Building a community on Instagram is all about engagement—it’s what keeps your followers coming back for more and, ultimately, converts them into loyal advocates for your brand. But in 2025, where trends move at the speed of light, how do you create content that stands out and drives meaningful interactions?

Here are five handy tips to boost your Instagram engagement in 2025.

What is Instagram Engagement (and Why It Matters)?

Engagement is the heartbeat of Instagram. It’s how your followers interact with your content—likes, comments, shares, saves, and even Story responses. But it’s more than just a metric.

“When your audience is engaging with your posts, it shows they’re invested in your brand,” explains Shelley Friesen, founder of Melbourne Social Co. “And when the algorithm sees that engagement, it rewards you with more visibility, which means more people discovering your brand.”

1. Turn Followers Into Friends With Stories Stickers

Instagram Stories aren’t just for sharing snapshots—they’re an engagement powerhouse, especially when you use interactive stickers like polls, quizzes, and questions.

“We love using Stories to spark conversations,” says Shelley. “Hosting an AMA or throwing out a fun poll is such an easy way to connect directly with your audience—and every interaction counts as engagement.”

Give it a go: Ask your audience something lighthearted (“What’s your go-to coffee order?”) or even product-focused (“Which colour should we launch next?”).

2. Memes Are Still an MVP of Relatable Content

If there’s one thing Instagram users love, it’s a good meme, or content piece that speaks to ‘shared experience’. They’re funny, easy to share, and give your brand a playful edge. Plus, when followers repost your meme to their Stories, your content gets in front of a whole new audience.

Memes might seem casual, but they’re a serious engagement driver. We often recommend them to clients because they humanise your brand and create those ‘me too’ moments that everyone loves.

3. Don’t Sleep on Reels

Video isn’t going anywhere—in fact, it’s bigger than ever. Instagram Reels are one of the best ways to get your content in front of new eyes, thanks to their algorithm-friendly format.

“We’ve seen Reels work wonders for clients, even without fancy production,” Shelley says. “It’s all about relatability. Think quick tutorials, behind-the-scenes moments, or hopping on trends that align with your brand voice.”

Pro Tip: Use captions with trending keywords, and trending audio to increase your chances of landing on the Explore page.

4. Carousel Posts Are an Engagement Goldmine

Want to triple your chances of engagement? Try carousel posts. Instagram’s algorithm often resurfaces carousels multiple times in your followers’ feeds, giving you extra opportunities for likes, comments, and shares.

“Think of carousels as mini-stories,” says Shelley. “Each slide should add value—whether it’s educational content, a product showcase, or a feel-good story. It’s about keeping your audience swiping till the end.”

5. Nail Your Call-to-Actions (CTAs)

Sometimes, all you need to do is ask. Including a simple CTA in your caption—like “What’s your favourite?” or “Tag a friend who needs this!”—can be incredibly effective for driving comments and shares.

“And don’t forget to use your bio strategically,” Shelley adds. “A great link-in-bio tool can drive engagement beyond Instagram, leading your followers straight to your website, blog, or product pages.”

Engagement Is Just the Beginning

At Melbourne Social Co, we know engagement is the foundation for building strong, lasting relationships with your audience. But it’s also a springboard for showcasing everything else your brand has to offer—whether that’s new products, campaigns, or even deeper conversations about your values.

“Ultimately, engagement is about showing up for your audience in a way that feels authentic and valuable,” Shelley says. “When you do that, the results speak for themselves.”

Ready to take your Instagram strategy to the next level? Let’s start a conversation! Reach out to Melbourne Social Co to see how we can help you build a thriving online community.