Are you feeling like your reach and engagement have dipped over the summer? That's really normal this season, but there are things you can do to give it a little helping shove. Instagram is in its mega personal recommendation era, and the mistake most of us make is thinking people care that we say things "as a doctor" or "as an expert." They don't. What actually gets reach is marrying that personal recommendation energy with what your audience is actually asking for.In this episode:Instagram's shift into its personal recommendation phase, and the mistake most people make trying to use itA real example of why personal recommendation content stops the scrollPrompt to steal: "A lot of people ask how I'm able to ___. Here's what I tell them."Another prompt to steal: "Five things you won't find me recommending to [this type of person/situation]."Breaking down a national park carousel that pulled 36,000 likes, 26,000 shares, and 15,000 new followers from one post, and exactly why it workedPause the episode, use the prompts, and then come tell me you did it over on Instagram!
Jul 29
11 min
There's so much nonsense out there about Instagram right now, and today I'm answering your questions about all of it. You sent these into my story question box, and I'm deep-diving on each one because I want to assure you that Instagram doesn't have to be complicated. It gets to be enjoyable once you find your unique perspective and positioning!In this episode:Are designed Canva posts or in-feed carousels better? Is effort ever actually wasted on Instagram, or is it a perspective and positioning problem?Does Instagram throttle a trial reel that doesn't get traction in the first 24 hours?Why trial reels don't work the way they used toShould you start a new account or stick with the one you've gotDoes format (reels vs. carousels) actually matter for reachIf you've got a question I haven't answered today, come find me in my DMs. I'd love to chat and feature it in a future episode.
Jul 23
11 min
Be honest with me. Have hooks ever given you the ick? Have you ever gone to create a piece of content and thought, I cannot believe I've stooped this low, or tried to shoehorn some phrasing into your post that just doesn't sound like you?You are not alone, and I hear this conversation a lot. This week, I'm breaking down what to do when hooks make you feel this way, and how to start opening pathways of conversation in your content instead.In this episode:"I hate hooks" usually means "I don't know my positioning well enough"Going from under 1,000 to 100,000+ followers and other client storiesThe algorithm is just a person interacting with a piece of contentDepth vs. superficial contentThe reverse-engineering method: start with the thought in your head, not the promptGo check out Lauren and Chantal’s content so you can see their growth for yourself.I'm in the DMs, and I'm also inside the Plotting Shed if you need some extra support. Come and chat with me, I'd love to connect with you!
Jul 16
12 min
I want you to imagine that you have just woken up with the number of followers that you are craving. Maybe that's 10k, 50k, or 100k… whatever it is for you, sit with it for a second. Then ask yourself: what's the content that got you there?If we're honest with ourselves, most of us would say the same thing: that we would've been bolder and braver than what we're currently posting. Not hiding behind the perfect hook or worrying about the timing of the video, but saying what we really think.In this episode:The follower-number exercise to run on yourself before you post againWhy 3-4 posts a week with real depth beats mediocre content posted dailyThe two questions to ask if your growth has felt slower than you'd likeWhat's eating your content-creation timeWhy one person disagreeing with your post doesn't mean you change directionIf this one resonated, come inside my DMs because I love to chat about this stuff!And if you want help getting your hooks and content ideas out of your head and onto the grid, that's exactly what we work on inside The Plotting Shed and with Planting the Seeds.
Jul 9
13 min
Should you post on Instagram over the summer? What happens if your capacity is literally zero? In today's episode, I show you how to make posting over the summer easier on yourself and still give yourself lots of space and capacity.
Jun 25
8 min
i've been supporting folks with their content for a long old while now. In today's episode, I break down the 10 things all successful content does, and the tweaks that you can make to get more reach.
Jun 11
11 min
The whole of the marketing world has been going crazy over million dollar launches and talking to the camera. Today I share the lessons we can learn for our own content and the patterns to spot to get your content visible.
Jun 4
12 min
What does posting on Instagram for impact look like? What happens if you're posting just for the sake of it? In today's episode I walk you through the exact questions to ask yourself and to get out of a rut.
May 28
11 min
How do you sound like yourself online, particularly when AI is rife?! Kal from Words hurt Copy joins me in today's episode to share his perspective:You can find Kal at:Website: [email protected] on instagram & threadsand his newsletter Once More, With Feeling: The most dramatic newsletter on the internet https://words-hurt.myflodesk.com/newsletter
May 13
28 min
In a world where 'claude wrote my content in 30 minutes', where do we draw the line about where we're letting AI take over the conversations we're having on Instagram?Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily.We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram🔗 Threads🔗 This Social Cottage website.🔗 My new membershipYou can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
May 7
8 min
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