🚨 Top Tactics to Stop the Scroll & Spark Connection

Feeling like your content is just floating in the feed sea with no shore in sight? This week’s newsletter is your rescue raft – packed with tools, trends, and tactics to help your biz stand out, connect deeper, and actually get results. Here’s what’s inside:

• 🔒 Instagram’s New “Locked Posts” Feature – Reward your most loyal followers with exclusive content that keeps ‘em coming back.

• 🎵 Reel Trends + Trending Audios – Catch the viral wave and surf your way to higher reach and engagement.

• 🔍 Turn Social Media Into a Search Engine – Because customers aren’t just Googling anymore – they’re TikToking, Gramming, and scrolling to discover.

• 🧠 Prompt Like a Pro – Use ChatGPT to craft clever, local-focused content that makes your business the one everyone’s talking about.

New Instagram Feature Alert: Locked Posts for Loyal Followers

Could secret codes be your next social media strategy? Instagram is testing a brand-new way to boost engagement — lockable posts that can only be unlocked with a secret code.

Here’s the scoop: Select Instagram profiles (including @InstagramDesign) are testing out posts hidden behind a “secret code” prompt. Unlike Stories that require a DM to unlock (remember that “Reveal” sticker?), this feature gives creators and businesses the power to decide how and who gets access — offering a new, fun way to reward and connect with specific audience segments.

💡 So, how could this work for your Rhode Island biz?

• Retailers (Boutiques, Gift Shops, Jewelry Stores): Hide exclusive product drops or promo codes behind a locked post – only newsletter subscribers or in-store shoppers get the code.

• Restaurants & Cafes: Share a “secret menu” or limited-time offer with those who mention the code or follow a QR code from a flyer.

• Wellness & Fitness Studios: Offer a sneak peek of a new class, challenge, or member-only perk that clients can unlock after registering or checking in.

• Tourism & Experiences: Create mystery content for locals or tourists who’ve visited your location – unlock a bonus guide, downloadable postcard, or local tip!

• Event Organizers: Use codes to reveal hidden ticket drops or VIP add-ons to loyal followers first.

Instagram hasn’t released this feature to the public just yet, but it’s clearly experimenting on its own accounts. We'll keep you posted when (or if) it rolls out widely – but it's a great time to brainstorm creative ways your brand could use it.

Ready to make some noise? This week’s trending audio is all about turning heads and turning up the volume on your boldest content.

To check out the audio on Instagram, just click the photo!

1. Trend: Pink Pony Club

Trend Recap: Chappell Roan’s catchy hit “Pink Pony Club” is lighting up Instagram Reels right now. After her big Best New Artist win at the Grammys, the song’s popularity skyrocketed – and with over 23K Reels already using the audio, it’s officially a trend you don’t want to miss.

Audio:

📌 Best for: Lifestyle brands, beauty salons and barbershops, boutiques and fashion stores, and creative service providers (photographers, artists, event planners)

💡 Post Ideas:

• - Beauty & Salons: Glam transitions – before-and-after shots of hair, makeup, or nail designs.

• - Cafes & Bakeries: Fun montages of drinks being made or colorful pastries coming together.

• - Fitness Studios: Dance workouts, instructor intros, or client transformation reels.

• - Creative Services (Photographers, Artists): Time-lapse creations or “from sketch to final product” Reels with this energetic backdrop.

2. Trend: Easy/Can a girl live

Trend Recap: This trend leans into that unapologetic energy – calling out the haters while showing off what brings you joy. Whether it's sipping a PSL in April or wearing glitter to the grocery store, the vibe is “Let me live!”

Audio:

 📌 Best for: Estheticians, dermatologists, beauty brands, or anyone in the self-care space looking to educate with a side of sass.

💡Post ideas:

• - Real Estate Agents: Touring a dreamy home “just because” – why not dream big?

• - Food Trucks: Serving ice cream during a snowstorm? "Let me enjoy my cone in peace!”

• - Coffee Shops: Pour a seasonal drink that "doesn't make sense" for the season – "Pumpkin in spring? Can’t a girl live?"

3. Trend: High Energy Edits

Trend Recap: A punchy new audio is taking over social feeds, and creators are using fast jump cuts, high-angle shots, and clever accessories (like swinging bags or sunglasses) to ride the rhythm. The vibe? Fun, fast, and full of personality.

Audio:

📌 Best for:  Product showcases, outfit transitions, behind-the-scenes peeks, and quick day-in-the-life edits

💡 Post Idea

• - Florists: Cut from bouquet prep to final arrangements, maybe with petals tossed in sync or a peek through the blooms.

• - Wellness & Beauty: Highlight a skincare routine or makeup transformation with each step hitting a new beat – throw in a sunglass peek or head turn.

• - Pet Services: Feature a glow-up groom – wave to start, jump cut to the fluffy result, and toss in a tail wag or head tilt for charm.

4. Special Trend: Loop-Style Transition

Trend Recap: A bold audio trend is making waves, perfect for spotlighting those go-big-or-go-home moments. Whether it's a fashion statement or an over-the-top surprise, this sound pairs perfectly with content that celebrates the extra in everyday life. See an example here!

Audio:

📌 Best for: Keeping your content flowing, highlighting transformations making your audience stick around 'til the end

💡 Post Idea: 

• - Retail/Boutique: Show an outfit change or before-and-after of a display setup.

• - Salon/Beauty: Start with messy hair → transition to the glow-up.

• - Fitness/Wellness: From warm-up to final pose or gym before/after.

• - Restaurants/Cafes: Reveal the making of a dish – ingredients → final plate.

• - Artists/Makers: From blank canvas → finished piece.

• - Event Planners: Empty venue → full event reveal.

🎵 Bonus: Since it’s audio-flexible, pair it with any trending sound that fits your brand’s vibe – just nail the timing!

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.

💡 Prompt Like a Pro: ChatGPT for Local Biz Wins

Struggling with what to post, write, or send next? Say hello to your new secret weapon: AI prompts built just for Rhody small businesses. Whether you're brewing up buzz in Bristol or styling shelves in Smithfield, these plug-and-play templates are here to make content creation way easier (and way more fun).

Just fill in the blanks – literally. Each prompt includes customizable spots for your business type, location, and goals. Use them to write Instagram captions, find the right keywords, build newsletters, and even batch

📲 Instagram Content Prompts

1. Local Post Ideas for Instagram

"Give me 5 creative Instagram post ideas for a ____ (type of business) located in ____ (town or city in RI). Include seasonal references for ____ (month/season), a playful tone, caption suggestions, and relevant hashtags that help attract a local audience."

2. Behind-the-Scenes Content

"Act as a content strategist. Suggest 3 behind-the-scenes Instagram Reel ideas for my ____ (type of business) that show how we ____ (action or service you perform) and build trust with our audience in ____ (location)."

🔍 Keyword Research Prompts

3. SEO-Friendly Hashtags & Keywords

"What are 10 high-engagement hashtags and SEO keywords I can use on Instagram and my website for a ____ (business type) in ____ (Rhode Island city)? The focus is on attracting people looking for ____ (product/service/event)."

4. Blog Keyword Strategy

"Act as an SEO expert. Create a keyword list for a blog post titled ‘____’ (your topic) targeting customers in ____ (RI region/city). Include long-tail keywords and suggestions for headings."

📧 Email Marketing Prompts

5. Email Subject Lines + Preview Text

"Write 5 engaging email subject lines and preview texts for my ____ (type of business) promoting ____ (product/event/offer). The tone should be ____ (friendly/witty/promotional) and appeal to subscribers in Rhode Island."

6. Newsletter Content Calendar

"Create a 4-week newsletter content calendar for my ____ (business type), based in ____ (location), with ideas for each week that include seasonal topics, helpful tips, and product spotlights."

✍️ Content Creation Prompts

7. Caption Generator

"Give me 5 Instagram captions in a ____ (playful/witty/professional) tone for promoting ____ (product/service) from my business, ____ (name), located in ____ (city or neighborhood)."

8. Blog or Website Content

"Write a short About section for a ____ (business type) located in ____ (town), highlighting our mission to ____ (goal or value). Keep the tone ____ (friendly/professional/upbeat)." Create content faster than you can say “hot weenie.”