If you want to write better Instagram captions, but don’t know where to start — you’re in the right place!
While the content of your caption matters, it doesn’t do much if it isn’t delivered in the right format.
For example, maybe you stashed the best caption you’ve ever written in the history of your interior design business in your Notes app, waiting for the perfect opportunity to post. And, when the moment comes, you copy/paste it into your post’s caption (paired with a beautiful portfolio piece).
Except, the formatting didn’t pull over correctly — or, maybe, you got a little carried away in how much you said, ending up with chunky sections and nothing to catch their attention enough to stop the scroll.
The post gets 10 views, you get frustrated because you know the content would’ve connected, and you’re * this close * to calling it quits on Instagram.
You’re right, though. The content should have connected with your audience – and all you need is a few small tweaks to make sure it lands next time.
Why Your Instagram Caption Format Matters (and Trust Me, It Does)
The way you format your Instagram caption actually plays a pretty important role in whether or not your audience will stop and read it or keep scrolling.
But that’s just the first impression.
The way you format your caption also determines what action your audience takes — and if they can even consume (read, understand, and apply) that information TO take action.
Long-term, your caption can even determine when (or if) your content is even shown to your followers.
TL;DR: How you format your captions on Instagram as an interior designer impacts your entire strategy and visibility.
5 Best Practices for Formatting Your Instagram Captions as an Interior Designer
#1. Break Up Chunky Text
Honestly, this should be common practice across all your platforms. People don’t like (and really, can’t) read big, chunky blocks of text. Your audience craves white space – separation between words, sentences, and paragraphs.
Space can also be used to bring attention to certain parts of your caption (like your hook, see below) or break up key points (like your list of tips and tricks for better design).
#2. Start With a Hook
Best way to stop the scroll? A good hook!!
When a user is scrolling through Instagram (on whatever device), they can only see roughly 125 characters before they have to click “…more” to view the rest of your caption. With a good “hook,” you’ll get more users clicking on your caption — and the more users who click, the better your posts perform in Instagram feeds. It’s a win-win.
#3. Change Your Format Based on Your Post
If you notice, I don’t say anything about word count in your Instagram caption – and that’s because outside the 2,200 character limit, there’s no “perfect” word count. It depends on the post, the purpose, and your overall strategy.
A 10-slide carousel showcasing your latest interior design project may only need a short caption, while the reel sharing top tips needs a longer one. Moral of the story: it depends, and it’s okay to change the format a little to fit what THAT specific post needs.
#4. End With a Call to Action (or Question)
Not a hard sell – a call to action. Yes, this could be an invitation to book a discovery call, inquire through your contact form, or drop a comment and trigger the ManyChat automation for your latest guide. But you can (and should) ask engaging questions, get insight into your audience’s interests, and even invite them to share something about themselves!!
#5. Add Hashtags!!
No, hashtags aren’t dead. Yes, interior designers should use them (you can read all about why here).
If you want to get the most visibility out of your Instagram posts, get into the habit of finding the most relevant hashtags to reach new audiences!! You only need 5-15 per post, and they need to be related to what your post is about (think hashtags related to design style, location, brands, tips, etc) to get the best results.
What’s Next? The Role Your Instagram Caption Plays in Your Overall Strategy
While the format of your Instagram captions does play a pretty important role in getting Instagram users to read and engage with your content – it’s not the end-all be-all of your Instagram strategy. The best Instagram captions (and strategy) consider your content as a whole.
It looks at what you’re posting over time, how your audience interacts with your content, and tests to see what type of hooks, questions, and hashtags work best to create a strategy that works for you.
You don’t have to do it alone, either.
Get help planning your content, problem-solving your posting problems, and staying consistent on social media in SMM on Speed Dial, a membership designed just for interior designers like you.
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