Are You Ready For It? (October’s Content Plan, That Is)

Steal these post ideas, trends, and Reels inspo while they’re hot

It’s officially Oct-overload (in the best way). As we kick off a new month full of falling leaves and rising engagement, we’ve packed today’s newsletter with everything you need to scroll smarter and post better. Here’s what’s inside:

  • Scroll Smarter: The latest updates from Meta, YouTube, and beyond

  • Post Like a Pro: October’s top holidays and content ideas

  • Hook, Line, Viral: The shock-value tactic taking over feeds in 2025

  • Reel Talk: A trending audio + video idea to steal this week

What’s New in Social Media

1. Instagram hits 3 billion – no big deal

Zuck recently announced that Instagram has officially joined the 3 billion users club, becoming Meta’s third app to hit the milestone.

2. Coming soon: Schedule Stories in-app

You might actually remember to post that sunrise snap – Story scheduling is being tested inside Instagram.

3. Meta drops "Vibes" feed

AI-generated video clips now have their own home, but we're still wondering… why?

4. New pinning rules on Facebook

You can now pin comments, but only if they link to another Facebook post. Meta loves its own ecosystem.

5. IG just got a facelift

6. WhatsApp joins the profile party

Now you can flex your WhatsApp on your Insta profile, because cross-platforming is Meta’s love language.

7. Edits get a glow-up

Instagram Edits will soon support 3:4 video exports and let you save your brand colors. Creators, rejoice.

8. Threads gets keyword search

Now you can search a user’s profile for specific words… just like on X, but with less drama.

9. Trending? Share your take

10. Threads launches "Communities"

Creators can now join topic-based forums called Communities – think forums, but 2025-style.

11. YouTube takes flight with Delta

Delta’s seatback screens are getting an upgrade – YouTubers’ videos are now part of your in-flight entertainment lineup.

12. Control your own IG algorithm? Yes please

Instagram is testing a feature that lets you fine-tune your feed – because who knows your vibe better than you?

What to Post This Month: October Edition

It’s cozy season, engagement season, and National Women's Small Business Month—all wrapped in one. Whether you're brewing lattes or selling skincare, here’s your cheat sheet to posting like a pro all October long.

1. Retail & Boutiques

  • Oct 1: World Coffee Day

    Share your team’s favorite local cafés or feature cozy fall fits perfect for coffee runs.

  • Oct 3: Taylor Swift’s New Album Drop

    Post a “Which product are you based on a Taylor track?” reel. Instant engagement.

  • Oct 14: Dessert Day

    Run a “Treat Yourself” flash sale or partner with a local bakery for a sweet giveaway.

  • Oct 31: Halloween

    Post costume ideas styled with your products or host a spooky storefront contest.

2. Restaurants & Food Trucks

  • Oct 4: World Animal Day

    Feature your pet-friendly patio or spotlight a local animal shelter you support.

  • Oct 7: Taco Day

    Highlight your best taco creation or launch a limited-edition menu item. Bonus points for punny captions.

  • Oct 17: Pasta Day

    Reel idea: the ultimate noodle pull in slo-mo. Viewers = hypnotized.

  • Oct 31: Halloween

    Drop a themed menu or behind-the-scenes of your team carving pumpkins in chef whites.

3. Health & Wellness

  • All Month: Women’s Small Business Month

    Share the story behind your brand, celebrate fellow women-owned wellness brands, or go live with a founder chat.

  • Oct 4: World Animal Day

    Feature how your practice supports sustainability or run a “Bring your pet to class” promo.

  • Oct 13: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

    Use your platform to highlight Indigenous wellness traditions or share businesses in your network.

4. Real Estate & Home Services

  • Oct 1: International Coffee Day

    Reel idea: “Homes with dream-worthy coffee nooks.”

  • Oct 25: International Artist Day

    Showcase homes near local galleries or murals. Bonus: spotlight local artists.

  • Oct 31: Halloween

    Spookiest listing tour, anyone? Haunted house reel = instant viral potential.

5. Beauty & Personal Care

  • Oct 3: Taylor Swift Album Release

    Drop a “Get Ready With Me” inspired by each album era. Swiftie content = algorithm gold.

  • Oct 14: Dessert Day

    Promote your sweetest-smelling products with dessert-inspired product shots.

  • Oct 31: Halloween

    Tutorials for glam, ghoulish, or last-minute costumes using your products.

6. Service Providers (Photographers, Coaches, Designers, etc.)

  • Oct 1: Women’s Small Biz Month

    Spotlight your clients who are crushing it or share a “day in the life” behind your biz.

  • Oct 25: International Artist Day

    Feature your creative process, a recent shoot, or work with a local artist.

  • Oct 31: Halloween

    Run a Halloween-themed photo shoot or share your spookiest client request.

Reels Inspo: The “Where the Wind Takes You” Trend

Dramatic? Yes. Hilarious? Also yes. This breezy trend uses original audio from @sadiereevesstevens and plays up the idea of someone being blown away – literally – into an unexpected (and very brand-appropriate) destination.

Source: Instagram

It’s perfect for showing how your customers might be “carried away” by your products, services, or events. Let the wind be your creative direction. Rhode Island biz ideas to ride the wind:

  • Retail & Boutiques: A customer gets swept from “I don’t need anything new” to walking out with three cozy fall sweaters.

  • Restaurants & Food Trucks: Blown away from meal prep straight to your taco truck or cozy cafe.

  • Health & Wellness: Wind carries someone from burnout to your spa, where they land in a robe and cucumber eye patches.

  • Real Estate & Home Services: Someone battling apartment chaos gets swept into a gorgeous new listing.

  • Beauty & Personal Care: From messy bun and coffee breath to full face and flawless vibes – thanks to your product line.

  • Service Providers (Photographers, Coaches, Creatives): Wind whisks someone from procrastination straight into a photo session, life coaching call, or branding consult.

See an example here:

Reel Sound of the Month: “Nothing but Net”

Swish. Swish. Swish. This trending audio from @tilljoannn is literally just the sound of basketballs going through the hoop - and it’s the perfect way to show off those “slam dunk” moments in your biz.

Use it to spotlight the moments that make you feel like a winner, big or small. Think sales wins, customer reviews, or behind-the-scenes triumphs. Every swish = one little victory.

  • Retail & Boutiques: Me after watching someone try on “just one thing” and leave with the whole rack

  • Restaurants & Food Trucks: Me when they take one bite and say “this is the best thing I’ve ever eaten”

  • Health & Wellness:  Me when a client finishes a session and whispers “that was life-changing”

  • Real Estate & Home Services: Me when a client walks in and says “I can see my kids growing up here”

  • Beauty & Personal Care: Me when a client texts me “my skin has NEVER looked this good”

  • Service Providers (Photogs, Coaches, Creatives): Me when a client says “you captured exactly what I was feeling”

⚡Shock ‘Em into Stopping the Scroll: 2025’s Viral Hook Hack

Want to stop the scroll in its tracks? Start with a jaw-dropper.

Shock Value Hooks are the go-to move for creators and marketers looking to turn heads in a sea of sameness. Think: bold claims, spicy takes, or anything that makes someone say, “Wait, what?” right before they click.

Here’s why they work: In the first few seconds, our attention spans are basically goldfish-level. So when a video opens with a curveball—whether it’s hilarious, emotional, or mildly outrageous—we’re more likely to watch, engage, and, yep, comment. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts are loving this kind of content because the audience can’t look away.

The result? Higher retention, more reach, and a whole lot of “you have to see this” energy. Now let’s talk shop:

Retail & Boutiques
  • “This $10 product made us more money than our best-seller.”

  • “We almost stopped selling this… until it sold out in 3 hours.”

Restaurants & Food Trucks
  • “This dish was a total flop… until TikTok found it.”

  • “We put peanut butter on WHAT? And people loved it.”

Health & Wellness
  • “I told my clients to skip the gym… here’s what happened.”

  • “This smoothie was banned in 3 states. We had to try it.”

Real Estate & Home Services
  • “This one tiny detail killed the sale.”

  • “I walked into a million-dollar listing and saw this on the floor.”

Beauty & Personal Care
  • “We discontinued our most viral product. Here’s why.”

  • “This beauty hack ruined my skin… then saved it.”

Service Providers (Photogs, Coaches, Designers, etc.)
  • “I told my client no… and they thanked me later.”

  • “This $5 tool saved me 10 hours a week.”

Bottom line: Whether you’re selling candles or coaching C-suites, don’t be afraid to lead with a little shock. Just make sure you back it up with value.

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Got a burning social media question? Wondering how to get more engagement, what to post next, or if hashtags still matter? 🤔 Now’s your chance to pick a marketer’s brain – no consulting fee required! Drop your questions in our quick survey, and we’ll tackle the hottest topics in an upcoming newsletter. Whether it’s content creation, branding, or social media trends, we’ve got you covered.

Your feed won’t glow up on its own, but luckily, you’ve got all the goods to make it happen. Until next time – may your posts be trending and your coffee be hot.