Starting your journey on Instagram in 2025? That’s exciting! But before you hit “post,” it’s smart to know what not to do. Many new Instagram creators rush in and make mistakes that hurt their growth.
Let’s look at the most common mistakes and how you can do better.
1. Posting Without a Plan
Many novice Instagram users create random photo or video posts. While it feels entertaining at first, it’s not a sustainable practice. There is a reason people follow you , maybe it’s your style, your food suggestions, or your travel content.
What to do instead:
Select a bone-deep niche. Plan your posts for at least a week. The tools Notion, Trello, and even phone notes can come in handy.
2. Ignoring Reels
Still a hot item in 2025, Reels give you a chance for really lost engagement. Not using it means you’re missing out on additional free reach. Compared to ordinary posts or Stories, Instagram favors Reels far more.
What to do instead:
At a minimum, upload 2-3 Reels every week. They should be entertaining, concise, and informative. Use trending sounds appropriate to your content.
3. Not Talking to Your Audience
Many new Instagram creators forget to reply to comments or DMs. But social media is not just about posting, it’s about being social.
What to do instead:
Reply to your comments, ask questions in your captions, and use polls or Q&A in your Stories. It builds a real connection.
4. Trying to Copy Big Creators
It’s easy to look at famous influencers and think, “I’ll just do what they do.” But your audience wants you, not a copy of someone else.
What to do instead:
Your real moments can work well. Share your thoughts the way you feel them. I found this awesome blog on Instagram engagement, I highly recommend it!
5. Overusing Hashtags
Hashtags can help your posts reach more people. But using 30 random ones in every post won’t help. In fact, it can make your posts look spammy.
What to do instead:
Use 5–10 hashtags that are related to your content and niche. Mix popular ones with smaller, targeted ones.
6. Quitting Too Soon
Many new Instagram creators stop posting after a few weeks because they don’t see fast growth. But success on Instagram takes time.
What to do instead:
Stay consistent. Focus on learning and improving. Even slow growth is still growth.
Must Remember: 2025 is a great year to start on Instagram. The platform is full of tools, trends, and chances to grow. But only if you avoid the early mistakes.
If you’re one of the many new Instagram creators this year, remember: Have a plan.
