How I Create Content for Instagram (5 Tips + My 7-Category Rotation)

I've been creating content on Instagram for several years now. I'm not a professional photographer or a social media guru — I'm a working mom who happens to share her life online. Here are the 5 things that have helped me the most, plus the content rotation system that keeps me consistent.

5 Tips for Instagram Content

Tip 1: Film Everything, Post Later

I never sit down to "create content." I film moments as they happen — the bike ride, the camp drop-off, the packing process, the kids' reaction to something. Then I edit and post later, usually during nap time or after bedtime. This removes the pressure of having to produce something in real time.

Tip 2: Talk to the Camera Like You're Talking to a Friend

The posts that perform best are the ones where I'm just... talking. No script, no polish. People follow people, not productions. If you're sharing something useful or genuine, the quality of your phone camera is more than enough.

Tip 3: Share What You'd Want to Know

Every piece of content I create starts with this question: "Would I find this useful?" Camp reviews, packing tips, product recommendations, biking routes — if I'd want the information, someone else probably does too.

Tip 4: Be Consistent, Not Constant

I post 3-5 times per week. Not every day, not multiple times a day. Consistency matters more than volume. I'd rather post 3 genuinely useful things per week than 7 filler posts.

Tip 5: Engage With Your Community

Reply to comments. Answer DMs. Ask questions in stories. The relationships I've built through Instagram have led to camp partnerships, product collaborations, and — most importantly — real friendships with other families who travel like we do.

My 7-Category Rotation

To keep content diverse and avoid posting the same thing over and over, I rotate through these 7 categories:

1. Cargo Biking

Bike rides, new products, tips, maintenance, biking culture. This is my core content and what most people follow me for.

2. Camp Reviews & Recommendations

Individual camp reviews, camp comparison posts, new camp finds. I post these throughout the year as I research.

3. Travel Tips & Logistics

Packing, flights, housing, planning — the practical side of family travel.

4. City Guides

What to do in Barcelona, Paris, Edinburgh, etc. with kids. I film these during our trips.

5. Product Recommendations

Gear, clothing, travel accessories. I only share things I actually use.

6. Family Life / Behind the Scenes

The real stuff — morning routines, kids being kids, the chaos of traveling with three children. This is what builds connection.

7. Educational / Informational

Research-backed content — like the e-bike exercise studies, or my criminal justice take on bike security. These tend to get saved and shared the most.

I aim to hit each category at least once every two weeks. This way my feed stays varied and my audience gets a mix of content types.

Tools I Use

• iPhone (that's it for filming)
• CapCut for video editing (free)
• Canva for graphics (free tier)
• Later or the native Instagram scheduler for scheduling

What My Newsletter Subscribers Get

In my newsletter, I share behind-the-scenes content strategy updates, which posts performed best each month and why, and tips for growing an authentic following as a parent creator. Subscribers also get early access to collaborations and exclusive discount codes from brands I partner with.