The Instagram Stories Podcast

In this episode of the Instagram Stories Podcast, I interview Anna Mangiello, a User-Generated Content (UGC) creator and coach. Anna is a former high school teacher turned full-time UGC creator and coach who has been creating UGC content since 2021. She has worked with over 800 brands, including Fiverr, Maybelline, L’Oréal, TikTok, Microsoft, Dr. Squatch, and many others.Anna has helped more than 700 creators build profitable online businesses through her programs, community, and digital resources. As a multi-passionate entrepreneur with a no-BS teaching style, Anna combines real industry experience with step-by-step education to help women build sustainable, scalable UGC businesses that support their families and give them true time flexibility and freedom.In this interview, Anna defines UGC as content produced by everyday people for brands to use on their own social media or for paid advertising, which allows creators to work without the pressure of posting to their personal accounts or having a large following. She emphasizes that while UGC offers creative freedom and flexibility, it is a demanding business that requires managing administrative tasks, legal contracts, and client negotiations. Anna also discusses her A+ creator community and her "Two-Hour Creator" course, which helps busy individuals—specifically those in the 30-plus demographic—break into the industry and leverage market gaps.You can find Anna online at:YouTube: A+SocialsTikTok: @aplussocialsInstagram: @aplussocials

This podcast episode features Jen Lehner, an AI strategist and consultant, and we review the accuracy of our tech and social media predictions for 2025 while looking ahead to the emerging trends of 2026. The conversation covers the ethical dilemmas of AI video generation, viral marketing successes like the "death" of the Duolingo mascot, and the potential for AI agents to handle personal tasks like grocery shopping and app building.(3:00) - Reviewing 2025 Predictions: Jen Lehner reflects on her successful predictions regarding AI content, wearables, and agentic AI, while Daniel notes that while he was wrong about YouTube Shorts replacing TikTok, he correctly identified the rise of "social media burnout" as a major topic.(10:00) - The Sora Controversy and AI Ethics: A major discussion point is the "fail" of AI video tools like Sora allowing users to recreate deceased individuals (e.g., Martin Luther King or Elvis), raising concerns about legacy, dignity, and the lack of consent from families.(18:00) - "Vibe Coding" with Lovable: Daniel and Jen Lehner discuss Lovable, an app-building tool that allows users to create functional apps simply by describing them—a concept known as "vibe coding". Daniel shares how he used it to build a camera app to help him take better photos of his wife.(24:00) - The "Death" of Duo the Owl: The hosts break down Duolingo’s viral marketing campaign involving the staged "death" and community-led resurrection of its mascot, which successfully drove 1.5 million users back into the app to save him.(31:00) - Wearable Tech & Privacy Struggles: Jen Lehner describes using AI digital notetakers that record and summarize entire days of conversations. However, she notes the ethical "guilt" of not being able to inform every person she encounters, such as a pharmacist, that they are being recorded.(35:00) - 2026 Social Media Predictions: Jen Lehner predicts an explosion in live-selling auctions via apps like Whatnot, where young sellers are already making millions through fast-paced, high-scarcity sneaker sales.(37:00) - The Analog Shift: Daniel’s wife, Lauren, suggests a counter-trend for 2026: a move toward "analog" social experiences where people host "no phone parties" to prioritize raw, genuine connection over glamorized digital lifestyles.(38:00) - The Future of AI Agents & Robots: Jen Lehner anticipates the rise of agents that can autonomously order groceries via Instacart and home robots capable of tasks like unloading a dishwasher.(40:00) - OpenAI’s Move into Hardware: Daniel highlights OpenAI’s collaboration with designer Johnny Ive to create a computing experience intended to be "less socially disruptive than the iPhone".(44:00) - AI in Podcasting: Looking at 2026, Jen Lehner predicts the rise of AI personas or "synthetic voices" that will source, curate, and record entire podcast episodes autonomously.Links:Jen Lehner: https://jenlehner.com/Front Row Daily Briefing: https://jenlehner.com/flash/

Bella Rose Mortel is a social media strategist and creative copywriter known for building authentic, high-impact digital brands. Currently at beehiiv, she leads content + strategy across LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Instagram and other platforms, blending strategy with storytelling to drive growth and engagement. With a background at Workweek and Morning Brew, plus her own Gen Z–focused newsletter The Personality Hire, she’s passionate about making B2B content feel human, relevant, and genuinely fun. Host Daniel Hill and Bella Rose discuss the critical importance for creators to "own their audience" through an email newsletter, as social media platforms can be unreliable due to algorithm changes or potential bans. Bella Rose highlights beehive's key differentiators from competitors like Substack, including its 0% cut on paid subscription revenue (only Stripe fees apply), a built-in ad network that offers sponsorship opportunities with no minimum subscriber count (even for those with as few as 100 subscribers), and a new fully integrated website builder. The discussion also covers beehiiv's tools designed to make content creation easier, such as AI writing assistance and various newsletter and website templates, emphasizing its role as an all-in-one platform to simplify growing and monetizing a content business. Bella Rose also shares insights from her dual perspective as a newsletter creator and social media strategist, explaining how newsletters foster a deeper connection with an intentional audience compared to the passive scrolling on social media, and offering practical advice on managing multiple social platforms.(2:30) beehiiv's All-in-One Platform & Website Builder: Bella Rose introduces beehiiv's new website builder, allowing for a fully integrated website with a newsletter, and highlights its growth and monetization tools as an all-in-one solution(3:30) Why Owning Your Audience with a Newsletter is Critical: Bella Rose emphasizes that creators cannot always trust social media algorithms (like TikTok bans or LinkedIn changes) to reach their audience, making owning an email list "super critical"(5:30) beehiiv's 0% Cut on Paid Subscriptions: Bella Rose states that beehiiv takes "0%" of subscription revenue, allowing creators to keep all their earnings except for Stripe fees, unlike Substack which takes a big cut(6:00) beehiiv's Built-in Ad Network for Sponsorships: She explains that beehiiv has an "ad network built in within the platform" that serves users sponsorship opportunities from premium sponsors like Roku and HubSpot(7:00) No Minimum Subscribers for beehiiv's Ad Network: Bella Rose clarifies that there is "not a minimum size" for newsletters to receive ads, noting that even those with "maybe 100 subscribers get offered ads"(10:00) beehiiv's AI Writing Tools: Bella Rose mentions that beehiiv offers AI tools within its editor to help writers tighten content, change language, or edit images, making the writing process easier(11:30) Full Website Hosting on beehive: Bella Rose confirms that users can host their entire custom website on beehiiv, fully integrated with their newsletter, eliminating the need for separate hosting platforms(17:30) Bella Rose's Social Media Strategy and Tips: She shares insights into her role as social media strategist at beehiiv, managing content for platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Threads, focusing on making product content fun and engagingFind Bella Rose:LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellarosemortel/⁠Newsletter: The Personality Hire - ⁠https://bella-roses-newsletter.beehiiv.com/t/lifestyle⁠Find beehiiv: Web: ⁠https://www.beehiiv.com/⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/beehiiv/⁠Find Daniel:Social Media News Podcast: ⁠https://pod.link/1467688778⁠Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/danielhillmedia/⁠Email Newsletter: ⁠https://subscribepage.io/danielhillmedia⁠

In this episode, Daniel sits down with Mathew Passy, co-founder of Custom Podcast Solutions, creator of Conntap, and enterprise support and sales for Libsyn Pro.Daniel and Mathew dive deep into the world of content creation, specifically why podcasting is crucial for creators, in addition to visual platforms like YouTube and TikTok. Mathew emphasizes the importance of audio-only content for situations where screens aren't viable (e.g., driving, working out, doing dishes) and discusses tools like Repurpose.io that automate the process of converting video content to audio for podcast platforms. They also highlight the necessity of clear intros and outros for audio versions of video content, treating the podcast audience with respect and guiding them.Show Notes:(0:00) - Welcome to The Instagram Stories podcast with host Daniel Hill.(0:45) - Adam Mosseri (Head of Instagram) introduces "Restyle," an AI tool for video editing, enabling changes to context (beach, snow), person's style (marble, porcelain), and color.(2:20) - Mathew Passy introduces himself as the co-founder of Custom Podcast Solutions (recording, mobile recording, live streaming, studio design/installation), creator of Conntap, and enterprise support/sales for Libsyn Pro.(3:45) - Discussion on the intimidation of podcasting for content creators focused on other platforms and the importance of "putting yourself where people are".(4:55) - Tools for automating content repurposing from video to audio, including Repurpose.io.(6:50) - The importance of including intros and outros when repurposing video content for audio podcasts, to guide the listener.(7:50) - How podcasting works: Explained through the RSS feed (Real Simple Syndication) and how it enables a direct, unremovable relationship with the audience, contrasting it with social media platform dependency.(10:00) - Mathew's origin story in podcasting, starting with a New Jersey radio station in 2008, followed by Wall Street Journal Radio, and founding The Podcast Consultant business.(15:00) - Custom Podcast Solutions' services for designing and installing custom audio/video studios for home and corporate clients, including unique solutions like a "rolling studio" and setups for "social selling" or a "home shopping network".(18:50) - Introduction to Contap (formerly Podcast Beacons): NFC-enabled devices (wristbands, key fobs, QR codes) for "dynamic microcasting." These allow owners to program a link page or use a "redirect" feature to send people directly to specific content, and the links can be changed dynamically.(21:00) - The concept of using Conntapfor super fan engagement and tracking, with ideas like NFC-enabled guitar picks for musicians.(22:50) - Where to find Mathew Passy online, plus Custom Podcast Solutions, and Conntap(23:10) - Daniel's outro, encouraging listeners to check out the show notes for links and to follow his other show, The Instagram Stories, and his new email newsletter.Find Mathew Passy online:Instagram: @mathewpassyCustom Podcast Solutions: https://custompodcastsolutions.com/Conntap - https://conntap.com/Find Daniel:Instagram: ⁠@danielhillmedia⁠Podcast: The Instagram Stories - Social Media NewsNewsletter: https://subscribepage.io/danielhillmedia

Heston Roberts is a 20-year I.T. professional in Web Development who credits MySpace for his introduction and passion for social media. Today, as co-host of The Social Roundtable live YouTube series, as well as Founder and President of social media marketing agency Social Varsity, he stands as a prominent figure in the chat marketing and chatbot industry, growing his presence as a social media innovator. Heston is known to create customized automated solutions for Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and others to provide small businesses and personal brands new ways to "work smarter, not harder".-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The interview features Heston Roberts from Social Varsity. The main focus is on DM (Direct Message) automation, particularly using the tool ManyChat, primarily on Instagram but also touching on its applications for Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Threads, and TikTok. Heston explains how DM automation works, often triggered by users commenting specific keywords on posts or stories, allowing creators and businesses to deliver links or information directly to the user's inbox.This method is presented as more effective than directing users to a link in bio, as it meets users where they are and keeps engagement within the platform. He discusses the benefits, such as increased engagement which signals a relationship to the platform's algorithm, potentially increasing content reach.We also cover the rules and best practices associated with DM automation to avoid being flagged for spam by platforms like Instagram. Key points include not sending DMs immediately upon someone following, and prompting users with a question first before sending a link when the automation is triggered by a post comment (to confirm intent). Heston warns against setting up automations that trigger for any comment on a post, as this is often perceived negatively by users. He also notes potential issues with automated comment replies, especially for accounts with large followings, as a high volume can look suspicious to the algorithm.(00:00) Overview of Interview(01:03) Welcome to the Instagram Stories Podcast(03:08) Deep Dive into ManyChat(05:48) Exploring Automation on Different Platforms(07:44) Engagement Strategies and Best Practices(19:48) Morning Routine and Thread Scheduling(20:35) Exploring Threads and Desktop Version(23:29) The Social Roundtable Show(25:35) Transition to YouTube and ChallengesFind Heston online at:Web: Social-Varsity.comYouTube:  ⁨@SocialVarsity⁩  Instagram: @social.varsityThreads: @social.varsityFind Daniel on:Instagram: @danielhillmediaTikTok: @danielhillmediaThreads: @danielhillmediaThanks for watching!

Kirsti Lang is a marketer and creator based in Cape Town. By day, she's a senior content writer at Buffer. By night, she's a podcaster and creator, cultivating an audience of ambitious marketers looking to level up their productivity, tech stacks, and careers.In this episode, host Daniel and Kirsti Lang, content marketer at Buffer, explore data-driven Instagram strategies, focusing on content types, reach, engagement, and optimal posting times.**Show Highlights:**Introduction to Kirsti Lang (0:00-1:30): Kirsti introduces herself as a content marketer at Buffer, specializing in social media, productivity, and career growth.Buffer's Data-Driven Approach (1:30-4:00): Kirsti explains Buffer's data-driven approach to understanding social media algorithms and helping users make informed content decisions.Best Time to Post - Debunking the Myths (4:00-7:00): Daniel and Kirsti discuss common misconceptions about the "best time to post" and how Buffer's research offers a new perspective.Reels vs. Carousels: The Reach vs. Engagement Dilemma (7:00-16:00): Kirsti reveals Buffer's findings that Reels offer the highest reach, while Carousels drive the most engagement (12% more than Reels, 114% more than single image posts).Best Time to Post - The Data Revealed (16:00-24:00): Kirsti shares the best Instagram posting times (generally 3 PM-6 PM in the audience's time zone, specific times provided for each day), emphasizing their universal applicability.Weekends vs. Weekdays - Is it Worth Posting? (24:00-28:00): Kirsti advises prioritizing weekdays (especially Monday and Friday) for posting over weekends due to higher reach.The Importance of Content Quality (28:00-31:00): Kirsti stresses that high-quality content, including engaging hooks and authentic visuals, is crucial for success, even with optimal posting times.Following Kirsti and Buffer (31:00-33:00): Kirsti shares her social media handles and encourages listeners to explore the Buffer blog.Kirsti's Content Creation Setup (33:00-44:00): Kirsti describes her workspace and the simple tech she uses for video creation (Shure MV7 microphone, phone, budget tripod).Video Editing Tools and Process (44:00-47:00): Kirsti discusses her end-to-end video editing process using CapCut and her plans to explore more advanced tools.Find Kirsti online at:Instagram: ⁠@itsmekirsti⁠Buffer: ⁠Blog⁠Read all the articles discussed in the episode:⁠Data Shows Instagram Reels are Best For Reach — But Not Engagement⁠⁠The Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2025: We Analyzed 2 Million+ Posts to Find Out⁠Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠@danielhillmedia⁠Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠: ⁠@danielhillmedia⁠Thanks for watching!

Jen Lehner is a digital marketing strategist, online course creator, and adjunct professor of digital marketing at Notre Dame College and Cleveland State University, founder of Jen Lehner Media, LLC, The Front Row and The Front Row Entrepreneur podcast. She is completely obsessed with sharing the wonders of digital marketing and online entrepreneurship with others. You can find Jen online at: The Front Row Flash Briefing: Amazon Alexa Web: https://jenlehner.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejenlehner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jen_lehner YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jenlehnermedia (0:00) Intro: Host Daniel Hill welcomes listeners. (1:00) Reels Trial Feature: Instagram's new feature lets users test reels for 24 hours before posting. (4:00) Slow Time For Social Media News: The episode will recap 2024's social media highlights and predictions for 2025. (5:00) Guest Jen Lenher: Digital marketing and systems strategist, host of The Front Row Entrepreneur. (7:00) Favorite Moment of 2024: Jen: Australia's age limits on social media platforms. Daniel: The Timothy Chalamet look-alike contest promoted via flyers. (15:00) Favorite New Instagram Feature: Jen: Collaborative posts. Daniel: Reels Trial and Broadcast Channels. (18:00) Favorite New Tech: Jen: Ray-Ban smart glasses. Daniel: Orion glasses. (26:00) Best TikTok Trend: Both: "Very mindful, very demure." Daniel: The "I’m looking for a man in finance" audio clip. (30:00) Biggest Social Media Fail of 2024: Jen: X (formerly Twitter). Daniel: Lack of data security and managing multiple platforms. (39:00) Favorite Social Media Account: Jen: Alli K Miller on Instagram and @shop.aif on TikTok. Daniel: Subway Takes and Beyond Meat on Threads. Both: Nutter Butter's viral TikTok campaign. (48:00) Predictions for Social Media in 2025: Jen: Rise of organic content and community platforms, AI integration. Daniel: Creator burnout, YouTube Shorts growth, AI streamlining content. (54:00) Predictions for Tech in 2025: Jen: Agentic AI, wearables, health monitoring devices. Daniel: AI integration for task management (booking, purchasing). Enjoyed this episode? Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

This week on the Instagram Stories Podcast, five-time best-selling author Corey Walker, co-author of Instagram for Dummies and Instagram for Business for Dummies, joins the show to share her expertise on Instagram marketing. Corey explains how she became a successful author and why Instagram is the perfect platform for businesses of all sizes, even considering the rise of TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Threads. During the conversation, Corey shares insights on using Instagram's features to connect with audiences: ○ She emphasizes the importance of using Reels and Carousels. ○ She suggests creating TikToks specifically for that platform and repurposing the content without the TikTok logo for Instagram Reels. About Corey Walker: Corey is the 5-time bestselling co-author of Instagram for Dummies, and Instagram for Business for Dummies. She is also a social media marketing agency owner in El Dorado Hills, California. Corey works with service based businesses to get more leads and sales through social media and email marketing by helping them get over the hump of posting on social media - whether they're held back by fear, time, or energy, her strategies get businesses on the right track of posting regularly. Episode Highlights: (00:01:32) Recent Instagram update from Adam Mosseri about DM inbox improvements, including request filtering and easier access to story replies. (00:03:32) How Corey became an author. Corey explains how she started writing "For Dummies" books after her friend and co-author, Eric Butow, needed an Instagram expert. (00:06:03) Planning content in advance. Corey shares her content strategy for businesses: planning in advance (ideally once a month), creating content pillars (3-5 topics to consistently discuss), and dedicating time for content creation. (00:07:13) What to avoid doing on social media. Corey discusses social media mistakes businesses should avoid, such as not planning content, ignoring the target audience, using stock photos, and neglecting video content. (00:08:06) Different approaches for short-form video platforms. Corey advises creating content specifically for each short-form video platform, like TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels, while keeping the target audience in mind. (00:09:22) Current and future trends in social media marketing, including the continuing importance of Reels and Carousels, a shift toward authenticity rather than curated content, using Instagram’s built-in tools (because Instagram favors content created this way), and the rising importance of micro-influencers. (00:11:46) Helping service-based businesses develop content calendars and strategies, identify their target audience's pain points, and utilize the “Instagram Funnel” (Reels, feed posts, Stories, and live videos) to guide potential customers. (00:13:11) Corey’s new book and free course. December 5th is release date of the new Instagram for Business for Dummies, Third Edition, and her free 5-day email course called “Social Sprint: 5 Days to More Clients” is available now. (00:16:32) Corey’s volunteer work. Corey shares information about her volunteer work at a cat shelter, where she socializes cats to prepare them for adoption. Follow Corey: Website: ⁠https://themarketingspecialist.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/coreycwalker⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/coreycwalker⁠ Social Sprint: ⁠5 Days to More Clients⁠ (FREE!) Instagram for Business for Dummies, 3rd edition (⁠Amazon⁠) Enjoyed this episode? Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, marketing guru Nycole Hampton shares insider tips on everything from identifying potential brand partners to crafting compelling outreach emails. Discover strategies for standing out in a crowded market and building lasting relationships that turn opportunities into deals. Whether you're a seasoned influencer or just starting out, Nycole's insights will empower you to succeed in the ever-evolving world of influencer marketing! Nycole Hampton is a marketing expert with 19 years of experience in the industry and 13 years of leadership experience. She has worked on brand teams for global agencies, focusing on influencer marketing and social media. She is also an adjunct professor who teaches influencer and social media marketing. In this episode, Nycole answers listener questions about influencer marketing and shares practical tips for success. The episode covers topics like: ● How to identify potential brand partners: Nycole advises creating two lists - a "realistic list" of brands you already use and a "dream list" of brands you aspire to work with. ● How to write effective outreach emails: She emphasizes the importance of personalization, highlighting your relationship with the brand, and offering creative ideas for potential campaigns. ● How to follow up with brands: Nycole suggests using seasonal moments as opportunities to re-engage and recommends offering value by sharing your recent successes or asking for feedback. ● How to price your services in a changing market: She encourages influencers to understand their value and build a case for their pricing, considering additional deliverables or collaborative approaches to address potential engagement concerns. Nycole is a seasoned brand marketing leader with nearly two decades of experience in marketing and brand strategy, including thirteen years in leadership roles. Throughout her career, Nycole has cultivated a broad range of marketing expertise, overseeing brand marketing initiatives, including social media, influencer marketing, content production, integrated marketing and community engagement. At her core, Nycole is a builder—of brands, in-house teams, global agency practices, marketing philosophies, content engines for owned, paid, and earned channels, full-funnel integrated campaigns, and more. Her passion is driven by identifying opportunities to evolve, collaborate, challenge the status quo, and drive meaningful impact. Nycole specializes in leveraging brand and growth marketing tactics and content strategies to meet customers where they are in their nonlinear journey.Throughout her career, Nycole has worked with clients and strategic partners such as ALDI, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Auntie Anne's, Barefoot Wines, Chicago White Sox, Impossible Foods, Kimpton Hotels, Microsoft, Milk PEP, New Zealand All Blacks, NFL, Rite Aid, Samsung, So Delicious, and USA Rugby.With her extensive background in brand and integrated marketing and early entry into both social media and influencer marketing, Nycole is excited to continue navigating the ever-changing marketing landscape. She enjoys leveraging her experience to educate and inspire the next generation of marketers, serving as an active mentor and speaking at industry events.Nycole received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Bowling Green State University.Nycole and her dog ChaCha call Los Angeles, CA home. You can find her on LinkedIn and Threads. [1:45-3:50] Identifying Potential Brand Partners & Crafting Outreach Emails [3:50 - 6:40] Standing Out from the Crowd and Viewing Ideas as Opportunities [6:40-9:35] Following Up with Brands and Offering Value Beyond Initial Pitches [9:35-11:10] Pricing Strategies and Demonstrating Your Value to Brands [12:45-17:25] Bonus Conversation: The Pressure to Appear "Professional" in Video Content Enjoy the episode!

In this episode of the Instagram Stories Podcast, I interview Chelsea Bradley, a social media strategist, who shares insights about her journey and expertise. Chelsea discusses her background in journalism, her transition to social media, and her approach to copywriting. We delve into topics such as crafting effective social media posts, the importance of being succinct, and strategies to stand out in a crowded market. Chelsea also offers practical tips on improving your copywriting skills and ensuring your message resonates with your audience. Towards the end, Chelsea talks about her involvement with a local Little League's social media and the impact she has made. About Chelsea Bradley: Chelsea is a social media strategist and consultant who emphasizes the importance of community and a solid social foundation. Her approach to business and live is to lead authentically, solve problems, connect and make a difference. She has worked with 150+ brands and 25+ agencies for over 15 years and spends her free time at Little League, San Diego Padres games or on her boat on the Pacific photographic sharks, dolphins and whales. Episode Highlights: (1:26) Effective copywriting, encompassing captions and emails, aims to capture attention and convey messages succinctly, informatively, and occasionally with humor. (7:15) Differentiating oneself in a competitive market necessitates pinpointing and communicating unique qualities through copywriting. (7:54) This may involve specializing in a niche area or emphasizing a distinct selling point. (12:26) A technique for discovering a unique voice and key messages is to engage in free writing without focusing on formatting. This process can help uncover authentic expression and messaging. (13:07) Every post should have a clear and deliberate purpose. Be it promoting a product, sharing an experience, or simply taking a break, the message should resonate with the intended audience. Follow Chelsea online: Instagram: https://instagram.com/chelsearhane Twitter: https://twitter.com/chelsearhane LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chelsearhane The Salty Shell Newsletter: TheSaltyShell.news Enjoyed this episode? Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the Instagram Stories Podcast, I interview Joey Kushinski, co-founder of SmartPost App, about the features and benefits of the social media scheduling and content creation tool. Joey is a passionate business leader with a background in computer science, and co-founder of Smart Post App LLC. He is dedicated to improving productivity across social media platforms for Smart Post App's users. Smart Post App is a versatile platform that simplifies social media management for users. Available across iOS, Android, and the web, it streamlines the process of creating and scheduling content. Users can compose their posts within the app and seamlessly share them across multiple social media platforms. By allowing content creation at users’ convenience and strategic posting during peak engagement times, Smart Post App enhances productivity and audience interaction. In this interview, we discuss the origins of SmartPost App, its unique advantages compared to competitors like Buffer and Hootsuite, and how it helps users manage and schedule their social media posts effectively. Joey also talks about recent and upcoming features including image editing, AI integration, and YouTube Shorts support. Additionally, Joey shares his passion for drag racing and how technology intersects with this hobby. Find Out More About Joey and the Smart Post App: Smart Post App - https://smartpostapp.com/ Smart Post App Medium - https://medium.com/@smartpostapp Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/smart_post_app YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/pyraego Enjoyed this episode? Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want more content like this? Check out my Social Media News Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Instagram Stories

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of influencer marketing and content creation with Lindsay Gamble, a leading consultant and advisor in the creator economy. From his early days as a hip hop blogger to mastering Threads and other social media platforms, Lindsay shares valuable insights on building a personal brand, staying ahead of industry trends, and creating content that resonates. Lindsey Gamble is an influencer marketing and creator economy consultant, advisor, and speaker. Using his experience building influencer marketing programs for enterprise consumer brands and his deep understanding of the creator economy, he leads brands in entering new trends within the creator economy. He has previously worked with brands like PayPal, Tyson Foods, SharkNinja, Weber Grills, Fanatics, HotelTonight, Burt’s Bees, The Scott’s Company, and GoPro. He also writes a weekly newsletter that breaks down creator economy news and trends, providing actionable insights for creators and brands. The newsletter was named one of the best marketing newsletters to subscribe to in 2024 by Buffer. Lindsey's work and expertise have earned him recognition as a Top Voice in the Creator Economy by LinkedIn and a Top Creator Economy and Influencer Marketing Expert by Business Insider. Quotes from this interview: "If you're passionate about something and you create content over time, you can create opportunities." "What I love about Threads is because it's connected to Instagram, you're able to still build off your Instagram presence, but it's another way to really share text-heavy content." On Threads: "You get those early adoptive benefits, but also you can fail early in some cases." "As a marketer, I think it's important to understand what the platforms care about so you can start creating content that leans into that." "I think most brands should be creator-first and think about those relationships." Follow Lindsey: Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lindseygamble_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsey-gamble/ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want more content like this? Check out my Social Media News Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Instagram Stories

Cyndi Zaweski is an award-winning journalist and content strategist here to help you tell better stories. Her StoryCraft marketing framework gives founders a cohesive strategy to share their passions and expertise, using their story as the throughline between what they love and who they serve. She writes about the intersection of business growth and personal growth to inspire storytelling ideas in her community of more than 80,000 people online. In this episode, Cyndi Zaweski, owner of StoryCraft with Cyndi, dives deep into the art of storytelling for solopreneurs and brands. Cyndi discusses the importance of storytelling beyond just answering why a business was started. She explains how a brand’s story is its personality and can be used to connect with the audience, make content engaging, and drive home a brand's mission. Cyndi shares practical tips on finding and crafting your own story by looking at your life experiences and the common struggles you’ve faced. She emphasizes that every story needs tension or conflict to be compelling, using examples like her journey from being an uncomfortable news anchor to becoming confident on camera through consistent practice on Instagram Stories. The episode also explores how individuals can position themselves as authorities without traditional credentials, by associating with experts and packaging valuable information effectively. Cyndi’s approach provides hope for aspiring content creators and entrepreneurs, showing that expertise is not just about having a degree but about experience and adding value. Listeners will walk away with actionable insights on how to reframe their personal struggles into inspirational stories, and how to use these stories to build a strong, relatable brand presence. The conversation highlights the significance of consistency, vulnerability, and the willingness to learn and evolve in the process of storytelling. Find Cyndi online at: Website: www.cyndizaweski.com  Newsletter: www.cyndizaweski.com/newsletter Short-Form Storytelling Course Waitlist: www.cyndizaweski.com/storytelling-course Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyndizaweski/ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want more content like this? Check out my Social Media News Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Instagram Stories

In this episode, we chat with  Kristen Bousquet, a creator monetization coach who helps content creators and influencers build profitable businesses. Kristen shares her journey from starting her business during the pandemic to creating a thriving membership community that combines the intimacy of one-on-one coaching with comprehensive educational resources. Kristen started her company after selling her first business for $100k at 25 years old, and since then has been able to generate over $450k in her creator business as a microinfluencer. Soulcialmate’s goal is to educate entrepreneurial creators on how to turn their online influence into a profitable, self-sustaining business through "Soulcial Scoop" podcast, creator membership ("Soulcial Suite"), and coaching programs all while keeping the "soul" in "soulcial media". We dive into her podcast, Social Scoop, where she discusses social media news and offers actionable tips for creators. Kristen also shares her innovative "anti-pitch" method for connecting with brands—focusing on relationship building over cold pitching. She offers insights on identifying your unique value proposition and why it's crucial for standing out in a crowded space. Kristen's passion for animal rescue also shines through as she discusses her experience fostering dogs and her commitment to making a difference in the lives of animals. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to help you take your content creation journey to the next level. Don't miss it! Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction to Kristen Bousquet [02:15] The origin of Kristen's membership community [08:30] Overview of the Social Scoop podcast [12:45] When to start monetizing your content [17:00] The "anti-pitch" method explained [30:00] Defining your unique value proposition [41:20] Applying the anti-pitch method to podcasting [45:30] Kristen's involvement in animal rescue and fostering dogs Links: Learn the Anti-Pitch Method with This Guide Follow Kristen on Instagram: @KBOUSQ Check out Kristen's podcast Soulcial Scoop: Listen here Learn more about Kristen’s membership community: Join here Thank you for listening! Enjoyed this episode? Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want more content like this? Check out my Social Media News Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Instagram Stories

In this episode, I interview Jenn Herman. Jenn is a social media consultant, speaker, and globally recognized Instagram expert. She is ranked the top IG expert by ChatGPT and is a sought-after, international speaker providing tips, resources, and training for organizations of all sizes that need to structure their social media strategies. Her business background includes Administration, Sales, Human Resources, and Marketing and she enjoys bringing all these skills together to help you grow your business. Jenn has been featured in Inc., Fox News, BBC News, Yahoo Finance, Entrepreneur, HuffPost, The Verge, CBS Radio LA, and numerous other podcasts and publications. She is the author of “Instagram for Dummies”, “Instagram for Business for Dummies”, and “The Ultimate Guide to Social Media Marketing”. In This Episode We Discuss: Practical Strategies: Discover actionable tips on creating effective Instagram Reels, understanding the importance of content length, and making the most of different types of posts. Content Strategy: Jenn shares a unique strategy to reboot your Instagram profile with three key types of posts each week to maximize engagement and growth. The Power of Shares and Saves: Understand the significance of shares and saves on Instagram, and how they impact your reach and engagement. Time Management Tips: For those with limited time and resources, Jenn provides a streamlined approach to managing your Instagram presence effectively. Key Takeaways: Instagram Evolution: Learn how Instagram has evolved over the years and what that means for your current marketing strategy. Reels Strategy: Get a breakdown of how to use Reels effectively, including the ideal lengths and content types to boost visibility and engagement. Rebooting Your Profile: Jenn's strategy to rejuvenate your Instagram content and find out what resonates best with your audience. Story Integration: Tips on how to incorporate Stories into your content strategy to maintain daily engagement. Follow Jenn online : Instagram: Jenn Herman Membership Program: Profit Your Profile Website: Jenn's Trends Enjoyed this episode? Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Want more content like this? Check out my Social Media News Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠The Instagram Stories

Amanda Marochko is a Staff Product Manager at Buffer, responsible for maintaining and expanding Buffer's core product offering through channels and integrations. Prior to Buffer, she was the International Growth Lead (EMEA) at Shopify. Outside of work, she runs a non-profit for women in tech. She is originally from Ottawa, Canada and currently based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In today's episode, we talk about Buffer - how social media managers and content creators can use it - plus the recent Threads integration Buffer just launched. Follow Amanda's journey online using the follow links: Twitter - https://twitter.com/Marochko Threads - https://www.threads.net/@marochko Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marochko Find Amanda (and the rest of the Buffer team) at Buffer.com Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ News Podcast - ⁠⁠The Instagram Stories

Stephen Johnson is a Staff Writer for Lifehacker where he covers pop culture, including two weekly columns “The Out of Touch Adults’ Guide to Kid Culture” and “What People are Getting Wrong this Week.” Find Stephen at Lifehacker.com Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ News Podcast - ⁠The Instagram Stories

Show Notes: Lia Haberman is a social media advisor and educator. She consults for brands such as Google, Robert Half and AT&T; runs social workshops for groups such as Macy's Style Crew and the Costume Designers Guild; and teaches social media marketing and influencer marketing at UCLA Extension. She’s been featured on NPR’s Planet Money and quoted in outlets such as in The Washington Post, Business Insider and Ad Age. And every week, she writes a newsletter for 25K+ marketers and creators called ICYMI (In Case You Missed It) to keep everyone up to speed. Follow Lia: ICYMI Newsletter (Substack) Twitter Threads Instagram News Podcast - The Instagram Stories Leave a Review: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Me on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@danielhillmedia⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Taylor Lorenz is a technology journalist in Los Angeles, CA and author of the new book Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, the Daily Beast, and many other publications. She is currently a technology columnist for The Washington Post's business section covering online culture and the content creator industry. She was previously a technology reporter for The New York Times business section, The Atlantic, and The Daily Beast. Her writing has appeared in New York magazine, Rolling Stone, Outside magazine, and more. She frequently appears on NBC, CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and the BBC. Lorenz was named to Fortune’s 40 Under 40 list of leaders in Media and Entertainment. Adweek included her in their Young Influentials Who Are Shaping Media, Marketing and Tech listing, stating that Lorenz “contextualizes the internet as we live it.” Town & Country named her to their New Creative Vanguards list of a rising generation of creatives, calling her “The Bob Woodward of the TikTok generation.” In 2023, Lorenz was named tech and media influencer of the year by the World Influencers & Bloggers Association. In this interview, Taylor talks about her new book, Extremely Online: The Untold Story of Fame, Influence, and Power on the Internet - and we discussed: Taylor's goals in writing Extremely Online The most fun part of the book to write (and my favorite parts to read) How she deals with the negativity she receives for her writing and social posts What Taylor thinks will be the biggest trend for online culture 2024 Her thoughts on AI and the impact it will have) on internet culture What Taylor thinks it would take to make online culture fun again Listen to the Daily Show: ⁠⁠The Instagram Stories⁠⁠ Leave a Review: ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠ Want to support the show? ⁠⁠Buy Me a Coffee⁠⁠

Do you struggle with hashtags or you're never sure what to post? If so, you're going to like this episode. Slay.so is all about hashtags, post ideas, keyword-optimized captions, and insights, using AI. Matthew Pierce cofounded Slay.so (previously known as Hashtag Slayer) with his wife Danica. The husband and wife team have been helping influencers and entrepreneurs take the stress out of Instagram hashtags since 2021, and have recently expanded their platform to help creators tackle content creation and social strategy, too. Slay.so combines AI tools with Instagram data to help you save time and be more creative than you would otherwise. You can find Slay.so on Instagram @getslay.so and get a free 10 day trial. Listen to the Daily Show: ⁠The Instagram Stories⁠ Leave a Review: ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ Want to support the show? ⁠Buy Me a Coffee⁠