Instagram is useful if you want to share photos and videos, look for inspiration or keep in touch with people who like the same things. You can also show your work and answer questions. First think about what you want to use the app for: getting ideas, following friends or showing what you make. That helps you decide whether Instagram is right for you.
Below, you will read what you can do with Instagram and how to try it out yourself.
What can you use Instagram for?
You do not have to post a lot to get something out of Instagram. You can also just look, collect ideas or respond to others.
- Keeping in touch: share a photo of your weekend or respond to something a friend is showing.
- Finding inspiration: follow accounts about cooking, clothing, drawing or walking routes.
- Finding people with the same hobby: exchange ideas and ask questions about what others are making.
- Showing your work: collect examples on your profile, such as your illustrations, hairstyles or handmade furniture.
What Instagram gives you is therefore not only about your number of followers. A useful recipe, a pleasant conversation or a question about your work may be worth more to you.
For example, are you looking for ideas for your balcony? Then look specifically at a few accounts about small gardens. That way, you know why you are opening the app instead of simply continuing to scroll.
Is Instagram useful in the Netherlands and Belgium?
That mainly depends on the people you want to follow or reach. A nationwide user count does not tell you whether your friends, hobby group or potential customers are active there.
You can check whether Instagram is a useful place for you as follows:
- Search for your hobby, profession or town. Think of ceramics in Ghent or walking around Nijmegen.
- Look at the posts. Has anything been posted recently? Do you see questions or conversations about things that interest you?
- Ask others. Ask a few friends or customers where they look for this kind of photo, tip or product.
- Take part yourself. Share something about the subject or ask a question. See whether a conversation develops.
A few relevant conversations give you a first impression. They do not yet mean that everyone you are looking for uses Instagram.
When is Instagram useful for your business?
Instagram can be useful if you can show what you do clearly with photos or videos. You can present your work, explain your approach and show what someone can expect from you. This also applies if you work independently.
Suppose you repair clothing. In this fictional example, a photo of a repaired jacket shows the result. With a short video, you show how you replace a torn lining. In another post, you explain what customers need to bring to an appointment.
This helps people view your work and ask a question. It does not automatically lead to an order. Your offer, price and ordering method must also be clear.
Do you want to use Instagram for your business? The Social Media Beheer Bureau’s explanation of Instagram for businesses covers, among other things, a business account, gathering materials and measuring results.
It is better not to choose Instagram as your main place if your customers hardly look there. The same applies if you do not have time to post and answer questions.
What can you share on Instagram?
Choose a format that lets you show clearly what you mean. You do not have to use every type of post.
| Post type | What to use it for | Example idea |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Show one result or moment | A homemade cake with a short explanation of the filling |
| Multiple images in one post | Show steps or different details | The steps for restoring an old chair |
| Story | Share a small update in between | A look at your drawing table and a question about two colours |
| Reel | Show in a short video how something moves or how you do something | How to repot a plant |
Would you like to start with something small? Take a look at these ideas for Instagram Stories and choose something that fits what you are already doing that day.
For a small business, you can alternate between three types of posts: show your work, answer a frequently asked question and explain how someone can make a request. You can also present a specific choice: “These are the two fabrics. Which one suits your chair better?”
Do you see a lot of videos in your own feed? That does not mean you have to make only videos. Read more about this at why you suddenly see more Reels on Instagram.
When should you choose Instagram or another platform?
Choose the place that fits what you want to do and where you find the people you are looking for. Use this comparison as a starting point to try it out yourself, not as a fixed ranking.
| Platform | Consider this if… | First check… |
|---|---|---|
| You want to combine your photos, videos and updates on one profile | Whether the people you are looking for view this type of post there | |
| TikTok | You mainly enjoy making short videos | Whether that way of sharing suits you and you have time for it |
| You are looking for your existing groups or people in your area | Whether the groups that suit you are active | |
| You mainly want to talk about work, professional knowledge or assignments | Whether you find the right professionals or clients there |
Do you only want to share holiday photos with your family? Then agree together which place is convenient. Are you looking for assignments as an illustrator? See where potential clients view work like yours. For those two goals, a different place may be more convenient.
How can you tell whether Instagram is giving you something in return?
Look at what fits your goal. If you are looking for inspiration, pay attention to whether you actually use the ideas. If you want contact, see which conversations develop. For a business, you can pay attention to questions about your work, requests and orders.
Try it for four weeks, for example. You choose that period for your test; it is not an Instagram rule.
- Choose one goal. For example: find out whether people ask questions about your drawings.
- Choose something you can keep up. For example, share something twice a week and make time to reply.
- Track your time and the results. Note how many minutes you spend on it and which conversations or requests result from it.
- Decide how to continue. Continue, try a different type of post or spend less time on Instagram.
Fictional calculation example: you spend 45 minutes per week on Instagram for four weeks. That is 4 × 45 = 180 minutes, or 3 hours. You receive six questions from three people. Then record six questions and three people, not six potential customers. A question is also not yet an order.
Do you check your account statistics? Then pay attention to what each number counts. The number of views does not say how many different people watched. Likes and reactions are actions; one person can perform multiple actions.
Would you like to know more about planning and measuring? The Metricool’s guide to Instagram marketing covers, among other things, a professional account, statistics and a plan for your posts.
Would you also like more likes? Then read more about getting more likes on Instagram . Also check whether Instagram provides the contact, inspiration or requests for which you use the app. If you also publish your own content, our Instagram services includes packages for followers and likes. The product pages show the available quantities and prices.
