Instagram Pre-Post Checklist: What to Do Right Before Posting
WorkStep 1 • Milestone
WARM UP THE ALGORITHM WITH NICHE ENGAGEMENT
Goal
Create active signals in your niche right before publishing.
Description
Find 10 bigger accounts in your niche and comment on their latest posts with meaningful, specific comments that invite replies. Avoid generic emojis.
Deliverable
10 meaningful comments posted within 15–30 minutes before publishing.
WorkFlow
Instagram Pre-Post Checklist: What to Do Right Before Posting
WorkStep 2
POST A STORY POLL RELATED TO YOUR UPCOMING POST
Goal
Prime your audience to engage with the topic before the post goes live.
Description
Post a story poll with a simple binary question (Yes/No, This/That) that directly relates to the topic of your upcoming post. This increases attention and interaction right before you publish.
Deliverable
1 story poll posted before publishing.
WorkFlow
Instagram Pre-Post Checklist: What to Do Right Before Posting
WorkStep 3
SELECT TRENDING AUDIO WITH LOW SATURATION
Goal
Use an audio track that is trending but not oversaturated.
Description
Search for trending audio and validate it: the audio should have fewer than 10k reels using it, and it should have at least one reel over 1M views. Avoid sounds that are already everywhere.
Deliverable
1 trending audio selected that meets the criteria.
WorkFlow
Instagram Pre-Post Checklist: What to Do Right Before Posting
WorkStep 4 • Milestone
CONFIRM PEAK AUDIENCE ACTIVITY TIME IN INSIGHTS
Goal
Post when your audience is most active.
Description
Check your Instagram Insights for follower activity times. Go to Settings & Activity → Insights → Followers, then scroll to Most Active Times. Choose a posting window that aligns with peak activity.
Deliverable
A confirmed posting window based on follower active times.
WorkFlow
Instagram Pre-Post Checklist: What to Do Right Before Posting
WorkStep 5 • Milestone
FINAL QUALITY CONTROL BEFORE PUBLISHING
Goal
Remove common mistakes that kill reach in the first seconds.
Description
Do a final check: ensure the hook is strong in the first 1–3 seconds, caption includes relevant keywords, a cover image is added (for Reels), and the CTA is clear and singular.
Deliverable
Post approved: hook, caption keywords, cover image, and CTA confirmed.
