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How to Glow Up Your Instagram Strategy with Jada Sinclair of Glow Vibes Social – Podcast Transcript
Episode 48 – Pitchin’ and Sippin’ – How to Glow Up Your Instagram Strategy with Jada Sinclair of Glow Vibes Social
Speakers:
Lexie Smith, Jada Sinclair
Lexie Smith
I met Jada way back in a mysterious mystical land where people gathered in large spaces for events without social distancing. This time and place was pre 2020 and the global pandemic that soon rocked our planet. As we all know, dramatics aside, I met Jada, an in person, THEPRBAR event in downtown Los Angeles. We have since worked together partnered together to get in touch. I absolutely adore her. So Jada. I’m so excited to have you on the show.
Lexie Smith
We will get into all things Instagram and global social in a minute but first, I always like to start out by asking what do you like to do outside of work for fun?
Jada Sinclair
Is eating count as fun does I’m a big foodie. Everyone’s so surprised about how much I love to eat but dancing is also one of like my favorite pastimes. It keeps my brain like balanced but like dancing and heels also helps like amplify your confidence.
Lexie Smith
Dancing in hills like literal like hills?
Jada Sinclair
Heels no on the scene in LA how they do the sexy Hello dance classes like the high heels.
Lexie Smith
What is the style of dance burlesque? I did a burlesque dance class on my bachelorette party and it was so empowering.
Jada Sinclair
Ooh I like that that is I love watching burlesque. That’s fun.
Lexie Smith
Yeah it was it was really fun. There are some very embarrassing videos that my friends friends now have. What type of dance Do you like to do to kind of all of it or do you have a specific form?
Jada Sinclair
So I like of course hip hop. I do hip hop, but I like r&b. I’m not r&b contemporary, where I can just move without even thinking about it. That helps to to help release like stagnant energy in your body. So I’m all social media and business but my other half of me is all energy and spiritually.
Lexie Smith
I love that so much and home base for you is around the Los Angeles area. Correct?
Jada Sinclair
Now I’m in Orange County,
Lexie Smith
Orange County. Okay, so you love food. Any recommendations in the Orange County area?
Jada Sinclair
Yes, I’m like, so I’m an organic vegan. pescatarian.
Lexie Smith
Oh, okay. So limited, but even more specific recommendations that are good.
Jada Sinclair
Specific. I love Oh my gosh, okay. Well, I’m like, I’m all over the place, but I like hibachi food. Okay, and then I’m like, there’s so many vegan foods I like but like slap fish is a really good like fish place. I like out here. I’m like, there’s so many I can give you a list like saying like, Oh my God
Lexie Smith
Put you on the spot. If you asked me, or I don’t know, like.
Lexie Smith
Okay, amazing. So dancing and energy. And food is one of the many talents that you have. Now we’re going to talk about the other side. And let’s go straight into glow vibe, social. So what is glow vibe social. And what is it that you do as a company?
Jada Sinclair
Yes. So globe, social is a branding and marketing. Now we’re a full service agency. We started off as boutique really excited about how we’ve been growing, but we help entrepreneurs manifest their next level of success and brand their Instagram into a 24/7 sales funnel.
Lexie Smith
Okay, well, actually, let’s break down what is the difference between a boutique agency and full service?
Jada Sinclair
Yes, a boutique normally is you’re just literally maybe like you yourself, and you’re handling maybe one specific service or two. So at this point, now, I started off with just doing branding and kind of like organizing people’s feed how it looks visually, but since then, I’ve gotten way deeper into digital marketing. So I actually understand content creation and aligning your content with your marketing strategy and what is even a marketing strategy and how do you lead people through that whole system so it’s been fun to expand and be able to do all parts.
Lexie Smith
A mazing, so I know that I know you know this data, but I want to catch everyone up to speed. I brought Jada in to record an exclusive bonus partner training for my pop, fizz clink! at THEPRBAR on how to glow up your Instagram strategy, because she is the literal queen of Instagram. And that right there is the topic we’re going to hone in on deeply today, Instagram. Here’s where I want to start. Now, I have an opinion on this question, but I care way more about hearing yours. With new social platforms developing, like wildfire, and others, like TikTok seemingly taking over. Do you think Instagram is still relevant for people, business owners, professionals all the above?
Jada Sinclair
Yes, it’s such a great question Lexie. And I definitely do think it’s still relevant. And one thing I can say you can notice is that Instagram basically is trying to be every platform. So rather, you’re on TikTok or Instagram, you still know how to make it TikTok. So what I think is very important about Instagram is by you knowing how to use it, basically, if anything ever did happen, you already have the features and the functions that you need to move on to another platform.
Lexie Smith
Okay, and do you see, you know, I mentioned a bunch of different segments of people, right, I said, people, business owners professionals, do you think the platform is headed towards being more of a hub for a certain demographic or group of people? Or is it still kind of across the board?
Jada Sinclair
I do see a hub, I do see wellness, holistic, and certain more topics, political topics, who have brands around that, and I do see them moving to more platforms where censorship is not as heavy. For business owners, I because I work with two different types of people, one of my clients is really super heavy into the other side of the world. And so I noticed how on their account, they are shadow ban, there is certain things that is not the same thing that happens on my other accounts. So I do see there’s going to be a shift in there. And then people focusing more on like more community based content on Instagram.
Lexie Smith
Okay, so shadow ban, you just said that word what is a shadow ban?
Jada Sinclair
And I know there’s so many, like, people have different views on this there if it’s not, but on my view is seen as account that uses a lot of censored stuff that the Instagram algorithm says you can’t do. I do notice that their posts are not seen, even though they have their followers are growing a lot. And the reach was growing. I do notice around certain points in times that their posts won’t get certain reach, or it’s not seen or same thing with their stories. Or you can’t tag their handle in your story. If I’m trying to post something they post. Or if you’re trying to follow them and you don’t follow them. Instagram will actually ask you, are you sure you want to follow this person? I’m like, I’ve never seen it go this deep.
Lexie Smith
Wow. I mean, is this just for accounts that are going really hyper political are talking about COVID? Are there other?
Jada Sinclair
Yeah, exactly. Hyper political talking about COVID. Or talking about Super holistic wellness topics, some wellness topics that are giving advice. And if it’s too against mainstream, then I noticed the accounts are not getting as much reach unless it’s hit like a viral. Put like a different kind of viral point where people specifically come into this account for this information.
Lexie Smith
Wow. Okay. There’s a lot there that conspiracy theorists and those in support can dig into and probably some validity.
Jada Sinclair
Yeah. Because I was hearing I was reading this post and they were like, No, Shadow banning isn’t real. I was like, Wait, and then I saw other strategies were like, Wait, not for holistic, or I was like, Yes, I’m experiencing that too.
Lexie Smith
Wow. Okay. Okay. So one thing I struggle with, and I know my clients do and I’m sure our listeners here as well, is how the heck to stay up to date on what is going on with Instagram. I mean, kind of to your point, I will post something that I think is gold, and I get crickets, but then flipside, I’ll post something on the fly and in come all the likes, right? So how do you stay up to date on what’s happening with Instagram and all the algorithm changes? And then you know, any tips for our listeners on how they can stay up to date?
Jada Sinclair
Yes, so first thing with any up to date trends, especially because Instagram loves to change it on a lot. I like to say just breathe. I have this funny meme. I’m like, I’m just expecting all the new updates to go on your heads go crazy. But I like to first thing first are so many experts popping up on Instagram. And some facts and things that we hear are not necessarily the full truth or they’re butchered stuff that people have got, you know, the telephone game. Someone says something and yes, they want it’s going to get down to you. It’s like, that’s not what said. So I like to go straight to Adams, that’s the head of Instagram. Anything that here says I like to get directly from him. There are certain accounts that I know who follow this creed of like, I will go straight to the blogs first. So I do like to go blogs first more than straight to Instagram first just because information can be misconstrued or just misinterpreted the wrong way. And then for myself, that’s why I’m so into branding because I think Like how you set up your brand, I don’t really have to necessarily get so stressed out about all the new features until I figure out how I want to utilize them inside my business.
Lexie Smith
Any specific blog, or blogs that you think are helpful?
Jada Sinclair
Yes. So I always have layers, one of my favorites, several in accounts. I love listening to your social team on Instagram, she’s really good at pulling real like valid information, especially because she goes the extra mile to make sure she’s not just putting anything up. So she’s an Instagram account, I would pull just she gives great industry Tips and Tips on like words going. And I like spending like I like all the planner accounts and plan as I like to, I feel like they give Industry Insights, but they also break down really good on how to like implement your content calendar, you say P L, A and N.
Lexie Smith
Okay, guys, we will put the links and all the things in show notes in addition to obviously Jada your links just because thank you for the specific. So guys, if you want to stay up to date, those are some really great resources that Jada just dropped. Speaking of staying up to date, right? We’re recording this, it’s q4 of 2021. I mean, if someone’s listening to this, maybe even in a month from now, this what you’re about to say might be outdated. But as of today, what is new with Instagram?
Jada Sinclair
So today, which is really cool as they’re really going heavy on video, as we all know, and they’d been monetized. Now you can not they’re paying you to actually use reels, depending on your views. So yeah, depending on your account actually just got approved for this, which actually switched my mind I was already moving into a video strategy, which we can talk about. But the reels, they actually reduced it to a certain amount of people where you can get up to $800 Depending on how much your reels get played. I don’t know if your account has hit that.
Lexie Smith
Wow, what is that threshold?
Jada Sinclair
Like how do they measure it?
Lexie Smith
Or like, how many video views would someone need to get?
Jada Sinclair
So they don’t tell you exactly like how much they have like a tear where it’s like, Okay, once and you can see yourself moving by how many plays you get, and it’ll show like 200 300 moves up? Yeah, I think I’m going to do a screen recording of it because I didn’t I thought it was a little for everybody. But I think it’s just getting leaked, like how they like to do to some people.
Lexie Smith
Yeah, I mean, I didn’t know that existed. So maybe I don’t know where to go to look for it. I doubt I have access.
Jada Sinclair
I know go inside settings. But once you open your Instagram, I kept giving me like pop ups and I believe I had till November 5 to fill it out because I actually have to put my business information. Yeah. So I’m like, Okay, so one thing to know about that, then is what Instagram is really focusing on really and they want content creators to help drum up that kind of activity. So it’s helping me see okay, where’s the platform going? And where’s Instagram? Algorithm? Right? What are they going to be loving on more in the future?
Lexie Smith
Yes, I mean, I’ve heard that’s going that way. I’ve been dabbling more in reels guys. Feel free to go to my Instagram and check out my super brilliant, real terrible, but I’m sure it’s to try to compete with Tik Tok. So, yeah, yeah. Okay, so let’s talk, you know, strategy. First, you know, the training you did for me and it’s part of your name. Let’s just start with a basic what does it mean to glow up your Instagram strategy?
Jada Sinclair
So you know, when you like, see a girl from high school, and then you see her 10 years later and like, Oh, my God, like you glew up? Yes. You totally transformed and you stepped into you is really isn’t that’s what I think glowing up really is is you stepping into you. And being able to let the world see and feel your brand essence. So glowing up your Instagram is really just getting your whole strategy in alignment with your brand essence.
Lexie Smith
Amazing. So obviously, we don’t need to go into the entire how to but let’s do some first quick tips. How does one glow up their Instagram strategy?
Jada Sinclair
And I feel that the way I start off with how to grow your Instagram is always going to be the same because like I said, it’s the foundation No matter it did like even though reels and videos is so crazy. It was so crazy last year, I think I’ve only posted two reels, and the reels were done my way. Not like with me having to do even though I love to dance, it’s just not where I was at for business. So it’s the first step that I would say what you would do to glow up your Instagram is to first get clear on who you’re helping, how you want to show up. And how exactly are you doing it? Your Instagram is not about you. Sadly, people only cares what do they get out of it? And are they excited or entertained by looking at it. So knowing your branding Foundation, like your positioning, your mission, your values, people forget about these, but those really are the backend things that will help a person be like us. Yes, because when I wasn’t using videos or reels, or posting, like everyone tells you to do two to three times a day, granted last year, I think I posted on average one through four times a month, because I was focused on foundation, one thing I learned from a coach was if you do not have your foundation and your marketing pieces in place, kind of wasting your time on Instagram depends on your energy. Me, I’m not the kind of person who can throw out a lot of content for no reason, or just trying to build an audience without knowing on the backend where I’m leading them to, because I multitask a lot. And for me, that a slow me down, so you have to know how you operate. So for me, it’s setting up your Instagram, so that your last 12 posts, a person can kind of get a full story of like, who you are and what you can bring to the table.
Lexie Smith
Oh, man. Okay, so, so much. I want to get into it. Let’s start here. Because you touched on, you know, last year, you really didn’t post all that much, you said one to four times a month. So and that’s a question that gets asked a lot. How much should I post on Instagram? So talk to us a little bit about frequency.
Jada Sinclair
Okay. So frequency, first off, it’s going to depend on when you started your account and what industry you’re in. And also like how big your current audience is, I think about that, right? Because, because there’s some people like I’m new to Instagram, but they have like a great community already of local people. And like people they’ve already met, that’s enough for them to kind of do something, and it take off. So on what I tell people a general rules, I tell people at least to be posting on the feed every other day, because what I noticed before was that your post will last 48 hours, but reels has a lifespan of two weeks, which is why people will notice that their reels are still getting views later, which is why tick tock is a popular format for some people because the the lifespan of your content is a lot longer than it is on Instagram. So if you want to be smart, you can just use your videos and later repurpose them for that platform. And if you’re thinking about what can I do later, but that’s something that I had I that I noticed with the video so I with other people I do you say every other day and stories and you can try to post her to different things. I’ve been testing it every other day someone was saying test to see if your engagement was going low. I’ve already kind of been doing that. And then another thing, of course is to keep your stories everyday because meet people normally will click that bubble sometimes. But for me, I noticed that my feed post is what actually pulls people and makes them like get into my DMs.
Lexie Smith
Okay, so I think that’s helpful even that every other day alleviates the pressure from anyone who thought they needed to do it every day, every day, just cut your workload in half. So thank you.
Jada Sinclair
I always say it’s quality over quantity. People try to be like a content factory. And that’s where I was like, hold on to create content, but what am I doing? What’s the reason? What’s the purpose, and I’m like, You can’t compare your game to somebody else who loves to create content. And it’s fair thing. Like it’s not needed, unless it’s something that you want to do.
Lexie Smith
Okay, so purpose of content content and captions on Instagram, that connect and can connect and convert. I know, as a business owner, that is the absolute number one thing that I would love Instagram to do for me convert, because, as you say, on your website, followers and likes are a great start, but they don’t pay the bills. So content that converts quick tips for us Do’s, Don’ts, what’s helpful to know?
Lexie Smith
So content that converts quick tips, do’s don’ts.
Jada Sinclair
So content is king. But captions is something that I really feel is the meat of how you really want to draw on your audience and move them along through what I like to call into your sales funnel. So there is five types of content that I like to tell people to create on a consistent basis, because what I find is, people are more than likely posting more like one or two contents. And they’re not using the full content themes that takes them along their brand story, which are credibility, community conversation, connection, and conversion. And so basically, what these all are doing is building the like and know and trust factor. So credibility, of course, people need to see why should they listen to you, hearing facts and hearing like, what the problem is, because a lot of people when it’s coming to your service, you want to say just buy or why you need to buy it. But if you can get people to take a step back and think about what happens when they first realize they have a pain point that relates to your problem or your solution. I mean, and this is why it takes you to go a little bit deeper into like your target audience, and like the transformation that you provide what your audience is getting from you. So you really know like, okay, how can I really show them this without having to necessarily always say bye. So I noticed when I was first starting, I was posting a lot of community content like quotes, carousels and for graphics, and connection type of stuff. But I wasn’t focusing on conversion, or connection, which is like telling my story. I’m telling like my values, like, why am I different? Like, you know how I’m always in the beginning, I was like, Okay, I don’t really I’m not really into reels. I’m not really into posting two to three times a day. That’s me telling the audience like, this is what I believe. And this because a lot of times, there’s all these people, right who sell which is Oh, the market is saturated. So people, yes, they’re buying what you can do, but they’re also buying you and your energy, which is why it’s important for you to you don’t have to tell your whole life story. Like Lexie, I commend you on this. I love how you tell your story and how you show like your life in the midst of your business because I was like, Oh my gosh, there’s some stuff that pops up about your life and your feed that I didn’t know. But I’m like you do a perfect job of like blending in and not making it too much of anything. So where someone can get a full scope of like, who you are, I always use your Instagram as an example, one of my favorites.
Lexie Smith
I have had a really great friend who has taught me a lot since I’ve known her name is Jada.
Jada Sinclair
Like you are doing good girl.
Lexie Smith
Thank you! Okay, amazing that. Okay, so my wheels are turning. And even though you’re saying I’m doing great, I feel like I’m going to go back and self audit with those five categories.
Jada Sinclair
I do it all the time.
Lexie Smith
When you know, this is a classic question. But again, because things are changing so quickly. And this is also a selfish question, because I feel like it’s hurting me lately. Are hashtags still hurting us helping us do we put them in the body? Do we put them in the give us like a quick what’s working with hashtags right now?
Jada Sinclair
Right? And it was so funny when this came out here when Adam announced that update because people have so much confusion. They’re like, No, we don’t use them. We only use two. It was like you put them in your caption. No, you put them here. So I’m like you guys. It’s okay. Don’t get stressed out. But hashtags is how I grew my account in the beginning. So I actually did test this out when it first came in. They were saying just to post on the new update came and say perhaps to post just three. I tried three For a week, and I noticed my normal numbers were smaller. So my accounts a little differently. Because when I first started, I was a quote, kind of account and tailored towards women entrepreneurs. Because I knew who I was going to help. I wasn’t yet. My agency wasn’t born yet. But then when I started switching my content, of course, naturally, I’m losing followers. But everyday, I’m gaining followers, I’m gaining more my ideal clients and losing more to people it isn’t resonating with, but hashtags were a big piece of it. So when I went back to now adding more to it, I do notice I get more reach. And I can actually see like, you know, that it tells you your hashtags I’ve used, that number did actually go up. So for me, I’m like, it’s free SEO. So why not just max out the most that I can use, even though they’re saying only use this me, I’m like, I’m gonna use as many as I can. That makes sense. It’s just I think people throw up random hashtags that are not really like, that didn’t really help them hit every avenue of what they’re trying to hit in their own target audience. So one thing I have been testing because Instagram algorithm, I know it scans your cat actual caption part for it to pull words in. So I will put five hashtags that relate to the photo there that I want to focus on. And the rest I’ll put as the first comment, so it’s not too much.
Lexie Smith
Okay, that’s helpful. And I think a really key thing to pull out here too, is testing right? You do it yourself as an expert, is you you got to keep testing. So I’m going to try that five integrated hack. So thank you. Yes. So besides generating sales, and gaining influence, which are two things we know of Instagram, and by the way, those are both end goals of PR, Instagram can actually be a really great tool to establish media relationships, brand partnerships, and in some cases, even when press features, that’s something I did want to mention to everyone listening.
Lexie Smith
Have you ever experienced any of these outcomes either yourself or witnessed it with a client?
Jada Sinclair
Oh my gosh, yes, rather you have 2000 followers or 10,000 followers 1000 followers, it is totally possible for you to get brand connections and to get different kinds of opportunities through Instagram. That’s not just conversions, because people a lot of times think success on Instagram is just measured by how many cells I got, or about me actually seeing money in the bank. But for me relationship building, and using that with my Instagram is really how my business has grown. And I want to say last year, I told you how it was only posting about 134 times a month, because I was busy building a lot of brand foundation stuff in the backend. Because I’m transforming and going into new areas, I actually got reached out for two local magazines to do interviews. And then I’ve gotten so many podcasts and summit requests. And there was even some that I had to turn down because it was too much that I had going on. And a lot of people told me in the beginning that podcasts and summits were not going to be an easy thing. And it was something after you were like established more in your business. And then I learned that it didn’t necessarily have to be the case, because then I had it happen to a lot of clients to some who had even less than, like 1000 followers who got featured in magazines, but one of my clients, I was just doing her Instagram feed and getting her started. And she hasn’t launched her product yet. And she was just speaking lightly on her Instagram and doing lives. And she got someone to reach out to do a podcast. And she was so excited because it was a long term angle for her. But it was already happening before she even started moving through in her business.
Lexie Smith
Yes, you know, it’s a lot of people. We talk about websites and media kits as being familiar terms in PR, but Instagram is an extension of you and your brand. And I’m seeing it more and more with clients. One quick, very recent example is a client of mine just was featured in Goop, which was a very big end goal for her. And the finish line. There was multiple things that went into her landing that feature but the finish line involved Instagram. So I’ll just kind of leave that teaser there. So it’s definitely still a platform if you are pursuing PR to pay extra mind to. Yeah, yeah. And so I have one more kind of question before for you before we wrap things up. And it involves putting on your energy, psychic hat. Okay, you got it on. There you go.
Jada Sinclair
I’m putting it on.
Lexie Smith
All right, cool. What’s coming up 2022. With Instagram, what do you think’s gonna happen?
Jada Sinclair
2022 is coming up. I’m definitely like I said, since I’ve seen how they’re pushing creators to monetize it, video is going to be a very important part of it. And what I want to express to people is you can do it your way. Another thing I’m noticing too, is you notice they’ve extended, you know, you can do stories longer, right, you can do previews, they move the video feature over. So you see they’re playing around with different things. So what I say it’s really important moving forward is your audience is really wanting to know who you are, and they’re wanting to see things that are more interactive. So the static just doing post not really showing who you are, I don’t think it’s not going to work as heavy anymore. Unless you have a back end funnel that’s not dependent on it. But most people they’re using social media as an organic strategy. So I feel moving forward video is going to be a very, very big thing. And they keep making avenues for us to make Instagram shoppable. They’re trying to make it easier for us to buy things and see things. So I’m really going to I think we’re going to see a lot more community stuff being happening. And a collaboration is really going to be a focus for people because you already seen so many people that are getting onto the platform, but with video is going to bring different ways that you can collaborate with different people.
Lexie Smith
Hmm, okay, okay, that means more showers for me since I have to be on video. So that’s more shares
Jada Sinclair
Or you just have to make sure your your shirt is just looking good.
Lexie Smith
My shirts, which is yes, fair, fair enough. So I mean, I could keep you and hold you hostage here all day. You’re just an absolute wealth of information. What I do have to ask you, since this is the pitch and sippin podcast is what we can find you sippin and so what is your favorite beverage it can be alcoholic or non alcoholic of course.
Jada Sinclair
I get to.
Lexie Smith
Again, no rules here.
Jada Sinclair
Alcoholic I have to get my oat chai latte. Okay. Now alcoholic you know, we’re all about wine over here. So you can pop me a bottle of champagne or Rose any day.
Lexie Smith
Rose it all day, any day. Any specific brands that you like.
Jada Sinclair
Honestly, the bottle. I’m like one of these statics. If the bottle looks pretty, like oh, it’s pretty. Bring it here. It’s true.
Lexie Smith
It’s so true. And I of course will appreciate it a good taste once I know but if I’m at a grocery store, very not a wall and I want to try something new, it’s what’s the prettiest.
Jada Sinclair
So that’s why branding is so important. I literally will look at Oh, how was it bottled? How was the label? I’m like, Okay.
Lexie Smith
I’ve tried this. Yes, 100% I’m with you there. So, as we wrap up, the last thing I need to ask is, how can people connect with you to learn more about you and glow vibes social? Where should they go?
Jada Sinclair
Yes, you always can find me on Instagram at glow vibe social. I’m sure Lexie is going to link me. And I’m going to be having a free webinar coming up on exactly how to brand yourself into a 24/7 sales system. So I’m always talking about it. But yeah, so follow me. Feel free to DM me reach out if you’re looking for more content. I’m always a friendly face.
Lexie Smith
Perfect. Yes, we will put all those links in the shownotes. Jada, thank you so much for spending some time with me this morning. It was so wonderful to see your face. And cheers to all the exciting things that you’ve accomplished and that is coming ahead for you.
Jada Sinclair
Thank you so much. And thank you for having me.
