Create a Stunning and Irresistible Instagram Account

Most YouTube creators treat Instagram like an afterthought. They throw up a few behind-the-scenes photos, recycle their YouTube thumbnails, and wonder why their Instagram isn’t growing (or even don’t care about that at all). If that sounds familiar, it’s time to shift your strategy. Instagram is a powerful way for YouTube creators to earn more funds and gain stronger influence.

Instagram growth is about understanding hidden algorithm signals, leveraging engagement loops, and structuring your content to maximize visibility. Here’s how you can take your Instagram strategy beyond the basics and start seeing real growth.

Why Should You Focus on Instagram?

First of all, Instagram is among the best tools for brand building, and additional revenue generation. Similar to TikTok, this is where short-form content truly thrives. With over two billion active users, Instagram offers unparalleled visibility. It helps you:

• Reach New Audiences: The algorithm-driven Explore page and Reels push your content to people who don’t follow you yet.
• Monetize Beyond Ad Revenue: From brand deals to digital product sales, Instagram provides multiple additional income streams.
• Drive Traffic to Your YouTube Channel: A well-optimized Instagram can serve as a funnel, bringing viewers to your long-form content.

If you want to grow your influence, maximize revenue, and create a loyal fanbase beyond YouTube, Instagram is where you should focus. And if you want to get more brand deals and sponsorships, check out a free pin.top tool that helps to secure pre-paid deals with brands, creators, and even your followers.

The First Five Seconds

First impressions are important, especially online! Take your Instagram bio seriously, because it’s your first chance to convince a new visitor to follow you. Here’s how to make it impossible to ignore:

Be Unique

Forget generic logos. Use a crisp, high-contrast headshot or brand-defining image that instantly communicates your niche as your profile picture. Keep your username short, searchable, and consistent with your YouTube brand.

Being direct and honest about your personality and what you do will also help your profile stand out. Share who you are, what you do, and how your experience, achievements, or services are unique. 

But don’t overdo it! Your bio must be 3-4 lines max. First line: What you do (clear, no fluff). Second line: Why people should care. Third line: Social proof or credibility. Last line: A strong call to action.

Murad Osmann created a bio that quickly tells users about his unique achievements and projects. In a few short phrases, he lets you know that he was selected as influencer of the year and is among Forbes’ top 3 travel influencers. That’s impressive and makes viewers want to subscribe.

Use Keywords

Just like with YouTube, keywords on Instagram directly impact your account’s searchability.

W Magazine bio is a great example of using keywords; they are short and very direct with what they do. 

Use Hashtags

Always include hashtags in your posts. But don’t just add something generic like #Fashion or #Beautician. This will only invite people to visit your niche competitors. Create your own branded hashtag to make sure that people will for sure find your content when they search for it!

Look at this custom hashtag byYETI. Now, that’s what we call a great hashtag.

Contact Info and Website

One link. No clutter. Use tools like Linktree only if you must, but ideally, drive traffic to one main destination (email list, website, merch, latest project or pin.top). Make sure that your website is mobile-friendly since most people visit Instagram on their phones. 

Check out howVans andMagdiellop did it.

Improve Your Instagram Feed

What is your main goal with your Instagram? Do you want to share your travels, help people learn healthy habits, or simply share your life beyond YouTube? Before you choose how to organize your feed, you need to decide what you want to post about. As with your bio, you need to identify what you want to achieve with your posts and what will be your main focus.

Create Your Unique Profile Style and Aesthetics

We’d like to share a few simple tips to make your Instagram feed more appealing to users.

• Rotate photos and videos.

This is one of the current top trends. People prefer watching videos rather than reading long captions under the photo. You can create all sorts of videos since it’s a growing trend. If your video is longer than 1 minute, add it to IGTV. Users prefer IGTV as they can pause or scroll back.

Maria Oz does a great job of rotating her photos and videos with videos dominating her feed. Videos are a great way to add action and diversify your account.

• Unique style for a business account.

If you own a brand account, you need to be consistent with a specific unique style that stands out among your competitors so that users can easily remember and recognize your brand on Instagram. A great example of this is Morehetime. You can recognize them anywhere by their unique face care mask for men.

• Diverse content.

Alternate photos of subjects and abstract photography with photos of people to create a more diverse and interesting feed. Here’s howAnouk Yve does it, combining photos in corresponding color tone.

Let’s say changing poses is your unique thing, then change backgrounds. If you change a background, don’t forget to change props.

• Choose your color tone.

Your color palette is what gives your feed a consistent look and conveys your unique vibe, mood, or the peculiar atmosphere of your account. There’s so much you can convey with color.

This influencer chose pink to create a peaceful and cozy mood.

You can also flow from one color tone into another.

Light and fresh green is always popular and inspirational.

• Choose your theme.

There are several apps you can use to arrange your posts with many themes to choose from: linear, chequerwise, frames, row, and many more. Here are some cool examples for inspiration.

round.a.round has created the most amazing feed planning her posts to match the two halves of different colorful plates. Just look at this creativity!

Cheloveco creates a series of posts where every series tells its own story. 

Olgacrafthome skillfully rotates horizontal and vertical photos of art.

Content That Commands Attention (Not Just Filler Posts)

Most creators post content that does nothing to stop scrolling. What’s their secret? Instagram-native content that delivers immediate value.

What Works (and Why)

1. Short-Form Video (Reels): Instagram’s algorithm prioritizes Reels, pushing them to a cold audience. Use high-energy hooks, fast cuts, and subtitles.
• Example: A YouTube creator repurposing their best 10-second cliffhanger moments as Reels with a “Watch Full Video” CTA.
2. Carousels: These drive higher engagement than static images because they keep users swiping.
• Example: A carousel breaking down your “Top 5 YouTube Monetization Mistakes.”
3. Story Highlights: Your Story disappears in 24 hours, but Highlights keep your best content pinned permanently.
• Sections to include: About Me, Best Tips, Viral Reels, Behind-the-Scenes, Promotions.

Posting once a week won’t cut it. The most effective schedule? A mix of formats spread across the week.

• Daily Stories: Keep your audience engaged with polls, questions, and direct engagement.
• 3-4 Reels per week: High-energy, edited clips that stop the scroll.
• 1-2 Carousels per week: Deep-dive value posts that get saved and shared.
• Community Engagement Daily: Comment on others’ posts, respond to DMs, and use your close friends list strategically.

Monetization: Make Instagram Pay You Back

Growing an audience is great, but how do you turn Instagram into a whole additional stream of revenue?

1. Direct Traffic to Your YouTube Channel

Every Reel should include a CTA that nudges followers toward YouTube. Examples:

• “Full breakdown in my latest video—link in bio.”
• “Want the full version? Search ‘[Your Channel Name]’ on YouTube.”

2. Brand Deals & Sponsored Posts

You don’t need millions of followers to land deals. In fact, brands value creators who have a clear audience (fitness, finance, entertainment, etc.), and drive in clicks. If you struggle to find a decent brand deal or all the sponsorships you’ve landed so far seem to be unfruitful, drop us a message and we will help you.

3. Sell Your Own Products or Services

Instagram is a perfect place for selling digital products, coaching, memberships, or merch. Use:

• DM Automation: Set up automated DMs for keywords (e.g., “Type ‘Guide’ below to get my free YouTube growth PDF”).
• Story Links: With 10,000+ followers, use swipe-up links. Under 10K? Just say “DM me for the link.”
• Exclusive Content Memberships: Use Close Friends for behind-the-scenes access and charge for it.

Other Features You Shouldn’t Miss

Highlights, saved stories, and other saved info are a must! That way, your new and old followers can review your best insta stories at their own pace.

One of the ways YouTubers can use highlights is by creating a sequence of videos like, for example, a behind the scenes of one of your videos. 

Regularly remove old videos and add new ones to your Highlights.

One last thing to keep in mind: when you understand your audience, you understand how to make an effective strategy on Instagram to make them interested. Our advice is to post regularly and experiment with the tips shared in this article. Watch this video for more ideas that will help you build an Instagram account one can’t help but follow.