Are you ready for your close-up? More accurately, is your community ready for its close-up? With more than 800 million monthly users, Instagram is one of the hottest social networks, and property managers are making the most of the channel by creating posts that show off their community’s story and what makes it special.

Whether you’re just getting started on Instagram or have a well-established following, these fresh tips can help you stay on top of the feed and top of mind for renters.

1. Available units. Start simple with a few nicely staged photos of units that are on the market. Include details and a call to action in the caption. Remember, people are browsing Instagram on their phones, so wide-angle shots of living spaces don’t work as well as more closely framed photos. Consider including multiple photos in a post. Zoom in and show little details, like nice drawer pulls, intricate tile work or stylish fixtures. Don’t forget the view!
2. Model stories. Create a story using your beautiful model unit. Show off the view. Showcase fresh flowers or an amazing feature in a fun or playful way. Don’t be afraid to experiment! You never know what is going to catch a prospects’ eye.
3. Promotion of upcoming events. There are many free apps that let you overlay text on photos. Use one to create promotional posts about resident events.
4. Resident appreciation messaging. Instagram isn’t just a recruitment tool. It’s also a great way to keep in touch with your current residents. Show them how much you care with thoughtful thank-yous.
5. Community events as they happen. Don’t forget to take a few pictures during all of your resident events. They’re a great way to show potential residents what life in your community is like.
6. Boomerangs! You can post short video clips of a bartender pouring a mouth-watering cocktail or a crowd clinking glasses, or you can capture a quick mood by sharing a story.
7. Outdoor spaces. On a sunny day, pop outside and take a few pictures of your best outdoor features and gathering spaces. Better yet, capture your spaces in use. You want to show your prospects the amazing lifestyle they’ll experience at your community.
8. Food time. If you have fresh cookies or complimentary beverages, take a picture (don’t forget the delectable close-up shot) and post it. You could even share a story of something delicious being delivered and set out for your residents. Yum!
9. Natural beauty. Instagram is the perfect platform for nature photos, so show off the beauty of your property year-round — fall foliage, winter snow, spring flowers and summer sun.
10. Maintenance hard at work. Show some love to the people who make your community beautiful all year long and keep residents’ homes functioning well. Share a picture of them at work and make sure to say thank you. You could even give them their own story where they give DIY advice or answer questions submitted by residents about common household repairs.
11. Friendly staff members. Everybody loves a peek behind the scenes! Introduce the staff who make your residents’ lives in your community a little better. That way, you’ll look familiar when potential residents stop by.
12. Dishes from local restaurants. Instagram is a haven for foodies, so post shots of a few delicious dishes from neighborhood restaurants. Make sure to tag the restaurants to encourage cross-promotion.
13. Neighborhood love. Give your followers a sense of what life is like in your part of town by snapping a few shots or capturing short videos of local events and festivals. Make sure to use the right neighborhood and event hashtags so people who want to know more about a place can find you. If you have recreation nearby, give people a taste of what kinds of activities are available in the area surrounding your community — parks, pools, theaters, walking trails and so on.
14. School spirit. Especially if your building caters to students, show that you support the local team with some pictures of fans or team swag. Remember to include the team’s hashtag!
15. Furry friends. Is your building pet friendly? That’s hugely important to many prospective residents, so if you have any four-legged pals roaming your halls, hanging in your common areas or playing around your pooch park, share them. Make sure people know that their pets will enjoy your community too.
16. Renovations. Everyone loves a good before-and-after photo, so post some pictures of anything you’ve been doing to improve your community.
17. View from the street. Take some pictures of your building from the street and your entry signage to make it easy for potential renters to find you.
18. Move-in day. This is a big deal for your new residents, so help them celebrate. Post a picture of them in your lobby or with their U-Haul. Welcome them to your community and the neighborhood. Nearly everyone likes a little social media love.
19. Local businesses. Showcase local businesses like shops, bars and entertainment venues. Ask them to “takeover” your Instagram for a day or an evening out in the area. Remember to include their hashtag when you post because, who knows, maybe they’ll promote you in return!
20. DIY tutorial: Include snaps of simple decor ideas and projects such as styling a vase of flowers in the entryway, hanging greenery, displaying a bowl of fresh fruit in the kitchen, making a dog organizer or curating tchotchkes in the living room.