This Social Cottage

Episodes

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  Instagram posting myths that you can flipping ignore 22.10.2026 11m

  There is so much advice out there on Instagram about how to grow. But there is some that is just frankly nonsense! In today's episode I share what to listen to and what to ignore, so that you can ahead on content!
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  5 ways to get dangerously ahead in your content 15.10.2026 9m

  Wanting to get ahead with your Instagram content by the end of 2026?In today's epsiode, I share with you the exact steps to take to get dangeously ahead with your Instagram content and what to do if your content just isn't reaching non-followers or attracting your ideal audience in a way that you would like.
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  Do this before you record your next piece of content 01.10.2026 12m

  So many people are focused on going viral or getting more views and visibility, but very few people actually have the tools and systems set up so that when they do get the reach they're after, it actually makes a difference for their business. In today's episode, I share exactly what you need to set up so that when you do get the reach you need, it starts working for you. My Flodesk link: https://partners.flodesk.com/wqc7v7r645cuFree 30 days of Manychat here: https://manychat.partnerlinks.io/essqaddf0qm6-ogcg6e
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  How to plan your content without it taking over your life 24.09.2026 12m

  Should you plan your content? How do you plan it without overthinking? Are there any tools and resources I should use?Today's episode covers just that!
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  I don't want to have a niche on Instagram 17.09.2026 12m

  Whether you're feeling trapped by the niche that you have created for yourself or feeling like you're a multi-passionate person who doesn't want to be put inside of a box, this week's episode is for you. We cover:Should you niche down?Should you not niche down?How to get the algorithm seeing more of your content and posting the stuff you love
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  From losing followers daily to doubling in almost 2 months! 10.09.2026 10m

  In today's episode, I take you behind the scenes on my client Becky's astronomical growth in the past two months, whilst having two small children at home and running her business too. Becky hasn't relied on lots of different complicated content methods. Instead, she's relied on using B-roll from her phone and photographs on her phone to overlay text because life is busy. It's for sure an episode that you don't want to miss!
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  Behind the scenes of a 4 figure brand deal 03.09.2026 11m

  In March this year I set out with a mission to secure more brand partnerships and in today's episode i share with you what I did with my content and my communications to secure that deal.
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  Getting yourself out of a content wobble 27.08.2026 12m

  Content wobbles happen to all of us. We can find ourselves overthinking our content, doubting what we're posting and feel trapped by our own content ideas.In today's episode, I walk you through exactly what to do to get yourself out of a content wobble.
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  The one thing you can do to start positioning your Instagram content for better reach 20.08.2026 11m

  In a world where everyone is trying to tell you what to post online for better reach, in today's episode I talk about the one metric that you can pay attention to and how to start positioning your content so that humans relate with it and you start growing an engaged community.
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  Growing from 3k to 40k followers in less than a year 06.08.2026 28m

  Chantal has grown from 3,000 followers to 40,000 followers.Her handle is @becomingthismamaIn today's episode, she talks about how she has managed to use prompts to find her voice and her unique positioning, and how being willing to show up unafraid on the internet has resulted in an incredible community and thriving business.
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  The content trend taking over Instagram this summer 30.07.2026 11m

  Are you feeling like your reach and engagement have dipped over the summer? That's really normal this season, but there are things you can do to give it a little helping shove. Instagram is in its mega personal recommendation era, and the mistake most of us make is thinking people care that we say things "as a doctor" or "as an expert." They don't. What actually gets reach is marrying that personal recommendation energy with what your audience is actually asking for.In this episode:Instagram's shift into its personal recommendation phase, and the mistake most people make trying to use itA real example of why personal recommendation content stops the scrollPrompt to steal: "A lot of people ask how I'm able to ___. Here's what I tell them."Another prompt to steal: "Five things you won't find me recommending to [this type of person/situation]."Breaking down a national park carousel that pulled 36,000 likes, 26,000 shares, and 15,000 new followers from one post, and exactly why it workedPause the episode, use the prompts, and then come tell me you did it over on Instagram!
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  Instagram Q&A: Canva carousels, trial reels, and dead accounts 23.07.2026 11m

  There's so much nonsense out there about Instagram right now, and today I'm answering your questions about all of it. You sent these into my story question box, and I'm deep-diving on each one because I want to assure you that Instagram doesn't have to be complicated. It gets to be enjoyable once you find your unique perspective and positioning!In this episode:Are designed Canva posts or in-feed carousels better? Is effort ever actually wasted on Instagram, or is it a perspective and positioning problem?Does Instagram throttle a trial reel that doesn't get traction in the first 24 hours?Why trial reels don't work the way they used toShould you start a new account or stick with the one you've gotDoes format (reels vs. carousels) actually matter for reachIf you've got a question I haven't answered today, come find me in my DMs. I'd love to chat and feature it in a future episode.
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  Do hooks give you the ick? Or do you just not know your positioning yet? 16.07.2026 12m

  Be honest with me. Have hooks ever given you the ick? Have you ever gone to create a piece of content and thought, I cannot believe I've stooped this low, or tried to shoehorn some phrasing into your post that just doesn't sound like you?You are not alone, and I hear this conversation a lot. This week, I'm breaking down what to do when hooks make you feel this way, and how to start opening pathways of conversation in your content instead.In this episode:"I hate hooks" usually means "I don't know my positioning well enough"Going from under 1,000 to 100,000+ followers and other client storiesThe algorithm is just a person interacting with a piece of contentDepth vs. superficial contentThe reverse-engineering method: start with the thought in your head, not the promptGo check out Lauren and Chantal’s content so you can see their growth for yourself.I'm in the DMs, and I'm also inside the Plotting Shed if you need some extra support. Come and chat with me, I'd love to connect with you!
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  What would you post if you already had the followers you want? 09.07.2026 13m

  I want you to imagine that you have just woken up with the number of followers that you are craving. Maybe that's 10k, 50k, or 100k… whatever it is for you, sit with it for a second. Then ask yourself: what's the content that got you there?If we're honest with ourselves, most of us would say the same thing: that we would've been bolder and braver than what we're currently posting. Not hiding behind the perfect hook or worrying about the timing of the video, but saying what we really think.In this episode:The follower-number exercise to run on yourself before you post againWhy 3-4 posts a week with real depth beats mediocre content posted dailyThe two questions to ask if your growth has felt slower than you'd likeWhat's eating your content-creation timeWhy one person disagreeing with your post doesn't mean you change directionIf this one resonated, come inside my DMs because I love to chat about this stuff!And if you want help getting your hooks and content ideas out of your head and onto the grid, that's exactly what we work on inside The Plotting Shed and with Planting the Seeds.
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  Should I post on Instagram over the summer? 25.06.2026 8m

  Should you post on Instagram over the summer? What happens if your capacity is literally zero? In today's episode, I show you how to make posting over the summer easier on yourself and still give yourself lots of space and capacity.
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  10 things I've learned about content that gets reach 11.06.2026 11m

  i've been supporting folks with their content for a long old while now. In today's episode, I break down the 10 things all successful content does, and the tweaks that you can make to get more reach.
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  Lessons from viral videos and million dollar launches 04.06.2026 12m

  The whole of the marketing world has been going crazy over million dollar launches and talking to the camera. Today I share the lessons we can learn for our own content and the patterns to spot to get your content visible.
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  Does your content have impact? Or are you just posting for the sake of it? 28.05.2026 11m

  What does posting on Instagram for impact look like? What happens if you're posting just for the sake of it? In today's episode I walk you through the exact questions to ask yourself and to get out of a rut.
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  How to sound like yourself online with Kal from Words Hurt 13.05.2026 28m

  How do you sound like yourself online, particularly when AI is rife?! Kal from Words hurt Copy joins me in today's episode to share his perspective:You can find Kal at:Website: [email protected] on instagram & threadsand his newsletter Once More, With Feeling: The most dramatic newsletter on the internet https://words-hurt.myflodesk.com/newsletter
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  AI wont be able to steal your personality on Instagram 07.05.2026 8m

  In a world where 'claude wrote my content in 30 minutes', where do we draw the line about where we're letting AI take over the conversations we're having on Instagram?Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily.We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram🔗 Threads🔗 This Social Cottage website.🔗 My new membershipYou can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.