How to Turn Instagram Posts into Blog Content
Maybe you're the queen of carousels, the master of motivational quotes, or you can spin out a reel without breaking a sweat. Short and snappy content? Instagram is your thing. It's your social media comfort zone.
And if you run a lifestyle or wellness business, Instagram is a great place to connect. Relatable and inspirational posts that emotionally resonate are perfect when your work is about self-care, growth or transformation.
But what about something a bit longer, like, say, a blog on your website?
You might already know that blogging lets you go deeper into topics you could talk about for hours. But it can feel like a bigger time investment. If you're unsure where to start, why not turn your Instagram posts into blog content? Your bite-sized nuggets of wisdom could have the potential to do much more.
Why Turn Instagram Posts Into Blog Content?
It helps to understand the value that blogs can offer and why it's worth investing the time.
You Make the Most of an Idea
If you've been posting on social media for a while, you'll know that some days, the ideas just aren't flowing. But when you have one great idea that hits the mark, why restrict its potential to one short social media post? Build on it. One resonating post could be the inspiration for your blog.
For instance, if you're a mindset coach, you might share a motivational quote about the power of celebrating small wins. You could then write a piece on your blog explaining why recognising the small wins doesn't always come naturally, but why it's important to acknowledge them.
You Can Go Deep
Blogs allow you to really get into a subject you're passionate about. They provide substance beyond the curated image and caption. Marketers might call it thought leadership, but essentially, it's about sharing your expertise and experience in a way that helps others. In other words, you know your stuff.
Say you're a breathwork expert. You might share a short demo of a diaphragmatic breathing technique on Instagram. But in a blog, you can go into detail about how this technique activates the parasympathetic nervous system and what that means for the body. You can even link to relevant studies.
Expand Your Reach
Social media is great for staying connected to your audience, but its reach can be limited. Posts often have a short shelf life, sometimes disappearing from view within hours. And you're at the mercy of the algorithms, so you can't control who sees your posts.
A blog on your website stays there for as long as you want it to. Blogs can bring new people to your site months (or even years) after they're published. They can be discovered through search engines by people interested in the topics you write about. You can share it in your email newsletters. Someone might find it via a link when they're visiting another page on your site. And if they like what they read, you might get another follower on Instagram, too.
Choosing Which Instagram Posts to Repurpose into Blog Content
Not every Instagram post will work as a blog. That photo of your dog lying next to you while you practice yoga is cute, but difficult to stretch into 1000 words. The trick is to choose posts with potential to grow into something more.
Look at Engagement
A post with numerous likes, comments, or shares indicates there's interest in the topic. Could you elaborate further on the topic to build on that interest?
Posts That Prompted Questions
Did people want to know more about what you shared? Did it spark questions that you could answer more fully in a blog?
Spot Recurring Themes
Are there topics you keep returning to because you know they resonate? A blog could tie these threads together into something more comprehensive.
Pick Posts That Reflect Your Values or Approach
Blogs can give your audience or potential clients a feel for who you are and how you work. Blogs provide more insight into you and your ethos.
Look for Content That Won't Date
Blog posts work slightly differently from the rapid-paced or topical content of social media. Evergreen topics—those that don't date quickly, offer value long after they're published. Think of your blog content like that signature staple in your wardrobe that never goes out of style, rather than a fast fashion trend that fades after a season.
Tips for Turning Your Instagram Post Into Blog Content
- Identify the key message of the Instagram post you're using, and let it serve as a guide to keep you on track with the subject.
- Don't attempt to plan, write and finish it in one sitting. It will feel too overwhelming, and you won't get the best out of yourself.
- Plan what you want to say and outline the areas you intend to cover.
- Don't try for polished and perfect on the
first draft. Get the gist down, no matter how messy it looks at this stage.
- Bring your ideas to life with real examples or personal stories. It gives context and makes it easier for the reader to relate to what you're saying.
- A solid block of writing can be off-putting for the reader. Break up your article into subheadings, short paragraphs or bullet points. Use lots of white space.
- Come back to editing the next day. You'll have a fresh perspective, and you're more likely to spot mistakes. (I have a whole article about editing your blog post
here.)
- You don’t need to use fancy-pants language or buzzwords. Make it sound like you. If you wouldn't use the word 'synergy' in a conversation, then don't use it in your article.
- The more you write, the easier it becomes to find your voice and flow. Like anything, it takes practice, so don't put too much pressure on yourself to get it right from the get-go.
Let Instagram Be the Seed
Your Instagram posts have the potential to grow into rich ideas that reach beyond a single moment or platform. Blogging gives you the space to explore your message, connect with your audience and create content that continues working long after it's posted. Writing a blog can feel like a lot of work, but when you already have a bank of ideas available, it makes the process much easier.
This isn't about choosing one type of content over another. Instagram is fantastic for wellness, coaching and lifestyle businesses. This is all about making those brilliant ideas of yours work harder. It's about shining your light brightly and reaching more people.
If you'd love to turn your social posts into blog content but don't have the time or headspace, I can help.
