Rhody winter has us indoors, online, and paying a little more attention to what’s actually working on social right now. We’re breaking down what’s earning saves, shares, and real engagement – before the trends hit peak saturation.

Inside today’s newsletter:

• Social SEO: Why search is quietly becoming social’s power player and how to make your posts easier to find without sounding like a robot

• Instagram Story stickers, explained: How to use polls, questions, and sliders to boost engagement and actually get responses

• Upcoming networking events in Rhody: Where to show up, shake hands, and build connections without awkward small talk

• TikTok trends to steal early: Formats gaining traction now so you can test them on Instagram before everyone else does

Social SEO Is the New Front Door (Here’s How to Use It)

IIf someone’s searching “best brunch in Providence” or “Rhode Island photographer,” chances are they’re doing it on Instagram or TikTok – not Google. In 2026, social platforms are full-blown search engines, and showing up there means real visibility with locals who are ready to book, visit, or buy.

What the algorithm actually cares about now: 

Likes are nice, but saves, shares, DMs, and watch time are doing the heavy lifting. Platforms prioritize search intent, natural keywords, and content that clearly answers a question. Hashtags still help—but they’ve officially taken a back seat to captions, on-screen text, bios, and alt text.

What Social SEO looks like in real life:

When someone searches “best coffee in Providence” or “RI wedding florist,” the posts that rise to the top are using those exact phrases naturally in captions, Reels text, bios, and location tags, not just a stack of hashtags.

🛠️ The 5-Minute Social SEO Tune-Up (Do This This Week)

• Update your bio with what you do + where you do it (“Providence bakery specializing in sourdough”).

• Lead captions with keywords people actually search (“Winter workout tips in RI”).

• Add on-screen text + subtitles to Reels so the message is clear in the first 3 seconds.

• Use alt text and location tags for quiet-but-powerful local discovery.

• Ask for saves on educational posts—this is algorithm gold.

🚦 Overwhelmed? Start Here.

Update your Instagram bio today. That one change alone can improve search visibility fast.

General example:

Before (pretty, but vague):
✨ Good vibes only
Locally owned
📍 RI
⬇️ Learn more

After (search-friendly):
Providence coffee shop ☕
Specialty lattes & fresh pastries
📍 Downtown Providence, RI
⬇️ Order ahead & hours

 Hey Rhody takeaway:
You don’t need to go viral—you need to be findable. Pick one platform (Instagram is a big one for local businesses), stay consistent for a few weeks, and focus on answering real Rhode Island questions. Social SEO rewards clarity, not chaos—and once it clicks, the reach compounds.

Sticker Shock (The Good Kind)

If your Instagram Stories feel a little meh lately, consider this your sign to start playing with stickers. Not just the cute-for-cute’s-sake kind—stickers are one of the easiest ways for Rhode Island small businesses to boost engagement, add personality, and make content feel more human (which the algorithm loves).

Why stickers matter right now: Instagram rewards interaction. Polls, questions, “Add Yours,” countdowns – these tiny taps tell the platform people are paying attention.

Translation: more reach, more visibility, more chances your post lands in front of the right locals.

How to use them like a pro:

• Use interactive stickers to crowdsource opinions (“Which pastry should we bring back?”).

• Add music stickers to give your Reel instant vibe points.

• Drop a countdown sticker before events, launches, or seasonal specials.

• Layer expressive GIFs and emojis to keep things fun—not overproduced.

Rhody Rec: Search specific keywords (“Rhody,” “coffee,” “cozy,” “LOL”) in the sticker tray to uncover hidden gems, and don’t be afraid to mix and match.

Bottom line? Stickers aren’t fluff – they’re low-effort tools that make your content feel alive. Open the sticker tray, experiment a little, and let your brand’s personality do the talking.

🤝 Making Connections, Rhody-Style

From laid-back after-hours hangs to thoughtfully guided collaboration, these upcoming events prove networking doesn’t have to feel awkward.

Brewing Better Business at Warwick Public Library

Start your morning with coffee, pastries, and conversation at this casual networking meetup in Warwick, running from 9-10am on February 18, where local business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals can connect, swap ideas, and strengthen community ties over a complimentary cup of coffee, whether you stay for the full hour or just pop in to say hello.

Customer Discovery at CIC Providence

Sharpen your customer-finding skills on February 19, from 5:30-7pm at CIC Providence, where Rhode Island Business Competition hosts a free, in-person session featuring practical, real-world strategies for talking to customers and building a business that actually resonates.

TikTok Trends to Steal Early

These formats are taking off on TikTok right now, which means they’re officially in their sweet spot. Early enough to feel fresh, familiar enough that viewers already understand the hook. That’s exactly the moment Instagram loves, when trends migrate across platforms and reward the brands that move quickly.

If you want to get ahead of the curve instead of chasing it, now’s the time to test these on Instagram Reels. Each one is simple, text-led, and built around relevance, making them easy to adapt for local businesses and personal brands alike. Try one, post it cleanly, and let the algorithm do the rest.

Trend #1: If You’re Between the Ages Of…

The trend: This trend opens with a bold age callout like “If you’re between 30 and 45, listen up,” then immediately delivers insight tailored to that life stage. The age filter does the heavy lifting, setting expectations before the viewer even thinks about scrolling.

This trend prioritizes relevance over reach. By calling out a specific age range up front, creators give viewers immediate context, which leads to higher completion and save rates. People stick around because they feel directly addressed, not vaguely targeted.

See an example here:

How to use it: Choose an age range you know well and that aligns with your audience. Keep it narrow enough to stay specific. Then share one clear insight tied to that life stage, whether it’s a mindset shift, a common mistake, or a smarter way to approach something. Film in a clean, neutral setting, lead with the age callout, and keep captions minimal so the hook can do its job.

Examples for local businesses:

• A gym: “If you’re between 35 and 50, your workouts should look like this.”

• A restaurant: “If you’re between 25 and 40, here’s why early dinners are elite.”

• A financial advisor: “If you’re between 30 and 45, this is the money move no one told you about.”

Why it works: This trend filters attention immediately. Viewers feel seen, understood, and curious enough to stay. That relevance drives stronger watch time, saves, and replays, which just happens to be exactly what the algorithm loves.

Trend #2: They’re Going to Hate Me for Talking About This

The trend: This format opens with a lightly provocative text hook like, “They’re going to hate me for talking about this,” followed by one calm, clear observation that gently challenges a commonly accepted idea. There’s no ranting and no drama. The intrigue lives in the setup, while the delivery stays understated and confident.

What makes it effective is restraint. Instead of leading with a hot take, the framing signals awareness that not everyone will agree, which lowers defensiveness and invites curiosity. Viewers pause not because they feel attacked, but because they want to hear what comes next.

See an example here:

How to use it: Start with a belief your audience hears all the time, then gently flip it. Keep the point singular and the tone neutral. Film in a simple setting and let the text do most of the work. Avoid extremes or personal callouts. This format works best when it feels observational, not instructional.

Examples for local businesses:

• A retailer: “Other shops might hate me for saying this, but sales don’t fix bad merchandising.”

• A cafe: “People are going to hate me for this, but not every drink needs a million syrups.”

• A service provider: “They’ll hate me for saying this, but cheaper isn’t always better.”

Why it works: The hook sparks curiosity without confrontation. Viewers stick around to evaluate whether they agree, which drives watch time and conversation without polarizing the audience. It feels like an inside thought shared out loud, and that’s exactly why it performs.

Trend #3: Why Did No One Tell Me…

The trend: This format leans quiet and reflective, opening with a simple text overlay like, “Why did no one tell me…” followed by an unspoken truth your audience already feels but rarely sees acknowledged. There’s no explanation and no punchline. The power lives in recognition, not resolution.

The delivery is intentionally understated. Think neutral expressions, everyday work footage, or a moment of stillness that visually reinforces the message without spelling it out. The result feels honest, familiar, and instantly relatable.

See an example here:

How to use it: State the realization plainly and stop there. No advice, no solution, no takeaway. Pair the text with simple visuals like working late, packing orders, staring at a screen, or walking between tasks. Keep captions minimal and let the moment breathe.

Examples for local businesses:

• A shop owner: “Why did no one tell me owning a business means thinking about it 24/7?”

  A maker: “Why did no one tell me the hardest part isn’t selling, it’s staying consistent?”

  A creative: “Why did no one tell me slow growth still counts as growth?”

Why it works: This trend mirrors the viewer’s internal monologue. People pause, nod, and keep watching because the message feels like something they’ve thought but never said out loud. It builds connection through shared experience, not performance, which is exactly why it performs so well in short-form feeds.