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Instagram feels harder than it used to. Your views might be down. Your reach might feel inconsistent. Your content might feel like it is disappearing into the void.

This is not your fault.

In this Strut It episode, I kick off a four part series on Instagram Marketing Trends and Predictions for 2026. I break down what is actually happening on the platform using real data from two massive studies that analyzed more than 44 million posts and nearly 2 million accounts.

You will learn why reach is down, why competition is up, and why this shift is secretly the best opportunity small businesses have had in years.

What You’ll Learn

 00:00 – Why Instagram feels harder right now
 03:02 – What two major studies reveal about reach, Reels, and competition
 08:10 – Why more content means less average reach
 09:27 – How the algorithm has shifted toward recommendations and DMs
 12:21 – Why small accounts are growing faster than big ones
 16:06 – What resonance over reach really means for your business
 17:01 – Why views and income are not the same thing
 15:09 – How I grew my business by 300 percent with lower average views
 20:11 – Why niche content now beats broad content
 20:41 – How shareable content wins in 2026
 24:00 – Why community matters more than ever
 24:56 – Why Reels still matter and how to think about them differently
 25:51 – The three strategic takeaways you need to focus on this year 

Resources Mentioned

• Join the Hot Reels VIP Waitlist: 
• Free Guide: Monetize Your IG Guide: 

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

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Marketing in 2026 looks nothing like it did even a few years ago. The traditional funnel assumes people move in a straight line from awareness to purchase. That assumption no longer holds.

In this Strut It episode, I sit down with internationally known marketing consultant, speaker, and educator Becca Pountney. Becca works primarily in the wedding industry, but her strategies apply to every business and every niche.

We unpack why attention is harder to earn, why trust is harder to build, and why customers now take multiple paths before buying. Becca introduces her Marketing Theme Park concept and walks through her S.C.R.E.A.M. framework, a practical way to rethink visibility, pricing, experience, and conversion in today’s landscape.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why the traditional marketing funnel is outdated

[01:32] How the marketing theme park reflects modern buying behavior

[02:28] What it actually means to stand out in a crowded market

[04:44] Why transparent pricing builds trust faster

[07:05] How word-of-mouth still cuts through digital noise

[08:59] Why experience now drives conversions

[09:29] How to capture attention in a short attention economy

[21:46] Why customers need multiple ways to buy from you

Key Takeaways

• Visibility alone no longer converts
• Differentiation matters more than perfection
• Clear pricing builds confidence
• Small experience upgrades create big impact
• Attention is earned in seconds
• Simplicity increases sales
• Customers choose their own buying path

Guest Bio

Becca Pountney is an internationally recognized marketing consultant, speaker, and educator. She is the UK’s leading wedding industry marketing expert and the host of the award-winning podcast Wedding Pros Who Are Ready to Grow. Her work helps business owners simplify marketing, increase visibility, and build sustainable growth in a noisy digital world.

Links and Resources

• Get Tickets for Wedding Pros Live in London or Ireland in March of 2026!
• Follow Becca Pountney on Instagram
• Becca’s Podcast: Wedding Pros Who Are Ready to Grow

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

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As 2025 comes to a close, I pause to reflect on what this year truly taught me about business, visibility, and growth. Instead of another strategy-heavy episode, I share five unexpected lessons that reshaped how I think about success, consistency, and confidence as a business owner and leader.

These lessons did not come from viral moments or overnight wins. They came from staying in the game, planting seeds, and learning how trust, safety, and clarity compound over time. My hope is that this episode helps you feel steadier, more grounded, and clearer about what deserves your energy moving into 2026 and beyond.

This episode is an invitation to put the yardstick behind you and recognize how far you have already come.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why this episode is a reflection, not a strategy lesson
[02:32] Putting the yardstick behind you and measuring real growth
[04:55] Lesson one: Why trust outperformed virality in my business
[09:14] How Instagram stories became my strongest conversion tool
[11:36] Lesson two: The work I resisted most expanded my future
[15:42] How the podcast created growth I could not predict
[17:31] Lesson three: Why safety matters more than hustle
[21:49] Lesson four: How visibility grows when you stop performing
[26:02] Lesson five: Why consistency is about staying the course
[29:18] Final encouragement for anyone feeling behind or tired

Key Takeaways

• Trust builds businesses faster than chasing attention.
• Long-term consistency creates compounding visibility.
• Resistance often signals meaningful growth ahead.
• Safety supports sustainable success better than hustle.
• Authenticity outperforms perfection in visibility.
• Growth happens beneath the surface before it becomes visible.

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

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Have you ever finished a full workday feeling exhausted but unsure what you actually accomplished?

In this episode of Strut It, I sit down with Kelly Leardon, certified Director of Operations and founder of Walk Like Warriors. We talk about why traditional time management systems fail entrepreneurs and what actually works instead.

Kelly breaks down her signature approach to theming your week, building rhythms that support focus, and reducing the mental load that keeps business owners stuck in constant busy mode. We also dive into how she generated over $30,000 from a single launch using Instagram Stories with fewer than 1,000 followers.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why feeling busy does not mean you are productive
 [00:27] Kelly’s approach to theming your week
 [02:01] Why entrepreneurs struggle with traditional time management systems
 [06:21] Why decision fatigue drains your energy and momentum
 [07:15] The real cost of task switching and constant notifications
 [13:24] Why theme days work better than task batching
 [15:16] Kelly’s play, rest, and work philosophy
 [25:54] How Kelly sold over $30,000 with a small Instagram following
 [27:17] Why Instagram Stories build trust faster than posts
 [29:40] A simple Monday through Friday Instagram Stories selling framework
 [33:25] Why you do not need a large following to make sales
 [36:05] The importance of clear calls to action
 [38:51] Kelly’s final advice on designing a business you actually want

This Week’s Challenge

Choose one theme day for the upcoming week. Commit to it fully. Notice how your focus, energy, and clarity shift when you stop task switching and work in rhythm. Then share one takeaway from this episode in your Instagram Stories and tag Elizabeth and Kelly.

Guest Bio:

If you’ve got a brilliant brain but 47 tabs open - Kelly’s your girl. She's a business coach and strategist who teaches overwhelmed entrepreneurs how to manage their time and turn their chaos into calm with simple, no-fluff systems that stick. Kelly's superpower? Turning “hot-mess energy” into laser-focused action with simple, proven strategies for the ambitious-but-exhausted business owner.

Links and Resources

• Learn about the Success Squad with Kelly HERE 
• Join the VIP Success Squad Waitlist HERE
• If you want {FREE!} daily business coaching Monday-Friday in Instagram Stories, click here 
• If you love {FREE!} tools, traini

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

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If your Instagram growth feels stuck or you are posting without a clear direction, this episode gives you clarity fast. I break down the five Instagram growth hacks that are helping small business owners grow their accounts, tighten their messaging, and get more eyes on their work. Each strategy is simple. Each strategy is doable. Each strategy is relevant to your 2026 plan.

I also share how these principles work inside Hot Reels, my high-touch content lab for business owners who want clarity, confidence, and a repeatable system that drives real results.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why your Instagram growth feels stalled
 [00:26] Five simple growth strategies that work in 2026
 [07:16] Growth hack #1: Target market research
 [12:52] Growth hack #2: Narrow your focus
 [16:43] Growth hack #3: Trial Reels
 [21:19] Growth hack #4: Remixes
 [23:38] Growth hack #5: Talking head videos and stories
 [25:22] How Hot Reels supports you year-round

Key Takeaways

• Your audience responds when you use their exact words.
• Clear focus helps the right followers see themselves in your message.
• Trial Reels remove guesswork and speed up your growth.
• Remixes help your reach when you add your own perspective.
• Talking head videos deepen trust and connection fast.

Links and Resources

• Join the Hot Reels waitlist or DM me hot on Instagram
• Read Dani’s Story: How She Made $100K from Instagram in Under 12 Months (A Hot Reels Success Story)

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

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Most people lose their ideal audience in the first two seconds of a video. That tiny moment determines whether someone keeps scrolling or thinks this message is for me. If your content feels ignored or flat, the issue usually starts with your hook.

If you want stronger engagement, better watch time, and more qualified leads from your content, this episode gives you the exact tools to make that shift.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why the first two seconds decide whether your content works
 [00:29] The reason hooks fall flat and how to fix them
 [01:32] Why hook creation is a learnable skill
 [02:28] How clarity and brevity help your message land
 [03:49] The three hook strategies I teach inside Hot Reels
 [07:05] Real client wins that show what is possible
 [08:59] Why attention leads to conversions
 [09:29] How to write hooks that speak to your ideal clients
 [12:15] How to remove filler words and sharpen your messaging
 [13:41] Examples of hooks that activate the right audience
 [14:39] How to use your audience’s language when you write hooks
 [17:30] How to use client conversations to find better hook ideas
 [18:55] A simple hook structure anyone can follow
 [19:51] How pacing and editing keep viewers engaged
 [21:46] How movement, cuts, and angles strengthen your videos
 [22:17] Why implementation drives results more than information

Key Takeaways

• You have two seconds to earn someone’s attention on Instagram.
• Clear and brief hooks outperform long and complicated statements.
• Your content resonates when you use the words your audience uses.
• Strong pacing and simple edits help people stay with your message.
• Small upgrades each week create major results over time.
• Support and mentorship remove guesswork and speed up growth.

This Week’s Challenge

Choose one hook strategy from this episode. Use it in your next reel, story, or carousel. Keep it short. Make it clear. Use your audience’s exact words. Then post it without overthinking.

Links and Resources

• Join the Hot Reels waitlist or DM me hot on Instagram
• Read Dani’s Story: How She Made $100K from Instagram in Under 12 Months (A Hot Reels Success Story)

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

Send us a text

What if one year from now you could double your prices, expand your brand, grow your Instagram from under 2,000 followers to more than 22,000, and add more than $100,000 in revenue to your business.

That is exactly what happened for my client, Dani Alvarez.

When Dani and I first met, she was a homeschooling mom of three running a small farm in Northern Colorado and posting the occasional photo on Instagram. She did not know how to post a reel. She felt stuck and overwhelmed. She wondered if Instagram was even worth her time.

Fast forward twelve months, her videos have hit millions of views. Her business has transformed from the inside out. Her brand is clear, elevated, and profitable. And she has added an entirely new revenue stream because of her visibility on Instagram.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Dani’s growth from 1,800 to 22,000 followers
 [00:26] Why she almost quit Instagram
 [00:56] How we doubled her prices
 [03:20] How Sparrow Hill Beverage Burros began
 [07:05] When she saw she needed a real strategy
 [08:26] What we fixed before reels
 [09:21] Her first bride at the new rate
 [10:49] Learning reels for the first time
 [12:43] Daily reel commitment
 [14:38] Facing the fear of showing up on camera
 [15:58] Filtering out conflicting advice
 [17:20] The reality of the first ninety days
 [19:18] Her first viral reel
 [24:40] Visibility driving bookings and revenue
 [30:45] Unpredictable opportunities from social media
 [32:05] Dani’s advice on joining Hot Reels
[34:23] Why strategy plus encouragement transforms results

Guest Bio

Dani Alvarez is the founder of Sparrow Hill Beverage Burros and Friends, a Northern Colorado wedding and events business featuring highly trained mini donkeys and farm animals. She is a former elementary teacher turned entrepreneur who built her business from a small family farm while homeschooling her three children. Dani has grown her Instagram to more than 22,000 followers, added over $100,000 in revenue in one year, and now co-runs a global coaching program for farms wanting to add luxury beverage animals to their offerings. Her work blends hospitality, joyful experiences, and intentional brand storytelling.

Links + Resources

• Follow Dani on Instagram: @sparrowhillbeverageburros
• Book the Beverage Burros or stay at the Airbnb: farmatsparrowhill.com
• Join the Hot Reels waitlist or DM me hot on Instagram
   https://elizabethmarberr

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

Send us a text

In this episode, I go deeper into the visibility work we started last week. I explore two blocks that show up for every entrepreneur I know: imposter syndrome and perfectionism. These patterns often present as hesitation, overthinking, procrastination, or feeling like you need everything perfect before you show up online. I share how they show up in life and business, how they have shown up in my own journey, and how you can move forward with confidence even when doubts and fears are present. I also talk about the power of DM automation and how it keeps your business running even when you step away from your phone.

What You'll Learn

[00:00] Why visibility work matters and why hesitation usually comes from deeper blocks
 [00:28] Introduction to imposter syndrome and perfectionism
 [00:59] My mission to help entrepreneurs get visible and monetize on Instagram
 [02:07] How DM automation allows your content to drive leads while you are offline
[03:03] How keywords in comments or DMs trigger links and next steps automatically
[08:43] How imposter syndrome signals growth rather than weakness
[10:12] The emotional journey leading up to speaking at Wedding MBA
[14:04] How perfectionism shows up through planning, delaying, and waiting
[15:00] How writing my book has challenged my own perfectionism
[20:30] Why sustainability matters more than hustling in every direction

Key Takeaways

• Imposter syndrome and perfectionism are not signs that you lack readiness. They are signals that you are growing.
• You do not need to eliminate doubt. You need to learn how to move forward with it.
• Confidence comes from taking action, not waiting for perfection.
• Visibility and results come from consistency, not flawless execution.
• DM automation helps your business continue to sell and serve while you rest or focus elsewhere.

Links Mentioned

• Try ManyChat Pro free for 30 days or by DMing me LEADS on Instagram
• Join the Hot Reels waitlist or by DMing me HOT on Instagram

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

Send us a text

If people do not know you exist, they will not buy from you. It sounds simple, but visibility requires more than hitting publish on a post. It requires you to show up as your real self. It requires you to let your audience connect with your humanity. That means being honest. It means being a little messy in public. And that is where the fear kicks in.

In this week’s episode, I share the first two visibility blocks that keep entrepreneurs stuck, silent, or overthinking every word they publish. I walk you through fear of judgment and self doubt. I share stories from my own journey, from speaking on the biggest stage of my life to blocking real life people on Instagram so I could create freely again. You will learn how to find evidence that you do know what you are doing and how to support your nervous system as you grow.

This is part one of a two part series. Today we explore fear of judgment and self doubt. Next week we explore imposter syndrome and perfectionism.

What You’ll Learn

[00:00] Why you must be seen to be paid and why visibility requires honest humanity
 [00:29] Why sharing your struggles matters for connection and sales
 [00:58] How appropriate vulnerability builds trust with your audience
 [01:15] Why visibility feels scary and how to navigate those emotions
 [01:52] My prep for speaking at the Wedding MBA and how perfectionism shows up
 [02:46] Why caring deeply often looks like anxiety and high standards
 [04:07] How visibility triggers self reflection and inner growth
 [05:30] The first two visibility blocks you must understand
 [10:17] Understanding the self doubt block and where it comes from
 [16:53] What my clients seek in Hot Reels and why it works
 [17:50] How Instagram reflects your inner world and leadership
 [18:20] Why confronting your inner blocks creates long term success
 [18:46] How Hot Reels helps you build visibility, messaging, and funnels
 [19:11] Why you need an intentional content system that sells for you

Links and Resources Mentioned

Join the Hot Reels Waitlist: elizabethmarberry.com/hot. Get early access and bonuses when doors open in December.

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.

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This week, I’m talking with Anthony Lambatos, owner of Footers Catering and founder of MIBE (Make It Better Every Day), a leadership and culture organization helping people build heart-led, people-first businesses.

Anthony and his wife April have quadrupled their company’s revenue, achieved 50% higher employee retention than the industry average, and earned Best Places to Work honors eight years in a row. But the real story is how they did it, through heart leadership.

We unpack what heart-led leadership really looks like, why vulnerability and communication are the most powerful leadership tools, and how this philosophy applies whether you’re a CEO, a small business owner, or a team of one.

What You’ll Learn

[03:57] How Anthony went from family business to people-first CEO
 [05:45] The secret behind Footers Catering’s long-term success and retention
 [07:10] What heart leadership really means and why it matters now
 [10:00] Why everyone is a leader, no matter your title or team size
[13:44] How emotional intelligence builds stronger businesses and cultures
[16:29] The link between leadership, authenticity, and social media presence
[20:45] The four convictions of heart leadership: Lead, Love, Mibe, and Vibe
[24:35] How communication can transform culture and client relationships
[27:58] Why small, 1% improvements lead to exponential growth
[30:23] How to protect your culture and surround yourself with the right people
[35:00] What to expect from the 2025 MIBE Summit for hospitality leaders

This Week’s Challenge

This week, I challenge you to reflect on how you’re showing up as a leader in your business. Ask yourself: Am I leading with heart? Am I communicating clearly? Am I making small, consistent improvements every day?

Then share one way you’re committing to lead with more authenticity this week and tag me @elizabethmarberry, I’d love to celebrate it with you.

Links + Resources Mentioned

• Join the MIBE Summit: themibe.com/summit
• Follow MIBE on Instagram
• Connect with Anthony on LinkedIn: Anthony Lambatos 

WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY

• Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth
• Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram

Follow Elizabeth Marberry on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook

Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on Apple podcasts (or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.