In this episode, Daniel Hill shares essential social media updates and creator strategy to help you grow your audience.

First, get the inside scoop on the new Instagram Reach Playbook, a digital guide to making content people care about, creating stronger Reels, and reaching new audiences in 2026. We also cover the latest Edits app updates, including carousel posts, clickable audio links, and the 'Popular Topics' feature for accounts over 10,000 followers. Next, hear about YouTube's AI tool, Ask YouTube, expanding to Shorts. Renee Richie from the YouTube Creator Insider team explains how this conversational discovery tool will help creators get feedback, write descriptions, and even create thumbnails.

Daniel shares his experience using Ask YouTube and how it can level up your content. Finally, we dive into creator strategy with Tessa Lyons, VP of Product at Instagram, who offers three practical tips for new creators: get comfortable talking to the camera (and Daniel's teleprompter hack!), use all Instagram formats (Reels, Carousels, Stories), and engage deeply with your community. Plus, a TikTok representative reveals hidden TikTok metrics beyond likes and shares, emphasizing retention, profile visits, and new vs. returning audiences for building a loyal community.

Don't miss these insights to improve your content across platforms! If you want to check out my new digital product guide, the Instagram Reach Playbook, find the link in the show notes.

Links:

The Instagram Reach Playbook - Digital Guide (PDF)

Edits: Create Carousels in Edits (Instagram)

Edits: Add clickable links for your audio and find topics your followers are most interested in (Instagram)

YouTube: Ask Studio Coming To YouTube Shorts (YouTube)

Instagram: 3 Tips for Creating Content (Instagram)

TikTok: Hidden Metrics Most People Ignore (TikTok)

The Instagram Reach Playbook - Digital Guide (PDF)

The Equipment I Use:

Phone: Samsung S25 Ultra with S-Pen included (Amazon)

Microphone: Shure MV7+ USB-C & XLR Podcast Dynamic Mic with Stand (Amazon)

Headphones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Amazon)

Laptop: Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop Tablet Touch | 13" (Amazon)

Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts

Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia

Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia

Connect with me on YouTube: @danielhill_media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to The Instagram Stories! Host Daniel Hill dives into the latest Ask Me Anything with Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, to tackle crucial questions about the Instagram algorithm and your content's reach. Adam clarifies if scheduling posts or editing captions after posting truly hurts your reach, and gives a valuable explanation of how Instagram decides who sees your reels first. He also addresses common concerns about shadowbanning, explaining how to check your account status for any issues.

Beyond reach, Daniel and Adam discuss practical Instagram features: how many Instagram accounts you can manage on one device, and how to hide your active status. They also cover upcoming features and suggestions, including an update on the Instagram Series rollout, the possibility of a formal dating feature (Adam explains why it's unlikely, but acknowledges Instagram's role in dating), and the long-requested ability to reorder story highlights.

Finally, hear Adam's candid advice for someone early in their tech career about to graduate, emphasizing experimentation and adapting to new AI tools. Daniel shares his own perspective on navigating today's challenging job market. Follow The Instagram Stories for more social media news, strategy, and insights.

Links:

The Equipment I Use:

Microphone: Shure MV7+ USB-C & XLR Podcast Dynamic Mic with Stand (Amazon)

Headphones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Amazon)

Laptop: Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop Tablet Touch | 13" (Amazon)

Phone: Samsung S25 Ultra with S-Pen included (Amazon)

Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts

Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia

Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia

Connect with me on YouTube: @danielhill_media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special episode, recorded live at the Podcast Movement conference, I sit down with podcast marketing strategist Arielle Nissenblatt to discuss essential strategies for growing your show's audience. Arielle, known for her work with EarBuds Podcast Collective and Podcast Plunge, shares insights from her keynote address, where she and Lauren Passell explored how people define audio content and consume it, including the role of video.

We dive into the challenges and opportunities of incorporating video into workflows, especially for independent creators like myself, who often operate as a team of one. Arielle emphasizes the importance of differentiating your show, whether you view it as a hobby or a business, and how that mindset impacts audience growth and monetization. We explore various monetization models beyond traditional ads, such as consulting or paid newsletters, and discuss the value of making strategic choices that align with your mission.

Arielle also offers a forward-looking perspective on the creator economy, highlighting how independent creators have the biggest opportunity to innovate and "get weird" with marketing. She encourages trying new things without waiting for permission and stresses the power of collaboration within the industry. From Jen Trepeck's creative napkin marketing to the broader landscape of audience development, this conversation is packed with actionable advice.

If you're an independent podcaster looking for fresh ideas to grow your show and navigate the evolving audio landscape, this episode with Arielle Nissenblatt is a must-listen. You can find a video version of this interview in the links below.

Links:

Video version of Interview (YouTube) (Spotify)

Arielle Nissenblatt : Website

EarBuds Podcast Collective (Website) & Podcast Plunge (Substack)

The Equipment I Use:

Microphone: Shure MV7+ USB-C & XLR Podcast Dynamic Mic with Stand (Amazon)

Headphones: Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Amazon)

Laptop: Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop Tablet Touch | 13" (Amazon)

Phone: Samsung S25 Ultra with S-Pen included (Amazon)

Leave a Review of the Podcast: Apple Podcasts

Connect with me on Instagram: @danielhillmedia

Connect with me on Threads: @danielhillmedia

Connect with me on YouTube: @danielhill_media

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.