
Content Strategy


How to Make Your Instagram Content Work for You?
Rules of Instagram:
If you’re using Instagram for your business or personal brand, you’ve probably wondered how to get your posts to really perform.
Whether you’re building a brand, promoting a product, or simply trying to grow your community, optimising your content is key.
So, how do you make sure your content is doing the most for you?
Here are the three simple rules I follow every time I post. Stick to these, and you’ll see the difference!
1️⃣ Content Strategy: Keep It Simple but Effective
A good Instagram strategy is all about being intentional and consistent.
Here’s what I mean:
Cohesion:
- Every post should look and feel like it belongs to you. Does it fit with your brand vibe? Does it match your style and voice? If yes, then you’re on the right track.
Content Pillars:
- Focus on three main topics. These will be your go-to themes for all your posts. Think of them as the pillars of your content—whether it’s educational tips, inspiration, or behind-the-scenes looks.
- These pillars will make it easier to stay focused, and your audience will know what to expect from you.
Consistency is Key:
- Posting sporadically won’t do the trick. Stick to a schedule that works for you and keep showing up.
- Whether that’s 3-5 times a week or going live every Friday, just stay consistent and the Instagram algorithm will love you for it.
Pro tip: Batch-create your content ahead of time so you’re always ready to go, even on those busy days!
2️⃣ Content Optimisation: Work Smarter, Not Harder 💖
It’s not just about pretty pictures and fun captions—your content needs to work for you.
Here’s how to optimise every post:
Use Keywords:
- Think of Instagram like a mini search engine. Use keywords in your captions to help people find your posts.
- The right words help Instagram know what your content is about, making it easier to get discovered.
Hashtags:
- Don’t sleep on hashtags! Use ones that relate to your location, audience, and industry.
- Be strategic with a mix of popular, niche, and branded hashtags to get the best reach.
Trending Audio:
- If you’re making Reels, using trending sounds can boost your visibility.
- Instagram tends to push content that uses popular audio, so make the most of it!
Strong Hooks:
- You need something that grabs attention right away. It could be a catchy caption, a bold headline, or even a cool visual in your video.
- Hooks are what stop people mid-scroll, so don’t skip this step!
Pro tip: Keep an eye on Instagram Insights to see what hashtags and keywords work best for you.
3️⃣ Community Engagement: Don’t Just Post and Ghost 🫵🏻
Instagram is a two-way street—engagement is just as important as posting. Here’s how to boost engagement and grow your community:
Engage 10-20 Minutes Before Posting:
- Spend time liking, commenting, and interacting with other people’s content before you post.
- This helps prime the algorithm to show your content to more people as soon as you hit publish.
Inbound Engagement:
- Show love to the people you already follow. Like their posts, leave thoughtful comments, and respond to their stories.
- Building these relationships will encourage them to engage with your posts too.
Outbound Engagement:
- Don’t limit yourself to just your followers. Go find new accounts and interact with people who don’t follow you yet.
- This will expand your reach and introduce your profile to new potential followers.
Engage with Ideal Clients:
- Engage with big accounts in your niche, especially those whose followers align with your target audience.
- Meaningful comments can catch the attention of both the account owner and their followers, which can help you grow your own following.
Pro tip: Set aside 15-20 minutes a day for community engagement, whether it’s in the morning or during your lunch break. It’s a small-time investment with a big payoff!
By following these simple rules, you’ll notice your Instagram content starts to perform better, and the leads will start rolling in. 😍
Consistency and engagement are key—stick with it, and you’ll see results.

10 Easy Steps To Brilliant Content Strategy
1. GOALS
Define goals using SMART framework ⬇️
➡️ SPECIFIC, MEASURABLE, ACHIEVABLE, RELEVANT, TIME-BOUND
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- Specific: Get crystal clear on what you want to achieve.
- Measurable: Keep your progress in check with measurable goals.
- Achievable: Dream big, but keep it real.
- Relevant: Make sure your goal aligns with your personal values.
- Time-bound: Give your goal a deadline.
2. BRANDING
Recognise your audience.
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- Building trust starts with acknowledging and empathising with your audience’s needs.
- Remember, it’s not just about sharing your message. It’s about engaging in meaningful conversations and forging lasting relationships.
- So, listen attentively, respond authentically, and let the connection be your guiding force.
Define your values.
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- Whether it’s:
- integrity
- innovation
- empathy
- Whether it’s:
Embrace your purpose – Why do you do what you do?
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- Your brand’s purpose is more than just a statement; it’s the driving force behind everything you undertake.
- Whether your purpose is to inspire, educate, or entertain, understanding your ‘why’ adds depth and meaning to your journey.
Envisioning your brand’s future – Where do you see your brand heading?
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- Your brand vision serves as a roadmap, guiding you towards your goals and inspiring others to join you on your journey.
- Share your vision with authenticity and enthusiasm.
3. TARGET AUDIENCE
- Understanding your audience and creating accurate buyer personas takes time.
Clearly Define Your Target Audience:
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- Before you start creating content, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of who your audience is.
- This involves identifying the demographics, interests, behaviours, and preferences of the people you want to reach.
- For example, if you’re a small business owner aspiring to become a marketing leader, your target audience might include other small business owners, entrepreneurs, or individuals interested in marketing strategies.
- Whether you’re selling products or services, the principles remain the same. By aligning your content with the needs and interests of your audience, you increase the likelihood of engagement and conversions.
- Voice and Tone: Knowing your audience helps you determine the appropriate voice and tone for your content.
4. CONTENT PILLARS
Understand the audience’s interest:
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- Identify topics relevant to your audience’s interests and your brand’s niche.
- Ensure your content remains engaging and valuable.
Define topics and subtopics:
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- Choose relevant topics that align with your target audience’s needs and preferences.
Review existing content:
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- Audit current content to identify potential pillars and clusters.
Conduct keyword research:
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- Identify related keywords for potential ranking opportunities.
- Select keywords that align with your content pillars to enhance search visibility and attract organic traffic.
Create pillar content:
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- Ensure your content is well-structured, informative, and user-friendly to enhance engagement.
5. COMPETITOR RESEARCH
Research your competitors on Instagram and pay attention to:
Keywords
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- Identify related keywords for boosting reach and visibility on social media.
Hashtags
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- Research what are your competitors using and check their frequency.
Hooks
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- What are your competitors using as a hook?
- This is the hook in the video or graphic, but also in the caption.
- By identifying their captivating hooks, you can adjust your content to perform best.
Content types and formats
Messaging
- What is the style of writing?
6. CONTENT CREATION
- Add your content pillars to a calendar.
- Have all of your content strategy in one place.
- Create static content in Canva and use b-rolls videos for reels – draft everything to have it ready.
7. PROFILE OPTIMISATION + AUDIT
Does your “about you” include relevant, important information?
Don’t forget to:
8. METRICS
- Record analytics from each platform to one sheet to have it all organised in one place.
- Adjust your content strategy according to your metrics.
9. ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
Engage with:
- Make sure you leave valuable comments that can spark conversations.
10. CONSISTENCY

Instagram Guide – Keep up with your competitors!
I have put together the ultimate Instagram guide – optimise your content and get insights on your competitors 🤩
I realise that it can feel overwhelming to start from scratch, but it’s easy if you break it down into sections.
The ultimate Instagram guide for you!
Branding
- Fonts – external fonts + Instagram fonts.
- Colours – external colours (consistent) + Instagram fonts (for stories).
- Logo – consistent in graphics.
- Voice and tone – consistent – engagement – comments, DMs, captions, posts.
- Brand Value and brand purpose.

Research
Ideal Client
- Who do you work with?
- Who are your products for?
- What are their desires?
- Pain points – What do they struggle with?
- How does your product/service help with their problems?
Client research ➡️ Competitor research
Competitor Research
Instagram search will give you insights about:
- The type of content that your competitors are producing.
- Keyword usage – where, how, what…
- Messaging – What messaging does your audience react to?

➡️ Instagram search – research pain points and see what content comes up – pay attention to:
- Keywords
- Pay attention to keywords that the competitor used.
- How did they include in the content?

- Hooks
- What type of hook works in your niche?
- Note them down and create your own variations.
- Hashtags – Pay attention to hashtags and don’t forget to check the traffic (how many people used it before).
- Type of content
- long-form or short-form videos
- static posts – carousel or photos
Instagram BIO
Answer important questions:
- What do you do?
- Include the niche or industry you are an expert in and mention.
- Why are you the authority?
- Include certifications, achievements or just why you think people should follow you.
- This is where you mention your brand values.
- Who do you help?
- Who is your target audience ➡️ Who can you help? ➡️ Who is your product for?
- Where?
- Include your location if relevant.
Content Creation
Stories
➡️ Highlights
- about
- services/products – booking, onboarding, informations
- testimonials
- successful stories
Strategy
- promotional content – aligned with branding
- services/products
- How do they solve your customers’ problems?
- optimised
- keywords and hashtags included
- consistency
Engagement
Slowly build a community.
Read my blog to find out how:
Remember – the most important thing is to stay consistent.
I hope that this article has helped you udnerstand that it doesn’t need to be hard. Start with competitor and audience research. Don’t forget to include keywords in your content and stay consistent with your branding.
Social media strategy for tattoo artists
Tattoo artists on social media – everything you need to know!
Content strategy
Set objectives using the SMART framework
Create a content strategy that is:
- cohesive
- consistent
- targeted
- clear objectives
Content pillars – 3 main topics
Tattoo
- showcase tattoos
- film the tattooing process
Behind the scenes
- preparing for a tattoo
- client consultations
- drawing stencils and tattoo flashes
- studio – opening/closing, cleaning
Life – include yourself in the content
- day in life
- favourite places around
- give your audience more info about yourself
Content ideas
Entertaining
- Transitions
- “Tap” the skin before, with stencil on and a done tattoo.
- Film your stencil and shake your phone; do the same shake when you film the finished tattoo.
- Tattooing
- simply shoot yourself as you prep for a tattoo, meet the client, tattoo and a finished product – keep each of these max 3s long
- Stencil application.
- Drawing freehand (from reference).
- Film the tattooing process and slowly reveal how it’s becoming a whole tattoo.
- Don’t forget to share clients’ stories – What did they want and how did you make their story “alive”?
- simply shoot yourself as you prep for a tattoo, meet the client, tattoo and a finished product – keep each of these max 3s long
- Inspirational/promotional – share your story
- How did you become a tattoo artist?
- When did you decide you wanted to do tattooing as a career?
- How does it affect your life?
- What (and where) course/degree did you study?
- How did you land on your tattoo style?
- Share photos/videos of the studio before and after.
- Educational – show your opinion
- Tattoo myth debunked.
- Share what you think about certain myths
- Tips on how to treat a fresh tattoo.
- Common “complications” with a fresh tattoo.
- Show fresh and healed tattoos.
- Common misconceptions about tattoos/tattooing.
Social media content
- Create content for your targeted audience.
- Mix-up formats:
- Reels – create engaging videos and add trending audio to increase visibility.
- Posts – create carousels showcasing your expertise. This gives you space to showcase your skills in different formats.
- Stories – Include promotions, free flashes, day-to-day life etc.
- Videos – shoot videos that you can repost on TikTok or Youtube shorts.
Instagram profile optimisation
Your profile NEEDS to include these elements:
- Thanks to keywords people can find you better and your content will pop up to the relevant audience.
- These would be words like “tattoo”, “tattoo artist”; “tattoo studio London” etc.
- This is anything about your business you want to highlight.
- Create a brand story and let it shine through in your content
- Location is a crucial part of SEO.
- Include it in your BIO, as well as posts and stories.
BIO
- Instagram BIO should answer these questions:
- Why should people choose you as their tattoo artist?
- Who is your service for?
- What do you specialise in?
- Where are you located?
Highlights and pinned posts
- These give you the opportunity to introduce yourself as a tattoo artist, but also your business.
- Include information like pricing, about, tattoo flashes etc.
- Here is what I usually include for my clients:
- Booking information – how and where to book?
- Free flashes – designs that are free for people to choose from.
- About you (your work) and your studio.
- Healing information.
Creating content on social media doesn’t need to be hard. As a tattoo artist, you have a lot of options. Don’t be afraid to be creative with it!
Increase the quality of your content!
Quality content tips
This is how you can increase the quality of your content with minimal effort ⬇️
- Pack your content with value.
- Know your audience and be relevant. Find out how to identify your target audience here.
- Stay consistent with your brand (this is not only colours and font but also voice).
- Be authentic and let your personality shine through.
- Follow your brand values.
- Include this in your captions to improve them:
Create connections ✨
But it’s much easier to:
- leave genuine comments
- spark conversations
- foster a community
- create content that your audience resonates with
This guide will help you create a community and understand your audience better.
Tips to improve the quality of your Instagram
Quality
Saving
- stay organised by creating different folders
- get inspired by your competitors’ content
- let the algorithm know what you and your brand are about
Following relevant accounts
Keywords
- Know your target audience and use words that resonate with them.
- Hashtags – relevant ones, below 50k
Trending audio (10-20k)
- use different types
- the best is with beat so you can time the text to the music
- aligned with your brand
Posting before your audience is active
- engage with them before
- this lets the algorithm know that you’re an active account
Trends (1 a week) if relevant
- impression boost
- engaging
- gives the audience a different perspective on your brand
Strong hook
- hook your audience so they read that caption
Reel overlay text
- don’t just add the title and “read in caption”
- create and tiny story within the reel that entices viewers to read the caption
- Post reels to your stories right after you post, but make sure it’s not the only story you have on
Not too destructive background
- busy background can confuse the viewers and hurt your reach
Engagement
- before – like all comments and engage with each profile
- after – engage in stories for 10 minutes and on your FYP for 10
- if you can answer to comments on your new reel immediately
Final tips – improve your content strategy
1. Engagement
2. Value
3. Keywords
4. Consistency
Don’t give up!
Community Engagement on Social Media
The importance of community engagement
WHY?
HOW?
How do you connect with the right audience?
WHERE?
LinkedIn:
Instagram:
Pinterest:
HOW CAN I HELP?
- reach a wider audience on social media
- generate warm leads
- create a community
- increase engagement rate
- improve content performance
Here are a few important tips:
What will not help you grow on social media?
Do you feel stuck with your social media growth?
This might be the reason why ⬇️
1️⃣ Lack of strategy
Do this instead:
- set objectives
- strategise around them
- commit for 3 months
- track your analytics to see what’s effective
Find a full social media strategy guide here.
2️⃣ Time management
Here are three tips for better time management:
- Prioritise tasks: Identify the most important and urgent tasks on your to-do list and tackle them first.
- Set realistic goals and deadlines: Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps and assign realistic deadlines to each.
- Utilise time-blocking techniques: Allocate specific blocks of time for different activities or tasks throughout your day.
3️⃣ Low engagement
Neglecting your community can damage your brand’s credibility.
Poor engagement levels may undermine trust and reduce your social media reach.
Do this instead:
- make an engagement strategy
- engage with industry professionals
- engage with your potential customers
- answer all DMs and comments promptly
Find out more about engagement and community building here.
4️⃣ No authenticity
Here are three tips for creating a strong brand voice:
- Know your audience: Understand who your target audience is – their preferences, values, and communication style.
- Define your brand personality: Determine the traits and characteristics that best represent your brand.
- Be authentic and consistent: Stay true to your brand’s values and mission.
You will find why authenticity is so important on my Instagram.
5️⃣ Low-quality content
Here are three tips to enhance the quality of your content:
- Focus on providing value: Ensure that every piece of content you create serves a purpose and provides value to your audience.
- Invest in storytelling: Craft compelling narratives that captivate your audience and evoke emotions.
- Prioritise engagement: Encourage interaction and conversation with your audience by asking questions, soliciting feedback, and prompting shares or comments.
How to create content pillars?
Here is why you NEED to include content pillars in your strategy:
1. Enhancing SEO
2. Facilitating Organisation
3. Saving Time
How to Create Content Pillars
Identify Main Topics:
Define Subtopics:
- Promotional Content: Product launches, special offers, customer testimonials
- Instagram Marketing: Engagement strategies, content optimisation, influencer collaborations
- Content Creation: Blogging tips, video production techniques, storytelling methods
Refine with Sub-Subtopics:
- Blogging Tips: SEO best practices, writing techniques, content promotion tactics
Bringing Your Content Pillars to Life
Content Calendar:
Frequency:
Quality Guidelines:
Conclusion
How do you create engaging content?
1️⃣ Hooks
3 Types of Hooks
2️⃣ Value
How to add value to your content to make it engaging?
- Know your audience – identify what type of content your viewers most identify with.
- Be authentic – being transparent in your content is extremely important and helps create trust with your audience.
- Encourage engagement