Instagram has made a big change that could affect your content strategy—its new vertical grid layout. In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I dive into how this update can actually be a huge opportunity for your brand. The shift away from the traditional square grid means that your content now has the chance to take up more space and stand out in users’ feeds. But how do you make it work for you?

I’ll walk you through how to optimize your Instagram profile for the vertical grid, why it matters for your brand’s visibility, and how to adapt your content to fit this new look. From leveraging the vertical orientation for better engagement to experimenting with Reels, this episode will ensure you’re ready for Instagram’s changes.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why the new vertical grid layout matters for brand visibility: The larger thumbnails help your content take up more screen space, increasing its chance of being noticed.
• How to audit your current Instagram grid: Check what’s still relevant and archive outdated posts to align with the new vertical format.
• Why switching to vertical content will save time: Design all graphics in vertical format from now on to streamline your content creation process.
• How Reels can boost your engagement: Incorporate Reels into your content strategy to take full advantage of Instagram’s focus on vertical video.
• Why flexibility is key in social media: Stay adaptable as platforms evolve, and continue experimenting with new content styles to stand out.

00:00 Introduction: The Instagram Grid Dilemma

00:27 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing

00:53 Understanding Instagram's New Vertical Grid

02:17 Why the Vertical Grid Matters

03:50 Adapting to the New Grid Layout

05:31 Break: Masterclass Announcement

06:15 Actionable Tips for the New Grid

07:52 Consistency and Productivity Tips

09:39 Embracing Change and Final Thoughts

12:09 Conclusion and Farewell

Stay ahead of Instagram’s vertical grid update—subscribe to Rocky Mountain Marketing for more strategies, and visit katiebrinkley.com to optimize your content and grow your brand today!

This episode is sponsored by Magic Mind. https://www.magicmind.com/ROCKYJAN

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Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social Communications:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://www.nextstepsocialcommunications.com

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

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