Mixed Media Carousels Are Having a Moment
One of the greatest (and also the worst) things about social media is how quickly things change. What’s hot one minute can feel totally “uncool” the next. Luckily for you, we keep up with social media trends so you don’t have to — and right now, mixed media carousels are totally what’s trending on instagram.
So, what’s a mixed media carousel? It’s essentially a carousel post that combines different formats, all tied together by one central theme. For example, let’s use the first day of fall. Slide one could be a photo of a pumpkin, slide two an aesthetic video of someone walking down a leafy path, and slide three a tweet-meme about pumpkin spice lattes. Right there, you’ve got three different types of media in one post — photo, video, and graphic — all working together to tell a story.
The beauty of mixed media is that it lets you pair aspirational, shareable content with your core business message. It also keeps people swiping through (hello, engagement!) without requiring you to film and edit a full Reel from start to finish.
Ready to try it yourself? Here are some fun ways to build mixed media carousels for your business:
Photo → Video → Graphic: Start with a polished product photo, follow it with a behind-the-scenes timelapse, and close it out with a simple graphic that shares a key fact, testimonial, or CTA.
Aspirational → Relatable → Informational: Hook people in with something aspirational (a styled flat lay, cozy scene, or travel shot), then slide into something relatable (a funny meme or candid moment), and end with an informational graphic that ties it all back to your offer.
Throwback → Current → Future: Use an old photo or past project, pair it with what you’re currently working on, and finish with a sneak peek or teaser for what’s coming next.
Storytelling Arc: Use the first slide as your “once upon a time,” the second as the “problem/struggle,” and the third as the “solution” (hint: it’s your business or product).
Seasonal Spin: Pick a timely theme — like fall, back-to-school, or the holidays — and combine a lifestyle image, a trending audio clip/video, and a cheeky meme or quote graphic that ties it all together.
