Mid-October Must-Haves: Meta Insights, Content Ideas & More! 🎯

The leaves are falling, and so are the excuses – mid-October is the perfect time to kick your business into high gear! 🍂 In this edition, we’ve got the tips and tricks to keep your strategy sharp and your growth steady:

• Latest insights from Meta

• Fall content marketing ideas to showcase your expertise (with ChatGPT prompts!)

• Trend-worthy Reel ideas

• Five free websites for keyword research

Latest Meta Insights

Instagram and Meta have dropped some new tools and trends that are perfect for boosting your brand.

1. AI-Powered Content Creation 🤖

Instagram’s new AI tools are like having a mini-marketing team on hand! You can now auto-create content with custom stickers, remove image backgrounds, and even have AI help respond to DMs.

How to use it:

-Open Instagram > Tap "+" to create a post or story.

-Look for AI sticker suggestions or background removal options when editing.

-Set up AI DMs in the settings under Business Tools > Messaging.

Rhody Rec: Set up an AI chatbot for FAQs like store hours or services – save time while still engaging your customers!

2. Boost Your Discoverability with Instagram SEO 🔍

Instagram is all about keywords now. Optimizing your captions, bios, and posts with relevant keywords helps you show up in searches and the "For You" feed.

How to use it:

-Go to Profile > Edit Bio.

-Sprinkle in keywords like “RI jewelry,” “handmade soaps,” or “Newport eats.”

-In posts, add 2-3 keywords to your captions or alt text to boost visibility.

Rhody Rec: Update your bio right now with a few key terms that describe your business and location.

3. Focus on Your Inner Circle 💬

How to use it:

-Go to Profile > Close Friends > Add your top customers.

-Use the Broadcast Channel to send exclusive updates like first looks at new products.

Rhody Rec: Add your top 50 followers to your Close Friends and give them early access to your next big sale.

4. Sell Directly in DMs 🛍️

Instagram is making selling even easier. You can now add multiple links in your bio (finally!) and customers can shop right through DMs. No more awkward links in every post!

How to use it:

-Go to Profile > Edit Bio > Add multiple links (shop, services, events).

-For DMs, make sure your account is set to business under Settings > Account > Enable Shopping.

Rhody Rec: Add a special discount code to your bio link, and tell your audience to DM you to claim it!

5. Reels Still Rule 🎥

Reels are still a big deal, and now you have up to 3 minutes to tell your story. People love behind-the-scenes, real content, so don’t overthink it!

How to use it:

-Go to Reels > Tap "+" > Record up to 3 minutes.

-Keep it simple: show your team at work or a product demo. No need to over-edit!

Rhody Rec: Post a quick day-in-the-life Reel today – give followers a peek behind the scenes of your local biz!

3 TikTok Trends to Use to Get Ahead on Instagram 🚀

Let’s be honest – most Instagram Reels trends start on TikTok. So, why not get ahead of the curve? Here's your chance to jump on three TikTok trends that are gaining steam and will probably be Reel-worthy in no time.

Trend 1: "In Da Clerb, We All Fam" 🕺

Trend Recap: This soundbite from Broad City is all over TikTok, and it’s perfect for those moments when your message isn’t quite landing, but you're totally unbothered. The audio says, “In da clerb, we all fam,” and it brings a fun, carefree vibe that’s great for highlighting those relatable “not getting it” moments.

Example: allthingsnasia

Example for Cafes or Bakeries: Imagine you're a local coffee shop trying to introduce a new seasonal drink. Show your barista explaining the flavor combo while the customer just stares blankly, not understanding the hype. End with “In da clerb, we all fam,” showing the barista's face communicating "You’ll get it eventually."

 Trend 2: "The Clique" 👯‍♀️

Trend Recap: Show off your team! Whether it’s your front desk crew, kitchen staff, or the whole salon squad, this trend is about celebrating the dream team that makes your business tick. Sync it up to some cool music (Avengers theme, anyone?), and you’ve got yourself a behind-the-scenes look that customers will love.

Example: arihenry1003

Example for Local Fitness Studios or Gyms: Get your trainers to pose one-by-one in a slow-motion squad walk, looking ready to take on the world (or at least the next spin class).

Trend 3: "Put Your Clothes Back On" 👕

Trend Recap: This one’s all about catching your audience off-guard in a playful way. The video starts with a hook like "I lied. Put your clothes back on," then transitions to the Succession theme song with text that teases a topic you’ve been dying to discuss. It's clever, unexpected, and leaves viewers wanting to know more.

Example: studiocloclo

Example for Boutiques or Shops: Start with a customer browsing through your clothing rack, then cut to a funny “I lied. Put your clothes back on. We’re going to talk about sustainable fashion and why these pieces will last forever." Play the Succession theme to build anticipation and watch your followers stick around for your mini-style lesson.

5 Fall Content Marketing Ideas to Showcase Your Expertise (with ChatGPT Prompts!) 🍁

Ready to turn that crisp fall air into fresh content ideas? Whether you’re a local shop, service provider, or restaurant, we’ve got some fun, easy content marketing ideas to help you showcase your expertise this fall. Plus, use these ChatGPT prompts to create content faster. 🎯

1. DIY “How-to” Guides: Show Off Your Skills!

Create a step-by-step guide that taps into the DIY trend. Maybe it’s how to bake the perfect pumpkin pie or how to create a fall-themed flower arrangement. This is your chance to show people how talented you are – and get them hooked on your product or service.

ChatGPT Prompt: Write a step-by-step guide for [your product/service] on how to [DIY topic] for the fall season, making it easy for beginners.

Action Step: Write out the steps and shoot a quick 1-minute video to post on Instagram!

2. Host a Fall-Themed Webinar or Workshop 🎥

People love learning new things, especially when it's festive! Host a virtual event like a baking class, a seasonal decor tutorial, or a home winterization session. Not only do you educate, but you also position yourself as the go-to expert.

ChatGPT Prompt: Create an outline for a 30-minute webinar on [your topic], including fun fall-related elements.

Action Step: Promote your webinar on social media and email. Use Zoom or Instagram Live to keep it easy!

3. Share Quick Fall Tips for Your Audience 🍂

Create quick, bite-sized tips that are seasonally relevant. For example, if you own a restaurant, share cooking tips with seasonal ingredients like pumpkin or squash. Fitness studio? Share tips for staying active as the weather cools down.

ChatGPT Prompt: Give me 5 fall-themed tips for [your business type] that I can share in short social media posts.

Action Step: Post your tips as an Instagram carousel or create a fun infographic on Canva!

4. Create a Fall Prep Checklist ✔️

Everyone loves a good checklist, especially when it helps them solve a seasonal problem! If you own a home services business, offer a fall prep checklist for homeowners. This not only builds trust but also puts your business top of mind for any services they’ll need.

 ChatGPT Prompt: Create a simple checklist for [seasonal problem your business solves], designed to help homeowners get ready for fall.

Action Step: Design your checklist in Canva and offer it as a free download on your website. Use it to collect emails for future marketing! 🍂

5. Share Your Fall Favorites with a Personal Blog 📝

Let your audience get to know the real you! Share a blog post about your team’s favorite fall activities or the best local spots to visit (like a hidden gem pumpkin patch or cafe). It’s a great way to connect with your community and give your brand some personality.

ChatGPT Prompt: Write a fun and personal blog post about my team’s fall favorites, including activities, food, and local Rhode Island spots.

Action Step: Get each team member’s input, write it up, and share it on your blog and social channels. Bonus points for tagging local businesses! 📍

Tip: Use the Pin feature to highlight up to three posts on your profile, making it easy for new followers to see your best content first.

Tip: Save time by letting Instagram auto-generate captions for your Reels. Just toggle the Captions sticker on, and Instagram will do the heavy lifting.

Tip: Instead of typing out hashtags every time, save your favorites in your phone’s Notes app. Then, copy and paste your go-to set for each post, adjusting as needed!

Tool of the Week:  Remove.bg

This site lets you quickly remove the background from any image.

Best for: Creating clean cutouts of yourself or objects for creative Reels.

Cost: There are two easy options: pay-as-you-go or a subscription. Pay-as-you-go starts at $1.99 per image, but if you’re buying in bulk, it drops to $0.21 each. Subscriptions start at $6.30/month for 40 credits, and bigger plans (like 5,000 images a month) lower the cost to just $0.11 per image.

Check it out here.

Resource of the Week: