Let me be real with you: if you ask me what’s working on Instagram right now, I’ll tell you the truth — I have no idea. And that’s because I don’t do social media. My marketing heart belongs to email and long-form content, and an overarching ecosystem. But I know you still may want to show up on Instagram, and probably are asking questions like “When is the Best Time to Post on Instagram?”. So, I brought in someone who does know what’s working: Serena Waller, founder of Dande Agency and host of the Swell Social Hour podcast.

She’s your new social media guardian angel. Serena works with wedding pros and creatives, helping them simplify their Instagram marketing with systems, strategy, and sanity-saving tips. And today? She’s breaking it all down for us.

If you’re a course creator trying to figure out whether Instagram is even worth your time—or how to make it more worth your time—this one’s for you.

Before you dive into what content to post or how often to post it, you need to know what role Instagram plays in your business. Serena says this is everything.

Ask yourself:

Spoiler: the answer isn’t always all three. Depending on your business model, service suite, and where your leads are coming from, Instagram might just be a visibility tool or a way to repurpose existing content.

And that’s okay.

If you’re trying to grow, connect, or just keep the lights on with your Instagram presence, here are the strategies Serena says are actually working right now:

These are reels that Instagram shows only to people who don’t already follow you. They’re basically your secret tool for growth. They don’t show up on your grid unless you choose to add them later, and they work like a cold audience ad: “Hey stranger, here’s what I offer.”

Break one longer piece of content into multiple posts (hello repurposing!). Think: part 1, part 2, part 3. It keeps people coming back for more.

Forget the curated perfection. Authentic, behind-the-scenes moments are trending. Think casual Reels, honest captions, and vulnerable stories.

This one surprised me: Instagram stories are now being shown to strangers. They used to just nurture your current followers. Now they can help you grow, too. Even more reason to show up.

Co-posting with another account (hello, new audiences!) is a fast-track strategy for increasing your reach.

Depending on your goal, here’s what you should focus on:

Serena says: 3x a week minimum if you want results. But that doesn’t mean 3 new reels, carousels, and stories every single week from scratch.

You can:

And if you’re just getting started? One reel and one post per week, both repurposed from other content you’re already creating, is enough.

Serena sees these mistakes all the time:

Also? Don’t ignore your analytics. They tell you everything you need to know about what’s working and what’s not.

Reels don’t have to take hours. Here are three quick ideas:

Trending audio is fun, but not required. Don’t overthink it. Just show up.

And remember: social media isn’t one-size-fits-all. Let your business model and personal capacity lead the way.

If you’re ready to hand it off, Serena and the Dande Agency offer done-for-you services and social media systems built around your goals. Or if you’re not ready to outsource yet, her $8/month Swell Socialite subscription delivers trending audio ideas to your inbox each week.

Start with a conversation by DMing Serena on Instagram @dandeagency or visit dandeagency.com to learn more.

Not sure what to do next? Pick ONE of these actions to take this week:

If you’re craving even more structure, make sure to join the Content Planning Bootcamp Challenge and get your content strategy simplified.

Because you don’t need to do more.

You just need to do what matters—with intention.

Retired wedding planner and your taco loving, coffee drinking, nap obsessed boy mom, Serena is the Founder/CEO of Dande Agency, where her team helps wedding pros & creatives establish social media systems and strategies that make marketing less complicated and more consistent. She’s also the host of the Swell Social Hour Podcast – your guide to the tides of social media marketing (and more).

Podcast: Swell Social Hour

Instagram: @dandeagency

The post When is the Best Time to Post on Instagram? And Other IG Tips appeared first on Amanda Warfield.