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How To Create Engaging Carousels

Writer: Mary CallahanMary Callahan

Did you know that carousels tend to get more engagement than single-image posts on Instagram? Carousels see an engagement rate of ~1.92% compared to ~1.74% for static images. Yet, carousels make up only 19% of content posted on Instagram...


While we’ve talked about how Instagram prioritizes video content, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t mix it up with a carousel every now and then! See, Reels get the most reach and engagement, but carousels tend to get more engagement than static posts. Carousels perform better due to:


  • Higher Engagement Rates

    • Instagram allows users to swipe through multiple slides, increasing time spent on the post (which boosts the algorithm).

    • If someone doesn’t engage on the first slide, Instagram may reshow the post with a later slide, increasing visibility.

    • More swipes = more signals to Instagram that your content is engaging.


  • More Opportunities for Saves & Shares

    • Educational & value-packed carousels (e.g. tips, guides, tutorials) tend to be saved more.

    • People share relatable or inspirational carousels in DMs or stories.


  • Encourages Comments & Discussion

    • Carousels often break down a topic into steps, prompting comments like “Slide 4 was so helpful!”

    • Ending with a question or CTA (e.g. “Which tip did you like most?”) boosts engagement further.


  • Better for Storytelling

    • More slides = more room for context, visuals, and storytelling.

    • They work great for before/after transformations, testimonials, UGC, and case studies.


Creating engaging Instagram carousels requires a mix of strong visuals, compelling storytelling, and a clear call to action. Here’s Media À La Carte’s step-by-step guide:


  • Start with a Hook (First slide must grab attention! A scrollstopper, if you will)

    • Use a bold statement, intriguing question, or problem statement to stop the scroll.

    • Example: “How to go from 0 to 1000 in 3 months"

    • Keep text minimal but impactful.

    • Know your audience and talk directly to them.


  • Maintain a Flow & Build Curiosity

  • Design for Easy Reading

    • Use large fonts, high contrast, and minimal text per slide.

    • Stick to consistent branding (series titles or watermarks, colors, fonts, and design templates). This helps to build brand recognition.

    • Keep plenty of white space for readability.


  • Add Engagement Triggers

    • Ask a question on Slide 3-5 to keep them swiping.

    • Use “Swipe to see more” or arrows for guidance.

    • Include relatable statements that encourage saves & shares.


  • End with a Strong Call to Action (Last slide)

    • CTA ideas: “Save this for later,” “Comment your thoughts,” “DM me for details,” or “Click the link in bio.”

    • Add a final branded slide or a CTA that stands out visually.


  • Optimize for Instagram Algorithm

    • Post at peak engagement times.

    • Write a caption that complements the carousel (include storytelling & CTA).

    • Encourage comments with an open-ended question.


Looking for carousel or other content ideas? Consider joining the Content Calendar Club, a subscription service designed to simplify social media content creation for businesses. We provide a bi-weekly, done-for-you content strategy, including prompts for Reels, Carousels, Captions, and Stories, aiming to help your business grow your audience and convert them into customers.


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