1. Why Carousels Are Perfect for Teaching Frameworks

  • Higher engagement – Carousels average a 0.55% engagement rate in 2025, edging past Reels and static images. 

  • Second chance reach – If someone scrolls past slide 1, Instagram often resurfaces the post with slide 2, doubling exposure. 

  • Swipe-driven micro-learning – Each slide becomes a mental “chapter,” ideal for multi-step models like GROW or Situational Leadership.


2. Map Your Story in Six Slides

Slide Purpose Content Tip
1. Hook Name the pain & outcome “Delegation without chaos, in 4 moves”
2. Big Picture Show full framework diagram Keep labels short; promise simplicity
3. Step 1 Deep-dive on first pillar Use icons to anchor memory
4. Steps 2 & 3 Two-col mini-grid Number boldly for visual cue
5. Case Example Real-life win in one paragraph Metric + emotion (“+18% engagement, less Sunday stress”)
6. Action + Save Prompt One-line task & “Save this slide” nudge Saves boost algorithm reach

Three-to-five slides perform best for completion, but leadership frameworks often need six.


3. Design Guidelines That Prevent Cropping

  1. Canvas: 1080 × 1350 px (4:5).

  2. Safe zone: 150 px padding all around protects text in the new 3:4 profile preview.

  3. Consistent grid: Same margins, font sizes, and color palette across slides for cognitive ease.

  4. Visual anchors: Repeat one icon or color accent to create narrative coherence.


4. Writing Captions That Propel Swipes

  • Lead with tension: “Ever end the day thinking, ‘I did their work, not mine’?”

  • Preview the value: “Swipe to borrow my 4-step delegation sprint.”

  • Micro-CTAs per slide: Use alt-text-style prompts (“Swipe ➡”) sparingly so they feel helpful, not spammy.

  • Hashtags: Blend two niche (#EmergingLeaders, #LeadershipJourney) with one broad (#ExecutiveCoaching) for reach and relevance.


5. Boost Interaction With Subtle Enhancements

Tactic How to Add Why It Helps
Animated arrow GIF Overlay on the bottom right of slide 1 Signals “there’s more” without clutter
Polling sticker in Stories Share slide 3 and ask, “Which step is hardest?” Feeds the algorithm fresh interactions
Alt-text descriptions Write < 125 chars per image Enhances accessibility & SEO

Interactive elements lift swipe-through rates, according to 2024 carousel trend analysis. 


6. Measure and Iterate

Metric Benchmark Insight
Completion rate (slide 6 impressions ÷ slide 1) ≥ 65 % Low? Simplify copying or cutting slides.
Saves per carousel ≥ 100 for 10k-follower account Saves signal “reference-worthy” content.
Shares to DMs Track via Insights → Overview Indicates real perceived value.

Run a quick A/B test on different slide counts (4 vs. 6) to find your audience’s sweet spot for attention span.


Final Thought

Carousels turn complex leadership theory into swipe-sized lessons your followers can grasp on the go. By structuring your story, guarding your safe zone, and inviting subtle interaction, you’ll transform abstract frameworks into sticky, share-worthy content and reinforce your authority with every swipe.