Instagram’s @creators account has shared a short video featuring Tessa Lyons, VP of Product at Instagram, with three tips for people who are just starting to create: get comfortable talking to camera, try different Instagram formats and engage with the community around the content.
The video is straightforward creator guidance rather than a product update or new ranking advice. Lyons focuses on three habits that can help new creators get more comfortable making content and interacting with an audience.
Get comfortable talking to camera
Lyons’ first tip is to get used to speaking directly to the camera. For someone who is new to video, that can initially feel unnatural. Her suggestion is simple: treat the camera as though you are speaking to a friend. The aim is to make the delivery feel more conversational instead of sounding like a formal presentation.
Try more than one Instagram format
The second tip is to experiment with Instagram’s different formats rather than deciding too early that one format is the only one that works. Lyons points creators towards using the range of formats available on Instagram. Reels can be used for video-led ideas, carousels can help organise information across multiple slides, and Stories can be useful for more frequent or informal updates.
For a new creator, the point is to test what feels natural to make and what gives the audience a reason to watch, read, save or respond.
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Engage with the people who respond
Lyons’ third tip is to engage with the community around the content. Publishing is only one part of building an audience; replying to comments and messages gives creators a way to have an actual conversation with the people following their work.
Taken together, the three tips are basic by design. Lyons is not presenting a growth hack or a formula for reach. The advice is aimed at the earliest stage of creating: become comfortable making the content, learn the formats available to you and pay attention to the people who respond.
