Insta Tricks You’ll Want This Season 🎄

Ready to sleigh your social media strategy this holiday season? 🎅✨ The festive rush is on, and we’ve got the updates and ideas you need to keep your feeds shining bright! In today’s newsletter, we will:

• Unwrap Instagram’s newest features to boost your holiday campaigns.

• Jam to the audio tracks everyone’s loving on Instagram.

• Share post ideas that truly resonate and make your audience feel the cheer.

• Match your content goals with the perfect platforms for maximum impact.

The digital marketing world never sleeps, and neither do we. If you’re ready to turn these fresh trends into big wins for your small business, you’re in the right place. Let’s break down the latest updates and how you can use them to your advantage – whatever your industry. Ready? Let’s go!

1. The Rise of Voice Search Optimization

Voice assistants like Alexa and Siri are basically personal shoppers, tour guides, and problem-solvers for your customers. But is your business ready to pop up in their answers?

How to use this trend in YOUR business:

☕Cafes & Restaurants: Focus on questions like “Where’s the best brunch spot near me?” Add natural language phrases like “family-friendly breakfast” or “cozy cafe vibes” to your website.

🧥Retail Shops: Highlight phrases like “affordable handmade gifts” or “organic skincare near me” to snag voice search shoppers.

🔨Local Services: Don’t just list “plumber in Providence” – answer what people ask, like “Who fixes leaky faucets ASAP?”

2. Social Media Updates You NEED to Know

The social media gods are shaking things up, and it’s time to roll with it. Here’s what’s new – and how you can shine.

📷 Instagram Highlights Tab:

How to use it: Instead of cramming all your info into a bio, give each highlight a glow-up. A boutique could create tabs like “New Arrivals,” “Gift Guides,” or “Holiday Sales.” A yoga studio? Think “Classes,” “Instructors,” or “Wellness Tips.”

📱Custom Feeds on Threads:

How to use it: Set up feeds that cater to niche audiences. A dog groomer? Create a “Puppy Care” thread for pet parents. A florist? Share seasonal arrangements in a “Flower Tips” feed.

🔄 Reset Instagram Recommendations:

How to use it: If your audience isn’t loving the content they see, encourage them to hit reset – and keep your posts fresh and engaging to stay in their sights.

Instagram Audio Trends on the Rise! ✨

The holiday season is bringing fresh sounds that are on the rise, just waiting to hit the big leagues! 🎶 Get ahead of the curve by incorporating these up-and-coming audio trends to give your content a festive edge before everyone else catches on. 🎄

Ready for Christmas - piano_tabs

Cue the holiday magic! Use this festive audio to spread all the cozy vibes and showcase your business. Whether it’s new merchandise, menu specials, stocking stuffer ideas, or even a quick how-to tutorial, this tune sets the perfect merry mood. Here are four ways to use this song for small business promotions:

1. Idea: Countdown to Christmas Series

Idea: Pair the song with a countdown video series, showcasing a new product, service, or holiday tip each day leading up to Christmas.

Execution: Create short daily videos featuring festive visuals synced to the music. Add captions like “Day [X] of Christmas Cheer: [Your Product/Tip]!” and end with a call-to-action such as “Shop now!” or “Visit us today.”

2. Idea: Decorating Time-Lapse

Idea: Pair the song with a time-lapse of your team decorating your store or workspace for the holidays.

Execution: Capture the process of setting up a Christmas tree, stringing lights, or arranging festive displays. Add captions like “Watch the magic come to life at [Your Business Name]!” to invite customers to experience the holiday vibes.

3. Idea: Gift Wrapping Hacks

Idea: Pair the song with a video of your staff showcasing creative gift-wrapping techniques or packaging your products.

Execution: Film close-ups of wrapping gifts with branded materials or unique styles. Use captions like “Wrap it up with love! 🎁 [Your Business Name]’s wrapping tips for a magical holiday.”

4. Idea: Holiday Specials or Flash Sales Announcement

Idea: Pair the song with an announcement video for your holiday sales or flash deals.

Execution: Use festive animations or text overlays to highlight details like “This weekend only: 20% off holiday favorites!” Sync transitions to the beat of the music and invite viewers to take advantage of the limited-time offers.

Sweet Lorraine by Benny Goodman

The nostalgic, jazzy vibe of Sweet Lorraine offers a warm, timeless feeling perfect for creating holiday-themed content that connects with audiences emotionally. Here are creative ways to use this song for small business promotions:

1. Create a Cozy Holiday Atmosphere

Idea: Pair the song with a slow-motion video of your store or workspace decorated for the holidays, complete with warm lights, a crackling fireplace, and festive decor.

Execution: Use captions like “Step into the charm of the season at [Your Business Name]” while inviting customers to visit your physical or online store.

2. Nostalgic Holiday Recipes (for Food Businesses)

Idea: Share a classic recipe from the 1930s-1940s era, inspired by the time when Sweet Lorraine was popular.

Execution: Create a video tutorial with the song as background music, featuring the preparation of holiday treats like spiced cookies or mulled cider.

3. Jazz Night-Themed Events or Promotions

Idea: Host a “Holiday Jazz Night” or offer discounts for customers who attend in-store or virtual events with a jazzy holiday theme.

Execution: Use the song in your event promos to set the tone for a classic, elegant celebration.

4. Personalized Holiday Greetings

Idea: Record a video message from your team to your customers, thanking them for their support over the year. Use the song in the background to give the greeting a warm and nostalgic tone.

Execution: Title it “Wishing You Sweet Holidays From [Your Business Name]!”

Creative Content That Resonates and Delights! ❤️

December is a treasure trove of creative opportunities! From holiday cheer and winter coziness to reflecting on 2024 and looking ahead to 2025, there’s no better time to connect with your audience. Here are some ideas to make your social media content resonate with your customers this holiday season.

1. Holiday & Seasonal Content

🎉 Behind-the-Scenes Festivity
Take your followers on a little holiday tour! Share how your team celebrates with staff decorating the store, your holiday playlist jamming in the background, or highlights from a cheerful office party.
👉 Pro Tip: Pair it with a hashtag like #HolidayAt[YourBusinessName] to make it your own.

✨ Seasonal DIY or Tips
Show off your expertise with easy, festive tutorials or advice, such as a bakery sharing “3 Easy Holiday Cookie Decorating Hacks” or boutique posting “How to Style Festive Accessories for Winter Outfits.” 🧤✨

🎄 Holiday Trivia or Quizzes
Keep it fun and interactive! Ask questions like, “Guess the hottest gift of 1984!” or create polls on Instagram Stories or Twitter. Bonus: these get your followers talking!

2. Community-Focused Initiatives

🤝 Spotlight Local Collaborations
Team up with fellow small businesses for the season of giving. For instance, offer a promo like: “Grab a coffee at [Local Cafe Name] and show your receipt for 10% off here!”

❤️ Holiday Giving Campaigns
Shine a light on how your business gives back, whether you’re donating to local charities or hosting a toy drive, or encourage your customers to join in and share their stories. (Don’t forget to repost their content to keep the love flowing!)

3. Customer Engagement Ideas

🎁 Countdown to the Holidays
Run a “12 Days of Surprises” campaign. Each day could feature tips, exclusive product highlights, or giveaways!
Example: “Day 3: A free holiday mug with every purchase!”

📖 Customer Stories
Share feel-good testimonials from your customers, like how your product or service made their 2024 better. Pair it with festive photos or videos for extra impact!

🎄 Festive Hashtags
Create your own seasonal hashtag and encourage followers to use it.
Example: #SnowFlurryDealsWith[YourBusinessName]

4. Reflective & Inspirational Content

🎉 Year-in-Review Posts
Celebrate your business’s wins from 2024, whether it’s milestones or memorable moments. Ask followers to share their highlights with your brand too!

🌟 New Year’s Resolutions
Get personal – share your goals for 2025 and ask your audience about theirs.
Example: “We’re dreaming big for 2025 – what’s on your wishlist?”

5. Visual & Creative Themes

🏔️ Winter Wonderland Aesthetic
Post dreamy photos or videos with frosty, snowy, or warm-and-cozy vibes. Add a touch of sparkle with overlays like falling snow or twinkling lights.

😂 Holiday Humor
Lighten the mood with funny memes or jokes tied to your niche.
Example for a coffee shop: “When it’s December 26th, and you’re 90% eggnog and 10% regret.”

6. Interactive Content

🎁 Gift Guides
Help your audience find the perfect presents! Post curated gift ideas, like “Top 5 Stocking Stuffers Under $25.”

📸 UGC Campaigns
Get your customers involved! Encourage them to share festive photos using your products, and reward the best posts with discounts or freebies.

🎄 Advent Calendar Games
Post a daily trivia challenge or mini-competition leading up to Christmas, with small prizes to keep engagement merry and bright!

Small Business Saturday is the day to shine, and we’ve got some fun, easy tips to help you make the most of the buzz! Here’s how you can connect with your community, stand out, and keep those sales rolling in:

Tip: Go live on Instagram or Facebook during Small Business Saturday.

Why: People love seeing the hustle and bustle in real-time – it makes them feel like they’re part of the action (and FOMO is real!).

Tip: Snap and share photos of your happiest customers (with their consent, of course!).

Why: Real smiles and positive vibes create social proof that your shop is the place to be.

Tip: Team up with a fellow local business for a fun promo or giveaway.

Why: Collaboration doubles the exposure – and showing love to other RI small businesses is what it’s all about!

Tool of the Week: Hootsuite Instagram SEO tool

Hootsuite: Your ultimate sidekick for managing multiple social media accounts, scheduling posts, and keeping an eye on engagement – all in one place.

Best for: Streamlining your social game and ensuring your content shines across platforms. Bonus: It can help make your Instagram captions search-friendly for maximum discoverability!

Check it out here.

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