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If your content isn’t converting, it’s not your strategy, it’s your messaging.

In this Strut It episode, I’m breaking down one of the biggest shifts we’re seeing on Instagram right now: moving from generic to personal and specific content. The truth is, broad, how-to posts like “5 Ways to Grow Your Instagram” no longer perform. What’s working now are personalized, story-driven posts that speak directly to your ideal clients.

What You’ll Learn

[01:06] The biggest content shift happening on Instagram right now
[03:56] Why specific, story-driven hooks outperform generic how-tos
[05:44] The end of the “five tips” era and what to do instead
[08:08] A real example from my business: how I grew 20,000 followers in 30 days
[09:34] What Adam Mosseri says about shareable content and DMs
[11:53] How to write posts that get shared—and why people share them
[13:44] Coaching example: rewriting a burnout coach’s hook for clarity and impact
[15:40] How to transform a generic idea into a personal, scroll-stopping hook
[18:59] The difference between “I/me” hooks and “you” hooks (and how to use both)
[20:53] A simple storytelling prompt to create relatable, magnetic content
[22:20] How to get feedback and mentorship inside my Hot Reels content lab

This Week’s Challenge

Create one piece of content that feels personal and specific. It could be a Reel, carousel, or post that shares a true story or insight from your journey. Use the prompt: “What I wish I knew before…” and fill in the blank with a meaningful moment or decision from your business or life.

Then tag me @elizabethmarberry on Instagram—I’d love to see it and cheer you on.

Links + Resources Mentioned

Join the Hot Reels Waitlist: elizabethmarberry.com/hot — Get early access and bonuses when doors open in December.

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:

WORK WITH ELIZABETH

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

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If your content isn’t converting, it’s probably not because you need a new strategy, it’s because your messaging isn’t connecting.

In this episode of Strut It, I’m joined by marketing expert and wedding business strategist Heidi Thompson, the founder of Evolve Your Wedding Business and author of Clone Your Best Clients. Heidi breaks down exactly how to uncover what your audience really wants, thinks, and feels so you can write content that actually converts.

Whether you’re a wedding professional, creative, or service provider, you’ll walk away with practical tools to strengthen your message, attract the right people, and boost your ROI without reinventing your entire marketing strategy.

What You’ll Learn

[02:17] Why truly knowing your audience is the foundation of every great marketing strategy
[03:45] The psychology behind effective marketing and what most business owners get wrong
[05:35] The biggest mistake creators make when identifying their ideal client
[08:27] Why old-school demographic worksheets don’t actually help you sell more
[10:51] The “Clone Your Best Clients” method and how to identify your dream customers
[14:36] The most effective way to get real audience insights (and it’s not guessing)
[17:27] How to ask for and conduct client interviews that reveal the gold in your messaging
[20:19] The key questions that uncover what truly drives people to buy
[27:17] Why refining your messaging by just 5% can completely change your results
[31:58] How to apply what you learn across your website, Instagram bio, and all content

This Week’s Challenge

I want you to identify one or two of your favorite clients. The people you wish you could clone, and reach out to them. Ask if you can hop on a short call to learn what really motivated them to work with you. Use their exact words in your next piece of content or Instagram post. You’ll be amazed at how it changes your results. Then DM me @elizabethmarberry and tell me what you discovered.

Links + Resources Mentioned

• Heidi’s Free Resource: Clone Your Best Clients Workbook
• Join Heidi’s Free Training: Build a Six-Figure Wedding Business
• Connect with Heidi: Evolve Your Wedding Business
• Follow Heidi on Instagram: @evolveyourweddingbusiness
  
  

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:

WORK WITH ELIZABETH

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

Send us a text

If you’ve ever spent hours creating a reel you thought would crush it, only for it to flop, this episode is for you.

I’m pulling back the curtain on one of my favorite Instagram growth hacks: trial reels. This is the exact method I use (and teach my clients) to A/B test hooks and uncover what kind of messaging actually stops the scroll, grabs attention, and converts.

I’ll also share how one of my clients tested three versions of the same reel and tripled her views just by tweaking the first line. You’ll walk away knowing exactly how to implement this in your own business this week.

What You’ll Learn

[01:15] Why trial reels are one of the most powerful (and underused) features on Instagram
[02:11] What trial reels actually are and how to know if you have access to them
[03:01] How I’m using trial reels to test hooks and grow faster
[05:21] The story of how one client tripled her reach by changing three words
[07:44] How trial reels help you A/B test your messaging—just like email subject lines
[09:13] Real examples of viral hook testing you can try this week
[10:12] When to use trial reels (and when not to) depending on your goals
[12:07] The difference between attraction and promotional content
[13:29] How to use trial reels differently for nurturing vs. growth seasons
[14:54] Why perfectionists need trial reels the most
[16:20] Your weekly action step: how to test your first trial reel and measure results

This Week’s Challenge

Post your first trial reel.
If you’ve already been using them, A/B test your hooks this week. Try posting the same video with different on-screen text and see which version performs best. When you get your results, DM me on Instagram @elizabethmarberry and tell me about your win. I’d love to celebrate with you.

Links + Resources Mentioned

• Join the Waitlist: Hot Reels – My 12-month Instagram content lab for small business owners and creatives ready to grow visibility and sales.
• Free Resource: Monetize Your IG Guide. Learn seven simple, proven ways to finally make money on Instagram.

CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST, ELIZABETH MARBERRY:

WORK WITH ELIZABETH

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.