Navigating Instagram’s ever-evolving platform is no small feat, especially if you’re trying to grow your audience or showcase your work. Knowing what’s holding you back is essential for improving your strategy and reaching more people.
Coming to you from Evan Ranft, this informative video breaks down 10 common Instagram mistakes and how they impact creators in 2025. Ranft begins by addressing the resistance to Instagram Reels, a major discovery tool on the platform. While short-form videos might feel frustrating for artists, they cast a wider net to help people find you. Reels don’t need to be masterpieces—simple behind-the-scenes clips of your process can work wonders. By showing the effort behind your art, you engage a broader audience without doubling your workload. Ranft emphasizes that Reels are less about perfection and more about visibility.
Another major issue Ranft highlights is overcomplicating content. Many creators feel pressure to produce elaborate videos or new ideas for every post, but simplicity is often more effective. For example, a painter might share a time-lapse of their work, and photographers can do the same by capturing snippets of their shoots. This approach turns one piece of content into two: the final product and a behind-the-scenes glimpse.
Consistency also plays a crucial role. Ranft shares his experience of posting daily on his new Instagram account for over 300 days, compared to the slowdown on his main account. Posting regularly feeds the algorithm, leading to steady engagement and growth. He encourages creators to develop repeatable systems to make consistency easier. For example, you might plan specific types of posts for each day of the week, eliminating the daily scramble for ideas.
Ranft also emphasizes the importance of using Instagram’s newest features. The platform often prioritizes posts that incorporate tools like music or text overlays. By experimenting with these features, you increase your chances of reaching a wider audience. Ranft provides data showing how photo sets with music or added text perform better, giving your content more visibility. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Ranft.
