Episode 70: The No-Nonsense 2025 Instagram Guide for Mompreneurs

Jan 5

Instagram Updates in 2024: What Mattered and What Didn’t

Instagram introduced several features in 2024, and while some were game-changers, others were more like kitchen gadgets you never use. (Seriously, who needs an avocado slicer when you’ve got a knife?) Let’s break down the updates that deserve your attention and how they can shape your Instagram strategy for 2025.

Trial Reels: Not Worth Your Time (Yet)

Trial Reels created quite the buzz in 2024. The idea? Test your reel with a non-follower audience for 24 hours to gauge its potential reach. Sounds promising, right? Unfortunately, the reality didn’t match the hype.

In my testing, reels stayed in trial mode for days, garnered fewer than 100 views, and received no engagement. When I deleted the reel and reposted it without the trial feature, it performed normally. For now, Trial Reels feel like a waste of time unless Instagram refines the feature.

Carousel Updates That Actually Deliver

Carousels received two major updates in 2024 that made them even more effective:

Music for carousels: Adding music boosts visibility and can even land your carousel on the Reels page.
Up to 20 slides: Doubling the slide limit makes it easier to break down complex ideas into bite-sized chunks, increasing readability and engagement.

Here’s a tip: Keep text light and readable. More slides with less text make your audience more likely to swipe through, boosting engagement without overwhelming them.

Hashtags Are Out, Keywords Are In

Instagram officially phased out hashtag follows in 2024, marking another step in the declining relevance of hashtags. While they’re not entirely obsolete, strategic keyword usage in captions, bios, and content is now more effective for discoverability.

If you relied on hashtag engagement, try following specific accounts and using Instagram’s “favorites” feature. This ensures you see posts you can engage with for more targeted visibility.

DM Organization: The Feature You Didn’t Know You Needed

The updated DM organization tools weren’t flashy, but they were a lifesaver for anyone managing sales through Instagram. Features like tagging make it easier to track conversations, follow up, and close sales. If you’re not seeing results in your DMs, refine your strategy—my DM approach converts at 50%, and I’ve detailed it in a previous podcast episode.

Why 2025 Is the Year of Intentional Instagram Strategies

My approach to Instagram in 2025 is all about being intentional. Life is too busy to waste time on strategies that don’t deliver results, so I’m focusing on what works:

Low-ticket offers: Instead of free lead magnets, I’m promoting offers priced between $7 and $47. These attract an invested audience and lead to higher conversion rates for my larger offers.
Simplified content: Low-ticket offers require less nurturing and trust-building than high-ticket sales, making them easier to promote with less effort.

For those focusing on high-ticket sales, the key is to follow a structured approach: build engagement, foster connections, establish trust, and then promote.

The Instagram Features and Strategies You Should Prioritize

As you plan your Instagram strategy for 2025, focus on features and tactics that align with your goals. Carousels with music and more slides, strategic keyword placement, and organized DMs are worth your time. Trial Reels and hashtags? Not so much.

If figuring out what to post feels overwhelming, my Content Clarity Collective membership can help. With weekly post prompts delivered straight to your inbox, you’ll always know what to share to engage your audience and make sales.

Let’s make 2025 your most strategic and effective year on Instagram yet. Head to the link in the show notes to learn more and join today.