- This Week in Social Media (TWISM)
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- 📷 11 IG posts that never flop
📷 11 IG posts that never flop
Posts getting thousands of Likes in 2025
Joshua Parkinson
May 16, 2025
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Stop guessing what to post.
I curated these 11 recent Instagram posts that:
1) Get thousands of Likes.
2) Build bonds with your audience so you can get more sales.
Let me know which you think is underrated. 👇
1. Behind-the-Scenes
Show the messy, human, everyday side of your business. People love seeing the real you.
Example: @vpr_branding (PR agency)
Why it worked: The carousel highlights this marketing agency’s hands-on role in a Bills documentary, showing credibility and building hype for a new project.
Pro tip: Film short BTS videos during your process. Even if it feels boring to you, it’s gold to others.
2. Memes
Everyone loves a good meme. They’re quick to consume, easy to relate to, and shareable AF.
Example: @awkwardauntie (market vendor)
Why it worked: The Reel uses humor and trending audio to connect over a common market vendor pain point.
Pro tip: Poke fun at common problems in your niche.
3. Sneak Peeks
Tease an upcoming product, drop, or project to build hype before launch.
Example: @wishbonekitchen (cooking influencer)
Why it worked: The 3-slide carousel teases a mouthwatering recipe and shares a mini story to build emotional connection and drive pre-order demand.
Pro tip: Add a countdown or date to spark FOMO.
4. How-To's
Teach your audience something useful in 60 seconds or less.
Example: @jamtuna (videographer)
Why it worked: The carousel hooks viewers by showing the expected result and breaks down each step with a short vid.
Pro tip: Break longer tutorials into bite-sized carousels or short Reels.
5. Trending Content
Jump on trends to ride the engagement wave. IG rewards content that's culturally relevant.
Example: @thefitnessmarshall (dance instructor)
Why it worked: The Reel hops on the “10 Year Challenge” with side-by-side vids to tap into a familiar trend and create an open loop that keeps viewers curious.
Pro tip: Use Content Streams to find what's trending in your industry.
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6. User-Generated Content (UGC)
Reposting your customers' content builds massive trust and keeps your feed active when you’re short on ideas.
Example: @gopro (action cameras)
Why it worked: The carousel of aesthetic, high-quality pics shows the real-world value of a GoPro through a customer POV.
Pro tip: Create a branded hashtag so fans know how to get featured.
7. Transformations
Show a before-and-after of a customer, space, project, or yourself. Results speak louder than words.
Example: @ahealthieralex (food and fitness blogger)
Why it worked: The Reel uses clear visuals (a weight tracker) to show real progress, while the caption deepens personal connection with a story.
Pro tip: Add text to highlight the key changes or wins.
8. Events
Document your next event — whether it’s a conference, pop-up, or team retreat.
Example: @thatbilloakley (food enthusiast)
Why it worked: The carousel starts with a selfie to be more personal and uses text as a hook to encourage swipes.
Pro tip: Post a few Stories during the event, then recap with a Reel or carousel after.
9. Year Recap
Reflect on your biggest wins, fails, lessons, and milestones. People love the "look back."
Example: @sophsplantkitchen (blogger)
Why it worked: The 20-slide carousel uses visuals and text for raw personal storytelling to show vulnerability and progress.
Pro tip: Format it as a carousel with each slide being a month or highlight.
10. Share a Mistake
Vulnerability builds trust. Share something that didn’t go to plan and what you learned.
Example: @justinwrt (business leadership coach)
Why it worked: The caption makes the business influencer more relatable by turning a mess-up into a valuable lesson.
Pro tip: End your caption with a question to spark comments (e.g. "Ever made the same mistake?").
11. Testimonials
Don’t just say you’re good — show proof. Share screenshots, quotes, or short video reviews.
Example: @vicair_nl (wheelchair cushions)
Why it worked: The pic shows a happy customer with a testimonial that highlights the specific reasons they’re happy to use the product (wheelchair cushions).
Pro tip: highlight results or transformation, not just praise.
That’s all for today. Thanks for reading. Now…
Go BIG or go home!
~ Josh from “This Week in Social Media”
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