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Our 30 day Instagram story challenge has begun! Are you ready to simplify posting?
Join us Monday, October 3, for our 30-Day Instagram story challenge. By doing stories for 30 days just a few things you will learn:
- How to create engaging (yea, even entertaining) stories that represent your voice, intrigue followers to get to know you, and cultivate community.
- 5 Proven ways non-followers discover you through stories (you’ll get the checklist instantly).
- Fall back in love with Instagram (or at least get your story groove on)!
Resources
Ep. 67: Top 5 Instagram Features For Marketers In 2023
Ep. 61: Combining Instagram and email marketing in 5 smart ways
Ep. 58: 7 tips for repurposing Instagram stories
When I was a little girl, I fooled myself into thinking I wrote a song by the Beatles. I crouched on my knees in front of my white padded toy box and, using it as a desk, scrolled these words in pencil.
“Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.”
The whole time, the tune floated through my mind. I was so proud of myself for writing that song. Really, I saved the piece of lined notebook paper with my new song in my diary. I went on my merry way until that fateful day, while riding in the babysitter’s car. And she accused me of lying.
The song floated on the radio, Paul McCartney singing “Whisper words of wisdom,” And I sat straight up and realized this was my song. I wrote that song! I gestured towards the radio as this babysitter who will remain nameless, stared sternly through cat-eye glasses, her mouth hanging open in shock.
You did not. She huffed. “Yes, I did, I wrote that song!” Persisting in my seven year old ignorance. Not to be put off, the babysitter made a grim threat. Well, I’m telling your mother! I sat back and wondered where I’d gone wrong. I distinctly remembered writing. “Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be…” on my toy box just days earlier and now people were singing it. I should be famous!
But it seemed as if the babysitter thought I was lying.
Inside the “IG Insider”
This week’s episode is from a recent newsletter I sent out to a select few, my peeps it’s called the “IG insider.” And if you want inside scoop on not just online marketing, but specifically Instagram and newsletter, mindset and a boost of confidence behind it, then you’ll want to get on that newsletter list.
I’m going to tell you how right now. So, we are hosting a 30 day simply stories challenge. And for 30 days, that’s all you do is post in stories. Now, why would you want to do that? I’m going to tell you from this newsletter, the sign up is at the top of the show notes. If you already know you need to work on your stories, beef them up, get a little bit of strategy behind them, or perhaps you’re lacking in your story game.
I want you to know stories are still super valuable. That’s where the real community occurs and community grows opportunity. The opportunity is your story watchers – the faithful ones are also the ones on your newsletter and they become your clients and your best audience members, those are your ideal audience members.
How do I know this? Because I’ve been doing this for five to six years now. It never fails. You may have some objections, like, oh, I don’t have very many story watchers. How could I only post in stories? First of all, you don’t have to just post in stories. You can use this as a supplement.
I’m simply saying this is a way to simplify, but I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me continue with the story. The background behind why I’m doing 30 stories in 30 days in October. Listen in.
Click below for show notes!
https://authenticonlinemarketing.com/story-challenge/
*This episode contains either affiliate links or links to my products. Should you choose to purchase, the show will go on! Woo hoo!
Join our 30 day Instagram story challenge and simplify posting
Thankfully, I’ve graduated from writing on a toy box to typing at a legit power operated desk. You know, the kind that goes up and down so I can pretend I’m actually going to stand and burn a few extra calories while working. But sometimes I feel like a fake. No, I’m not claiming to be the author of “Let it be”… it’s much more serious than that but simple with our story challenge!
I have not been showing up on Instagram of late the way I want {gasp. I know.} Lately I’ve just kind of lost my Insta-rhythm. Now, before you freak out on me, the teacher is not quitting. Let’s just say the teacher has taken a few steps back to assess the situation. And “Let it be.”
Let’s talk about the freaking algorithm for a minute. Shall we? You probably know that about mid-August, the algorithm decided to take a vacation on most of us and breeze on by like the six million dollar man in hyper-mode. Reels that previously brought thousands of views dropped in the hundreds and left everyone scratching their heads.
When the algorithm fights back
One lady who used to get 70,000 views on her cat videos was down to a thousand views. Did you hear that– cat videos? If people aren’t watching cat videos, we may as well forget it. Right? Instagram users are discouraged and with good reason. You’re listening to a podcast from one of them.
What are we going to do next in our story challenge, please “Whisper words of wisdom!” Okay. So I’m suggesting a radical change in pace for 30 days. What if we don’t play their game? We could stop the hamster wheel? What if we take a step? What if we pause the creation process, the videos, the texts, the captions, the words, the noise.
I’ll lose followers, I’ll miss out, I’ll lose the traction. I already have! Not so fast, if you’re feeling anxious over this situation, like a content mill turned upside down and sideways like most of us… Are you tired of juggling all the Insta balls? Me too. That’s why I’m proposing something radical. It’s against the grain.
Our story challenge: think radical, not hard!
It’s not the norm. It’s not what the gurus are telling you. It won’t cause millions of views, or even a thousand cat video views, but it just might bring you peace, joy, a way to simplify ongoing content.
What do you say? Are you waiting for me to push you on 30 Reels in 30 Days? No way, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I won’t say never, but I have yet to do it. So the idea is, 30 stories in 30 days. No new posts, no Reels, graphics, or carousels, not even one live video, although I won’t say never. No fancy stories made with graphics.
We’re talking real life here. True grit, so to speak. I just wrote out a plan that might revolutionize how I create content. It’s all in story strategy. Here’s the basic summary: You have a story theme of the day, a goal of the story, a call to action, rinse and repeat. The end result: strong community (your own).
“The end result: Strong community”
Increased story views, new followers. (Yep. I said new followers from stories), and less stress. Start date, October 3rd, end date November 1st. What do you think? Are you in? The sign up is in the show notes. There are more details in the sign up, but trust me, I’ve done my research and I do have a plan.
If you’re saying to yourself, you go ahead and I’ll watch, that’s completely fine. It may be a flop, but I won’t know if I don’t try! I will let you know that probably a good fourth to a half of my own story watchers, my real core peeps are on board. They’re saying yes, I want to do this too. Take me on the trip. Let’s go, let’s do it, let’s run with it. Anything that will start working and not drive me nuts.
Even if you’re simplifying, you’re getting some peace back, knowing that you’re actually creating fodder for content that’s ongoing, that is user generated. That brings peace of mind. For me, it’s not forever. It’s just a test with hopefully content going forward to fuel the rest of my 2022. And maybe yours.
If you’re simplifying, you’re getting peace back
So obviously I didn’t write, Let it Be, but my family know the story a couple weeks ago, my son texted, “What was that song you thought you wrote again when you were little?”
So if you gain nothing else from this podcast episode, just know that you don’t have to jump through all the hoops. You don’t have to do all the things. In fact, you can do something different. You can simplify, remember to whisper words of wisdom, or maybe just let it be again.
If you’re interested in hearing more or signing up for the 30-day challenge, or maybe you’re just watching from the sidelines to see what I teach, use the sign up in the show notes. Go follow me at @authenticonlinemarketingpod on Instagram and tap on my Instagram links and bio.
You’ll see it there. The story challenge, or go to my website, authenticonlinemarketing.com and you’ll see it there as.
It may just be me on this wild and crazy experiment. But if you want in on the plan, let me know, And don’t just “let it be” until next week. Remember to share your own message, your unique way in your own authentic voice.
Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be, whisper words of wisdom. Let it be.