Rhode Island is officially in hibernation mode, and honestly? We’re leaning into it. Today’s newsletter is packed with content ideas you can film while hiding from the cold, dodging snowbanks, and pretending your couch is a creative studio.

Inside today’s newsletter:

• Instagram Edits, decoded: What’s new, what’s changed, and how to actually use the latest updates

• 3 content types winning right now: The formats getting saves, shares, and real engagement

• Upcoming networking events in Rhody: Where to show up, shake hands, and make things happen locally

• Three Reels worth trying ASAP: Low-lift trends you can film without leaving the house (or your sweatpants)

Instagram’s Edits App Gets Smarter (and More Useful)

Instagram kicked off 2026 with its first update to Edits, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most valuable free tools out there.

What’s new:

• You can now add links inside clips that point to other Reels or IG accounts.

• Edits will serve up weekly Reel ideas, personalized based on what you’ve posted.

• There are 25 new video effects (yes, including a very early-2000s fisheye).

• The storyboard tool now supports multiple takes, making it easier to compare clips before posting.

Why This Matters for Small Businesses:

1. Built-in linking = better cross-promotion
You can now connect one Reel to another or tag a collaborator directly in-video. That’s huge for partnerships, event promos, multi-part series, or highlighting customer content without sending people off-platform.

2. Weekly ideas help beat “what do I post?” fatigue
Ten suggested Reel ideas per week might not sound groundbreaking, but for small teams (or solo business owners), that nudge can be the difference between posting consistently and not posting at all.

3. More creative flexibility, same low lift
New effects and better storyboarding mean you can reuse footage, test variations, and polish content without filming more, or downloading yet another app.

The Big Takeaway:

Instagram is clearly betting on short-form video + in-house tools, and Edits is where that’s all coming together. You don’t need to use every feature—but knowing what’s available helps you work smarter, not harder.

Best practice: Pick one update to test this month (linking Reels, trying suggested ideas, or refining your storyboard), then repeat what works. Consistency still wins—and now the tools are finally catching up to real-life workflows.

What’s Actually Working on Social Right Now

If your feed feels louder but less effective, you are not imagining it. The content winning right now is not shinier or more complex. It is more human, more specific, and more intentional. Based on current platform insights and real-world performance, these pillars are driving saves, shares, comments, and return views in early 2026.

Here’s how to use them without chasing every trend:

1. Authenticity & Raw Honesty (aka Reali-TEA)

Polished perfection is out. Real life is in.

Content that shows the actual process gets rewarded. Messy counters, half-finished projects, hard days, honest boundaries, and shared humor consistently outperform overly produced posts. People save and share what feels familiar.

Ideas to try:

• A cafe shows the morning rush behind the bar, spills included.

• A maker shares a product that did not turn out as planned and why.

• A service business posts “things we say every day at work” with a wink.

Best formats: day-in-the-life clips, behind-the-scenes storytelling, problem to solution posts, and repeatable micro-series.

2. Niche Discovery & Curiosity Detours

Curiosity is the new algorithm currency.

People are not just scrolling. They are searching. Content that teaches, explains, or opens a small rabbit hole gets saved, rewatched, and shared well beyond a brand’s usual audience.

Ideas to try:

• A bookstore explains how titles earn a spot on the shelves.

• A fitness studio breaks down one exercise most people do incorrectly.

• A retail shop shares why a specific product exists, not just what it looks like.

Best formats: how-tos, niche explainers, unexpected crossovers, and short educational series.

3. Emotional & Intentional Value (Emotional ROI)

Impulse buying is slowing down. Emotional connection is not.

People want to understand why something is worth their time, money, or energy. Content that explains how a product or service fits into real life earns saves and long-term trust.

Ideas to try:

• A home goods shop shows how one item changes a daily routine.

• A beauty brand explains why a product lasts longer and costs more.

• A service provider shares a client story with permission and context.

Best formats: honest demos, get-ready-with-me routines, before-and-after fixes, and review-driven storytelling.

Other Trends Worth Borrowing From:

• New Year reset content: Achievable goals, routines, and realistic resolutions outperform big promises.

• Nostalgia and humor: Throwbacks and light gallows humor drive shares and saves.

• Interactive formats: Polls, comment prompts, duets, and stitches turn the audience into collaborators.

• Micro-communities: Smaller, niche audiences convert better than broad reach.

The Big Takeaway:

Human beats hyper-produced. Specific beats generic. Repeatable beats exhausting.

The algorithm rewards creators who show up with intention, invite conversation, and stick with formats that feel unmistakably theirs. For Rhode Island businesses, your local perspective is your advantage. Lean into it.

🤝 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.

Business After Hours at Tower Hill Brewing

On February 12, from 4:30-6:30pm, the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce is hosting its second Business After Hours of the year at this South County favorite. Expect craft brews, light bites from Surfside Deli, and relaxed conversation with fellow Chamber members. Hosted by Ian Devine of Edward Jones and Graham Williams of CMG Home Loans, this free event also invites optional donations to support Animal Rescue Rhode Island.

Industry Remix Series

Happening February 26 from 6-8pm at Narragansett Brewery in Providence, the Industry Remix Series flips traditional networking on its head. This free, two-hour, guided experience brings together Rhode Island K–12 educators and small business owners for intentional introductions, structured (but natural-feeling) conversations, and collaborative problem-solving.

Participants will also contribute to a Story Swap Wall, with insights later shared in a post-event Industry Remix Collective Statement. It’s not a panel, happy hour, or sales pitch – just meaningful connection. Registration is required, space is limited, and curiosity is highly recommended.

Reels to Try (Because the Algorithm Is Watching)

Trend #1: “Manifesting for Valentine’s Day”

The trend: This Valentine’s-adjacent Reel flips manifestation culture on its head. Creators and brands “manifest” their ideal Valentine—the vibe, the traits, the energy—but the twist? They’re actually talking about themselves (or their brand personality). It’s flirty, self-aware, and just delusional enough to work.

See an example here:

How to use it: Film a quick selfie-style Reel “manifesting” the perfect Valentine, then let the description clearly mirror you. Keep it short, playful, and tongue-in-cheek. Text overlays do the heavy lifting here – no fancy edits required.

Examples for local businesses:

• A cafe: “Manifesting a Valentine who loves oat milk lattes, long brunches, and knows the barista by name.”

• A boutique: “Manifesting a Valentine with great taste, main-character energy, and a weakness for statement jackets.”

• A restaurant: “Manifesting a Valentine who orders dessert first and stays for another round.”

  A wellness studio: “Manifesting a Valentine who stretches, hydrates, and actually rests.”

Why it works: It’s playful, funny, and intentionally un-serious—perfect for February content. The trend invites viewers to see themselves in the post, boosts shares and saves, and lets brands show personality without selling outright. Flirty energy + self-awareness = Reel magic. 💘

Trend #2: Camera Roll

The trend: This Reel starts strong with a polished, confident moment—think perfectly styled, well-lit, very “we planned this.” Then it cuts to a raw, unfiltered photo or video pulled straight from a camera roll (often someone else’s). The contrast is the whole point: curated vs. candid.

See an example here:

How to use it: Open with your most put-together clip—smiling at the counter, posing in the space, showing off the final product. Then smash cut to a real camera-roll moment: behind-the-scenes chaos, a blurry photo, a mid-laugh snap, or a caught-off-guard clip. No edits needed beyond the cut – imperfection is the flex.

Examples for local businesses:

• Hair salon: Finished blowout reveal → behind-the-scenes shots of foils, clips, and chaos mid-appointment.

• Florist: Styled bouquet photo → camera roll snaps of the before, i.e. stems everywhere and buckets lining the floor.

• Event venue: Decor fully set → candid shots from earlier in the day with ladders, cords, and coffee cups everywhere.

• Retail shop: Window display perfection → messy BTS snapshots during the creation of the display

Why it works: It breaks the “perfect content” illusion in the best way. Viewers love seeing the human side – messy, funny, and real. The trend feels spontaneous, honest, and refreshingly anti-polish, which makes it highly relatable (and very shareable).

Trend #3: Fake Green Screen

The trend: This one plays with perception. Creators film themselves in the corner of the screen as if they’re using a green screen – until someone or something in the “background” suddenly moves, revealing the scene is completely real. It’s a fake-out followed by a satisfying reveal.

See an example here:

How to use it: Set up your phone so it looks like a green screen (clean wall, neutral space, calm background). Start talking as if you’re overlayed on another video. Then cue the reveal: a coworker walks through, a door opens, a machine starts up, or someone reacts behind you. Surprise is the star here.

Examples for local businesses:

• A pottery studio: artist chatting → wheel starts spinning in the background.

• A gym: trainer talking form tips → class suddenly starts moving behind them.

• A restaurant: chef explaining a dish → kitchen springs to life mid-sentence.

Why it works: It instantly stops the scroll because viewers think they’ve seen this format before – until they haven’t. The reveal creates a moment of surprise and humor, feels clever without being complicated, and taps into very “internet-native” humor. Low effort, high payoff.