Mastering Instagram Takeovers [3 Tips for Success]

As a football coach’s wife, I’ve done three takeovers — two this season and one last season. And they’re such fun! Instagram takeovers are a powerful and creative tool for increasing your brand’s awareness. They allow you to showcase your personality, creativity, and expertise to a whole new audience that aligns with your target market but may not have encountered you yet. Every time I’ve done a takeover, I’ve seen growth in followers, received fresh content ideas, and expanded my content creation strategies. Plus, they help you establish meaningful connections within your niche.

Takeovers may seem a little daunting at first, but with the right preparation, they can become one of your favorite ways to engage with a new audience. Below are three tips that have helped me master every takeover and come away feeling successful, energized, and ready for more.

1. Do Your Homework and Plan Ahead

Before participating in a takeover, take the time to research the page or brand you're working with. Look into current Instagram trends (such as videos over stories), what kind of content the audience typically engages with (maybe they like fashion more than cooking), and what’s working in the stories space right now (such as sharing no more than 10-12 stories in a day). Once you have that information, plan your takeover with intention.

My Tip: I always set my goal before I start, and my goal is usually to gain followers. I also make a checklist of the key topics I need to cover, the types of content (stories, reels, polls, etc.), and the message I want to share. Think about how you want to structure the day — what parts of your routine you'll showcase and what content pieces will give the audience a fresh look into your world.

For me, planning the takeover is almost as important as the takeover itself. I lay everything out, typically on a Sunday evening, and decide what moments of the day I want to share, the message I want to convey, and the engagements I hope to receive. Then, I schedule out my posts, so everything feels steady throughout the day and not rushed.

2. Keep Your Audience Engaged

Takeovers aren't just about showcasing your life or your brand — they are a great opportunity to engage directly with the audience. I always make sure my Instagram notifications are on, so I don’t miss the chance to reply to messages and comments in real time.

To further increase engagement, I recommend using interactive stickers like polls, question boxes, or quizzes in your stories. I usually include 2-3 engagement stickers throughout the day to give the audience a chance to interact without needing to send a DM. It’s all about making people feel connected and heard.

My Tip: Engagement is the key to a successful takeover. Respond to all DMs and comments as quickly as you can. Not only does this help build rapport with the audience, but it also keeps your content relevant and active throughout the day.

3. Show Your Personality

While it's important to stay aligned with the brand's voice and tone, remember that the audience wants to hear from you. Your perspective is the fresh take they're looking for. Don’t be afraid to infuse your personality into the takeover, whether through your sense of humor, behind-the-scenes moments, or your personal preferences and style.

For me, this often means sharing little bits of my humor, adding descriptive text overlays, or choosing a filming style that feels natural to me. I also make sure to promote the takeover on my own platform, tagging anyone who is featured in the stories. This creates a cross-promotion opportunity, getting your content in front of multiple audiences at once.

My Tip: Takeovers are exhausting — you’ll spend the day toggling between accounts and posting actively. But the reward is well worth it. At the end of the day, I always post a final story expressing gratitude to the audience and the brand. I thank them for allowing me to take over, encourage them to follow me, and even offer to do another takeover in the future!

In Conclusion

Takeovers are a fantastic way to grow your following, stretch your creative muscles, and engage with a new audience. With the right planning, active engagement, and a dose of authenticity, you’ll not only ace your takeover but also leave a lasting impression.

Now that you know how to manage your next Instagram takeover, I’d love for you to see these tips in action. Head over to my Instagram, check out some of my recent takeovers, and be sure to follow me for more tips on personal branding, creativity, and behind-the-scenes moments from my life. Let’s connect!