Someone who saves a post plans to need it later. Someone who forwards it is thinking of a specific person. Neither action is triggered by a request in the text; both come from the content itself. The question is therefore: what would someone keep this post for, and who would they show it to?

Posts get saved mainly when they work as a reference, and get forwarded when they describe someone's situation, hit a problem exactly, or say something useful at the right moment. The steps work through this from the ground up to the individual post.

Step 1 of 5

First check what is being saved on your account

The insights show, for each post, how often it was saved and sent. Sort the posts from recent months by that. Usually the top ones are not the most attractive but the most useful: a how-to, a list, an explanation.

Note the three most-saved and the three most-sent posts separately. You will notice they are not the same.

ChecklistStep 01

Posts from the last few months are sorted by saves.
The top three for saves and for shares are listed separately.
For each one, it says what you would save it for or who you would send it to.

Step 2 of 5

Building carousels as a reference

Carousels are well suited to saving when they explain a finished topic: a checklist, a step-by-step process, a comparison, or an overview with figures or deadlines. The first slide says what the reader gets; the last one sums it up so they don't have to scroll back.

Each slide carries one idea. Long blocks of text are unreadable on a phone and are therefore not saved.

ChecklistStep 02

The first slide states the benefit.
Each slide contains one idea in readable type.
The last slide sums everything up.

Carousels you save, we design once as a template and then produce each month in your visual style.Instagram offer from Social Rocket

Step 3 of 5

Creating posts people want to show someone

People share what fits someone: "That's exactly like you", "We need that too". This works with posts that hit a situation your customers know, or that answer a question someone in their circle is currently facing.

Typical examples are prices and deadlines, locations, dates and events, and comparisons before a decision. For reels, make clear at the end what the post is worth sending, for example "Send this to whoever is moving right now" if it fits the topic.

ChecklistStep 03

Each month, create one post about a situation your customers will recognise.
Deadlines, prices or locations are current and dated.

Step 4 of 5

Be reliable: cite sources and state the date

Anyone who saves a post relies on it later. So state the date and, wherever you refer to figures or rules, name the source. You can update dated posts later and republish them.

Don't claim anything you can't back up. A post that gets passed on incorrectly reflects back on you.

ChecklistStep 04

Posts with figures or rules cite their source.
The date appears in the image or the text.
A date for updating older posts is scheduled.

Step 5 of 5

Show content from others with permission

You can share too: posts from customers, partners or event organisers that feature your company. This works through tagging and collaboration posts, and it shows your audience your business from another angle.

Ask first, save the consent and name the source. Taking other people's images and videos without permission is not acceptable, even if they are publicly available.

ChecklistStep 05

Every shared post has a documented consent.
The creator is credited or tagged.
Customer testimonials are only shown with consent.

What you should have after four weeks

After four weeks, you will have:

A list of your reference postsThe ones that were saved, and why.
A carousel templateA fixed structure with the benefit at the front and a summary at the back.
A refresh dateFor posts with deadlines or prices.

Frequently asked questions

Should I prompt people to save in the post?

A hint does no harm, but it doesn't replace the value. It works best with carousels that include checklists.

Can I simply share posts from customers?

Only with permission. Ask beforehand and document the agreement.

What is the difference between repost and share?

When you send a post, it goes to one person. A repost passes on a public post or reel and shows it in a dedicated section of your profile.

Agency · Instagram

Carousels and posts for Social Rocket

We design your brand presence for Instagram once and produce carousels, posts and reels every month in your visual language.

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SREditorial team Social Rocket. This guide was written by our editors and is reviewed regularly. It contains no links to providers that sell followers, likes or views.