In this episode, Daniel sits down with Mathew Passy, co-founder of Custom Podcast Solutions, creator of Conntap, and enterprise support and sales for Libsyn Pro.

Daniel and Mathew dive deep into the world of content creation, specifically why podcasting is crucial for creators, in addition to visual platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

Mathew emphasizes the importance of audio-only content for situations where screens aren't viable (e.g., driving, working out, doing dishes) and discusses tools like Repurpose.io that automate the process of converting video content to audio for podcast platforms. They also highlight the necessity of clear intros and outros for audio versions of video content, treating the podcast audience with respect and guiding them.

Show Notes:

(0:00) - Welcome to The Instagram Stories podcast with host Daniel Hill.

(0:45) - Adam Mosseri (Head of Instagram) introduces "Restyle," an AI tool for video editing, enabling changes to context (beach, snow), person's style (marble, porcelain), and color.

(2:20) - Mathew Passy introduces himself as the co-founder of Custom Podcast Solutions (recording, mobile recording, live streaming, studio design/installation), creator of Conntap, and enterprise support/sales for Libsyn Pro.

(3:45) - Discussion on the intimidation of podcasting for content creators focused on other platforms and the importance of "putting yourself where people are".

(4:55) - Tools for automating content repurposing from video to audio, including Repurpose.io.

(6:50) - The importance of including intros and outros when repurposing video content for audio podcasts, to guide the listener.

(7:50) - How podcasting works: Explained through the RSS feed (Real Simple Syndication) and how it enables a direct, unremovable relationship with the audience, contrasting it with social media platform dependency.

(10:00) - Mathew's origin story in podcasting, starting with a New Jersey radio station in 2008, followed by Wall Street Journal Radio, and founding The Podcast Consultant business.

(15:00) - Custom Podcast Solutions' services for designing and installing custom audio/video studios for home and corporate clients, including unique solutions like a "rolling studio" and setups for "social selling" or a "home shopping network".

(18:50) - Introduction to Contap (formerly Podcast Beacons): NFC-enabled devices (wristbands, key fobs, QR codes) for "dynamic microcasting." These allow owners to program a link page or use a "redirect" feature to send people directly to specific content, and the links can be changed dynamically.

(21:00) - The concept of using Conntapfor super fan engagement and tracking, with ideas like NFC-enabled guitar picks for musicians.

(22:50) - Where to find Mathew Passy online, plus Custom Podcast Solutions, and Conntap

(23:10) - Daniel's outro, encouraging listeners to check out the show notes for links and to follow his other show, The Instagram Stories, and his new email newsletter.

Find Mathew Passy online:

Instagram: @mathewpassy

Custom Podcast Solutions: https://custompodcastsolutions.com/

Conntap - https://conntap.com/

Find Daniel:

Instagram: ⁠@danielhillmedia⁠

Podcast: The Instagram Stories - Social Media News

Newsletter: https://subscribepage.io/danielhillmedia

Heston Roberts is a 20-year I.T. professional in Web Development who credits MySpace for his introduction and passion for social media. Today, as co-host of The Social Roundtable live YouTube series, as well as Founder and President of social media marketing agency Social Varsity, he stands as a prominent figure in the chat marketing and chatbot industry, growing his presence as a social media innovator. Heston is known to create customized automated solutions for Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and others to provide small businesses and personal brands new ways to "work smarter, not harder".

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The interview features Heston Roberts from Social Varsity. The main focus is on DM (Direct Message) automation, particularly using the tool ManyChat, primarily on Instagram but also touching on its applications for Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, Threads, and TikTok. Heston explains how DM automation works, often triggered by users commenting specific keywords on posts or stories, allowing creators and businesses to deliver links or information directly to the user's inbox.

This method is presented as more effective than directing users to a link in bio, as it meets users where they are and keeps engagement within the platform. He discusses the benefits, such as increased engagement which signals a relationship to the platform's algorithm, potentially increasing content reach.We also cover the rules and best practices associated with DM automation to avoid being flagged for spam by platforms like Instagram.

Key points include not sending DMs immediately upon someone following, and prompting users with a question first before sending a link when the automation is triggered by a post comment (to confirm intent).

Heston warns against setting up automations that trigger for any comment on a post, as this is often perceived negatively by users. He also notes potential issues with automated comment replies, especially for accounts with large followings, as a high volume can look suspicious to the algorithm.

(00:00) Overview of Interview

(01:03) Welcome to the Instagram Stories Podcast

(03:08) Deep Dive into ManyChat

(05:48) Exploring Automation on Different Platforms

(07:44) Engagement Strategies and Best Practices

(19:48) Morning Routine and Thread Scheduling

(20:35) Exploring Threads and Desktop Version

(23:29) The Social Roundtable Show

(25:35) Transition to YouTube and Challenges

Find Heston online at:

Web: Social-Varsity.com

YouTube: ⁨@SocialVarsity⁩

Instagram: @social.varsity

Threads: @social.varsity

Find Daniel on:

Instagram: @danielhillmedia

TikTok: @danielhillmedia

Threads: @danielhillmedia

Thanks for watching!

Kirsti Lang is a marketer and creator based in Cape Town. By day, she's a senior content writer at Buffer. By night, she's a podcaster and creator, cultivating an audience of ambitious marketers looking to level up their productivity, tech stacks, and careers.

In this episode, host Daniel and Kirsti Lang, content marketer at Buffer, explore data-driven Instagram strategies, focusing on content types, reach, engagement, and optimal posting times.

**Show Highlights:**

Introduction to Kirsti Lang (0:00-1:30): Kirsti introduces herself as a content marketer at Buffer, specializing in social media, productivity, and career growth.

Buffer's Data-Driven Approach (1:30-4:00): Kirsti explains Buffer's data-driven approach to understanding social media algorithms and helping users make informed content decisions.

Best Time to Post - Debunking the Myths (4:00-7:00): Daniel and Kirsti discuss common misconceptions about the "best time to post" and how Buffer's research offers a new perspective.

Reels vs. Carousels: The Reach vs. Engagement Dilemma (7:00-16:00): Kirsti reveals Buffer's findings that Reels offer the highest reach, while Carousels drive the most engagement (12% more than Reels, 114% more than single image posts).

Best Time to Post - The Data Revealed (16:00-24:00): Kirsti shares the best Instagram posting times (generally 3 PM-6 PM in the audience's time zone, specific times provided for each day), emphasizing their universal applicability.

Weekends vs. Weekdays - Is it Worth Posting? (24:00-28:00): Kirsti advises prioritizing weekdays (especially Monday and Friday) for posting over weekends due to higher reach.

The Importance of Content Quality (28:00-31:00): Kirsti stresses that high-quality content, including engaging hooks and authentic visuals, is crucial for success, even with optimal posting times.

Following Kirsti and Buffer (31:00-33:00): Kirsti shares her social media handles and encourages listeners to explore the Buffer blog.

Kirsti's Content Creation Setup (33:00-44:00): Kirsti describes her workspace and the simple tech she uses for video creation (Shure MV7 microphone, phone, budget tripod).

Video Editing Tools and Process (44:00-47:00): Kirsti discusses her end-to-end video editing process using CapCut and her plans to explore more advanced tools.

Find Kirsti online at:

Instagram: ⁠@itsmekirsti⁠

Buffer: ⁠Blog⁠

Read all the articles discussed in the episode:

⁠Data Shows Instagram Reels are Best For Reach — But Not Engagement⁠⁠

The Best Time to Post on Instagram in 2025: We Analyzed 2 Million+ Posts to Find Out⁠

Find me on ⁠Instagram⁠: ⁠@danielhillmedia⁠

Find me on ⁠TikTok⁠: ⁠@danielhillmedia⁠

Thanks for watching!

Jen Lehner is a digital marketing strategist, online course creator, and adjunct professor of digital marketing at Notre Dame College and Cleveland State University, founder of Jen Lehner Media, LLC, The Front Row and The Front Row Entrepreneur podcast. She is completely obsessed with sharing the wonders of digital marketing and online entrepreneurship with others.

You can find Jen online at:

The Front Row Flash Briefing: Amazon Alexa

Web: https://jenlehner.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejenlehner/

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

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

(0:00) Intro: Host Daniel Hill welcomes listeners.

(1:00) Reels Trial Feature: Instagram's new feature lets users test reels for 24 hours before posting.

(4:00) Slow Time For Social Media News: The episode will recap 2024's social media highlights and predictions for 2025.

(5:00) Guest Jen Lenher: Digital marketing and systems strategist, host of The Front Row Entrepreneur.

(7:00) Favorite Moment of 2024: Jen: Australia's age limits on social media platforms. Daniel: The Timothy Chalamet look-alike contest promoted via flyers.

(15:00) Favorite New Instagram Feature: Jen: Collaborative posts. Daniel: Reels Trial and Broadcast Channels.

(18:00) Favorite New Tech: Jen: Ray-Ban smart glasses. Daniel: Orion glasses.

(26:00) Best TikTok Trend: Both: "Very mindful, very demure." Daniel: The "I’m looking for a man in finance" audio clip.

(30:00) Biggest Social Media Fail of 2024: Jen: X (formerly Twitter). Daniel: Lack of data security and managing multiple platforms.

(39:00) Favorite Social Media Account: Jen: Alli K Miller on Instagram and @shop.aif on TikTok. Daniel: Subway Takes and Beyond Meat on Threads. Both: Nutter Butter's viral TikTok campaign.

(48:00) Predictions for Social Media in 2025: Jen: Rise of organic content and community platforms, AI integration. Daniel: Creator burnout, YouTube Shorts growth, AI streamlining content.

(54:00) Predictions for Tech in 2025: Jen: Agentic AI, wearables, health monitoring devices. Daniel: AI integration for task management (booking, purchasing).

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In this episode, marketing guru Nycole Hampton shares insider tips on everything from identifying potential brand partners to crafting compelling outreach emails. Discover strategies for standing out in a crowded market and building lasting relationships that turn opportunities into deals.

Whether you're a seasoned influencer or just starting out, Nycole's insights will empower you to succeed in the ever-evolving world of influencer marketing!
Nycole Hampton is a marketing expert with 19 years of experience in the industry and 13 years of leadership experience. She has worked on brand teams for global agencies, focusing on influencer marketing and social media. She is also an adjunct professor who teaches influencer and social media marketing. In this episode, Nycole answers listener questions about influencer marketing and shares practical tips for success. The episode covers topics like:

● How to identify potential brand partners: Nycole advises creating two lists - a "realistic list" of brands you already use and a "dream list" of brands you aspire to work with.

● How to write effective outreach emails: She emphasizes the importance of personalization, highlighting your relationship with the brand, and offering creative ideas for potential campaigns.

● How to follow up with brands: Nycole suggests using seasonal moments as opportunities to re-engage and recommends offering value by sharing your recent successes or asking for feedback.

● How to price your services in a changing market: She encourages influencers to understand their value and build a case for their pricing, considering additional deliverables or collaborative approaches to address potential engagement concerns.
Nycole is a seasoned brand marketing leader with nearly two decades of experience in marketing and brand strategy, including thirteen years in leadership roles. Throughout her career, Nycole has cultivated a broad range of marketing expertise, overseeing brand marketing initiatives, including social media, influencer marketing, content production, integrated marketing and community engagement.
At her core, Nycole is a builder—of brands, in-house teams, global agency practices, marketing philosophies, content engines for owned, paid, and earned channels, full-funnel integrated campaigns, and more. Her passion is driven by identifying opportunities to evolve, collaborate, challenge the status quo, and drive meaningful impact. Nycole specializes in leveraging brand and growth marketing tactics and content strategies to meet customers where they are in their nonlinear journey.
Throughout her career, Nycole has worked with clients and strategic partners such as ALDI, Air New Zealand, American Airlines, Auntie Anne's, Barefoot Wines, Chicago White Sox, Impossible Foods, Kimpton Hotels, Microsoft, Milk PEP, New Zealand All Blacks, NFL, Rite Aid, Samsung, So Delicious, and USA Rugby.
With her extensive background in brand and integrated marketing and early entry into both social media and influencer marketing, Nycole is excited to continue navigating the ever-changing marketing landscape. She enjoys leveraging her experience to educate and inspire the next generation of marketers, serving as an active mentor and speaking at industry events.
Nycole received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sociology from Bowling Green State University.
Nycole and her dog ChaCha call Los Angeles, CA home. You can find her on LinkedIn and Threads.

[1:45-3:50] Identifying Potential Brand Partners & Crafting Outreach Emails

[3:50 - 6:40] Standing Out from the Crowd and Viewing Ideas as Opportunities

[6:40-9:35] Following Up with Brands and Offering Value Beyond Initial Pitches

[9:35-11:10] Pricing Strategies and Demonstrating Your Value to Brands

[12:45-17:25] Bonus Conversation: The Pressure to Appear "Professional" in Video Content

Enjoy the episode!

In this episode of the Instagram Stories Podcast, I interview Chelsea Bradley, a social media strategist, who shares insights about her journey and expertise. Chelsea discusses her background in journalism, her transition to social media, and her approach to copywriting.

We delve into topics such as crafting effective social media posts, the importance of being succinct, and strategies to stand out in a crowded market.

Chelsea also offers practical tips on improving your copywriting skills and ensuring your message resonates with your audience. Towards the end, Chelsea talks about her involvement with a local Little League's social media and the impact she has made. About Chelsea Bradley: Chelsea is a social media strategist and consultant who emphasizes the importance of community and a solid social foundation. Her approach to business and live is to lead authentically, solve problems, connect and make a difference. She has worked with 150+ brands and 25+ agencies for over 15 years and spends her free time at Little League, San Diego Padres games or on her boat on the Pacific photographic sharks, dolphins and whales.

Episode Highlights:

(1:26) Effective copywriting, encompassing captions and emails, aims to capture attention and convey messages succinctly, informatively, and occasionally with humor. (7:15) Differentiating oneself in a competitive market necessitates pinpointing and communicating unique qualities through copywriting. (7:54) This may involve specializing in a niche area or emphasizing a distinct selling point.

(12:26) A technique for discovering a unique voice and key messages is to engage in free writing without focusing on formatting. This process can help uncover authentic expression and messaging. (13:07) Every post should have a clear and deliberate purpose. Be it promoting a product, sharing an experience, or simply taking a break, the message should resonate with the intended audience.

Follow Chelsea online:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/chelsearhane

Twitter: https://twitter.com/chelsearhane

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chelsearhane

The Salty Shell Newsletter: TheSaltyShell.news

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In this episode of the Instagram Stories Podcast, I interview Joey Kushinski, co-founder of SmartPost App, about the features and benefits of the social media scheduling and content creation tool. Joey is a passionate business leader with a background in computer science, and co-founder of Smart Post App LLC. He is dedicated to improving productivity across social media platforms for Smart Post App's users. Smart Post App is a versatile platform that simplifies social media management for users. Available across iOS, Android, and the web, it streamlines the process of creating and scheduling content. Users can compose their posts within the app and seamlessly share them across multiple social media platforms. By allowing content creation at users’ convenience and strategic posting during peak engagement times, Smart Post App enhances productivity and audience interaction. In this interview, we discuss the origins of SmartPost App, its unique advantages compared to competitors like Buffer and Hootsuite, and how it helps users manage and schedule their social media posts effectively. Joey also talks about recent and upcoming features including image editing, AI integration, and YouTube Shorts support. Additionally, Joey shares his passion for drag racing and how technology intersects with this hobby.

Find Out More About Joey and the Smart Post App:

Smart Post App - https://smartpostapp.com/

Smart Post App Medium - https://medium.com/@smartpostapp

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/smart_post_app

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/pyraego

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Want more content like this? Check out my Social Media News Podcast - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Instagram Stories