The most overlooked Instagram growth tactic right now does not involve paid ads, trending audio, or even fresh content. It is about being smart with what has already worked for you. Recently, a viral clip featuring a digital creator known as “Saurik Girl” shared a valuable insight on using Instagram Trials, and it is one of the most practical organic strategies I’ve seen in a while. Here’s the idea:Instead of only uploading new Reels, go back to your top-performing videos from the past. The ones that brought you the most views, reach, engagement, or followers. Re-upload those videos using Instagram’s Trials feature. Instagram Trials is still being rolled out to more users, but it acts like a testbed for creators to try out their content with a wider audience. It is designed to help Instagram surface content to new viewers based on performance and interest matching. So what happens when you re-upload past hits to Trials?– You bypass the need for ads or boosting– Instagram’s algorithm does the work of distributing it to fresh audiences– You get sustained reach from content that already proved itself– You gain new followers without producing new content every time This is smart content leverage. It is about working with data you already have your own best-performing content, and letting the algorithm serve it to people who haven’t seen it yet. A few key tips if you want to try this:– Choose Reels that performed well organically– Add small updates to captions or hooks to keep them fresh– Monitor what works and refine your content strategy accordingly– Don’t over-repost too often. Keep a balance to avoid fatigue Many creators and businesses believe growth on Instagram today requires either heavy creativity or heavy spend. But thoughtful strategy often wins. By using what worked in the past, you increase your odds of future reach, without burnout or budget. Sometimes the best social media strategy is not always about “what’s next,” but “what still works.” If you’re building a personal brand, coaching business, or creative studio, remember: smart reuse is not lazy. It’s strategic. Let the algorithm work for you. Let me know if you’ve tried this tactic or plan to. If you want to connect with me to discuss starting/scaling content, strategy, growth, feel free to block my time using topmate.io/join2manish, book your slot
Instagram Search Labels Explained.
INSTAGRAM SEARCH LABELS CAN HELP MORE PEOPLE FIND YOU If you have been posting on Instagram and noticed a small blue search label above the comments, do not scroll past it. This little feature is one of the easiest ways to understand how Instagram sees your content. That blue label is Instagram saying:“We think your post is about this topic. Should we show it to more people looking for it?” When the label is correct, you win. It means your content is more likely to appear in:• Instagram searches• Trending topic pages• Suggested posts for new audiences• Google search results (yes, since July 10th, public posts can be found on Google) How Instagram decides your label?Instagram’s AI scans your content to guess the main topic. It looks at:• Your caption• The words you speak in the video• Any text in your visuals (photo or video)• Comments• Hashtags The first three are the most important. If your caption and video language match your topic, Instagram will get the label right more often. What happens if your post has more than one topic Sometimes a post covers different ideas. In that case, Instagram may change the label depending on who is looking at it. For example, one viewer might see “Fitness Tips” while another might see “Healthy Eating” on the same carousel. Why this matters for your reach?The label is like a first impression for your content in the algorithm.If it is wrong, your post might be shown to the wrong audience.If it is right, your post gets placed in the right “content cluster,” where people are already interested in your topic. How to use this to your advantage?• Write captions that clearly mention your topic early• Say your topic clearly in your video, especially in the first few seconds• Add on-screen text with your main keyword or phrase• Avoid mixing too many unrelated ideas in one post• Review your labels often to see if Instagram is “reading” you correctly When you guide Instagram’s understanding of your content, you guide your reach. Think of it as giving the platform a map to send your post to the right people.
Stop Creating More, Start Reposting Smart.
Most people are creating twice the content they actually need to grow on Instagram. Every day I see talented creators posting new reels, new posts, new stories, thinking the only way to grow is to keep producing fresh content at high speed. But here is the reality: Instagram is not just about new. It is about effective. The algorithm rewards content that already has proof of performance. If something worked once, Instagram will happily show it to more people… if you give it the chance. That is where Instagram Trials comes in, one of the most underused tools on the platform. Trials allows you to repost your best performing reels so they can reach new audiences who have never seen them before. And you can do it without spending on ads or creating from scratch. Here is a simple strategy you can start today:– Audit your past reels. Look at reach, watch time, shares, and saves. Shortlist the top 5–10. – Repost with Trials. Use the same hook, same visuals, same caption, if it worked, do not fix what is not broken. – Time it right. Leave a gap of a few weeks or even months before reposting so it feels fresh. – Track performance. See if the repost pulls similar or even better numbers. Often it will, because it is hitting a completely new audience. This is not “recycling content.” This is content compounding, letting your proven winners keep working for you instead of getting lost in your feed history. This is how you grow reach and followers without burning out..
Instagram Features Content Creators Can’t Ignore in 2025
Instagram Features Content Creators Can’t Ignore in 2025 Here are the most powerful features and how to unlock them for real results 1) Reels: Your Discovery Engine: – Short-form videos remain the fastest path to new audiences.– In 2025, Reels can be up to 20 min.– Use strong hooks in the first 2 seconds, focus on retention, pick trending audio that fits your niche, and keep most content under 90 seconds for broadest reach.– Trial Reels allow you to test new content with non-followers before publishing to your main grid. 2) Stories: – The Engagement Swiss Army Knife– Stories sit at the top of your followers’ feed for max attention. Here’s a full list of what’s possible: * Creative Tools:– Upload or snap photos/videos,– add text overlays,– AI-generated images,– Boomerangs (looping mini-clips),– Layouts (collages),– GIFs, &– even hands-free video recording * Video: Shoot clips up to 60 seconds * Add Music: Overlay trending tracks or original audio * Stickers: – Polls, Questions, Quizzes, Emoji Sliders for instant audience participation– “Add Yours” chain sticker for viral challenges (exponentially extends reach)– Link, Mention, Location, Hashtag, Timer (Countdown), and Product stickers for deeper interaction and conversion drives– GIFs and custom stickers for personality and CTA nudges– New in 2025: Comment directly on Stories (publicly visible to all viewers) * Live: Go live solo or with others * Captions/Transcriptions: Make your content accessible and boost completion rates * Design Tips: Use custom fonts, overlays, consistent visuals; avoid placing text at screen edges * Sequence: Think in mini-stories (beginning, middle, end for each batch of Stories). * Frequency: 3–7 Stories/day keeps you visible and boosts engagement. 3. Highlights: – Evergreen Stories on Your Profile– Save Stories: Highlights allow you to save your top Stories permanently on your profile, now in a dedicated tab– Categories: Organise Highlights by topic (About, Tips, Reviews, Products, Events, BTS, Testimonials)– Custom Covers: Use brand-aligned graphics for a cohesive look– Keep Updated: Refresh regularly: most important highlights first– Conversions: Use them to feature FAQs, story sequences, product demos, teasers, and even direct followers to shops or landing pages. 4) Collab Posts: Double Audience, Double Impact– Co-author content with up to 2 creators/influencers and share all engagement/visibility mutually across profiles.– Ideal for cross-niche growth, giveaways, and brand partnerships. 6) Carousels:– Storytelling that Gets SavesPosts with up to 20 slides capture attention. – Hook with the first image, use clear structure, and end with a call-to-action (“Swipe”, “Save”, etc.)– They’re perfect for step-by-steps, stories, and before/afters 7) Broadcast Channels:– Speak to Superfans– Broadcast Channels (DM to many) are perfect for nurturing loyalists with exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes, tutorials, & product drops
Instagram’s New Creator Update.
Instagram just became a creator’s playground in 2025-26 & these new features are a goldmine for personal brand builders. This feature, which began global rollout in July 2024 after initial testing in December 2023, addresses content creators’ concerns about experimenting with new content formats without risking their existing follower engagement. Here’s what’s changing & why every content creator should care: 1) Trial Reels: – Think of this as your test lab.– Now, creators can share reels to non-followers first no pressure from your audience, and pure, unbiased feedback.– Publish to everyone only if the metrics look solid.– Experiment and see what truly works without risking engagement dips. 2) Unlockable Reels: – Want to go exclusive?– Hide content behind secret codes and create campaigns for your superfans.– This feature lets you build hype and reward your most loyal followers with special access. 3) Professional Dashboard: – Analytics on steroids reach, demographics, post-by-post performance.– Identify what’s working, tweak faster, and scale smarter.– Advanced metrics help you optimize everything from content formats to follower growth. 4) Monetization: – Instagram badges evolve with better tracking, limited-time bonuses, and a Creator Marketplace API for brands and agencies.– Dive into affiliate opportunities, paid collaborations, and new partnerships. 5) Editing Power: – AI editing tools are rolling out soon plus more fonts, animated text, and multi-track audio for reels.– Create studio-quality videos straight from your phone.– Captions, translations & stickers are also upgraded for 2025. 6) Collab Mode & Broadcast Channels: – Up to 5 collaborators on a single post, multi-channel engagement with replies & prompts.– Channel analytics are sharper; paid tiers for superfans are being tested.– Build community, not just followers. 7) Instagram Notes & Prompts: – Like, mention, and prompt in Notes with better display for responses.– It’s a subtle but powerful way to spark 8) RINGS: – Creator Recognition ProgramsInstagram introduced the “Rings” award program, offering physical and digital recognition for innovative creators rather than monetary rewards.– Winners receive gold ring profile indicators and customization options. Emerging Features in Testing Several features are currently being tested for broader rollout: 1) Social Library: Centralized location for shared posts and Reels from conversations 2) Story Collage Templates: New creative ways to share multi-photo content 3) AI Profile Picture Generator: Custom profile image creation using artificial intelligence 4) Scheduled Direct Messages: Automated DM scheduling for businesses and creators 5) Clickable Links in Reels: Meta Verified subscribers can add interactive links to Reels INSTAGRAM continues evolving from a simple photo-sharing app into a comprehensive creator economy ecosystem
LinkedIn Growth Habits.
High-leverage habits, practices & hacks to increase YOUR followers, reach & engagement on LinkedIn 20+ points that can help in your LinkedIn content journey: 1) Nail the First 2 Lines – First impression gets engagement– Lead with a question, bold claim, or statistics 2) Post 3–5x a Week (Strategically) – Stick to Tue–Thu, 8 AM–2 PM– Use LinkedIn analytics to refine timing– I have started posting at 8.30 AM and it’s working fine for me, see what’s yours 3) Master the First 60 Minutes – React to 10 posts + reply to comments fast 4) Use Content Mix That Performs – Alternate between carousels, videos, polls, stories, text posts 5) Repurpose Your Winners – Repackage top posts as new formats with fresh hooks 6) Share First-Person Stories + Small Wins– Be human– Be Real, you will be perfect 7) Be a Daily Comment Creator – Leave thoughtful, 5+ word comments on top posts in your niche– Be smart in comment section 8) Piggyback on Big LinkedIn Creators – Add insights under relevant creators’ content to tap into their audience 9) Optimize Your Profile Like a Sales Page – Clear headline– SEO keywords– Good banner– CTA with pinned post– Make following you a no-brainer 10) Tag Responsibly – Tag 2–5 relevant people if it adds value– Avoid ghost tags– People & platform both do notice 11) Use Hashtags & Keywords Smartly – 3 to 5 targeted hashtags– Use industry keywords for discovery 12) Add CTAs That Drive Engagement – End posts with a question– opinion prompt or DM invite– Guide interaction– Ask what you want 13) Launch a LinkedIn Newsletter – Bypass the feed– Direct inbox = more attention + authority– Be responsible and keep it short, to the point DMs 14) Collaborate to Expand Reach – Do LinkedIn Lives– guest carouselsA or joint panels– Win new audiences 15) Show Behind-the-Scenes – Share how you work– Not just what you deliver– People buy process, not polish 16) Comment-to-Connect Ratio – For every post, engage– Engage with 5–7 others– Reciprocity grows relationships and reach. 17) Reuse Long-Form Content – Convert YT videos, blog posts, tweets into LinkedIn native formats– You can use AI tools for this 18) Experiment with Time & Format Weekly – Try different days/times/formats– Track with analytics– Adapt what’s working 19) Celebrate Community Wins – Shout out your audience, team, mentors– Recognition drives shares + warmth 20) Start or Join Meaningful Conversations – Trend jacking is short-term– Long-term: ask questions people want to answer 21) Pinned Post Are Authority Builders – Showcase a high-value thread, your origin story, or a “start here” carousel 22) Avoid 3rd-Degree Engagement Pods – Go for trusted 1st-degree circles– Spammy pods are algorithm penalty 23) Stay in the Game for 6+ Months If you want to connect with me to discuss starting/scaling content, strategy, growth, feel free to block my time using topmate.io/join2manish, book your slot
The Unspoken Rulebook for LinkedIn Content Creators.
The Unspoken Rulebook for LinkedIn Content Creators Following these guidelines helps you maintain credibility, build trust, and thrive as a creator on LinkedIn 16 behaviors every LinkedIn creator must strictly avoid: 1) Harassment or Personal Attacks: Never shame, troll, or target someone. Revealing private information (doxing) is also unacceptable 2) Threats or Promotion of Violence: Do not share content that promotes violence, destruction, or criminal activity in any form 3) Child Exploitation: Any content involving the sexual exploitation or endangerment of minors is strictly prohibited and will be reported 4) Illegal Services or Unsafe Products: Do not promote or sell fake documents, certifications, escort services, or instructions for illegal activities 5) Extremist Content: Avoid content that glorifies or recruits for terrorist or extremist ideologies 6) False or Misleading Information: Never post content that spreads misinformation about elections, health, or any topic meant to deceive the public 7) Fake Identities: Your profile must reflect your real identity. Do not use false photos, job titles, or affiliations 8) Scams and MalwareAvoid posting anything linked to phishing, pyramid schemes, romance scams, or malicious software 9. Hate Speech: Do not create or endorse content that attacks people based on race, religion, gender, or other protected traits. Denying historical atrocities is also unacceptable 10) Unwanted Sexual Content: LinkedIn is a professional space. Romantic advances, explicit photos, or flirtatious messages are not appropriate 11) Graphic Violence or Shock Content: Avoid posting disturbing visuals, weapon-making instructions, or content promoting self-harm or drug use 12) Nudity and Adult Material: Sexual content is not allowed, even if shared for educational or journalistic reasons 13) Spam and Engagement Manipulation: Do not send mass DMs, participate in engagement pods, or ask people to like, comment, or follow without offering value 14) Pure Promotions: Posting only to sell products or services, without offering insights or value, reduces credibility and reach 15) Plagiarism: If you’re resharing someone’s content, always credit them and add your own perspective. Blind reposts without attribution are not acceptable 16) Unconstructive Negativity: Avoid mocking, dismissing, or tearing others down. Constructive criticism is welcome, but negativity without purpose adds no value Our content shapes narratives, opens conversations, & builds trust. But with that influence comes responsibility. Let’s create with integrity, not just for visibility If you want to connect with me to discuss starting/scaling content, strategy, growth, feel free to block my time using topmate.io/join2manish, book your slot
The Creator Playbook.
I had watched an interview of Tanmay Bhat with Varun Mayya quite some time ago, it made a lot of sense These are hard-earned lessons from the trenches of India’s digital ecosystem These were lying in my notes app, putting it out here, most things beautifully put by Tanmay, he indeed is a master of words I have modified a few things based on knowledge that I have gathered too Reaching 1K, 10K, 100K, 500K, 1 Million followers/subscribers isn’t just luck, it’s a result of systems, storytelling, & showing up relentlessly Whether you’re at follower 54 or 540K, this post is your playbook to build a scalable content engine from scratch 1) Find Product-Market Fit for ‘Enjoyment’: – Before you look for an audience, find what lights you up– Create around a topic you’d stick to for 3+ years– Test formats: video, writing, audio to find your medium– Use early feedback as guidance, not gospel– The best creators blend passion with market need 2) Build the Most Overlooked Skill: ‘Writing’ – No matter your platform, writing powers every hook, script, title, & caption– Great writing helps you:• Structure ideas that stick• Create emotional or intellectual payoff writing is a long-term leverage 3) Play for Asymmetric Returns: – One video can change your life– 1 out of 50 posts may go viral– Growth is spiky, not linear– Each post is a ‘lottery ticket’ with better odds through consistency– Show up often enough to get lucky 4) Master Retention: The Secret to Growth – Likes don’t scale, retention does– Open with curiosity– Add tension or mystery– Deliver a surprise halfway “oven moment”– Refresh visuals every 30/60 secs– Close with insight or clarity– Platforms reward content that keeps people watching 5) Short-form vs Long-form: – Use Both– Start with short-form to build confidence & audience habit– Evolve into long-form for trust and monetisation– Rule of thumb:. Short-form gets you discovered. Long-form earns you loyalty & money 6) Monetisation: Think Beyond Ads – Top content creators don’t rely on one stream– Courses & Coaching are high-margin, scalable impact– D2C Products: product opportunity– Consulting/Services: when businesses want your playbook 7) Build Your Content Team – Solo is fine to start but scale needs leverage and tribe– Start with freelancers: editors, writers, producers – Hire for:• Speed• Storytelling – Build small but sharp teams 8) From Creator to Company: – Content is the entry point, business is the outcome– Build IP, not just posts– Step out of ‘creator only’ mode into operator/founder mode– The best creators evolve into content entrepreneurs 9) Track What Matters: – Ignore vanity metrics, focus on:• Retention rate• Watch time• RPM• Repeat viewership• Engagement/impression• Upload velocity ‘Top creators aren’t guessing, they’re optimising’ ‘This Is a Marathon, Not a Meme’ ‘The creator economy isn’t a trend, it’s a revolution’ ‘Start today, not someday’
10 Habits of Long-Term YouTubers Who Still Win.
The content creators who started creating long-form content (10 minutes+) back in 2015-16 and those wo are still regular with their content journey, they show up on YouTube, post videos and have managed to stay relevant have done a few things in common If you want to be a content creator and be relevant over the years, here are a few things you must consider paying attention to These are common behaviours that each of these content creators who have stood for over a decade has done, again and again: 1) Storytelling is everything: Capture interest in the first 10 seconds. Narrative arcs, hooks, and dynamic visuals keep viewers watching and YouTube notices. 2) Technical polish matters: Invest in crisp audio, quality visuals, and seamless editing. Consistent branding (thumbnails, intros, end screens) builds trust and keeps audiences coming back. 3) Thumbnails & Titles Are First Impression: Test faces, emotions, colour, fonts. Use concise, relevant titles packed with keywords. Proper metadata helps your content get seen. Less but to the point – is more when it comes or both thumbnails and titles. 4) Retention is king: Hook instantly, then vary pace and inject “pattern breakers” at likely drop-off points. Strong retention tells the algorithm your video deserves to be recommended. Healthy AVD is everything, it matters more than the number of views. 5) Build real community: Engage actively: pin comments, answer questions, host livestreams. Loyal audiences boost returning viewers and organic reach. 6) Consistency & Formats win: Stick to a reliable schedule (full-length videos + Shorts). Diversify formats to reach both core fans and new users algorithms reward this. Use all the forms and tools. 7) Obsess over analytics: Let data (CTR, retention, watch time) guide every decision, from thumbnail improvements to topic shifts. Always test, learn, iterate, and implement. 8) Be the niche authority: Go deep in your field. Prioritise evergreen content that ages well and attracts long-term views—freshen it up as trends return. 9) Collaborate strategically: Partner with peers and complementary content creators. Cross-promote on multiple platforms (Instagram, X, LinkedIn, Discord, Reddit, Telegram, WhatsApp, Newsletters) to expand your ecosystem 10) Stay adaptable: YouTube is always evolving. Embrace new features, formats, and monetisation tools quickly. Agility means survival and growth. Sustained YouTube success isn’t luck.It’s a craft: blending art, analytics, technology, and deep audience empathy, day in, day out. Comment the names of content creators who you think started back in 2015/16 and are still going strong
