If you were given a random lineup of Instagram profiles for jewelry brands – with the usernames hidden – would you be able to determine which ones are corporate jewelry brands and which ones are mom-and-pop jewelry shops?

You’d likely analyze the quality of the images, the caliber of models, and the overall cohesiveness of the grid. By “grid”, I mean all square photos stacked in three columns on any user’s main Instagram profile.

Not only are the most established and professional brands sharing the best photography on a daily basis, but they’re also thinking about how each photo connects to the next, telling a story and reinforcing the brand.

For an example, take a peek at the screenshot of Vrai and Oro’s Instagram feed (above) or visit their Instagram profile. Founded in 2014, Vrai and Oro is a fairly new brand, but they’ve attracted a lot of attention due to their innovative approach to jewelry. Selling only simple designs crafted from gold and diamonds, Vrai and Oro’s core values are quality, simplicity and transparency.

Vrai and Oro’s Instagram grid, which is clean and minimalist, communicates the brand very effectively. Not only is the color palette very limited, but the jewelry is presented in a way that seems very “no nonsense” and wearable. At the same time it’s beautiful and light.

Once you’ve determined your brand values and know how you want your customers to see you, then you can also take steps to make your Instagram grid a cohesive expression of your brand and tell a clear story that progresses from one photo to the next.

Do you know about the tools that can help you pre-plan your grid? PLANN and Preview are two of my favorites.

PLANN is one popular visual planner. When you download the PLANN app, you can upload potential photos for your Instagram feed and preview how they’ll look in your grid before you post them. If you’re not sure about adding a new tool to your technology mix, you can try PLANN for free with one Instagram account and upgrade later.

Preview has basically the same planning functionality as PLANN and costs $7.99/month for unlimited posts and some analytics capabilities. In my opinion, the two tools are very similar, and the one you choose will depend on personal preference.

What’s your favorite method for planning your Instagram grid? Are you new to the concept? Leave a comment and let me know what you think about building an Instagram grid as a branding strategy.