How to Create a Month of Instagram Content in a Day (Yes, Really!)

If creating daily Instagram content has you feeling overwhelmed, you're not alone. Between brainstorming captions, designing visuals, and remembering to post consistently, it’s easy to fall behind. But what if I told you that with the right strategy—and the right tools—you could plan an entire month of content in just one day?

Yep, it’s possible. And I’m going to show you how.

This article is all about Instagram planning apps.

Summer Vibes

Step 1: Start with a Clear Content Strategy

Before you open any app or start designing, take a moment to outline your goals. Are you trying to:

  • Drive traffic to your shop or website?

  • Grow your following?

  • Educate your audience or entertain them?

Having clarity helps you decide what type of content to focus on: educational carousels, engaging reels, promo posts, testimonials, etc.

Pro tip: I like to break the week down into daily themes. For instance, Monday is to entertain, Wednesday is to highlight a new product, Friday is to educate. This allows the audience to predict what is coming next while also creating trust.

Step 2: Choose the Best Instagram Planning App

Now let’s talk tools. An Instagram planning app is your best friend when batching content. It lets you visually map out your feed, schedule posts, and even auto-publish.

Here are a few popular options:

Best Instagram Planning Apps (Free + Paid)

1. Planoly- The original Planner

  • Paid Plans: The Starter plan is priced at $16/month, allowing up to 60 uploads per month for one user.​

  • Key Features:

    • Visual content calendar and grid preview.

    • Auto-posting capabilities.

    • Hashtag manager and analytics (on paid plans).

    • Access weekly trends, holiday calendar and stock imagery you actually want to use.

  • Cons:

    • No true free plan — access is limited, and serious users will need to upgrade to paid tiers.

    • Limited uploads even on Starter plan (60/month), which may not be enough for active creators.

    • Some features (like analytics and link scheduling) locked behind higher-tier plans.

    • Can feel overly structured for users who prefer more flexible planning tools.

2. Later - Award-winning influencer agency
services for the world’s top brands​

  • Paid Plans: The Starter plan begins at $16.67/month (billed annually), providing 30 posts per profile and additional features.​

  • Key Features:

    • Drag-and-drop visual planner.

    • Linkin.bio for clickable Instagram links.

    • Basic analytics and media library.​

    • Trusted by YouTube, Kylie Cosmetics, and the likes.

  • Cons:

    • Auto-posting is limited to certain post types; stories require manual posting.

    • The learning curve can be steep due to a feature-heavy dashboard.

    • Visual planning tools are strong but come with restrictions unless you upgrade.

3. UNUM- Truly Free

  • Free Plan: UNUM offers a free plan with built-in tools to create, plan, schedule, and grow your social media presence.​

  • Paid Plans: Premium plans are available with additional features.

  • Key Features:

    • Visual feed planning and scheduling.

    • Creative tools for content creation.

    • Team collaboration capabilities.

  • Cons:

    • Some users report that the interface, while sleek, is not as intuitive for beginners.

    • No desktop version for content scheduling — mobile-first approach may limit workflow options.

    • Collaboration and analytics tools are only available on paid plans.

    • Limited customer support and documentation compared to larger platforms.

4. Tailwind- Pinterest OG turned Instagram Scheduler

  • Free Plan: Tailwind offers a "Free Forever" plan, allowing users to publish 20 posts per month and create 20 post designs per month. ​

  • Paid Plans: The Pro plan starts at $14.99/month, offering unlimited scheduling, advanced analytics, and full access to Tailwind Create. ​

  • Key Features:

    • Smart scheduling for optimal post times.

    • Content creation tools with Tailwind Create.

    • Analytics and performance tracking.

  • Cons:

    • While the free plan is generous, it has posting caps that can be restrictive for daily content creators.

    • Interface and navigation are far more confusing than the competition.

    • Requires separate apps and processes for image creation vs. post scheduling.

    • Less emphasis on visual grid planning compared to apps like Planoly or Later.


Summary:

  • Best Free Options: UNUM and Tailwind offer robust free plans suitable for individuals and small teams.​

  • Best for Visual Planning: Planoly and Later provide intuitive visual planners, ideal for users focused on Instagram aesthetics.​

  • Best for Content Creation: Tailwind's integration with Tailwind Create makes it a strong choice for users seeking content creation tools alongside scheduling.

Step 3: Use Templates to Speed Up the Process

Here’s where the magic happens. Instead of designing from scratch every time, use Instagram templates to fast-track the content creation process.

Whether you're creating quote posts, testimonials, carousels, or promo graphics—templates save you hours.

💡 Hot tip: If you need editorial photos, or mix in aesthetic images with your own content, I highly recommend The Vault for stock images. They provide edgy, beautiful photos and videos that streamline the process of content creating.

(You can check it out here if you're curious!)

Step 4: Batch Your Content by Type

Why One-at-a-Time Posting Is Draining Your Creativity

Here’s the truth: trying to do it all at once—craft a caption, design a post, research hashtags, then finally publish—isn’t just inefficient, it’s creatively exhausting.

Every time you switch tasks, you’re forcing your brain to shift gears. That might not sound like a big deal, but over time, it leads to serious mental fatigue. It’s why content creation starts to feel more like a chore than an act of inspiration.

This is where batching comes in. When you organize your content creation into phases, you stay in a singular mindset—and that’s where the magic happens.

The Batching Method That Actually Works

Instead of creating content piece by piece, try breaking your workflow into focused steps:

1. Brainstorm all your content ideas

Set a timer, pour a coffee (or a glass of wine), and write down everything. What’s launching soon? What’s trending in your niche? What do your audience need to hear this month?

2. Write all your captions

Now that you’ve got your topics, stay in “writer mode.” Flow through your captions while the ideas are still fresh. Whether you’re witty, soulful, or straight-to-the-point—this is your time to set the tone.

3. Design all your posts

Once the words are ready, move into creative mode. Pull your colors, drop your templates (yes, those stunning done-for-you ones you picked up from our shop), and build a cohesive visual story. This is when your brand starts to come alive.

4. Schedule everything inside your planning app

Now the real freedom begins. Upload your finished posts into your Instagram planning app of choice. Use its built-in tools—like best-time posting suggestions and auto-publish—to make sure your content is seen when it matters.

Stay in Flow, Stay Ahead

When you batch your content, you’re not just saving time—you’re preserving your energy and protecting your creativity. You move from overwhelm to flow, and from burnout to consistency.

And let’s be honest: consistency is what builds trust, grows your audience, and converts followers into paying clients.

Want to make batching even easier? Our Instagram Planner and drag-and-drop Canva templates were made for this exact process. Plug them into your workflow and start creating like the CEO you are.

Final Thoughts

Creating a month of content in one day might sound wild, but with the right Instagram planning app, a few high-quality templates, and a solid planner in hand—you’ve got this.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel every time you post. You just need a system that works.

(Some links are affiliates.)

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