New Data = Better Strategy 💡

Still posting and hoping for the best? Let’s fix that – with fresh data, smarter strategy, and scroll-worthy content ideas built for August.

• 📊 Instagram’s newest metrics are here – and they’re actually useful

• 🚀 5 trending post ideas to try on your socials this week

• 📲 Where (and how) to show up on Instagram

• 🧠 3 AI prompts built to boost your social game

📊 Instagram’s Newest Metrics Are Here – and They’re Actually Useful

If you've ever stared at your Instagram analytics and thought, Cool… but what do I do with this? – good news. Instagram just rolled out a set of smarter, deeper insights that show what’s working, what’s not, and who’s actually watching. This means better strategy, fewer guessing games, and content that meets your business goals (not just your likes).

Here’s what’s new, and how Rhode Island businesses can use it right now:

1. See Exactly When Someone Likes Your Reel

Instagram now timestamps your Reels’ likes. In other words, you can pinpoint the exact second that caught your audience’s attention.

Why it matters: If people tap “like” right after your first 5 seconds, or at your punchline or promo offer, you’ve found your sweet spot.

Local example:

• Restaurant: Notice the likes spike when your sizzling scallop dish hits the screen at 0:07? That’s your money shot.

• Home contractor: If likes roll in during the “before-and-after” transition, you know that format works, so use it again.

2. Carousel Slides Now Come with Slide-Specific Likes

Instagram will now show which slide in your carousel earned the engagement. No more guessing which photo or graphic actually worked.

Why it matters: You’ll quickly see what’s holding attention and what’s being swiped past.

Local example:

• Fashion Retailer: Are people double-tapping the styled look or the sale graphic? Let that guide your next layout.

• Nonprofit: If your impact stat slide outperforms your event photo, lead with stats next time.

3. Track Which Posts Are Bringing in New Followers

Finally we have clarity on which posts are actually growing your audience. Instagram now links your new followers to specific content.

Why it matters: Some posts may not rack up views or likes – but still quietly drive serious growth. And now, you’ll know which ones to scale.

Local example:

• Local artist: If your sketchbook Reels drive new follows while your finished pieces get more likes, lean into both – but use each for different goals.

• Coffee shop: Maybe your most shares come from aesthetic flat lays, but your follower growth comes from behind-the-scenes barista moments.

4. Post-by-Post Demographics Are Now Visible

You can now see age, gender, and location per post. Not just overall audience stats.

Why it matters:

This helps you understand who’s seeing each message—so you can create more targeted content, or test new audiences.

Local example:

• Jewelry maker: If your beachy earring reel is blowing up with 20-somethings in California, maybe it’s time to add shipping zones.

• Wedding planner : If your content is hitting with 35+ women in Boston more than Providence, your tone or hashtags might be pulling the wrong crowd, or opening a new one.

Quick Wins to Try This Week

• Review your top Reels and look at when people are engaging. Reuse that structure.

• Reorder your next carousel post based on which slide got the most love last time.

• Audit your last 10 posts: Which brought in the most followers? And why?

• Check who’s actually watching. Are you reaching the audience you’re trying to serve?

📈 Trending on the ‘Gram: August Content That Hits

August on Instagram is less about aesthetics and more about personality. If your content plan could use a little spice, these trending formats are made to be low-effort, high-reward. And yes, they play well with Rhode Island charm.

👀 The “Choose One” Trend

Use it for: A playful take on expectations vs. reality.

Why it works: It’s fast-paced, funny, and ideal for light team content.

Idea inspo:

• Real estate team in Narragansett: Blindfold a coworker and have them pick between “day off” or “client walkthrough.”

• Marketing agency in Providence: Trick your intern into choosing between “free snacks” or “running Facebook ads for 12 hours.”

💅 “That’s My ___, She’s Iconic”

Use it for: Showing off your product like the star it is.

Why it works: Snappy audio + glam shots = instant scroll appeal.

Idea inspo:

• Jewelry brand in Newport: Close-ups of your signature ring collection with the caption “That’s my bestseller, she’s iconic.”

• Floral shop in Bristol: Rotate arrangements with sass. “That’s my August bouquet...iconic.”

🧠 “No I Can’t Today, I Have Therapy” Trend

Use it for: Pairing your product with the idea of self-care or a moment of peace.

Why it works: Light humor + relatability = engagement.

Idea inspo:

• Coffee shop in Wakefield: “No, I can’t. I have therapy. (shows iced lavender latte on a sunlit table)”

• Pilates studio in Cranston: Zoom in on slow stretches with the caption, “This is my therapy.”

🔥“Unhinged Things I Did” Trend (Carousel Post)

Use it for: A playful, reflective, slightly unhinged look at how far you’ve come.

Why it works: Authenticity meets humor, two things your audience can’t resist.

Idea inspo:

• Interior designer in Barrington: “Unhinged things I did early in my career: Bought 47 paint samples for one room. Charged $100 for a full room plan. Didn’t sleep before install day.”

• Cafe owner in Pawtucket: “Started a business in a pandemic. Baked 300 muffins for one order. Forgot to charge for half of them.”

🔥”Here Fishy Fishy” Trend

Use it for: Highlighting a product or service everyone seems drawn to.

Why it works: It’s hilarious, visual, and builds curiosity.

Idea inspo:

• Retail shop in Westerly: Dangle your bestselling candle off a fishing rod and cut to shoppers crawling toward it.

  Bakery in East Providence: Tie a donut to a string and let your team play along (bonus: laughter is contagious content).

📲 Where (and How) to Show Up on Instagram

Instagram isn’t one-size-fits-all anymore, and that’s actually good news. Each content type (aka “surface”) plays a different role in your marketing mix. Here's how to use each one strategically to meet your goals and connect with the right audience.

Carousel Posts:

Goal: Engage your followers
Carousels let you tell a mini story or break down a topic into bite-size slides. They encourage swipes, saves, and longer time on post = algorithm win.

Example:

• Marketing Agency: “5 mistakes small businesses make on Instagram”

• Salon: Before-and-after photos + client feedback in one post

Single Photos:

Goal: Keep your feed fresh & recognizable
Photos aren’t dead—they’re just no longer your lead tactic. Use bold, high-quality images that stop the scroll and reflect your brand.

Example:

• Boutique: New arrivals styled for summer

• Plumber: A quick win job with a caption like “Another 15-minute fix that saved the day”

Reels:

Goal: Reach new audiences
Reels are your top-of-funnel power move. Instagram pushes them to users who don’t follow you (yet). Think short, punchy, and worth the swipe.

Example:

• Fitness Studio: Share a 20-second clip of your most popular workout move or client transformation.

• Bakery: Behind-the-scenes of frosting cupcakes—add trending audio and watch it take off.

Stories:

Goal: Keep people coming back
Stories are for your everyday updates, flash sales, polls, and real-time moments. They disappear in 24 hours, but the impact can last longer – especially if you pin them as Highlights.

Example:

• Florist: Poll: “Which bouquet style do you love more?”

• Coffee shop: Countdown to your next event or promo

Lives:

Goal: Build connection in real time
Lives create a sense of urgency and intimacy. They’re great for Q&As, product launches, or casual check-ins with your community.

Example:

• Artist: Go live while painting, answer questions about your work

• Nutritionist: Weekly “Lunch Break Lives” to chat about seasonal food tips

Channels:

Goal: Nurture your most loyal fans
Broadcast Channels are new and still rolling out, but they’re a great way to send exclusive updates, sneak peeks, or resources to your top fans.

Example:

• Yoga studio: Share weekly class themes or early bird discounts

• Real estate agent: Drop weekly market insights or private listing previews

Not sure where to start? Pick 1–2 surfaces and commit to using them consistently. Your feed doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to be active, authentic, and aligned with your business goals.

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.