It’s the momentum that comes from sitting down with intention, giving your ideas your full attention, and actually moving something forward instead of thinking about it for another week.

Momentum Collective is my way of making that easier.

By creating a simple space to consistently show up and do the work alongside other people doing the same, we build collective momentum and start moving forward together.

What Is Momentum Collective?

Momentum Collective is a free community and weekly creative working session on Zoom that meets every Monday. It’s a protected hour to create collective momentum by focusing on the work that you’ve been postponing, with accountability and supportive energy from a group of like-minded people.

This space is for people who want to put themselves out there in some way, whether that be online, creatively, or professionally, and they want support doing it without pressure or perfection.

If you’ve ever felt like your ideas are big but starting feels hard, you have experience but aren’t sure how to translate it into something visible, or you’re tired of working in isolation, Momentum Collective is for you.

If you’re curious, you can join Momentum Collective here. It’s free.

How Momentum Collective Works

Each session follows a simple structure:

10 minutes to get into Flow
We begin with a short exercise to help your brain relax and get into the zone.

40 minutes to Focus
A timed creative sprint where you work on your chosen task without interruption.

10 minutes to Connect
A space to stay and talk, ask questions, share progress, or keep working quietly.

This is a cameras-on community to help hold space and accountability. You’re welcome to turn your camera off during the flow exercise only.

When We Meet

Mondays at 12pm Eastern over Zoom

You’ll get the Zoom link in an email once you sign up.

What to Bring

Bring something to write on and something to write with.

People bring all kinds of things to work on at Momentum Collective, including:

• Creating a social post
• Drafting a newsletter outline
• Polishing a resume or LinkedIn Profile
• Writing a paragraph for a book, talk, or workshop
• Mapping our part of a strategy, pitch, or content plan
• Rewriting copy
• Brainstorming ideas for a specific desired outcome or a big goal

If it matters to you and requires creativity and focus, it belongs here.

Ready to Join Momentum Collective?

Momentum Collective is a place to create collective momentum with a group of like minded people. One week at a time. If you’re ready to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start making progress, come join us!

Join Momentum Collective Here
Bring one thing. Leave with progress.

PS

There’s no bad time to start. The calls are drop-in and if you can’t make it, we always send a recap email with the tools we use to get into the zone and keep ourselves in flow state so you can keep the momentum going on your own time too.

The post Momentum Collective: A Weekly Space to Create Collective Momentum appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

When I learned this, I laughed out loud.

Because kids: unless your content is private, you are literally performing. You’re choosing what to share, and pressing publish. Even if the performance is ‘woman in yoga pants with a cute dog shares a thought’ you’re aware someone might see it. And what’s wrong with that?

Showing up and sharing your knowledge, your Self, your gifts is a wonderful way to make the world a better place and whether that’s through social media posts or some other way, I want more of it. Even in this chaotic world… 

Is Authenticity Trending on Social Media?

We are in a state of course correcting.

The truth suddenly became hard to find, and now, authenticity is trending. People are craving real life connection, information and opinions from people they can trust.  As a real person who is just starting to create content and share my message, I’m kind of excited to be able to practice showing up authentically, as my messy self and talk about the things that are important to me. 

There is a part of me that worries this isn’t true. That the algorithm is going to keep favouring beautiful people sharing their beautiful false narratives, along with the generic AI content that all looks the same BUT I’m delighted that this conversation is happening and I’m doing my best to lean in and show up as myself. 

So – how do you show up online when you don’t want to perform? Well, the answer is simple, but not easy: you just start.

I love this quote by Rumi: “When you start to walk along the way, the way appears.”

Take the leap of faith. Quiet the noise in your head, listen to the still small voice inside of you and go for it.

Or maybe you need a little more fuel to start your fire.

Either way, I want to reframe a few social media “rules” that might be holding you back from getting started.

Debunking Social Media Myths That Hold Us Back

Myth #1: You Must Post Every Day

Reality: Start where you are. Consider your objectives and post when you can. Consistency over time will bring you success. 

Myth #2: You Must Repurpose Everything

Reality: Repurpose your content onto other platforms when it saves you time and aligns with your big goals.

Myth #3: You Must Post on Instagram

Reality: Unless you are specifically targeting Instagram users, if you prefer another social media platform then you should create content specific to that platform. Yes, Instagram is the most popular, but that doesn’t mean your target audience isn’t in other places as well.

Myth #4: Your Message Should Cast a Wide Net

Reality: A focused message creates clarity and connects with the right people.

The next time you create content, try pretending you’re talking to one specific person. Not in a “HEY YOU” way, but in a way where your examples, language, and advice are sharp and specific.

You’re not leaving anyone out, but your message makes it easier for the right audience to lean in and trust you.

Myth #5: You Must Jump on Trending Content

Reality: Be your authentic self. Stretch your comfort zone a little at a time. Building a personal brand is not a race or a competition.

It’s not always easy to show up online and talk about things you’re passionate about. Learning how to quiet the brain clutter and judgement (both internal and external) is part of the process, but know that you can do it!

Having trouble getting started on your personal brand, and crave some structure and accountability? Check out Momentum Collective. It’s a free community that meets every Monday at 12pm Eastern on Zoom. Together we create collective momentum and move forward on big goals. Bring a project that needs your creativity and focus. A social media post, a resume, a video, a book outline, a talk, a strategy, a workshop plan, a pitch. If it helps you show up more clearly, it belongs here.

I host a personal branding accountability group called Momentum Collective every Monday. If you’re interested you can learn more HERE or sign up HERE (it’s free)!

If you need help finding your message and creating a personal brand, consider signing up for my accountability group on Mondays or trying out a clarity coaching session to help you move through this stage with calm, confident ease.

The post How to Show Up Online Without Feeling Performative appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

It seems like I worry about a lot of things all at once too. And I have so many things to say, how do I write this long thought concisely? 

I have all of this brain clutter (and more) rattling around and then I wonder why it’s so hard for me to start creating!  

Why Does it Feel So Hard to Find Start Something I Know is Important?

All of this negative self talk is nonsensical. It’s not helpful and it’s not true! 

It’s so easy, (and so human) to get distracted and procrastinate when it comes to starting something new or working on things that bring up your insecurities.

Procrastination gets painted as a “discipline problem,” but it’s more like a discomfort repair strategy. When a task is triggering, your brain looks for relief fast and the brain clutter emerges. It manifests as a barrage of uncertainty, fear of judgement and the feeling that you might not do it “right”. Avoiding the task works in the moment. That’s why procrastination is often defined as delaying something you intended to do, even though you know you’ll feel worse later. And if your nervous system reads the task as a threat, even a social one, your body can slide into a defence response like fight, flight, or freeze, which makes “just sit down and work on your content” feel weirdly impossible.

What is my Brain Clutter Trying to Tell Me?

There is no hidden message in your brain clutter. It is just your body’s way of protecting you from perceived fear of vulnerability and exposure. 

Whether it’s a tag line, an elevator pitch, a brand story, social media post, etc. that you’re trying to perfect, you are putting yourself out there in a creative way, and it takes time to get it right.

When you’re building something, it rarely (I won’t say never) comes out in one neat sentence right off the bat. Writing is rewriting, as my grade 12 creative writing teachers, Mrs. Minov used to say, and that means that it takes time to find your message. That was in the ’90s, when experimenting and putting yourself out there took a lot more time and effort. 

These days we have the luxury of social media and so many creative tools at our disposal. It’s okay to experiment publicly, make mistakes and put yourself out there while you’re still figuring things out, especially in an era where people deeply crave authenticity. You get as many chances as you want to get it “right” and you get rewarded by the social media algorithms if you post often and experiment.  This gives us a tremendous opportunity to move through things faster and learn as we go.

Remember: Practice makes progress.

How to Break Through the Brain Clutter

If you’re reading this, I know there is a big part of you that believes in yourself and knows you have a message to share. So how do you stop the brain clutter and get to work on achieving your dreams? Here are a few things that work for me: 

1. The Just Five Minutes Rule 

This odd little productivity hack is so simple. All you do is set your timer and commit to working on the project you’ve been delaying for five minutes. That little bit of momentum is often the push you need to move the needle and at the end of five minutes you find yourself in a nice little flow state to continue creating. You can read more about it here.  

2. Break Down Your Goals into Achievable Steps

If you like to make lists, break down your action items. As far as action items go, writing a first paragraph feels much lighter than writing a first chapter, doesn’t it? As does, taking “create a content calendar” and turning it into “brainstorm” and make a list of 10 ideas for content themes that I can use over the next month. AI is a great resource for this. 

3. Keep it Simple and Focus on the Things You Do Best (to Start)

If you’re a writer, don’t start with videos. If you’re a photographer, don’t start with writing. There are so many places on the internet to share content, so why try to fit a square peg into a round hole? Once you get comfortable putting yourself out there, then you can experiment with other formats and find new ways to share your gifts with the world. 

4. Accountability Groups and Partners in Believing

There is nothing like a little accountability and support to build momentum.

Accountability, consistency, repetition and positivity can get you through difficult moments and keep you on track. Find someone going through the same thing you are and start an accountability group. This has worked wonders for me. It used to take me 5 hours a week to write a blog or other big pieces of content. My writers group meets every Tuesday from 3pm – 5pm, and in that short span I’m able to complete an entire blog. It’s wonderful (I’m writing this from my writers group right now)!

I actually host a personal branding accountability group called Momentum Collective every Monday. If you’re interested you can learn more HERE or sign up HERE (it’s free)!

5. Trust in Your Vision and Know That Clarity Will Come

When you catch yourself sliding into self doubt and negativity, give your head a little shake and say (out loud or in your head) “I’ve got this”. Someone told me looking in the mirror and saying “you’ve got this” is even more impactful, but either way, try to stop the pattern of self doubt. Replace the negative thought with something positive. Think about where you’re headed and watch the magic happen!

And while it might feel messy at first, I promise you that it’s actually momentum disguised as messiness. The only way out is through, so you have to start and then keep going to actually make it through. 

So, if it’s not already obvious. I believe in you!

I know you can take the steps to finding your message and creating a personal brand, but if you need help, consider signing up for my FREE accountability group on Mondays or trying out a clarity coaching session to help you move through this stage with calm, confident ease.

The post Getting Past Brain Clutter to Find Your Message appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

You know you have meaningful ideas. You have a vision for your work, your clients, the change you want to make, and the person you want to be. You want to share it and build a personal brand online.

But the online world (and/or the voice in your head) keeps whispering that to be taken seriously, you have to be louder, younger, bolder, older, prettier, more “magnetic,” a better writer, a better speaker, funnier… You get the idea. On top of that, real life is busy. Between work, family, and everything else, it’s easy to let your ideas slide to the bottom of the list.

Maybe the way you naturally move through the world and show up online doesn’t quite “match” what everyone else is doing. But that doesn’t mean it is wrong. In fact, for you, it might be absolutely right. If anything, the way you naturally show up might be the clearest foundation you have to build a personal brand online that feels honest and sustainable.

You can copy app templates or jump on trending content to create a personal brand, or you can show up as yourself and watch the magic happen. All you need is a little patience, some big ideas, and a new relationship with what a personal brand can look like.

In earlier blogs, we’ve talked about sharing your wins without feeling like you’re bragging and finding the through-line that runs through your work. This blog is about what happens next: letting your ideas be seen in a way that still feels like you.

How You’re “Supposed” to Sound on Social Media

Most of what we see about showing up on social media pushes you to be louder and more visible all the time. But if the way you’re “supposed” to show up online makes your shoulders tense or your stomach knot, of course you’re going to hesitate. It’s unreasonable to expect yourself to feel relaxed and authentic while trying to squeeze into a version of showing up that doesn’t feel like you.

When you sit down to write, it’s easy to overthink everything. Part of you wants to speak your mind in your own voice. Another part is convinced you have to sound bigger and sharper to be taken seriously. Those two parts pull in opposite directions, and it’s exhausting.

No wonder you close the app and tell yourself you’ll figure it out later.

But here’s what’s true: You can build an online presence that feels like you on a good day.

Real-You Content: A Different Way to Build a Personal Brand Online

If we strip away the jargon, having a ‘brand presence’ is very simple: You experience things. You make sense of what is happening and learn from the experiences. You share it so other people can use the knowledge, too.

Real-you content is about being the person who is willing to say, “Here is what I am paying attention to, and here is why I think it matters.”

That might look like a short post once a week about a pattern you are noticing. It might be sharing a win. It might be a piece of advice you wish someone had told you when you were younger. It might be an image of something you saw that piqued your interest. It might be a quote that inspired you.

None of that requires a megaphone. It requires honesty, a point of view, and a little bit of courage to put words to what you are observing. Here’s something I tell my clients to help you find that courage.

What You Notice About the People You Trust Online

When you think about people you trust online, what comes to mind?

It’s probably the people who sound like themselves, talk about things that matter to you, and show up in a way that feels connected and human.

Their posts are clear. You have a sense of who they’re speaking to. Over time, their name starts to feel familiar, and you catch yourself thinking about something they said when a similar situation shows up in your own life.

By saying real things in simple language, on a regular-enough basis, the right people will start to recognize themselves in your words.

A Gentler Way to Start Showing Up Online

If the idea of trying to build a personal brand online makes you want to hide under a blanket, bring it down to something much smaller.

Choose one place you already use. It might be LinkedIn, Instagram, or even your email list if you have one. Commit to a rhythm that feels realistic in this season of your life. Once a week is plenty. Every other week is plenty. You are building a practice, not sitting an exam.

Then, come back to your through-line. From the earlier blogs, you know this is the deeper thread that runs through your work. Maybe it is about access, or grief, or leadership, or resilience, or change. Pick one part of that thread and stay close to it for a while. Let it be the anchor you return to, instead of starting from a blank page every time.

When you write, imagine you are leaving a short voice note for a friend, client, or a colleague you like. You are not trying to impress them, you are simply trying to connect with them and be useful. Often, that shift alone is enough to pull you back into your natural voice.

How You’ll Know Your “Real-You” Content Is Working to Build a Personal Brand Online

“Real-you” thought leadership does not always come with big, public signals. The signs are often easy to miss if you are only watching the numbers.

Someone sends you a message and says, “I have been thinking about what you wrote last week.”

A client mentions that they shared your post with a colleague because it captured something they had been trying to explain.

You meet someone new and they say, “I feel like I already know how you think from your posts.”

You will also notice internal shifts. You hesitate a little less each time you hit publish. You spend less time spiralling about whether every word is perfect. You start to see your own ideas more clearly, simply because you are making time to put them into language.

None of this is flashy. All of this is evidence that your presence is growing.

A Simple “Real-You” Content Experiment

This week, write one short post using this simple template in your own words:

1. Start with something you are noticing right now.
2. Explain why you think it matters.
3. End with one thought or question for the person reading.

Read it out loud once. If it sounds like you, share it before you end up editing it into something that no longer does.

If there’s something inside of you that wants to share your ideas and create an online presence you do not have to figure out the next steps alone. This is the work I love doing: finding the thread, shaping your messaging and cheering you on while we work together to create a way of showing up that feels aligned, sustainable, and real.

If you are ready for support, you can book a clarity coaching session here so we can work through your message together. And if you know you would show up more consistently with structure and company, you can join the waitlist for Momentum Collective, where we carve out time to create and share your work, quietly but consistently, alongside others doing the same.

The post How to Build a Personal Brand Online When You Don’t Want to Be Loud appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

Same.

That feeling isn’t proof you shouldn’t share it or that your win doesn’t matter. That feeling is usually:

• fear of being judged
• old stories about “bragging”
• worry that people will roll their eyes or leave

But sharing good news doesn’t automatically turn you into “that person” online. Let’s talk about what’s actually going on.

Why Sharing Wins Feels So Risky

A lot of us were taught not to take up too much space. Then we open our feeds and see the opposite: big, performative posts and a lot of generic, copy-paste content that sounds like it was written by ChatGPT.

You don’t want to sound like that, so you over-explain yourself, downplay your achievement, or stay quiet altogether.

Even when something genuinely good happens, your internal monologue kicks in: “Who do you think you are?”, “Other people have done way more”, “This is probably obvious to everyone anyway”. And just like that, the post never sees the light of day.

You’re not alone in feeling like this, check out my own journey with it and why I am here to help.

Why Your Good News Belongs in the Feed

Seeing good news is what attracted many of us to social media in the first place. It is inspiring and gives people proof that what they want is possible and offers language they can borrow for their own journey. Good news posts also let the people who care about you know what’s going on in your life. 

We are not overwhelmed with too much genuine good news from thoughtful people. If anything, we don’t see enough of it.

Self-Promotion Vs. Sharing Your Wins

Most people don’t want to be “Look at me!” people online. Fair. Here’s the difference:

• Self-promotion says: “Look how impressive I am.”
• Sharing a win says: “Here’s something I’m proud of” 

How to Share Your Wins Without Feeling Gross About it

If writing about your own wins makes you freeze, it helps to have a simple way in.

Think of it as: Here’s what happened → here’s why it matters to me → here’s what I’m taking from it.

Here are a few ways you could start those “I’m proud of this” posts.

• The “I’m actually proud of myself” Post

  “I’m really proud of this: [share the win].
  
  A year ago, I never would’ve tried this because [quick context].”

• The “this took a lot” Post

  “This didn’t happen overnight.

  After [time/effort/trial and error], I finally [share the win]

  I’m glad I didn’t give up on it.”

• The “here’s what I learned” Post

  “Today I [share the win].

  The thing that surprised me most was [what you noticed/learned].

  If you’re in the middle of [similar situation], I hope this is a little bit of proof that [encouragement].”

• The “this might look small, but” Post

  “This might look small from the outside, but it’s big for me: [share the win].

  I’ve been inching toward this for [timeframe], and I’m finally letting myself celebrate it.”

You can mix and match pieces of these, but the idea is the same: You’re giving people a bit of backstory and meaning, and a little more of YOU, which is what they want to see.

A Quick Gut-Check Before You Share Your Wins

If you’re still hovering over the delete button, try this:

• Does this reflect something I genuinely care about?
• If a friend shared this exact post, would I be happy for them?
• Am I being honest?
• Am I sharing this to connect, not to convince anyone of my worth?

If the answer is mostly yes, your post isn’t the problem. Your self-doubt is just being loud.

If You’re Still Unsure… That’s Where I Come In

Your voice matters.

You don’t have to water down your message to be likable or “humble.” You’re allowed to take up space.

I help leaders shape their ideas into messages that feel aligned, useful, and quietly powerful without the performance, posturing, or pressure.

Because when you’re not second-guessing every post, you can start actually connecting with the right people, for the right reasons.

If you’re tired of wondering “is this too much?” or “am I allowed to say this?”, I’m here to help. Book a clarity coaching session to get clear on your content. 

The post How to Share Your Wins Without Feeling Like You’re Bragging appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

Or maybe you start to talk about how much you love your work and the type of things you do every day and how your unique approach to things is making positive change, when suddenly that  voice in your head starts shouting “STOP BRAGGING!” 

Or maybe your brand is crystal clear in your mind, but don’t say anything at all because finding the right words feels hard and staying quiet feels safer than getting it wrong.

Even if you question it sometimes, you know your message is there.

The thread is already running through your work. But when you’re so close to your work, living it, breathing it, it can be almost impossible to name it clearly.

Let’s talk about why that happens, and how you can get clear on your message by finding your through-line.

Why You Struggle to Get Clear on Your Message

• It’s too personal. Your work is layered, lived, and embodied by you.
• You’ve evolved but your message still sounds like an earlier version of you.
• You’re multi-passionate and trying to “simplify” it kills the magic.

This is completely normal. Messaging is something I help my clients with all the time and something I often struggle with personally, too.

What’s a “Through-Line” Anyway?

• The deeper thread that connects everything you say, do, and care about.
• The reason people are drawn to your energy, even if they can’t name it.
• What people actually remember when they think of you.

You don’t always need to “niche down,” but you do need a through-line.

Where to Find Your Through-Line

• Start by noticing patterns in what you love talking about.
• What do clients keep thanking you for?
• Which of your posts or phrases feel the most “you”?
• If you could only leave one message behind, what would it be?

If those answers feel fuzzy, that’s exactly what I help with. I came up with a small exercise to help in my last blog.

The Message Is Already There, You Just Need Perspective

Sometimes, you just need someone to look at the whole board and say, “There. That’s the thread.”

This is the work I love to help my clients with: finding the through-line and turning it into thought leadership that lands.

If your work is powerful but your brand message isn’t quite there yet, you’re closer than you think.
Book a clarity coaching session so we can get started finding your through-line.

The post Get Clear on Your Message by Finding Your Through-Line appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

Here are two things I’ve learned about personal branding:

1. You don’t know have to know what you want to be known for to start creating a personal brand. In fact, you often discover what you want to be known for by creating.
2. Thought leadership isn’t always clarity → content → personal brand → speaking/consulting/book deal, etc. It can also be content → clarity → different content → more clarity → different content → speaking/consulting/book deal, etc.

Action Brings Clarity to Your Personal Brand

You don’t have to start with clarity. You just have to start. Your voice grows as you create, publishing consistently is the fastest way to find your personal brand.

Having clarity and a clear through-line in your content will help you stand out and help people identify you as an expert. But it doesn’t have to be static. It can change and evolve with you. And as you work toward something, it will become easier for you to discern who you are and who you aren’t, and find clarity along the way. 

Which Creator Type Are You? 

Typically, I see three types of people holding themselves back from developing their brand and creating thought leadership content. 

Type 1: The Visionary

You know what you’re all about and what your big goals are, but you just aren’t present on social media. People know you’ve got something to say, you just haven’t found the time to say it. 

To start creating and supporting your bigger goals, you may just need a little help fine-tuning the language and messaging and maybe some gentle nudges to take action.

Type 2: The Creator

You share on social media all the time. You have a lot of big goals and dreams, and a busy life, and you share all of it with the world. People know you do something important, but they don’t really know what that is. You dream of being known for something, and you’re ready to talk about it once you figure out what that something is. 

To find clarity, reflect on your content and identify any consistent themes that emerge from what you’re sharing. Try creating a series of posts about a single topic you’re interested in and see if it lights you up. 

Type 3: The Dreamer

You have a deep desire to create something and share your gifts, but you’re still figuring out what those are and what your end goal is. There are so many options! People don’t even really know you have something to say. You’ve held yourself back from sharing because you don’t want to say the wrong thing or change your mind and be judged for it.  

To find clarity, you must start creating. And through the content you create, patterns will emerge, and upon reflection, your intuition will guide you to clarity.

Personally, I was stuck for a long time. I dreamed of achieving big goals for my business and my side project, The Make Great Friends Blog, but I was overwhelmed, afraid of rejection and a million other little things. Then, a few months ago, I took a huge step forward on social media. I began sharpening my message and posting more. It took a village and an amazing community to help me get to this point. And some days I still don’t know exactly where I’m heading, but I am so glad that I started.

The Creation Loop: An Easy Way to Find Your Voice

Here’s a strategy on how to make creation part of the discovery:

Write

• Write 100 words about what matters to you right now. It doesn’t matter what that is. It could be what you love to make for dinner. It could be what you’re doing at work.
• Copy and paste those words into ChatGPT and work with it to create 5-10 posts based on your writing. 
• Select the 3-5 posts that you connect with.
• Proofread and edit these posts. Use AI as much as you want to speed up this process, but don’t let it do all the writing for you. Here’s an article that will help you spot AI writing and write something that sounds like you.
• Set it aside for a few days, or as long as it takes for you to look at the writing with fresh eyes.
• Proofread and edit the posts again so that they feel authentic and in your voice. 
• Publish your content as often as you’re comfortable with.

Reflect

• After publishing, take a second to celebrate the fact that you published something. Practice makes progress.
• Try not to get caught up in analytics, especially in the beginning.
• Instead, ask yourself: What themes are showing up in my content? What do people respond to most? What feels like me when I re-read it?

Repeat

• Do this exercise again for as long as it takes.
• Be consistent, hold yourself accountable and take time to reflect so that each time you create, you move closer and closer to your vision. Remember: what matters is forward movement.

If This Sounds Overwhelming, Get Guided Support

The sooner you start creating with intention, the sooner your message will reveal itself.

And if you’re already creating but don’t see the thread? I can help. 

If you’re sitting on a dozen ideas and no clear “message,” I can help you find the gold and turn it into something that opens doors. Book a clarity coaching session on how to find your personal brand today.

The post What Do You Actually Want to Be Known For? How to Find Your Personal Brand appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

Yep, I’m talking about Instagram Reels! 

What are Instagram Reels?

If you’ve ever fallen into the black hole of scrolling through TikTok for hours, Instagram Reels will make you feel right at home. Instagram Reels are short videos, 60 seconds or less, often set to a song or a sound created by other users. 

You may be familiar with Instagram’s other tools like Stories, IGTV, and your Feed posts. What sets Reels apart is that they allow users to stitch together multiple video clips into one content piece within the app. Plus, you can use effects like filters, music and other sounds, or changing the video speed. Before Reels, the only way to create such a video would be with a tool like iMovie (which takes a fair bit of video-editing knowledge).  

Unlike Stories that disappear after 24 hours, Reels live forever in the Reels tab of your profile. And while IGTV is ideal for long-form video or an episodic series, Reels are limited to a maximum of 60 seconds.

What makes Instagram Reels so great?

What really pushes Reels over and above other existing tools, is that your content is promoted to users across the entire platform through the Explore Feed, instead of just to your followers or to people following the hashtags you used. Rumour has it that Instagram’s algorithm gives priority to creators who use Reels as an incentive to get more people creating with the tool. I’ve heard anecdotes from my social media marketing colleagues reporting more than 200% increases in their analytics after incorporating Reels into their strategy. That’s huge!

Despite TikTok’s popularity, Instagram still has nearly twice as many users as TikTok. Now that many users repost TikToks to Instagram Reels, Instagram users are more likely to stay and scroll through Reels, rather than going to a different app. That means more opportunities for users to stumble across your content and decide to engage, follow, or buy from you. 

Another benefit of Reels is that the time investment for the user is low, so it’s more likely that they will stick around to watch your full 15-60 second clip than they might be if your video was 5 minutes or more. Attention spans are getting shorter, and if you can grab your audience in the first few seconds of your Reel, they’re more likely to watch the full video, and check out the rest of your content while they’re at it.

Finally, one of the best things about Reels is that they are low-risk. Users aren’t looking for totally polished, high production quality videos on Reels. The more authentic your video, the better it will perform, so have fun and lean into it.

Are reels right for your business?

As always, before you jump into a new tool, the first question you should ask yourself is: is the audience I’m trying to reach using this platform? (If you’re not sure, check out this blog post about deciding which platforms you should be using for your business!)

If your business is geared toward a younger Gen Z audience, you may be better off taking the leap into TikTok, where the largest percentage of users is between ages 10-19 (25%) and nearly half are under 30. But if you’re marketing towards Millennials, you may have better luck on Instagram where the demographic trends slightly older (62% of users are aged 18-34). 

Another thing to consider when it comes to creating Reels is how comfortable you are with the Instagram platform, and video editing in general. While the method of creating a new Reel can be pretty intuitive once you get into it, there is a bit of a learning curve. It’s not uncommon to end up spending upwards of an hour tweaking and fine-tuning, all for a 15-second video. If you’re not familiar with the app, spend some time playing around, testing the tools and figuring out how it works before you dive into a strategy of posting multiple Reels per month.

Okay … I’m ready! How do I use Instagram Reels?

The technical steps to making a Reel are pretty straightforward — check out this blog from Later for a step-by-step explanation.

Now, the concept and planning of a good Reel is where it takes a bit of finesse.

First, think of the overall goal of your Reel. Are you hoping to showcase a product? Share your expertise through advice? Show off your personality by jumping on a current trend? Deciding what you want your Reel to accomplish is step one.

If you’re feeling stuck, scroll through the Reels tab on Instagram and look for inspiration. This is a channel where putting your own personal twist onto an existing video style or topic is not only acceptable, but encouraged. Take note of the Reels that draw you in, that make you want to watch the whole way through, that make you feel entertained or interested. Then, think of how you could do something similar, but tailored to your business and your audience.

(Looking for some insider tips? Check out this post from Instagram where they share do’s and don’ts for creating Reels that will do well in the algorithm.)

Next, you want to get an idea of what shots your Reel will include. Trust me on this one — you want to have a storyboard or outline of the video BEFORE you start to film. Jot down some short, point-form notes of what shots you want to take.

Then, film! You can film your Reel directly in the app, or film clips using your phone’s camera and stitch them together in Instagram after the fact. Be sure to film with your phone vertical (portrait mode), and in a well-lit area so the video looks good.

When you have all your video pieces, you can use the Reels editor to tweak or trim the clips, add sound, stickers, text, and effects until you’re happy with the final video. One thing to consider is if you are using any voice-over or if you are talking during the video, adding captions to the Reel is a great way to increase the accessibility of your video, and make users browsing without sound on more likely to stay and watch. 

Then… it’s time to hit post! Pro tip: be sure to share the Reel to your stories to boost it’s reach even more.

Have fun with it!

Instagram Reels may feel daunting at first, but once you dip your toes in, you’ll love this new way of connecting with your audience. If you’re feeling nervous to take the plunge, get in touch with us and we can help! 

About Fesyk Marketing

We’re a boutique agency that believes great relationships are the key to having a successful and sustainable business. And we see opportunities for connection and collaboration everywhere!

Our amazing team specializes in creating content and leveraging social media to help our clients strengthen relationships, increase referral rates and attract new business. As a vision based company we create bespoke marketing plans with the end goal in mind and then work right alongside you to make it happen.

One of our favourite mantras is, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” and have proven time and time again that authentic, meaningful content is the foundation for building a community of loyal customers.

Does this sound interesting to you? Send us an e-mail to connect and learn more about how relationship marketing can help your business.

The post Everything you need to know about how to use Instagram Reels appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

When you’re a new business owner you’re busy being pulled in a hundred different directions, just trying to find success where you can. Wouldn’t it be nice if you knew that your marketing efforts were on the road to success? Choosing a target audience is the first step to get there. 

It’s so important for small business owners to know who their target audience is. Yes, we hear this all the time but in reality, it’s a really hard thing to narrow down. 

If you’re just getting started with your business you may not have an official marketing budget, or even a marketing plan for that matter. You might be trying to find time every week to share posts on social media so you can stay connected with your community and promote your product or service. You might be attending networking meetings to connect with other business partners and increase referrals. You might even have a blog or email newsletter that you use to share your message. 

If you have any of these, you’re off to a great start! But imagine doing it with a focus on a very specific group of people: the people who are most likely to buy your products or services.

These people are your target audience. When you market specifically to them, you’ll save time and money. 

We know it’s hard to stop talking to everyone and to pick a specific group of people to target, but Nike said it best: Just Do It! 

What to look for in a target audience

If you have absolutely no idea where to start, think of just one person who you know wants to buy your product or service. If that person is you, write an email to yourself! And then, market everything else with yourself in mind. 

If you like your current customer base (and you know that they like you, too) dive deeper into this group. Look at who they are. What do they value? What are their qualities? Where do they work, what do they do in their spare time and where do they search for information? Once you identify this demographic, you can make better decisions on how to reach out to them. 

Now here’s the thing. You can have as many target audiences as you want, but you need to identify them. You need to have resources for each group. And, you need to focus on one group at a time.

Focus on your target audience until you exhaust that group. If it’s working, great. If not, move onto another audience. Speaking to one target audience is what’s going to make your marketing successful. When you start to see results and you know you’ve found the right people, then you can start to niche down. For tips on how to niche down (and Tim Ferriss’ secret to speaking to your target audience) click here. 

Make your marketing a priority

Successful marketing starts with a clear plan and a measurable goal. If you feel lost in your marketing and you’re overwhelmed with all of the directions, we can help you iron out the details so you can focus on what you do best: share your expertise with the world. Get in touch with us at hello@sambawebstudio.website and we’ll help you get started. 

P.S. Stay tuned for a blog on market research and how to use data to find your audience! 

About Fesyk Marketing

We’re a boutique agency that believes great relationships are the key to having a successful and sustainable business. And we see opportunities for connection and collaboration everywhere!

Our amazing team specializes in creating content and leveraging social media to help our clients strengthen relationships, increase referral rates and attract new business. As a vision based company we create bespoke marketing plans with the end goal in mind and then work right alongside you to make it happen.

One of our favourite mantras is, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” and have proven time and time again that authentic, meaningful content is the foundation for building a community of loyal customers.

Does this sound interesting to you? Send us an e-mail to connect and learn more about how relationship marketing can help your business.

The post The benefits of choosing a target audience for your marketing appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.

Coming up with a strategy to promote your content is a hard process to simplify. There are so many different ways to share your content! How do you know what’s going to get you the results you want? 

We’ll let you in on a secret (actually, five) that we share with all of our clients when they’re getting started with content promotion. 

The best ways to promote your content are much easier than you think, and most business owners miss out on these simple opportunities to share the magic they create. Here are our top 5 ways to start promoting your content.

5 ways to promote your content

1. Ask your friends and family to engage with your content. You have a community of people right next to you who are ready to support your business. Have them share your social posts to their pages, comment on your blog posts, and send links to others who might enjoy your content.  
2. Share your content on your personal platforms. A key strategy we use for our clients who are trying to grow their following on their Facebook business page is this: post on your business page and share the post to your personal page. This way, you’ll bring your loyal fans to your biz page!
3. Cross promotion can be huge. Reach out to people in your networking group, or ask people with the same target audience (who aren’t competitors) to share your content. If you’re not sure who these people are, shut your computer and make a physical list of people in the industry who share your target audience. Don’t know who your target audience is? We can help you figure that out.
4. Engage with other content creators. Use niche keywords to search for what your audience wants to know, and comment on other social posts, blogs and YouTube videos. This will establish connections with other content creators who have a similar target audience and it will increase your brand awareness. We love Dollar Eighty as an engagement tool. And remember, engagement isn’t about selling your services. It’s about building relationships. Find opportunities for connection and share links to your content in an authentic way. 
5. Look for people who are looking for advice on forums, reddit threads, YouTube, Facebook groups. Share your expertise directly in the comments and link to a piece of your content where they can find more. See a pattern here? It’s all about relationship building.

What’s next?

Once you implement these simple content promotion strategies it’s time to measure your results. You want to make sure you’re actually getting results from the time you spend trying to get people to look at your stuff. 

This means tracking. Look at the analytics on your website, YouTube channel and any social platforms. Pay attention to reach, clicks and watch time. You can use these metrics when you go back to the creation phase of content marketing and make your content that much better. 

Need a plan to get started?

If you feel like you’re trying everything in the book but you’re not seeing results, we can help guide your efforts and get the right eyes on your content. Send us an email at hello@sambawebstudio.website and we’ll chat with you about all the ways our relationship marketing tools can help you and your business. 

About Fesyk Marketing

We’re a boutique agency that believes great relationships are the key to having a successful and sustainable business. And we see opportunities for connection and collaboration everywhere!

Our amazing team specializes in creating content and leveraging social media to help our clients strengthen relationships, increase referral rates and attract new business. As a vision based company we create bespoke marketing plans with the end goal in mind and then work right alongside you to make it happen.

One of our favourite mantras is, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” and have proven time and time again that authentic, meaningful content is the foundation for building a community of loyal customers.

Does this sound interesting to you? Send us an e-mail to connect and learn more about how relationship marketing can help your business.

The post 5 Simple ways to promote your content appeared first on Fesyk Marketing.