Content Strategy for Instagram with an Instagram Strategist

Delegation

Jul 23

do you need an instagram strategist to create a content strategy for instagram?

As business owners, we’re constantly trying to figure out the best way to market our business, questioning what we’re doing now and what we’ve done in the past, and working to keep things always moving forward.

I’ve polled several business owners just like you and many of them (perhaps yourself as well) are always looking for new ways to make their Instagram strategy work more for them and just want a content strategy for Instagram that works for them and their business.

In this blog, I will share insights from my business friend, Sydney O’Brien of Socially Yours, in regards to creating a content strategy for Instagram and how she helps mompreneurs turn Instagram into a sales tool without the stress.

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To be perfectly honest, social media is not my strong suit. Sure, I can create pretty images and write nice captions, but the strategy behind it has never been something I’ve been great with, which is why I’ve asked Sydney a number of questions about Instagram, creating a content strategy for Instagram, and what a Certified Instagram Strategist, which Sydney is, does.

Who is Instagram for?

Sydney: “Personal brands tend to do really well on Instagram. That is partly because the platform is built around connection, and it is easier to show personality and build trust when you are the face of the business. People want to work with people, and Instagram makes it easy to create that kind of connection through content.

That said, success on Instagram really comes down to whether your audience is using the platform. I have worked with coaches, freelancers, product-based businesses, medical practices, and lawyers. All of them have seen results when the strategy fits their business goals and their audience is active on Instagram.”

I love that anyone can find success on Instagram, it makes it such a versatile platform.

Are There Any Businesses You Wouldn’t Recommend Instagram for?

Sydney: “I would not say Instagram is wrong for any specific type of business, but I would say it is not worth the time if your audience is not there or if you do not have a clear goal for using it. It should be part of a larger strategy, not just something you feel like you have to do because everyone else is.”

I feel this deeply! When I first started my business, I found a lot of success on Instagram, but as my business evolved, I found it much harder to connect with my audience and my following.

Maybe I should consider working with Sydney…

What is an Instagram Strategy?

Sydney: “An Instagram strategy is your marketing strategy, customized for how Instagram works. It is not just about showing up and posting. It is about having a clear plan that connects your content to real business results.”

What Exactly Does an Instagram Strategy Entail?

Sydney: “On the marketing side, it starts with attracting the right people. Not just any followers, but people who are actually a good fit for your offer. Then it moves them through the buyer’s journey with purpose. Your content helps them get to know you, builds trust over time, and leads them toward becoming a client or customer, depending on your business model.

From an Instagram perspective, it also means understanding how to work with the platform, not against it. That includes using features like Reels, Stories, and DMs in a way that increases visibility and deepens connection. It is not just about what you post, but how and where you show up so that your content is actually seen and acted on.

A real Instagram strategy ties it all together. It helps you stop spinning your wheels chasing likes or trends, and instead use Instagram as a tool that supports your goals and saves you time. Every post has a job to do, and the strategy is what makes that happen.”

Who Needs a Content Strategy for Instagram?

Everyone using Instagram as a marketing platform who wants to get leads from Instagram. If Instagram is part of your marketing platform, you need a content strategy for Instagram. And your strategy for Instagram may not be the same as your strategy for Facebook, LinkedIn, or any other platform you are using for marketing.

What is an Instagram Strategist?

Sydney: “An Instagram strategist helps business owners use Instagram in a way that supports what their business actually needs. For some, that might be more visibility or brand awareness. For others, it is about getting clients, booking calls, or making sales. It is not just about showing up consistently or following trends. It is about having a strategy that aligns with your goals and uses the platform to move people from follower to buyer.”

So basically, an Instagram Strategist is someone who can help you build a content strategy for Instagram that meets your exact Instagram goals.

What Does it Mean if an Instagram Strategist is Certified?

Sydney: “For me, getting certified started with learning the bigger picture. I took several digital marketing courses to understand how all the pieces work together. Then I narrowed my focus to Instagram and Meta, where I got certified in strategy and platform-specific tools. That training covered everything from content planning and audience growth to understanding the algorithm and using features like Reels, Stories, and DMs in a strategic way.

So when I say I’m a certified Instagram strategist, it means I’m trained to help business owners use Instagram intentionally, based on their unique goals, not just what’s trending that week.”

Honestly, I think the courses Sydney took and the knowledge she possesses are a huge asset. It seems like every week there is a new “Instagram Pro” out there trying to sell to you exactly how to make Instagram work for you because they were able to make it work for them.

The thing is, just because their content strategy for Instagram worked for them does not mean it will work for you because they likely had different goals and a strategy that doesn’t align with your needs.

How is an Instagram Strategist Different from a Social Media Manager?

Sydney: “An Instagram strategist is focused on creating a plan that aligns your Instagram content with your overall business goals. That could mean attracting new leads, building trust with your audience, getting more people to book calls, or increasing sales. It is not just about what to post or when to post. It is about making sure your Instagram presence is doing something specific to move your business forward, having your posts work together to lead to that end goal for your business.

A social media manager is typically responsible for the day-to-day tasks. They might write captions, schedule posts, engage with comments, and manage multiple platforms. They keep things running smoothly, but they are not always thinking through the full strategy or how each post supports a bigger business objective.”

What I learned that Sydney did not directly say is that if you have a social media manager, you need to already have your strategy down. So you need a content strategy for Instagram before you ever hire a social media manager to create your daily content. Without an Instagram strategy guiding them, your social media manager may just be posting to the void and not actually bringing in sales or helping you reach your goals.

How Sydney O’Brien Works with Her Clients as a Certified Instagram Strategist

I was curious as to how Sydney works with her clients to craft a content strategy for Instagram and how she prefers to show up for her audience.

As an Instagram Strategist, Do You Actually Post for People, Or Help Them Figure Out What to Post?

Sydney: “A little of both. I have a membership where I help business owners figure out exactly what to post based on their audience, their offer, and where they are in their marketing strategy. It is not just about giving them a list of ideas. It is about helping them understand how each post moves their audience closer to working with them.

I also work with a handful of management clients, where I handle the posting for them. That includes writing their content, planning out their strategy, and making sure everything aligns with their business goals.

In addition to that, I offer mini trainings and digital resources for people who want to DIY their Instagram with a little guidance. For example, I have resources on how to write a profile that attracts the right followers or how to create posts that people actually read and respond to. Whether someone wants support with the big picture or just one specific part, I try to meet them where they are.”

Tell Us About Your Main Offer

Sydney: “My main offer is Post With Purpose, a membership that helps business owners create a real Instagram strategy they can actually follow. It is built around my five-part framework that takes someone from discovering your content to becoming a client or customer. Inside the membership, members get weekly post prompts that guide them through each step of that process. Every prompt has a purpose, whether it is designed to help you grow your audience, increase engagement, build connection, deepen trust, or make the sale.”

That helps with the content strategy for Instagram, but what about the other pieces of the puzzle?

How Does Your Offer Help Build Strategy?

Sydney: “Strategy is more than just what to post. That is why members also get access to trainings that show them how to use Instagram’s features in a way that supports their goals. Things like how to start conversations in the DMs that actually go somewhere, or how to read and understand your insights so you can keep improving what you post.

The goal of Post With Purpose is to take the stress and guesswork out of Instagram. You are not just showing up to stay consistent. You are showing up with a plan that helps your content work together to move your business forward.”

Final Thoughts

Creating a content strategy for Instagram is often something business owners overlook. We tend to just want to post without really having to think about the strategy behind it. But when we’re ready to scale grow our businesses with ease, hiring a certified Instagram strategist might be the right move to help us take off some of the marketing pressure so we can move into our CEO era.

About Sydney O’Brien

Sydney O’Brien is a Certified Instagram Strategist and the founder of Socially, Yours. She helps busy mompreneurs turn their Instagram into a sales tool without the stress. Through her 5-step strategy and her signature membership, Post With Purpose, her templates and trainings have been downloaded by over 3,000 women looking to make more sales in less time. When she’s not coaching or creating content, she’s probably reheating her coffee for the third time and dodging rogue Legos.

Plan It, Post It, Profit is a free 5-day challenge that helps entrepreneurs plan a full month of strategic Instagram content that leads to sales. Just 10 minutes a day to stop guessing and start posting with purpose.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the best content strategy for Instagram?

The best content strategy for Instagram is the one that aligns with your goals that you will actually use. If you aren’t going to follow a strategy, it’s completely useless. So, when working on a content strategy, be sure that you are taking into account not only what results you want, but how much effort you are willing to realistically put into your Instagram marketing.

What is the 5-3-1 rule on Instagram?

This is an Instagram engagement strategy that is trending. Every day you are supposed to like 5 posts, comment on 3 posts, and that should gain you 1 new follower. Please note that this is not fool proof and is not guaranteed to work. I suggest looking at your metrics, your time, and your strategy as a whole to determine if this is feasible for you.

What are the 3 Cs of Instagram?

The 3 Cs are the things you need to succeed on Instagram.

Content Creation
Consistency
Creativity

Remember that these things, especially consistency, look different for everyone and you should consider them when creating your content strategy for Instagram, but not forget all the other important pieces and parts of creating your strategy.