Podcast Summary

Podcast: Build Your Tribe | Grow Your Business with Social Media
Host: Brock Johnson
Episode: 8 NEW Instagram Carousel Ideas To Get More Followers - 856
Date: October 27, 2025

Main Theme

In this episode, Brock Johnson shares eight innovative Instagram carousel ideas designed to increase your follower count and boost engagement. He breaks down step-by-step creative techniques—many with viral potential—that go far beyond familiar tip-based posts, aiming to inspire listeners to have fun and experiment with carousel content.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Why Instagram Carousels Matter Now

• Carousels are outperforming Reels:
  "Carousels are one of the best ways to grow on Instagram right now...the highest, most engaged with kind of content on Instagram." (02:10)
• 2025 Trend:
  There's been a surge in Reels, up 34% from the previous year, creating an opportunity for unique carousel content.

1. Stop Motion Carousel

(00:03 - 02:10)

• How it works:
  • Start with a stationary video with a subtle movement.
  • Add text: “Hold the dots and scroll” to prompt fast scrolling.
  • Insert several similar images with slight changes between the first and last slide.
  • Last slide is another video featuring a grand reveal or transformation.
• Examples:
  Used by sports teams for uniform reveals and fashion creators debuting outfits.

Notable Quote:

"You can have a lot more fun and expressiveness with your carousels than what we've been used to for the last five years." (02:07)

2. This Versus That Carousel

(02:15 - 03:40)

• Format:
  Each slide has a split image (top vs. bottom), with contrasting elements—could be video or photo.
• Examples:
  • One creator compared "if my video goes viral" vs. "if my video doesn't go viral."
  • Contrasting beliefs with influencer examples or debunking self-doubt.

3. Gamified Carousel

(03:40 - 05:15)

• Structure:
  • First slide presents a “game” or challenge.
  • Each subsequent slide supports the interactive concept.
  • Popular version: "Spot the AI image."
  • Alternate: “If you make it to slide 4, you’re my people.”
• Usefulness:
  Engages the audience by having them examine each slide carefully; fun, interactive, and shareable.

Notable Quote:

"If people make it to X slide, basically what you're saying is they have invested enough, they care enough about your work that you would be friends." (05:05)

4. Cross Frame Carousel

(05:16 - 07:05)

• How-to:
  • Each slide split horizontally; top image “bleeds” into the bottom, visually connecting the two halves.
  • Achievable in Canva with background remover and layering.
• Applications:
  Great for showcasing travel, gym routines, or creative photo series.

Notable Moment:
Brock walks through using old pumpkin photos to demonstrate in Canva, keeping it lighthearted and relatable.

5. Surprise Proposal Carousel

(07:06 - 08:36)

• Concept:
  • Take a horizontal image, kneeling with a ring box on the left.
  • First slide shows proposal posture; swipe to second slide reveals what’s being proposed to (often a humorous or niche-related object).
• Examples:
  Proposing to "the game" (for athletes), gym equipment, kitchen appliances, etc.
• Engagement:
  "Posts about people getting engaged are some of the most engaging, pun not intended posts on all of Instagram." (08:33)

6. Surrealist Carousel

(08:36 - 09:55)

• Approach:
  • Play with reality: exaggerated features, mixed media, digital cut-outs.
  • Examples: Giant heads, phone notification graphics, or mixing notes/screenshot overlays.
• Creator Shoutout:
  Victoria Bogadist for unique, surrealist fashion carousels.

7. ChatGPT Stereotypes Carousel

(09:56 - 11:28)

• Method:
  • Ask ChatGPT to create images of stereotypical roles in your industry (e.g., "real estate agent at X company").
  • Compile AI-generated images in a humorous, over-the-top manner.
• Caution:
  Avoid negative or harmful stereotypes—keep it light and fun.
• Pro tip:
  Ask for exaggerated, funny characteristics for higher engagement.

8. Hidden Object or Hidden Word Carousel

(11:29 - 14:00)

• Interactive Design:
  • Use a blurred/static background in Canva.
  • Place a shape or word, moving it slightly slide-to-slide, creating an animated hidden reveal with fast scrolling.
• Gamification:
  • Challenge followers to spot the object or word.
  • Can be paired with DM automation for rewards, lead generation, etc.

Notable Strategy:

"You could use this carousel idea in conjunction with DM Automation...They automatically receive a direct message...to promote your email list, a course, a product, whatever it is that you're selling." (13:50)

Final Inspiration & Resource Shoutouts

(14:01 - 15:22)

• Brock encourages experimentation, mixing different media, and engaging audiences with creativity.
• Recommended carousel creators: "bube by" for graphic design-heavy posts (15:08).
• For even more ideas, reference previous episodes linked in show notes.

Memorable Quote:

"I am encouraging you to express yourself using carousels. Get creative, try new things...use mixed media, use photos and videos and cutouts and clip art all in the same carousel. And ultimately just have fun with it." (15:10)

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

| Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |---|---|---| | "Carousels are one of the best ways to grow on Instagram right now...the highest, most engaged with kind of content." | Brock Johnson | 02:10 | | "You can have a lot more fun and expressiveness with your carousels than what we've been used to for the last five years." | Brock Johnson | 02:07 | | "If people make it to X slide...they care enough about your work that you would be friends." | Brock Johnson | 05:05 | | "Posts about people getting engaged are some of the most engaging, pun not intended posts..." | Brock Johnson | 08:33 | | "I am encouraging you to express yourself using carousels...And ultimately just have fun with it." | Brock Johnson | 15:10 |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:03] Introduction & Stop Motion Carousel
• [02:15] This Versus That Carousel
• [03:40] Gamified Carousel
• [05:16] Cross Frame Carousel (includes Canva walkthrough)
• [07:06] Surprise Proposal Carousel
• [08:36] Surrealist Carousel
• [09:56] ChatGPT Stereotype Carousel
• [11:29] Hidden Object/Word Carousel & Canva demo
• [14:01] Encouragement, shoutouts, further resources

Tone & Delivery

Brock maintains an enthusiastic, hands-on tone, mixing actionable advice with humor and relatable anecdotes. His walk-throughs are detailed yet approachable, positioning carousels as both fun and effective for creators and entrepreneurs.

Summary Takeaway

This episode offers eight fresh Instagram carousel ideas that merge creativity, interactivity, and platform trends. With clear examples and practical steps, Brock inspires listeners to ditch cookie-cutter content and tap into expressive, engaging strategies for real growth—and to have fun doing it.