Plus, we already have so much on our plates as actors that we don’t always have a ton of time to devote to social media marketing. I get it. As a marketing consultant (and an actor), I’ve worked with tons of clients who had these same issues and fears when it comes to Instagram. But the good news is, we always figure out a plan that works for them. It’s about working smarter, not harder.

I’m doing the heavy lifting for you when it comes to brainstorming new content for Instagram, so you can save the bulk of your creativity for what really matters - the craft of acting. To celebrate another amazing round of Marketing for Creatives 101 coming up soon, I’ve put together an epic cheat sheet of 50+ Instagram Post Ideas that are perfect for actors and creatives of all kinds. Read through the full post to get the scoop on the 4 main types of content you’re able to produce on Instagram (and how to do it) so that you’re prepped and ready to implement my content ideas I’ve brainstormed for you.

Or…if you don’t need the full rundown on Instagram and just want help brainstorming content creation ideas? CLICK HERE to get the Free Actor’s Instagram Guide right now.

why should actors use instagram?

Instagram is one of my favorite social media platforms for actors - simply because there are so many different benefits you can get from the tool if you play your cards right. Need more convincing? Here’s a quick run down of some of the possibilities for actors on Instagram.

• It’s a visual medium. As actors, we work in a visual medium so the fact that Instagram is built primarily around images and videos makes it an ideal place to show off our stuff. They even have multiple routes for video content, providing many opportunities to get creative.

• Build a community of friends and fans. Getting active on Instagram can help you develop a following of people who care about you and what you’re up to. They’ll celebrate your successes with you, and be there for the hard times. It’s like having your own virtual cheering squad!

• Create industry connections with casting or filmmakers. With the right online networking skills, you can get on the radar of casting directors and filmmakers from around the world. You never know when you might just be the perfect missing piece to their puzzles.

• Get connected with agents or managers. Did you know I first connected with my agent on Instagram? It’s true! And the possibility is there for you too, whether you’re looking for local representation or expanding your team into other markets!

• Give back to your community and leave a positive impact. Good social media content provides value to followers. No matter what your personal style is, you have the chance to make a positive impact on the world with the content you create.

• Get inspired by other artists. Social media is supposed to be social, right? You have the chance to make friends with other actors, get inspired by their content, and maybe even team up to create something amazing together.

• Get more eyes on your talent and content. Have you made a short film, sketch, or character series that you want to world to see? Smart marketing on Instagram can help. Plus, the more incredible content you create, the more you’ll contribute to building a following of your work.

4 ways actors can stand out on instagram

Share your personality

Throw out the idea that you have to act a certain way to be cool online. The “actor” persona is old news. These days, people truly want to see the real you! So get on with ya bad self and let that personality shine!

Show off your special skills

Social media is a great place to show off skills that aren’t directly related to acting, but can absolutely support your career. Because after all, the most interesting thing about you can’t be that you’re an actor. So share an update on how those guitar or krav maga lessons are going, or create a funny sketch that gives you an opportunity to show off your language skills.

Be a human, not an actor robot

People connect with people. So be yourself! Don’t be afraid to get vulnerable every once and a while. It helps followers feel like they’re talking to a friend and create a more invested emotional connection with you. Besides, you’re more interesting when you share your humanity, too.

Serve, don’t sell

We call them “sleazy car salesmen” for a reason. Don’t be one. If you’re constantly selling and asking for things from your audience, they won’t be too happy to see you. Instead, think about ways you can serve your audience first. Provide value in the form of information, encouragement, laughter, stories, or excitement. Then every once and a while you can ask for their help.

Main Feed instagram Posts

If you’re familiar at all with Instagram, this is the type of content most people are used to seeing and sharing. The main feed posts are the original function of the Instagram app. These are photos or videos that are kept on your main profile tab and shared with your followers on the Home page feed. These posts can consist of one or several images/videos (up to 60-seconds in length). Simply click the Plus (+) button in the middle of the bottom menu. You have the option to capture the content right there in the Instagram app, or select media from your phone library by clicking the small square to the bottom left of the screen.

Now that you’ve selected your post, click through to the next screen. Each main feed post can be customized with filters and basic editing functions to adjust brightness, saturation, highlights, sharpness, etc. Once you’ve adjusted your media to your liking, you’ll proceed to the next screen again. Here is where you’ll have the chance to add a Caption, Location Tag, Tagging other accounts, Hashtags, and Share the post to other platforms. Finally, hit the “Share” button and watch your content soar!

instagram STORIES

Stories are one of the most powerful tools on Instagram. Ever noticed those little circles along the top of your Home page on Instagram? Those are where all your friends’ Stories are kept. You can also access stories by visiting a profile and clicking on the profile image (yours and others!). The Story feature has many opportunities for actors, but let’s chat about the basics first. Stories are only viewable for 24 hours after they are posted. Then they are stored in your “Archive” which can be found in your settings area. However, they will not be able to be seen by your followers again unless you save them to the Story Highlight section, which is on your profile, directly underneath your bio.

Stories can consist of images, video (up to 15 seconds), and shared posts from others. You have the option to add text, filters, effects, music, games, links, questions, polls, GIFs, stickers, a donation button, and so much more! Many people use Stories to share a main feed post they recently released, share IGTV videos, Reels, or as a way to share updates about their days that might not warrant an entire post on the main feed. They’re short, sweet, and fleeting, but provide great opportunities to connect with your audience on a more personal level.

To access the Stories function, simply swipe right from the Home page. Then, check to make sure that you are on the “Story” setting along the bottom menu. From here you can tap or hold the circle button to take an image or video within the app, and proceed to edit. Or, you can click the square in the bottom left corner to select media from your phone’s library. Want to select more than one piece of content at a time? Simply tap the layered square button that appears on the top right above your phone library. Then tap the multiple images or videos you’d like to upload as Stories. You’ll be able to tap through to edit each one to your liking before hitting “Send”.

Not sure where to get started with Instagram Stories that actually work for your acting career? I have a cheat sheet for you! Click here.

IGTV

If you’re feeling bummed out by the fact that regular posts can only have up to 60 seconds of video content on Instagram, fear not! IGTV videos are here to save the day! IGTV content will live in its own unique tab on your profile (it’ll look like a little TV icon in between your main grid and the tagged photos section). There are two ways of creating IGTV videos. The first is via the main post button (big ‘plus’ sign in the middle of your bottom menu). Simply select your video (must be longer than 1 minute), and hit the “Next” button. You’ll then be presented with the option to post it as a Short or Long Video. Select the “Long Video” option for IGTV.

The second way to share to IGTV is by leveraging the Instagram Live option on Stories. At the end of your Live session, you will have the option to save the video to your profile as IGTV content. However you get there, be it an upload or post-Live stream, you’ll then be presented with the opportunity to give your IGTV video a Title, Description, and Cover Image. Be sure to treat the description section just like you would a caption on any other Instagram post. You can also include hashtags in this area, or in a comment beneath the video.

After those steps, you’ll also determine whether you’d like the video to only remain in the IGTV section, or also create a short version to post on your main feed as well. After that, all that’s left is to hit the big blue button to send it out in the world. Once your IGTV has been shared, you can post a 15-sec clip to your Stories as well to get the word out about your new content!

Get 50+ ideas for strategic Instagram posts in the Actor’s Instagram Guide - for free!

instagram Reels

Reels is Instagram’s answer to Tiktok. These are 1 to 15-second videos that you can create outside of or within the Instagram app. Similarly to IGTV videos, Reels are stored in their own tab on your main profile. When posting a Reel, you’ll have the opportunity to also share it to your main profile tab in addition to the Reels tab. Once shared, Reels are released to your followers on the Home page in addition to the Explore page, where new people might stumble across your content.

Not sure where to begin with creating a Reel? Here’s the basic breakdown. To create a Reel from the Home page, swipe right as if you were going to create a Story or Live video. On the bottom menu, select Reels (the right most option). You can then take video there within the app, or select pre-created video from your phone’s camera roll by clicking the square in the bottom left corner. Once you’ve chosen your video, or prepared to take it live, you can use the tools on the menu along the left-hand side for enhancement. These include added audio, adjusting the video speed, adding effects, or setting a self-timer.

From this point, you’ll have even more options to customize your Reel video. Similarly to Tiktok, you’ll have the opportunity to trim down the length of your video, add music or audio clips, add text in various font-styles and colors, stickers, GIFs, and so much more. This is definitely a skill that takes practice to master, so get in there and experiment! You can always save the video as a ‘Draft’ if you aren’t ready to post it yet or just want to test out the editing functions. Once you’ve completed editing your video, you’ll arrive on the final screen prior to posting. This is where you can add your caption and hashtags, add a custom cover photo, and determine whether you’d like to share to the Reels area or your main feed as well.

Once you’ve crafted that perfect caption and given the final approval, hit the blue “Share” button to release it to the world. If you’re not quite ready, you can return to edit your video some more using the “Edit” button in the top right corner, or click “Save as Draft” to revisit the Reel at a later time.

Now that you know how to use Reels, let’s get you started with some winning Reels for actors using the Free Actor’s Instagram Guide!

Ready to really get down to business and learn about how social media marketing can help your acting career? I’d love to work with you! You can join me virtually in Marketing for Creatives 101 - where we teach you everything you need to know about social media, content creation, branding, websites, networking, and more.