Firstly this edition is sponsored by 1440! One of the biggest newsletters in the world today for us critical thinkers!

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

• We scour 100+ sources daily

• Read by CEOs, scientists, business owners and more

• 3.5 million subscribers

Sign up today!

Alright, let's dive into this Instagram storytelling thing. 📱✨ It's not just about pretty pictures - It's about weaving a narrative that pulls your followers into your world, makes them care, and keeps them coming back for more. It's the difference between "Here's a thing I made" and "Let me show you why this matters."

Why bother? Because people don't just buy products anymore, they buy stories. They want to feel connected to you and your process. It's like when I share about my creative burnout or the chaos of running a business with two kids under 4, showing the mistakes and real big fuck ups we make that cost us $1000’s - suddenly, I'm not just a faceless business, I'm a real person they can relate to.

Have a look at profiles doing well, 9 times out of 10 you will see raw content, their face and their story. The ones that are struggling and blame the algorithm just don’t get it.

Now i am not going to take all the credit here, my wife Harriet is pretty much the face of Shaka Pottery. There is a reason why,

1. Speaking on camera is a skill, she is natural at it - your voice needs to be enhanced, not mono tone. Talk with the emotion you are feeling when recording at the moment. Takes practice but it is imperative!

2. Our followers are 99.5% female. Let me ask you a question: Who do you think can connect with a female audience on a deeper level that feels natural, male or female? Female! Its so much easier for our audience to be relatable with Harriet. I chime in on only specific occasions.

Just a little food for thought.

We need to stop chasing perfection! We love raw, unfiltered content

HOT TIP: Use Instagram's 'Close Friends' feature to share exclusive behind-the-scenes content with your most engaged followers. It's like giving them VIP access to your world. 🔑

Know Your Main Character (Spoiler: It's Not Always You)

Your brand is the hero of this tale. Ask yourself:

• What makes your brand tick?

• What battles is it fighting?

• Who's it trying to help?

Pro Tip: Create a brand persona. Give it a name, a style, even a favourite coffee order. It'll make your storytelling feel more natural.

So here's what you're gonna do. Grab your phone and lets get recording. Create a 5-part mini series showcasing your workspace or creation process:

• Behind the Scenes Tour 🏠 • Use the 'tour guide' trend, pointing to different areas of your workspace. • Highlight your tools, your inspiration board, maybe even your coffee station. • Caption it: "Where the magic happens" or "My creative playground"

• Creation Process 🛠️ • Speed up your typical project from start to finish. • Use text overlays for each major step. • End with you admiring (or using) the finished product. • Music idea: Something building up to a satisfying climax.

• Overcoming a Hurdle 💪 • Start with a frustrated you, facing a common challenge in your craft. • Show quick clips of problem-solving or experimenting. • End with your triumphant solution and a celebration. • Caption: "Problems are just opportunities in work clothes"

• A Day in the Life ⏱️ • Time-lapse your typical workday from sunrise to sunset. • Include both work and life moments - we're keeping it real here. • Add some upbeat music that matches your pace. • Text overlay: "Living the dream... one day at a time"

• The Big Reveal 🎉 • Build suspense around a project you've been teasing. • Show your genuine reaction to the finished piece. • Include customer reactions if possible. • End with a showcase of the item in use or on display.
  
  But don't stop there.
  
  Use Instagram's features to your advantage:

• Create highlights for different aspects of your business 📚

• Use polls and question stickers to get your followers involved (ask conversation sparking questions)🙋‍♀️

• Share customer photos and tag them 📸

• Post regularly - even if it's just a quick Story update (you will notice this is something we do a lot with Shaka Pottery)🕒

Feeling overwhelmed? There are tools to help:

1. Later or Planoly: Great for planning and scheduling posts 📅

2. Canva: Canva's Instagram Story templates are a goldmine for visual storytelling🎨

Conclusion

Remember, consistency is key. You don't have to post 10 times a day, but try to show up regularly. Even if it's just a quick Story update or a behind-the-scenes pic.

Instagram is just a tool. But it's a powerful one if you use it right, Its helped me earn my income. It's not about being perfect - it's about being authentic. Share your story, your process, your passion. Let people see the person behind the product. That's what turns followers into customers, and customers into raving fans. 🙌

So go on, grab that phone and start sharing. Your story is worth telling, and there are people out there who want to hear it. Who knows? Your next post could be the one that takes your business to the next level. 🚀

Would you like me to create you a free 30 day content plan? If so, then reply to this email with 30.

Have a great weekend everyone! This was a longer one but i hope it was full of value for you!

Cheers,

Brad Rosam