Instagram Post Formats: Image, Carousel, Story, Reel

Updated: 2026

Instagram rewards format-native content. A great Reel script flops as a carousel, and vice versa. Here's how to brief Mavic for each format so the output is genuinely usable.

Single image post

Goal: Stop the scroll, deliver one idea, drive saves or comments.

Prompt template:

Write a single Instagram image post about [topic] using @Writing Style. Include: 1) a 5-word hook for the image overlay, 2) a caption with hook + 2 short paragraphs + CTA + 5 hashtags.

Strong image-post rules:

• One idea per post — don't cram
• Hook does the work — write 10, pick 1
• First line of caption must repeat or extend the hook
• End with a question OR a save-trigger ("Save this for next launch")

Generate the visual: Once the caption is approved, ask:

Generate a square Instagram image for this post using @Brand Kit colors and @Logo. Style: [photographic/illustrated/typographic].

Carousel (10 slides)

Goal: Teach something. Carousels still get the highest reach for educational content.

Prompt template:

Write a 10-slide Instagram carousel teaching [topic] for @Customer Profile. Slide 1 = hook, slides 2-9 = one idea each with a 1-line headline and 2-line body, slide 10 = CTA + save prompt. Use @Writing Style.

Carousel structure that works:

Pro tip: Ask Mavic to add transition cues between slides ("Slide 4 → ...") so your designer or the auto-layout knows what flows.

Story (9:16, 15 sec)

Goal: Drive a single action — link tap, poll vote, DM reply.

Prompt template:

Write a 5-frame Instagram Story sequence promoting [thing]. Each frame: 1 short headline (max 8 words) + 1 interactive sticker suggestion (poll, quiz, slider, question, link). End with a clear CTA frame.

Story rules:

• One sticker per frame max
• Use polls and sliders early — they boost frame retention
• Last frame = link or "DM me [keyword]"

Reel (15-60 sec)

Goal: Reach. Reels are still the #1 surface for new follower discovery.

Prompt template:

Write a 30-second Instagram Reel script. Hook in first 1.5 seconds, problem-agitate-solve structure, on-screen text for every line, CTA at the end. Topic: [topic]. Voice: @Writing Style.

Reel hook formulas (pick one):

• "Stop doing X. Do Y instead."
• "This is the [thing] no one's talking about"
• "POV: [relatable situation]"
• "I tried [thing] for 30 days. Here's what happened."

Output format Mavic gives you:

• Hook line (0-1.5s)
• Beat-by-beat script (with timestamps)
• On-screen text for each beat
• B-roll / shot suggestions
• Caption (separate from script)
• 5 trending sound vibes to search

Don't skip: Ask for on-screen text explicitly — 85% of Reels are watched on mute.

Related articles

• Creating Content with Mavic
• Creating Social Posts
• Generating Images
• Generating Videos
• Writing Style

Updated on: 07/05/2026