Hashtags: dead or just misunderstood? If you’ve been stuffing 25 of them into every post hoping for a viral moment… this episode is your wake-up call.

In 2025, hashtags aren’t what they used to be—and I’m here to break down what’s changed, what still works, and what you should be focusing on instead. From the rise of AI-driven discovery to caption-based SEO, we’re diving into the truth behind the algorithm and how to stay relevant without looking outdated.

I’ve been using hashtags strategically for 10+ years, and in this episode, I’m telling you exactly how my strategy has shifted—and how yours should too.

Key Takeaways:

• The Instagram update that changed hashtag functionality forever
• Why hashtags no longer boost your reach (and what does instead)
• 3 smart ways hashtags still work in 2025
• The new metrics that matter for reach and visibility
• Why keyword-rich captions outperform hashtag dumps
• When and how to use branded hashtags effectively
• A simple content audit to clean up your current hashtag strategy

Timestamps:

00:00 Are Hashtags Dead?

00:17 The Evolution of Hashtags

00:43 Welcome to Marketing Trends

01:03 The Role of Hashtags Today

01:31 Why Hashtags No Longer Drive Reach

02:33 The New Purpose of Hashtags

04:16 Effective Strategies Beyond Hashtags

06:16 How to Use Hashtags in 2025

07:19 Hashtags Across Different Platforms

07:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Before your next post goes live, ask yourself: am I using hashtags as a strategic label… or as a crutch? This episode gives you the clarity (and the strategy) to make your content work smarter—not harder.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Think YouTube is oversaturated? Think again.

In today’s episode, I break down what’s actually working on YouTube right now—and what’s holding most creators and entrepreneurs back. If you’ve been stuck in perfectionism, chasing trends, or trying to “delegate your way” to growth, this is your wake-up call.

We’re talking:

• What YouTube’s algorithm really wants in 2025
• The mindset shift from viral to visible
• Why general content gets general results
• How to use search, story, and strategy to create bingeable, high-converting content
• The 3 metrics that actually move the needle

This episode will help you rethink YouTube as a lead generation machine—not just another social media platform.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Hidden Power of Podcasting

00:43 Why Podcasting is Still a Blue Ocean

02:21 The Loyal and Affluent Podcast Audience

03:26 The Power of Video Podcasting

05:20 Consistency and Simplicity: Keys to Podcast Success

05:37 Maximizing Content Through Podcasting

06:23 Getting Started: Tools and Tips

07:42 Conclusion: The Deep Impact of Podcasting

If this episode got your wheels turning, share it with a friend and subscribe so you never miss an update. And if you're ready to take YouTube seriously but want a strategy that doesn’t rely on guesswork, head to yournextstep.agency and let’s build your growth plan together.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social Communications:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@MarketingTrendsNow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reels ruled 2023, but in 2025? Not so much.

In this episode, I break down why more reels aren't the answer—and how Instagram's algorithm has changed in ways most marketers aren’t ready for. We’ll dive into what’s actually working now, how to shift without burning it all down, and why carousel posts might be your new best friend.

This one might step on a few toes, but if you're still stuck in last year’s strategy, it’s time for a serious content upgrade.

Key Takeaways:

• Reels reach is down by 20% year-over-year; photo and carousel post reach is up 21%.
• Over-posting Reels with low engagement is triggering algorithmic penalties.
• Carousel posts (especially educational + story-driven ones) are on the rise—especially with Instagram expanding limits to 20 slides.
• A single strong carousel can outperform five mediocre Reels.
• Focus on saves, shares, and comments—not vanity metrics like likes.

Timestamps:

00:02 – Why Reels might be hurting your reach

00:30 – New stats from Metricool’s 2025 study

01:45 – What changed in the Instagram algorithm

03:10 – Carousel posts: the surprising comeback

04:45 – How to shift your content strategy without starting over

06:20 – The 4-post content system

07:05 – The real metric that matters in 2025

08:00 – How to turn long-form into carousels

Enjoyed today’s episode? Make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone still chasing trends instead of building strategy. For more step-by-step guidance, visit katiebrinkley.com or connect with me on Instagram.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social Communications:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New Instagram features just dropped—are they worth your time?

Instagram recently rolled out two new features: the Repost button and the Friends Map. While they’re being marketed as tools to help you “connect with friends,” they can also be strategic tools to expand your brand’s reach—if you know how to use them.

In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, I’ll break down exactly what these features are, how they work, and how small business owners, local brands, and content creators can leverage them to increase visibility without having to create more content.

Key Takeaways:

• What Instagram’s Repost button actually does—and why it’s different than Stories
• How to make your content shareable (on purpose)
• How to use Friends Map for local reach and foot traffic
• What types of content get reposted most
• Creative ways to use both features without disrupting your strategy

If your goal is visibility without burnout, these features could help—when used intentionally.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Instagram changed. Again.

01:15 – What is the Repost button and why does it matter?

03:00 – How to make your content repost-worthy

04:20 – What the Friends Map does (and who it’s for)

05:30 – Creative examples for fitness coaches, realtors, and local shops

07:00 – How to track your visibility using location tagging

08:20 – What not to do with these features

09:30 – This week’s challenge: create one shareable post + test location tagging

Don’t create more content. Create smarter systems. Let’s make your next Live do the heavy lifting.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social Communications:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Going live on Facebook is easy. Turning that live into weeks of content? That’s where the magic happens.

In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, I’m walking you through the exact repurposing workflow I use with my clients to transform one Facebook Live into multiple pieces of high-impact content. No fancy tools. No burnout. Just smart, strategic reuse of the content you’re already creating.

So if you’ve ever hit “end live” and then wondered, “Now what?”, this episode will change how you think about live video forever.

Key Takeaways:

• Why Facebook Live is still relevant (and powerful) in 2025
• The simple structure that makes your Live content clippable
• How to turn one live video into 3–5 short-form pieces for Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and more
• The tools to streamline your workflow and keep content coming
• A complete checklist to repeat this system again and again

Timestamps:

00:00 – The big mistake most creators make after going live

01:00 – Why Facebook Live still works in 2025

02:30 – The 3 engagement factors that make Lives powerful

04:15 – The 7-step repurposing checklist that changes everything

05:45 – Tools I recommend: Metricool, Opus Clip, Descript

06:50 – Your new system for content reuse

08:00 – The mindset shift from “one-and-done” to “content machine”

Don’t create more content. Create smarter systems. Let’s make your next Live do the heavy lifting.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social Communications:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

#FacebookLive, #ContentRepurposing, #MarketingTrendsNow, #KatieBrinkley, #SocialMediaStrategy, #ShortFormVideo, #ContentWorkflow, #SmallBusinessMarketing, #SmartMarketing, #LiveVideoTips

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your Instagram content built to work beyond the feed?

In this episode, I break down a big update that's been quietly rolling out since 2020—but creators and business owners are just now getting notified. Google is indexing Instagram content. Yes, even your Reels.

Here’s what that means for your business, how to optimize your posts for discoverability, and why it’s time to stop treating Instagram like a walled garden. If you're ready to get your content found by people outside the algorithm, this one’s for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Instagram posts and Reels from public, professional accounts are eligible for Google indexing
• If your content solves a problem or answers a question, it can now show up in search results
• You need to optimize your captions, alt text, and even file names for SEO visibility
• This isn't a new feature—it’s just being rolled out more widely and more visibly
• Social and search are converging fast. Your strategy needs to reflect that

Timestamps:

00:14 – Instagram content + Google = new discoverability

01:30 – What triggered the update notification in July

02:51 – Why this matters for creators and small businesses

04:28 – Eligibility rules for Instagram search indexing

06:00 – How to opt out (and why some might want to)

06:51 – SEO best practices for Instagram captions and alt text

08:40 – Why short-form video and Reels matter more than ever

09:03 – Strategic wrap-up + actionable steps

Ready to optimize your content for both search and social? Book a 1:1 strategy session at yournextstep.agency

Share this episode with a friend who’s still building for the algorithm—Google is watching.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social Communications:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Instagram’s new AI video filters look cool—but are they actually worth your time?

In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, we’re throwing the hype into neutral and taking a real look at Meta’s new Restyle tool. It promises comic book-style edits, dreamy overlays, and surreal transformations for your Reels. But here’s the thing: just because you can use it, doesn’t mean you should.

You’ll learn:

• What the Restyle feature actually does—and who it’s for
• Three smart ways to use AI video effects that actually support your content strategy
• The difference between scroll-stopping visuals and strategy-breaking distractions
• How to avoid hiding behind filters and losing trust with your audience
• Why early adoption of tools like Restyle can give your content a visibility boost

Bottom line? AI is a tool—not a shortcut. And in this episode, I’ll help you decide when to use it, when to skip it, and how to stay true to your message in the process.

Let’s make your marketing smarter—not just shinier.

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social Communications:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarketingTrendsNow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

#MetaRestyle #InstagramUpdates #ContentCreationTips #AIforCreators #KatieBrinkley #MarketingTrendsNow #SmallBusinessMarketing #VideoMarketingTools #AuthenticContent

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the biggest content opportunity of 2025 was already inside your YouTube Studio—just waiting for a single checkbox to be ticked?

In this episode of Marketing Trends Now, I break down YouTube’s brand-new auto-dubbing feature and how it’s about to change global content strategy forever. If you're already making videos (or about to start), this tool could multiply your reach in 12+ languages without hiring a translator or re-recording a single word.

I’m giving you:

• A full walkthrough of how auto-dubbing works
• Step-by-step setup instructions
• The strategy I’d use right now to maximize this feature
• What types of content benefit most—and where it might fall flat
• If you’ve been trying to work smarter, not harder, this one’s for you.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:07 – What is YouTube auto-dubbing and why it matters

01:35 – AI voiceover > subtitles: a game-changer

02:40 – Who gets access and how to turn it on

04:00 – Current supported languages (and their limits)

05:20 – Where this works best—and where it might not

06:20 – Smart strategies for global growth with dubbing

07:00 – Final thoughts and CTA

If you're not already using YouTube to its fullest potential, this is the sign you've been waiting for. Need help turning your videos into leads? Head to yournextstep.agency or shoot me a message on LinkedIn.

Check me out Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@marketingtrendsnow

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamkatiebrinkley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

#YouTubeGrowth #ContentMarketing #AIContentTools #VideoMarketingStrategy #KatieBrinkley #MarketingTrendsNow #YouTubeDubbing #SmartMarketing

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.