# Instagram Marketing Bootcamp Canonical URL: ## Overview Social media marketing is a powerful and essential digital marketing tool. From understanding the landscape of social media to developing an effective strategy that drives the growth of your online presence, successful social media marketing is increasingly crucial to a business’s positioning within the competitive marketplace. This one-day workshop closely examines one of the most popular platforms: Instagram. The workshop also explores platform functionality and advertising alongside the content. Students will be introduced to current social media marketing trends and develop a strategy that works for them. Start learning about the benefits of [social media marketing](/blog/7-reasons-why-marketing-professionals-love-social-media) on our blog. This workshop offers a comprehensive look at all aspects of Instagram marketing. For more information about the topics covered in class, please refer to the syllabus below. ## What you'll learn - Learn about Instagram and its social impact - Develop a successful social media strategy - Create visually engaging content that drives sales and increases engagement - Learn how to gain a following and expand your reach ## Curriculum ### Section 1 #### Introduction to Instagram - Introduction to Instagram - History of Instagram - What’s New - Trend Report - Creating a New Account - Following Accounts - Navigation - Profile Page Overview #### Hashtag 101 - What is a hashtag - Hashtag do’s and don’ts - Types of Hashtags - High- and low-density hashtags - Creating a Branded Hashtag - Hashtag Research ### Section 2 #### Creating a Content Theme - What is a big idea - What is a content theme - Determining your theme - How to branch into sub-themes #### Strategies for Capturing Content - Establishing visual consistency - Recording your content #### Developing a Community - Interacting with your target audience - Understanding your audience’s needs - How to leverage your audience #### Creating a Post Cadence - Establishing your availability - Scheduling consistent content - Adapting your cadence ### Section 3 #### Types of Posts - Posts, Stories, and Reels - Types of Interactions - Audience Engagement - Benefits of each content type #### Editing Posts and Reels - Choosing Filters - Using Instagram Photo Editing - Creating stories - Editing stories and adding stickers - Recording Reels - Editing Reels - Creating a mock-up post #### Captions and Additional Post Features - Establish your audience’s needs - Incorporating gamification and/or call-to-action - Being ADA-compliant with photo descriptions - Tagging and Collaboration ### Section 4 #### Creating a Business Page on Instagram - Starting a business page - Creating a business post - Managing page on Instagram - Creating reels and stories #### Paid Advertising with Instagram - Choosing the right advertising - Ad creation best practices - Ad optimization - Job post advertising - Ad analytics #### Using Shopify with Instagram - Reasons to use Shopify (even if you have your own website) - Introduction to Shopify - Create collections - Manage shop across platforms - Showcase brand and products ## Schedule - Jul 14, 2026 – Jul 23, 2026 — NYC - Jul 27, 2026 – Jul 28, 2026 — NYC - Oct 26, 2026 – Oct 27, 2026 — NYC ## Instructors ### Nicole McCullum — Instructor Nicole McCullum is the founder of Captivate Designs, a web design and internet marketing company that helps small businesses establish a professional web presence and generate leads and sales online. She has been involved in web design and internet marketing since 2004 when she founded her first business, a real estate school. Having marketed her first business via the internet with great results, Ms. McCullum decided that she can help other business owners get great results from the internet and she parlayed her experience into a web design and digital marketing company. Ms. McCullum helps her clients get exposure online and increase traffic to their websites through search engine optimization services and training. As a practitioner of SEO, Ms. McCullum has also worked as an SEO Consultant and SEO Trainer. Ms. McCullum has also trained both entrepreneurs and marketing professionals on how to execute a successful SEO strategy. ### J.J. Coleman — Instructor With over 25 years of expertise in digital marketing, J.J. is a recognized authority in the field, blending deep strategic insight with hands-on experience across a wide range of industries. His career includes impactful work with global brands such as American Express, AT&T, McGraw-Hill, Young & Rubicam Advertising, and The New York Times. Holding an MBA in Marketing from NYU’s Stern School of Business, J.J. has also served as an adjunct professor at Pace University, where he taught graduate-level marketing strategy. J.J. is currently the Managing Partner at Contagency, a digital-first agency known for its expert strategy, visionary design, analytical rigor, and results-driven brand growth. In addition to leading agency work, he is an accomplished educator, actively teaching and developing advanced digital marketing curricula for industry professionals. His courses span key areas such as performance marketing, social content marketing, analytics, brand strategy, and digital innovation—empowering the next generation of marketers with actionable skills and thought leadership. J.J. is a certified Meta and Google Ads expert and his agency, Contagency, is a Meta business partner. Passionate about value creation, problem-solving, and the intersection of marketing and technology, J.J. continues to drive meaningful change through education, innovation, and strategic execution. ## FAQ ### Do I need to bring anything to the class? - If you already have any social media accounts (Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), etc.), please know the login information so you can access them during class. - We provide computers (Mac or PC) with the required software installed. Choose your operating system at checkout. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $650