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SKILL.md
| 1 | 1 | --- | |
| 2 | 2 | name: writing-instagram-captions | |
| 3 | - | description: Creates engaging Instagram captions with perfect hashtags. Use when you need assistance with writing instagram captions. | |
| 3 | + | version: 2.0.0 | |
| 4 | + | description: Writes Instagram captions engineered for the first-line hook, dwell time, and saves. Use when drafting or rewriting a caption for a feed post, carousel, or Reel. | |
| 5 | + | category: marketing | |
| 6 | + | license: MIT | |
| 4 | 7 | --- | |
| 5 | 8 | ||
| 6 | 9 | # Writing Instagram Captions | |
| 7 | 10 | ||
| 8 | - | Creates engaging Instagram captions with perfect hashtags | |
| 11 | + | Instagram shows only the **first ~125 characters** before truncating with "… more". That first line is the entire ballgame: it decides whether someone taps to expand or scrolls past. Everything else in this playbook — length, formatting, hashtags, CTAs — is downstream of writing a hook worth expanding. | |
| 9 | 12 | ||
| 10 | - | ## Viral Potential: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | |
| 13 | + | The metrics the algorithm actually rewards, in order of weight: **sends/shares > saves > comments > likes**. Dwell time (how long the caption holds someone in-post) is a strong secondary signal. Write for those, not for vanity likes. | |
| 11 | 14 | ||
| 12 | - | **⭐ FEATURED SKILL** - Top 10 in ${category.name} | |
| 15 | + | ## The anatomy of a caption | |
| 13 | 16 | ||
| 14 | - | ## When to Use | |
| 17 | + | ``` | |
| 18 | + | [HOOK] Line 1, ≤125 chars. Visible before "…more". Earns the tap. | |
| 19 | + | [BODY] Deliver on the hook. Line breaks every 1–2 sentences. | |
| 20 | + | [CTA] One ask, aimed at saves/shares/comments. | |
| 21 | + | [HASHTAGS] 3–8 targeted tags, or moved to first comment. | |
| 22 | + | ``` | |
| 15 | 23 | ||
| 16 | - | - Creates engaging Instagram captions with perfect hashtags | |
| 24 | + | ## Rule 1: The hook lives in the first 125 characters | |
| 17 | - | - Working on related social media tasks | |
| 18 | - | - Need expert guidance on writing instagram captions | |
| 19 | 25 | ||
| 20 | - | ## Instructions | |
| 26 | + | Before "…more" you get roughly 125 characters (about 1–2 short lines). Front-load the value or tension there. Never open with "Happy Monday!!" or a slow wind-up — the payoff must be visible or implied in line one. | |
| 21 | 27 | ||
| 22 | - | 1. Understand the context and requirements | |
| 28 | + | **Hook templates that earn the tap:** | |
| 23 | - | 2. Apply best practices for writing instagram captions | |
| 24 | - | 3. Provide actionable recommendations | |
| 25 | - | 4. Iterate based on feedback | |
| 26 | 29 | ||
| 27 | - | ## Examples | |
| 30 | + | - **Curiosity gap:** "I almost didn't post this." / "The mistake cost me $4,000. Here's what I'd do instead 👇" | |
| 31 | + | - **Bold claim:** "Most 'productivity' advice makes you slower. Three that actually work:" | |
| 32 | + | - **Direct callout:** "If you've ever rewritten the same caption 6 times — this is for you." | |
| 33 | + | - **Number promise:** "5 things I wish I knew before my first 10k followers:" | |
| 34 | + | - **Contrarian:** "Posting daily is the worst growth advice on this app. Here's why." | |
| 35 | + | - **In-media-res story:** "It was 11pm and the launch page was still broken." | |
| 36 | + | - **Stakes + payoff:** "This one email got me the client. The exact template 👇" | |
| 28 | 37 | ||
| 29 | - | ### Example: Basic Request | |
| 38 | + | Rule of thumb: if the first line would make sense as a text from a friend you'd _have_ to reply to, it's a hook. If it reads like a press release, rewrite it. | |
| 30 | - | User: "Help me with writing instagram captions" | |
| 31 | - | Response: Provide tailored assistance based on the specific need. | |
| 32 | 39 | ||
| 33 | - | ## Guidelines | |
| 40 | + | ## Rule 2: Length is a tool — up to 2,200 characters | |
| 34 | 41 | ||
| 35 | - | - Follow industry best practices | |
| 42 | + | The hard cap is **2,200 characters** (roughly 300–400 words). Short captions (1 punchy line) work for a strong-visual post where the image does the talking. But **long captions can outperform** when the content is genuinely useful: a longer, well-structured caption increases dwell time and gives people a reason to **save** it (recipes, frameworks, checklists, step-by-steps get saved because they're referenced later). | |
| 36 | - | - Provide actionable, specific advice | |
| 37 | - | - Consider the target audience | |
| 38 | - | - Iterate and refine based on feedback | |
| 39 | 43 | ||
| 44 | + | Decision rule: | |
| 45 | + | ||
| 46 | + | - **Strong visual, emotional beat, meme** → short (1–3 lines). | |
| 47 | + | - **Teaching, story, list, how-to, launch** → long, but only if every line earns its place. Length without substance just buries the CTA. | |
| 48 | + | ||
| 49 | + | ## Rule 3: Formatting for readability (kill the wall of text) | |
| 50 | + | ||
| 51 | + | Instagram's native caption box collapses consecutive blank lines, which is why paste-ins turn into a wall. Formatting that survives: | |
| 52 | + | ||
| 53 | + | - **Line breaks:** write each thought on its own line. To force reliable spacing, put a single non-breaking character on the "blank" line (a lone `·`, `` invisible char, or a single emoji), or draft in a notes app and paste. One idea per line beats dense paragraphs. | |
| 54 | + | - **Emoji as visual anchors, not decoration:** use them to start list items (👉 ✅ 📌 →) or mark section shifts. 3–8 across a caption is plenty. Emoji spam reads as spam and buries the words. | |
| 55 | + | - **Scannable lists:** for tips/carousels, number them (1 / 2 / 3) or bullet with a consistent emoji so the eye can jump. | |
| 56 | + | - **Chunk it:** 1–2 sentences per block, blank line between blocks. Give the eye somewhere to rest. | |
| 57 | + | ||
| 58 | + | Read your caption on a phone before posting. If it looks like a Terms of Service page, break it up. | |
| 59 | + | ||
| 60 | + | ## Rule 4: The hashtag debate, settled | |
| 61 | + | ||
| 62 | + | Ignore the "always use 30" myth. Instagram itself has said a small set of **highly relevant** hashtags beats a wall of generic ones. Practical spec: | |
| 63 | + | ||
| 64 | + | - **3–8 targeted hashtags.** Quality over volume. | |
| 65 | + | - **Mix sizes** so you're not invisible in only-huge tags: | |
| 66 | + | - 1–2 **large** (500k–2M posts) for reach | |
| 67 | + | - 2–3 **medium/niche** (50k–500k) — your real discovery zone | |
| 68 | + | - 1–2 **micro/branded** (<50k, or your own campaign tag) where you can actually rank | |
| 69 | + | - **Specific > generic.** `#sourdoughtroubleshooting` finds your people; `#food #love #instagood` finds bots. | |
| 70 | + | - **Caption vs. first comment:** both work for reach — pick one for cleanliness. Putting tags in the **first comment** keeps the caption clean and the hook uncluttered; in-caption is fine too. Don't duplicate across both. | |
| 71 | + | - Avoid banned/spammy tags and don't repeat the identical block on every post (looks automated). | |
| 72 | + | ||
| 73 | + | ## Rule 5: CTAs that drive the metrics IG rewards | |
| 74 | + | ||
| 75 | + | Match the ask to the metric you want. **One** CTA per caption — a double ask splits the action. | |
| 76 | + | ||
| 77 | + | - **Saves:** "Save this for your next launch." / "Bookmark before you forget step 3." | |
| 78 | + | - **Shares/sends:** "Send this to the friend who needs to hear it." / "Share to your story if this hit." | |
| 79 | + | - **Comments (weight the reply):** ask a specific, low-effort question — "What's your go-to hook? Drop it below 👇" beats "Thoughts?" Yes/no or one-word answers get more replies than open essays. | |
| 80 | + | - **Comment-to-DM triggers:** "Comment WORD and I'll send you the template" (spikes comments + sends), if you can actually deliver. | |
| 81 | + | - **Follow (only for high-value reference posts):** "Follow @handle for one of these every week." | |
| 82 | + | ||
| 83 | + | Avoid stacking "Like, comment, save, share and follow" — it reads desperate and converts on none. | |
| 84 | + | ||
| 85 | + | ## Caption archetypes | |
| 86 | + | ||
| 87 | + | - **Story:** hook mid-scene → tension → turn → lesson → CTA (share/comment). Best for connection and shares. | |
| 88 | + | - **Tip carousel intro:** hook promises the list → "Here's all X 👇" → tease slide 1 → save CTA. The caption sells the swipe. | |
| 89 | + | - **Question/engagement:** hook poses a genuine either/or → brief context → ask. Best for comment volume. | |
| 90 | + | - **Behind-the-scenes:** hook shows the unpolished reality → what you learned → relatable CTA. Builds trust. | |
| 91 | + | - **Launch/announcement:** hook = the news or the transformation (not "I'm excited to announce") → what it is + who it's for → one clear action (link in bio / comment word). Lead with benefit, not logistics. | |
| 92 | + | ||
| 93 | + | ## Accessibility & alt text | |
| 94 | + | ||
| 95 | + | Alt text isn't optional craft — it serves screen-reader users **and** gives Instagram text to understand and rank your post. | |
| 96 | + | ||
| 97 | + | - Add custom alt text: **Advanced settings → Write alt text** (before posting), or edit an existing post → alt text. | |
| 98 | + | - Describe what's literally in the image in one plain sentence: "Flat-lay of a laptop, open notebook, and coffee on a wooden desk." Don't keyword-stuff. | |
| 99 | + | - **Caption accessibility:** a few relevant emoji are fine, but don't drown a screen reader — each emoji is read aloud ("smiling face with…"), so 20 in a row is torture. For Reels, add real **captions/subtitles**; many watch on mute. | |
| 100 | + | ||
| 101 | + | --- | |
| 102 | + | ||
| 103 | + | ## Example 1 — Story post | |
| 104 | + | ||
| 105 | + | > I almost deleted this business three times last year. | |
| 106 | + | > | |
| 107 | + | > The third time, I had the "closing shop" email drafted. Cursor on send. | |
| 108 | + | > | |
| 109 | + | > What stopped me wasn't a pep talk. It was one spreadsheet. | |
| 110 | + | > | |
| 111 | + | > I finally tracked where my hours actually went — and 60% were on clients paying me the least. I'd been drowning in the wrong work and calling it "hustle." | |
| 112 | + | > | |
| 113 | + | > So I fired the bottom three, raised prices on the rest, and used the free hours to land two dream clients. | |
| 114 | + | > | |
| 115 | + | > Revenue didn't just recover. It doubled in five months. | |
| 116 | + | > | |
| 117 | + | > The lesson I'd tattoo on my arm: being busy and being profitable are not the same thing. Audit before you quit. | |
| 118 | + | > | |
| 119 | + | > Which one are you right now — busy, or profitable? Tell me below 👇 | |
| 120 | + | > | |
| 121 | + | > #smallbusinesstips #solopreneurlife #freelancewriter #businessburnout #pricingstrategy | |
| 122 | + | ||
| 123 | + | Why it works: hook = a confession with stakes (under 125 chars, visible before "…more"), single-idea line breaks, a concrete number (60%, doubled), and one comment-driving question as the CTA. | |
| 124 | + | ||
| 125 | + | ## Example 2 — Carousel / tips post | |
| 126 | + | ||
| 127 | + | > Your captions aren't the problem. Your first line is. 👇 | |
| 128 | + | > | |
| 129 | + | > Everyone obsesses over hashtags while the actual reason people scroll past sits in plain sight: a boring opening line. | |
| 130 | + | > | |
| 131 | + | > Swipe for the 5 hook formulas I use on every post → | |
| 132 | + | > | |
| 133 | + | > 1️⃣ The curiosity gap — hint at the payoff, don't give it | |
| 134 | + | > 2️⃣ The bold claim — say the thing most won't | |
| 135 | + | > 3️⃣ The number promise — "5 things I wish I knew…" | |
| 136 | + | > 4️⃣ The direct callout — "If you've ever \_\_\_, this is for you" | |
| 137 | + | > 5️⃣ The mid-scene story — drop them into the moment | |
| 138 | + | > | |
| 139 | + | > Steal these. Save the post so you're not staring at a blank caption box on Sunday night. | |
| 140 | + | > | |
| 141 | + | > Which hook are you trying first? 👇 | |
| 142 | + | > | |
| 143 | + | > #instagramtips #contentcreationtips #socialmediastrategy #captionwriting #creatortips #smallaccounttips | |
| 144 | + | ||
| 145 | + | Why it works: hook reframes a common frustration in one line, the caption _sells the swipe_ (its only job for a carousel), the list is scannable with emoji anchors, and the CTA is a **save** ask plus a light comment prompt. | |
| 146 | + | ||
| 147 | + | --- | |
| 148 | + | ||
| 149 | + | ## Mistakes to avoid | |
| 150 | + | ||
| 151 | + | - **Burying the hook** behind "Hi friends! So… " throat-clearing. Line one, no runway. | |
| 152 | + | - **Wall of text** — a pasted paragraph with no line breaks. Nobody expands it. | |
| 153 | + | - **30 generic hashtags** (`#love #instagood #photooftheday`). They reach zero real people and look spammy. | |
| 154 | + | - **The five-part CTA:** "like comment save share follow." Pick one. | |
| 155 | + | - **Vague questions:** "Thoughts??" gets crickets. Ask something answerable in one word. | |
| 156 | + | - **Announcement-speak:** "We're thrilled to announce…" Lead with the benefit or the news itself. | |
| 157 | + | - **Emoji confetti:** 25 emoji that anchor nothing and torment screen readers. | |
| 158 | + | - **Skipping alt text** — you lose accessibility _and_ a free ranking signal. | |
| 159 | + | - **Identical hashtag block on every post** — trips spam heuristics; rotate to fit the post. | |
| 160 | + | - **Writing for likes** instead of saves/shares — you'll optimize the metric IG weights least. | |
| 161 | + | - **CTA before the value** — asking for a save before you've earned it. Deliver, then ask. | |
| 162 | + |