Welcome to the Instagram section of your Front Runners Social Media Strategy Workbook! ✨📱
If you think success on Instagram is just about pretty pictures and cute captions — think again.
Behind every thriving account is a smart, strategic plan. And that plan starts with research.
But don’t worry, we’re not sending you into a mindless scroll spiral. This is focused, competitive research that helps you crack the code on what works, why it works, and how to make it work for you.
🕵️ Step 1: Build Your Inspiration List
Open up Instagram and search for accounts similar to yours — same niche, vibe, product, or audience.
👉 On the first two workbook pages, brain dump:
- Handle (e.g., @coolcandleshop)
- Quick description of what they do
- Follower count
This gives you a research pool packed with creators to analyze, draw inspiration from, and outshine.
✂️ Step 2: Narrow It Down to 5 Key Accounts
From your master list, pick 5 accounts to deep dive into.
✅ One with under 2,000 followers (small but growing)
✅ One with 50k–100k followers (solid mid-tier)
✅ One with 1M+ followers (mega influencer)
This range gives you a broad perspective — so you’re not just chasing trends but understanding what’s working at every level.
🔍 Step 3: Audit Their Profile Like an Expert
Time to sleuth. For each account, take notes on:
- Profile picture — Logo? Face? Brand colors?
- Bio keywords — What do they call out? Niche, vibe, products?
- Follower + following count — Big numbers or tight-knit?
- Links in bio — Website, shop, Linktree?
- Highlights — What topics do they cover? How are they designed and titled?
- Premium subscription? — Are they offering exclusive content?
- Overall vibe — Playful, chic, educational, edgy?
This gives you a 360° view of how they position themselves.
📊 Step 4: Analyze Posting Habits
Scroll back 30 days in their feed and count:
- Reels (R)
- Images (I)
- Carousels (C)
- Graphics (G)
- Lives (L)
Add them up and log it in the Total Posts (Last 30 Days) box.
👉 This helps you see how often they post and in what format — key for shaping your own content calendar.
🌟 Step 5: Deep Dive Into Top-Performing Content
Scroll through and pick their top 3 most-viewed posts. For each:
- Describe the thumbnail — What visual grabs attention?
- Note the hook — First line, image, or vibe.
- Check the caption — What’s the angle? Educational? Personal? Funny?
- Ask: What’s the purpose? Educating, selling, entertaining, inspiring?
- Jot down any other standouts — hashtags, call-to-actions, collabs.
- This is where you learn what makes people stop, double-tap, and share.
📝 Step 6: Fill Out the Overview Page
Once you’ve audited all 5 accounts, head to your Workbook Overview Page. Summarize:
- Total posts (30 days)
- Total Reels, Images, Carousels, Graphics, Lives
- Channel vibe
- Biggest takeaways
Now you’ve got a cheat sheet of proven Instagram strategies at your fingertips.
🚀 Step 7: Shape YOUR Channel Strategy
Flip the script: What can YOU apply?
👉 Write down your 5 biggest takeaways — maybe it’s:
- A recurring series
- A fresh editing style
- More educational or community-driven content
- Timing for sales-focused posts
- Cross-promotion with other creators
And for the visual thinkers? There are blank iPhone templates waiting for your sketches and storyboards.
✅ Step 8: Hit the Checkpoint
It’s go time. Based on your research:
- What’s your 30-day posting goal? (Reels, Images, Carousels, Graphics, Lives)
- What’s your channel vibe?
- What will your bio/description say?
- What content programs or series will you launch?
Plus, we’ve left four blank boxes for you to brainstorm any updates to:
- Brand identity
- Tone
- Voice
- Target audience
Because the best creators don’t just post — they evolve.
💡 Final Word
Instagram growth isn’t magic. It’s a mix of strategy, creativity, consistency, and data-backed decisions.
With this guide, you’re not just another account hoping for likes — you’re a front runner, ready to craft content that connects, converts, and builds a real community.
So go ahead: scroll with strategy, post with power, and let your brand shine. 💥✨