Turn Views into Sales with a Call to Action on Instagram
TL;DR: How to Create a Call to Action on Instagram
A strong CTA tells your audience exactly what to do next—don’t skip it.
Use CTAs in captions, Reels, Stories, your bio, and even paid ads to boost results.
Keep it simple, action-driven, and relevant to your content and audience.
Tools like ManyChat can automate DMs and generate leads straight from your posts.
Track performance using Instagram Insights and refine your CTA strategy over time.
Never post without a purpose. That’s what top-performing Instagram marketers live by—and it’s what separates scroll-past content from content that converts.
Every time you post without telling people what to do next, you’re leaving engagement, leads, and sales on the table. A simple line like “Click the link in bio” or “Save this for later” can be the difference between someone acting—or moving on.
Posts with clear calls to action (CTAs) see up to 202% more engagement.
Whether you're trying to grow your email list, get more DMs, or sell a product—your CTA is your most underrated power move. And if you're not being intentional with it you’re playing Instagram on hard mode.
What’s a Call to Action on Instagram (And Why It Actually Matters)
A call to action (CTA) is anything that encourages your audience to take a specific action. Think of it like a friendly nudge: “Double tap if you agree,” “Click the link in bio,” or “Tag a friend who needs this.”
According to Your Social Team, good CTAs can boost engagement, improve reach, and even lead to more sales. Without one, your audience might just keep scrolling.
Why it matters:
It increases interaction (likes, comments, shares, saves)
It drives traffic to your website, email list, or shop
It helps Instagram understand your content is valuable, so it shows it to more people
What Makes a Call to Action Good?
Not all CTAs are created equal. Here’s what makes a good one:
Clear & Simple: Don’t make people guess. Say exactly what you want them to do.
Action-Packed: Use strong action verbs like "Download," "Shop," "Watch," or "Join."
Emotionally Engaging: Tap into excitement, curiosity, or urgency.
Relevant: Make sure it connects to the content.
Not Overdone: One solid CTA is better than five confusing ones.
Some CTAs that work really well include:
"Save this for later"
"DM me the word 'guide' and I’ll send you the link"
"Tag a business owner who needs to hear this"
Where Should You Put a CTA on Instagram?
In Captions
Captions are the most common (and expected) place for a CTA. You can place it at the end, or even at the start to catch attention fast. Remember, sometimes you need to ask multiple times before people take action.
In Your Bio
Your Instagram bio is prime real estate. Update the link and CTA based on what you're promoting. Don’t send them to a page with too many options, send them to a page with ONE objective.
In Stories
Use stickers like "Polls," "Questions," or the "Link" sticker to add CTAs that get interaction.
In Reels
Use voiceovers, on-screen text, and caption CTAs. Short-form video still needs direction!
In Highlights
Have CTA-friendly Stories saved in your Highlights (like "Free Guide" or "Work With Me").
CTA Templates You Can Steal (And Tweak)
Here are some ready-to-use CTA templates:
Engagement Boosters:
Double tap if you agree!
Share this with someone who needs it
Drop an emoji that describes your mood
Sales-Driven:
Tap the link in bio to shop
Use code [NAME] for 15% off
Lead Magnets:
Want the full checklist? DM me (or comment, more on this laer… 'checklist'
Save this post to refer back later
Click the link in bio for the free download
Story CTAs:
Vote below!
Ask me anything
Swipe up to learn more (or use the link sticker)
How to Create a Call to Action for Instagram Posts
Instagram posts are great for storytelling and teaching, but don’t forget to tell people what to do next.
Tips:
Make your first line catchy, then guide with the CTA at the end
Use emojis or spacing to make it easy to read
Test short vs long captions to see what your audience prefers
How to Create a Call to Action for Instagram Reels
Reels are fast, fun, and a little chaotic—but CTAs still work if done right.
Tips:
Add the CTA visually (text on screen)
Say it aloud in your voiceover
Include it in the caption
Using ManyChat for Instagram Posts and Reels
If you want to turn comments into conversations (and conversations into leads), ManyChat is one of the best tools out there. It connects directly to your Instagram account and lets you set up automated DM flows based on trigger words people comment on your posts or Reels.
Why ManyChat Works
Instagram's algorithm rewards engagement. So when someone comments on your post—even with a single word—it tells Instagram, “Hey, this is valuable.” That boosts your reach and gives you a chance to connect with that person one-on-one in the DMs.
Here’s what that can look like in action:
You post a Reel offering a free checklist:
“Want the full list? Comment ‘checklist’ and I’ll DM it to you!”A follower comments “checklist”
ManyChat automatically sends them a message with the download link
You follow up later with more value—or even a booking link
Now instead of just a comment, you’ve started a direct conversation.
Benefits of Using ManyChat on Instagram
Higher engagement on posts and Reels (Instagram loves comments)
Automated lead generation without needing a landing page
Direct relationships with your audience via DMs
Scalable conversations that save you time and convert better than cold traffic
How to Get Started with ManyChat for Instagram
Connect your Instagram account to ManyChat (must be a business account)
Set up a “Comment Trigger” keyword like “guide,” “ebook,” or “promo”
Build a simple automation flow with your message and link
Post on Instagram and tell your audience to comment the trigger word
Watch the leads roll in—automatically
Keep your trigger word short, clear, and easy to spell. Words like “guide” or “checklist” work better than phrases like “send me the free thing.”
Whether you’re offering a freebie, booking discovery calls, or promoting a sale, ManyChat can turn a single comment into an entire conversion funnel—without lifting a finger after setup.
If you’re not using it yet, now’s the time to start. It’s one of the easiest ways to turn Instagram from a branding tool into a results-driven growth channel.
How to Create a Call to Action for Instagram Stories
Stories feel personal and real, which makes CTAs even more effective.
Ideas:
Use poll stickers: "Are you stuck with marketing? Yes/OMG yes"
Ask questions: "What’s your biggest struggle with Instagram?"
Link sticker: "Tap here to grab the free checklist"
Pro Tip: Walk through a problem, then offer the solution via a CTA at the end.
Writing CTAs That Convert in Instagram Ads
Instagram ads cost money—so your CTA needs to pull weight.
Best Practices:
Match the CTA to the stage of the funnel (cold vs warm audience)
Keep it short and focused
Use buttons like "Learn More," "Sign Up," or "Shop Now"
Urgency, clarity, and relevance are key in ad CTAs.
Should You Change Your CTA for Different Audiences?
Yes, 100%. Your audience isn’t one-size-fits-all.
Cold audience: Keep it light and low-commitment ("Save this post")
Warm audience: Be direct and more personal ("Book a free call")
Repeat audience: Offer exclusives or inside info ("VIP sale starts now")
We often adjust CTAs based on client goals and where their audience is in the customer journey.
How Do You Know If Your CTA Is Working?
The only way to know is to track it.
Metrics to Watch:
Link clicks
Comment responses
DM triggers (for ManyChat)
Saves, shares, and reach
Use Instagram Insights, UTM links, or ManyChat reports to measure success.
If something flops, try:
A different CTA style
New placement (caption vs sticker)
More contrast or urgency in your wording
Wrapping It Up
A strong Instagram Call to Action isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s the bridge between content and results. Whether you're driving traffic, building your list, or boosting engagement, the right CTA tells your audience exactly what to do next.
In this article, we covered everything you need to know:
What a CTA is and why it matters
Where to place CTAs across posts, Reels, Stories, and ads
How to write CTAs that convert (with real templates and examples)
How to adapt your message for different audiences
How to measure if it’s working so you can keep improving
And with tools like ManyChat, you can even automate it—turning comments into conversations without lifting a finger.
At the end of the day, your content is already valuable. A strong CTA just helps more people take action on it.
FAQ: Call to Action on Instagram
What is the best call to action on Instagram?
There’s no one-size-fits-all CTA, but anything that clearly tells people what to do next—like "Click the link in bio" or "Comment 'ebook'" works great.
Where should I put a call to action on Instagram?
Captions, Stories, your bio, and even Reels are great places. Use stickers, text overlays, and voiceovers to guide your audience.
How do I write a strong CTA?
Keep it clear, use action verbs, and match the CTA to your goal. Don’t forget to test what works for your audience.
Does Schulze Creative help with Instagram CTAs?
Yes! Schulze Creative offers personalized digital marketing strategies, including CTA copywriting and automation tools like ManyChat to help small businesses get real results.
Why do I need a CTA on every post?
Without a CTA, your post just... sits there. A good CTA turns views into engagement, and engagement into action.
