The Instagram Stories Podcast

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 conversation, social media strategist Chelsea Bradley shares her transition from journalism to mastering concise messaging. She emphasizes the art of crafting effective social media posts that capture attention and resonate with audiences. Chelsea discusses how to differentiate oneself in a crowded market by highlighting unique qualities through strategic copywriting. Listeners gain practical tips for improving their messaging and learn about her volunteer work with a local Little League's social media, showcasing the impact of authentic community engagement.

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

Lindsey Gamble, a leading consultant in the creator economy, discusses his journey from hip-hop blogging to becoming a top advisor in influencer marketing. He shares key insights on building a personal brand and navigating industry trends. Lindsey dives into the dynamics of influencer marketing, offering actionable strategies for creators and brands. He highlights his enthusiasm for Threads as a new platform for engagement, emphasizing the benefits of authenticity and creativity in content creation.

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