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Leslie M Lyon Strategy, New Business Launch, and Instagram What’s Not working

Newsletter

January #2 Newsletter

Welcome back to Market like a Lyon

 

This round we are covering:

  • Video Tutorial of a My Marketing Strategy Flywheel and what a New Business needs foundation wise to get to here.

  • Disruptive Social Media

  • Why isn’t your Instagram Getting More Views

If you are curious about archived editions you can find those here.

If your Marketing Strategy doesn’t feed your Marketing Flywheel…

You are doubling and tripling you work or not maximizing your output.

Here is a break down of my own marketing flywheel and why I structured it this way. At the end I break down what a new business or a business not fully structured would need to implement this fully. 

This week’s GIFT: If you want to hop on a one hour strategy call for no charge we can review what you are doing and what is missing so you can maximize your output.

 

For you or your team or both.

 

Book HERE

Marketing Map and Flywheel

New Business Needs to Have these to the Implement a flywheel like above.

Part 2: Disruptive Social Media When you are authentic you, you are simply being you and if that's disruptive so be it!

The Disruption Paradox: Why “Disruptive” Content Shouldn’t Feel Disruptive at all. 

The word “disruptive” gets thrown around in social media circles, disruptive marketing, disruptive content, disruptive strategies. When you’re creating from a place of genuine authenticity, nothing feels disruptive at all. It is rather very you, on brand, in your voice and unique to you and your ideas. 

True disruption doesn’t come from forcing yourself into uncomfortable molds or mimicking viral trends that don’t align with who you are. It comes from the radical act of being unapologetically yourself in spaces that often reward conformity.

When authentic creation feels natural:

  • You’re not second-guessing every post before hitting publish

  • Your content flows from your actual beliefs, experiences, and expertise

  • You’re attracting people who resonate with your real message, not a manufactured persona

  • The “disruption” happens organically because authenticity itself is rare

The truth about on-brand authenticity:

Your brand isn’t what you decide it should be in a strategy meeting, it’s who you already are. When you stop performing and start showing up truthfully, your content naturally stands out. Not because you’re trying to be different, but because there’s only one you.

The most “disruptive” thing you can do in today’s social media landscape? 

Stop being anything other than what you are, that is enough disruption to create an entirely new experience for you and your ideal clients. 

A better question to this entire process is how does that translate to your team if you have one or if you have a variety of businesses or offers.  That is implementation and cohesion working together to create a robust brand.  

 

Let’s say you have a business and a personal brand: 

Your Business will feature more of your services or products.  Your teams and employees might be more involved over on that side, you will also depend upon the industry and your level of involvement.  

Let’s narrow this down a bit for simplicity:

You are the Owner/Broker of a Real Estate Firm. 

Best Practice would be to have business Social Media Profiles  for the RE Firm and Separate Social Media Profiles for Your Personal Brand.  

Do you have to do it this way? No you don’t but you truly should for people to get to know you more directly.  

Your personal brand has a couple of ideal clients. 

  1. New Agents to Recruit 

  2. Buyers and Sellers in Your Area 

  3. General Community Building

Your Business page will have more of a central focus on your listings, your agents, and your company values. 

On your brand page we would focus more on you, your expertise what makes you the expert in your area, why sellers, buyers, and new agents would choose you 10/10 times.  We would share your unique personality, your story, your family and lifestyle.  

This can be done in a variety of ways that allows you to maintain your comfort level of sharing while still creating a lot of engagement with people who are ready to get to know more about you.  

We would cross post with your business and vice versa.  This is where you are pumping up your audience and encouraging others to follow the business if they don’t and follow you if they don’t.  Adding a face to the owners of the business creates a lot of trust in content and allows the owner to establish deep authority in their Brand. It is a strong mirror.  This is useful in many areas of the customer journey and not to be taken lightly.  

I would say as someone who has studied this for years, the biggest mistake I see is when an owner is silent on their social media pages and also has not developed a personal brand for themselves.  This could be considered an air of exclusivity, but from my perspective what it says is I am too busy to share my wins and losses with my community.  

If people buy from people they know, like and trust and all they see is a business page with numerous new listings, coming soon, or under contract it becomes a boring, ignorable business page. Your templates become quickly scroll past.  We still want to share those things but we want to do that in a way that is more engagement worthy.  Encouraging comments, dm’s, likes and engagement.  

For the Brand Side, the owner content will need to have the owner/founder in it.  This can scare some owners, however there are numerous ways to make this work while they gain confidence or desire to be more public with their Brand.  B-roll is one of my favorites which I talk about endlessly.  

We have established what an owner/founder and business looks like social media wise but how does that translate into the team knowing what to post, how to post or creating the strategy.  This is usually where shit goes sideways.  

I’m going to be really direct here- even if your staff is stateside not offshore, They usually do not have enough time to train on how much goes into a solid social media strategy business or brand wise.  All hope is not lost though.  That is where consultants or outside strategists can really help solidify for your team.  

If you don’t have a team, hiring out is also great or having a strategist like myself coach you through it and help you learn your hero channel and what to do with it from there. 

Schedule a quick discovery call (literally I will call you on the phone). We will chat for 15 minutes and I can tell you if we are a good fit or direct if I don’t think we are.

Latest Blog Post: Why Authentic is the New Disruptive.

Social Media Marketing Strategy: Why Disruptive Social Media is Simply Authentic in 2026

Every marketer talks about being “disruptive,” but the most disruptive social media marketing strategy in 2026 is simply being authentic.

Brands forcing themselves into uncomfortable viral trends, marketing teams chasing the next “disruptive” social media strategy, agencies promising to disrupt their clients’ industries with increasingly aggressive tactics. Read More…….

Why Your Instagram Reels Aren’t Getting Views (And How to Fix It

Are you tired of putting effort into Instagram reels that barely get seen?

The problem isn’t your content quality. The problem is you’re posting blind.

Most creators make one reel, post it, and hope for the best.

 

That’s why most reels flop.

 

I used to do the same thing until I discovered Instagram trial reels – a free testing feature that lets you know what will work BEFORE you post it to your main feed. Instagram pushes it out to non-followers and helps you see what content will hit and what will help you gain new followers. 

Using this strategy for just 7 days, I hit:

✓ 1 million total views

✓ 89% non-follower reach

✓ Multiple viral reels

 

No luck involved. Quit guessing when you can test and find high performing content behind the scenes.  Most importantly reach more non-followers.

Get the complete trial reels strategy that’s changing how I create content →

Find me on Substack

I recently started a Substack for my writing. If you felt so inclined to follow me there, you are welcome to. Writing is my passion and I am so happy to be back at it.

 

If someone sent you this email and you would like to subscribe, DO IT! 

Join Here

I recently started a Substack for my writing. If you felt so inclined to follow me there, you are welcome to. Writing is my passion and I am so happy to be back at it.

 

I will see you in February….

 

We will be breaking down the LinkedIn Algorithm, The issue with being overly polished, and why I hate content that names the days of the week, like Throwback Thursday.

Personal Branding Strategy: Why Polarity Makes You Magnetic (Not Forgettable)

Personal Branding Strategy: Why Polarity Makes You Magnetic (Not Forgettable)

personal branding strategy

Personal Branding Strategy: Why Polarity Makes You Magnetic (Not Forgettable)

Not everyone is going to like you.

And that’s exactly the point.

If you’re trying to be everything to everyone, you’re building a personal brand that’s forgettable, uninteresting, and exhausting to maintain.

The most magnetic personal brands aren’t built on universal appeal. They’re built on polarity.

What Is Polarity in Personal Branding?

Polarity in personal branding means being clear about who you’re for and, by default, who you’re not for.

It’s the strategic practice of:

  • Taking clear stands
  • Showing your real personality
  • Sharing authentic opinions
  • Being willing to repel the wrong people to attract the right ones

Creating friction isn’t about being divisive for attention.

It’s about being intentional with your positioning so the people who need you can find you, and the people who don’t can move on.

This is one of the most powerful tools in building a magnetic brand.

 

Harvard Business did a study on the benefits of authenticity in leadership. 

Why Most Personal Brands Stay Stuck in Bland

Most entrepreneurs and business owners are terrified of losing potential clients.

So they:

  • Soften their messaging
  • Play it safe
  • Avoid taking stands
  • Blend into the beige background of “professional content”

The result?

No one remembers them. No one shares their content. No one feels strongly enough to refer them.

Playing it safe doesn’t protect your business. It keeps you invisible.

The Cost of Being Forgettable

When your personal brand lacks polarity, you experience:

  1. Generic positioning – You sound like everyone else in your industry
  2. Low engagement – People scroll past because nothing makes them stop
  3. Price resistance – Without differentiation, you compete on price
  4. Misaligned clients – You attract anyone willing to pay, not necessarily the right fit
  5. Exhausting business – You’re constantly adjusting to please everyone

A bland personal brand is a struggling brand.

The Power of Strategic Polarity

When you take a stand, share your real opinions, show up authentically, and stop trying to please everyone, something shifts.

The people who aren’t your people will quietly unfollow or scroll past.

And the people who ARE your people will lean all the way in.

That’s not a bug. That’s the feature.

Industry leaders like Seth Godin have built massive audiences by consistently taking unpopular but principled stands on marketing practices.

 

Personal brands like Brené Brown, who built her empire around the ‘controversial’ topic of vulnerability, prove that polarizing positions create magnetic audiences.

My Personal Experience with Polarity

I personally don’t want to work with brands who are scared to be real.

I will turn down a client who is:

  • Stuck in their programming
  • Wanting to be like everyone else
  • Unwilling to take calculated risks
  • Afraid to show personality

That’s not my people. And I’m not afraid to repel them.

What I want to attract?

Clients who are:

  • Ready to shake things up
  • Willing to be on camera
  • Wanting to create funny, engaging, real content
  • Understanding the market and unafraid to show personality
  • Driving organic engagement and creating warm leads

Those are my people. And the friction I create by being clear about that is what brings them to me.

How to Build a Magnetic Personal Brand Through Polarity

Building a magnetic personal brand doesn’t mean being controversial for clicks. It means being intentional with your positioning.

1. Take Clear Stands

What do you believe about your industry that others won’t say?

What do you think is broken in how your field operates?

What advice do you refuse to give because you know it doesn’t work?

Say it. Clearly. Unapologetically.

This is where your personal brand starts to develop edges instead of being a smooth, forgettable circle.

Examples of clear stands:

“I don’t believe in posting daily just to ‘stay consistent.’ I believe in strategic content that compounds.”

“Most marketing advice is designed to keep you busy, not get you results.”

“If your business model requires you to work 60 hours a week, your business model is broken.”

These aren’t inflammatory. They’re clear positions that some people will disagree with.

And that’s perfect.

2. Show Your Personality

Your natural communication style is part of your personal branding strategy.

Whether that’s:

  • Humor
  • Sarcasm
  • Directness
  • Warmth
  • Intensity
  • Playfulness

Let it show.

Sanitized, corporate-speak content doesn’t create connection. It creates distance.

People don’t follow brands. They follow people.

The more your personality comes through in your content, your messaging, and your client interactions, the more magnetic your personal brand becomes.

3. Be Willing to Lose the Wrong People

This is the hardest part of polarity for most people.

Not every client is your client.

Not every follower is your audience.

And trying to hold onto people who aren’t aligned with your values, your style, or your approach will drain you.

Let them go. Make room for the right ones.

When you stop trying to serve everyone, you create space for the people who genuinely need what you offer.

4. Use Your Content as a Filter

Your content should work as a filter, not a net.

It should attract the people who resonate with your approach and repel the ones who don’t.

When someone reaches out to work with you, they should already know:

  • Your vibe
  • Your values
  • Your style
  • Your approach

That’s the power of polarity.

Your content does the pre-qualifying work so your sales conversations are easier and your client relationships are stronger.

 

Social media research shows that authentic content performs significantly better than generic professional posts across all platforms.

Personal Brand Positioning: Finding Your Polarity

If you’re not sure what your polarity is, ask yourself these questions:

What do you stand FOR?

  • What results do you create?
  • What transformation do you facilitate?
  • What values drive your work?
  • What approach do you take that’s different?

What do you stand AGAINST?

  • What industry practices do you reject?
  • What advice do you think is harmful?
  • What client behaviors are dealbreakers?
  • What trends do you refuse to follow?

Who is your IDEAL client?

  • What characteristics do they have?
  • What are they ready to do?
  • What do they value?
  • What personality traits align with yours?

Who is NOT your client?

  • Who drains your energy?
  • Who isn’t ready for your approach?
  • Who needs something you don’t provide?
  • Who won’t respect your expertise?

Getting clear on these creates the foundation for a polarizing (and magnetic) personal brand.

What Happens When You Embrace Polarity

The shift from bland to magnetic doesn’t happen overnight, but when it does, everything changes.

Your Audience Gets Smaller and Stronger

You might lose followers. That’s okay.

The followers who stay are deeply engaged, highly aligned, and genuinely interested in what you have to say.

A smaller, engaged audience is worth more than a large, disinterested one.

Your Engagement Increases

When people care about your message, they engage with it.

They comment. They share. They save. They send it to friends.

Polarizing content (done with integrity) gets response because it makes people feel something.

Your Sales Conversations Get Easier

When your personal brand clearly communicates who you’re for, you only talk to people who are already aligned.

They understand your approach. They respect your expertise. They’re ready to invest.

You spend less time convincing and more time enrolling.

Your Content Becomes More Fun to Create

When you’re not performing for an imaginary audience of people you’re trying to please, content creation gets lighter.

You can be yourself. You can experiment. You can have opinions.

This makes your content more authentic, which makes it more engaging, which attracts more of the right people.

Your Business Becomes More Sustainable

Working with clients who:

  • Respect your approach
  • Trust your expertise
  • Are excited to work with you
  • Align with your values

…is the difference between a draining business and a thriving one.

Personal Branding Mistakes That Kill Polarity

Even when you understand the concept, it’s easy to fall into these traps:

Mistake 1: Confusing Polarity with Negativity

Polarity isn’t about being negative, critical, or mean.

It’s about being clear. You can be warm, kind, and supportive while still having clear boundaries and standards.

Mistake 2: Being Controversial for Attention

Don’t manufacture conflict just to get engagement.

Real polarity comes from genuine beliefs, authentic personality, and clear values. Not from trying to “go viral” by being inflammatory.

Mistake 3: Changing Your Position Based on Feedback

If you shift your stance every time someone disagrees, you don’t have polarity. You have confusion.

Be open to growth and learning, but don’t abandon your core values because someone in the comments is upset.

Mistake 4: Apologizing for Your Standards

If you have clear standards for who you work with, what you stand for, or how you operate, don’t apologize for them.

Your standards are part of your brand positioning. Own them.

Mistake 5: Trying to Be Polarizing in Every Post

Not every piece of content needs to be a hot take.

Polarity is woven throughout your brand, but that doesn’t mean every post is controversial. Balance value, personality, education, and clear stands.

How to Implement Polarity in Your Personal Branding Strategy

Ready to make your personal brand more magnetic? Here’s how to start:

Step 1: Audit Your Current Brand

Look at your last 20 posts, your website copy, and your bio.

Ask yourself:

  • Could this be anyone in my industry?
  • Does my personality come through?
  • Am I taking any clear stands?
  • Would someone know if I’m their person based on this?

If the answer is “this could be anyone,” you need more polarity.

Step 2: Identify Your Core Beliefs

Write down:

  • 5 things you stand FOR
  • 5 things you stand AGAINST
  • 3 industry practices you reject
  • 3 approaches you champion

These become your positioning anchors.

Step 3: Let Your Personality Show

Pick 3 personality traits that are authentically you:

  • Humor? Show it.
  • Directness? Use it.
  • Warmth? Lead with it.

Stop trying to sound “professional” if that’s not who you are.

Step 4: Create Content That Filters

Write posts that clearly communicate:

  • Who you serve (and who you don’t)
  • What you believe (and what you reject)
  • How you work (and how you don’t)

This content will naturally attract aligned people and repel misaligned ones.

Step 5: Be Consistent with Your Positioning

Polarity only works if you’re consistent.

You can’t take a strong stand on Monday and water it down on Wednesday because you got pushback.

Commit to your positioning and let it do its work.

Real Examples of Magnetic Personal Brands

Think about the personal brands you follow and respect.

Chances are, they have clear polarity:

The fitness coach who says “I don’t believe in diet culture” attracts people tired of restriction.

The business consultant who says “If you’re working 70 hours a week, you don’t have a business, you have a job” attracts people ready to build systems.

The marketing strategist who says “Stop posting daily just to post” attracts people who want strategy over hustle.

These aren’t controversial statements. They’re clear positions that create natural polarity.

The Bottom Line on Personal Branding and Polarity

Friction isn’t the problem. Trying to avoid it is.

The personal brands that win in 2026 won’t be the ones playing it safe.

They’ll be the ones brave enough to:

  • Be clear about who they serve
  • Show their real personality
  • Take stands on what matters
  • Create content that actually means something

If that makes some people uncomfortable? Good. That means it’s working.

Your personal brand shouldn’t try to attract everyone. It should magnetically pull in the people who need exactly what you offer.

Ready to Build a Magnetic Personal Brand?

This is exactly what we work on in my Marketing Flywheel Strategy Call.

We’ll map out:

✅ Your brand positioning and polarity
 ✅ Your core messaging and stands
 ✅ Your content strategy that filters
 ✅ Your authentic voice and personality integration
 ✅ Your 90-day magnetic brand action plan

First let’s check and see if we are a good fit.  Book an introductory call, a quick 15 min vibe check! 

Stop trying to appeal to everyone. Start building a personal brand that’s magnetic to the right people.


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Marketing Strategy Framework: How to Build a System That Scales (Not Just More Content)

Marketing Strategy Framework: How to Build a System That Scales (Not Just More Content)

marketing strategy

Marketing Strategy Framework: How to Build a System That Scales (Not Just More Content)

Marketing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things in the right order so the system carries the workload.

I learned this the hard way.

A few years ago, I was the content machine. Posting nonstop. Showing up everywhere. Creating constantly.

And getting absolutely nowhere.

Everything looked busy. Nothing was moving the business forward.

Sound familiar?

That’s when I stopped treating marketing like a checklist and started building a marketing strategy framework.

The Problem with Random Marketing Tactics

Most businesses approach marketing the same way:

  • Post on Instagram ✓
  • Send an email ✓
  • Write a blog ✓
  • Run an ad ✓
  • Try something new when results stall ✓

The result? Scattered efforts. Inconsistent growth. Complete burnout.

This is what happens when you have tactics without a marketing strategy framework.

What Is a Marketing Strategy Framework?

A marketing strategy framework is a systematic approach that connects all your marketing channels, content, and customer touchpoints into an integrated system.

Instead of random tactics that may or may not work, a framework creates:

  • Predictable growth through strategic planning
  • Sustainable momentum through systems
  • Efficient execution through repurposing
  • Connected touchpoints across all platforms

At the core of an effective marketing strategy framework are two essential components:

  1. Your Marketing Ecosystem – the structure
  2. Your Marketing Flywheel – the engine

Understanding Your Marketing Ecosystem

Your marketing ecosystem is every part of your marketing universe working together as an interconnected system.

Think of it like a natural ecosystem where every element supports and strengthens the others:

  • Content creation feeds your SEO
  • SEO drives organic traffic to your website
  • Website traffic builds your email list
  • Email marketing nurtures relationships and drives conversions
  • Social media amplifies your message and builds community
  • Paid advertising accelerates what’s already working
  • Client results generate referrals and testimonials

When one part of your marketing ecosystem thrives, it strengthens everything else.

But here’s what most people miss: an ecosystem without momentum is still overwhelming.

That’s where the marketing flywheel comes in.

The Marketing Flywheel: Your Momentum Engine

The marketing flywheel is what gives your marketing strategy framework rhythm and creates sustainable growth.

Unlike traditional marketing funnels that start from scratch with each campaign, a flywheel builds on itself. Every piece of content, every client interaction, every platform contributes to momentum that compounds over time.

At the center of an effective marketing flywheel is strategic content repurposing.

 

The flywheel approach was popularized by HubSpot’s groundbreaking flywheel concept, which revolutionized how businesses think about sustainable growth by putting customers at the center of momentum.

The Test That Changed Everything

One month, I tried something radical.

Instead of being everywhere at once, I wrote just two newsletters. Deep, strategic, valuable newsletters.

Then I repurposed them into content clusters across every platform.

Those clusters became:

  • Blog posts optimized for SEO
  • LinkedIn articles for authority building
  • Instagram Reels for social engagement
  • Carousel posts for education
  • Nurture email sequences
  • Video scripts for YouTube
  • Social media captions across platforms

Two newsletters became more than 1,500 pieces of connected content.

For the first time, my content wasn’t random. It was connected.

It fed my SEO. My social channels. My nurture sequences. My authority positioning.

Everything worked together instead of against my time and energy.

That’s when the marketing strategy framework clicked.

Marketing Strategy Framework: The 8 Marketing Pillars

An effective marketing strategy framework aligns your ecosystem and flywheel with proven business growth principles.

I call these the 8 Marketing Pillars:

1. Attract & Engage

Get the right people paying attention through strategic content, SEO optimization, and social presence that resonates with your ideal client.

2. Capture & Convert

Turn attention into action with compelling lead magnets, high-converting landing pages, and clear calls-to-action that move people forward.

3. Nurture Relationships

Build trust over time through valuable email sequences, consistent content delivery, and authentic engagement that deepens connections.

4. Book & Close

Make the sales process smooth with clear service offerings, frictionless booking systems, and consultative selling approaches.

5. Paid to Perform

Use paid traffic strategically to amplify what’s already working organically, not as a band-aid for broken systems.

6. Deliver & Delight

Create exceptional client experiences that exceed expectations and generate organic word-of-mouth marketing.

7. Upsell & Cross-Sell

Expand relationships naturally by serving clients at deeper levels with additional services, products, or premium offerings.

8. Amplify the Love

Turn satisfied clients into advocates who actively refer, review, and promote your business within their networks.

When your marketing strategy framework aligns with these pillars, every platform, message, and customer touchpoint works together intentionally.

 

These pillars align with how successful businesses actually operate. 88% of B2B marketers use content marketing as part of their integrated digital strategies because it delivers measurable results.

Content Marketing Strategy: Your Repurposing System

The most powerful part of a marketing strategy framework is strategic content repurposing.

Here’s how an effective content marketing strategy works within your framework:

Start with pillar content:

  • Long-form blog posts (1,500-3,000 words)
  • Newsletter deep-dives
  • Podcast episodes
  • YouTube videos
  • Webinar recordings

Repurpose into micro-content:

  • Social media posts across platforms
  • Quote graphics for Instagram and LinkedIn
  • Short-form video (Reels, Shorts, TikTok)
  • Email sequences and nurture campaigns
  • Thread posts for Twitter/X
  • Carousel posts for education
  • Video clips for multiple platforms

Optimize for search and discovery:

  • Update and refresh existing content regularly
  • Build internal linking structure across your site
  • Target long-tail keywords in your niche
  • Create topic clusters around core themes
  • Optimize for AI-powered search tools

One strong piece of pillar content can fuel 15-30 assets across multiple platforms. Same core message, different formats, maximum reach.

This is how you build a marketing system that scales without burning out.

Strategic content repurposing is proven effective. Research shows content marketing drives 3x more leads than traditional marketing while costing 62% less to implement.

This strategic approach is widely adopted because it works. Studies show 94% of marketers use content repurposing in their strategy due to its proven effectiveness and efficiency. 

Long-form pillar content isn’t just comprehensive, it’s strategic. Content exceeding 3,000 words gets 3x more traffic and 3.5x more backlinks than shorter content.

Why Your Marketing Strategy Framework Isn't Working

framework is incomplete.

Most businesses are stuck in one of these patterns:

Pattern 1: Random Content Creation Posting whatever feels good in the moment with no strategic connection between pieces. No ecosystem, no flywheel, no compounding results.

Pattern 2: Platform Overload Trying to maintain active presence on every platform without a repurposing strategy. Maximum effort, minimal leverage.

Pattern 3: Starting from Scratch Creating fresh content for every channel instead of adapting and repurposing strategically. Constant creation, constant burnout.

Pattern 4: No Clear Customer Journey Content exists but doesn’t guide people from awareness to purchase. Traffic without conversion.

When your marketing strategy framework integrates your ecosystem and flywheel:

  • Clients come in consistently
  • Content builds authority automatically
  • Growth becomes predictable
  • You stop reacting and start leading
  • Your marketing works even when you’re not actively creating

Marketing System Examples: What This Looks Like in Practice

Example 1: Service-Based Business (Coach or Consultant)

Core pillar content: Weekly newsletter (1,500 words)

Repurposed into:

  • LinkedIn article (same content, platform-optimized)
  • 3 Instagram posts (key insights)
  • 1 carousel post (framework breakdown)
  • Email nurture sequence (3-part series)
  • 2-3 short video scripts

Drives traffic to: Lead magnet download or free training

Nurtures through: Automated email sequence

Results in: Discovery call bookings

Time invested: 2-3 hours creating pillar content, 1-2 hours repurposing

Output: 15-20 pieces of connected content

Example 2: Online Course Creator

Core pillar content: Podcast episode (30-45 minutes)

Repurposed into:

  • Blog post (2,000+ words with transcript)
  • YouTube video (full episode)
  • 5-7 social media clips (key moments)
  • Quote graphics (powerful statements)
  • Email series (key takeaways)
  • Instagram Reels (hook moments)

Optimized for: SEO keywords related to course topic

Drives traffic to: Free training webinar or mini-course

Results in: Course enrollments

Time invested: 1 hour recording, 2-3 hours repurposing

Output: 20-25 pieces of connected content

Example 3: Agency or B2B Service Provider

Core pillar content: Case study or client success story

Repurposed into:

  • Long-form blog post with results
  • LinkedIn article with business insights
  • Video testimonial clips
  • Before/after carousel posts
  • Email nurture content (proof points)
  • Sales presentation slides

Drives traffic to: Service inquiry or strategy call

Results in: Qualified B2B leads

Time invested: 2-3 hours creating pillar content, 1-2 hours repurposing

Output: 12-15 high-quality business development assets

How to Build Your Marketing Strategy Framework

Building an effective marketing strategy framework doesn’t happen overnight, but it follows a clear process:

Step 1: Audit Your Current Marketing Ecosystem

Map out every marketing channel, platform, and customer touchpoint you’re currently using. Identify what’s working, what’s not, and where the gaps exist.

Step 2: Define Your Core Content Engine

Determine your primary content creation focus. This could be:

  • Weekly newsletter
  • Podcast episodes
  • YouTube videos
  • Blog posts
  • Live webinars

Choose ONE pillar content format you can consistently create at high quality.

Step 3: Build Your Repurposing Pathways

Map out exactly how each piece of pillar content will be repurposed across platforms. Create templates, systems, and processes to make repurposing efficient.

Step 4: Align with the 8 Marketing Pillars

Ensure your content and marketing activities support all 8 pillars, not just attraction. Where are your gaps? Build systems to fill them.

Step 5: Implement Your Marketing Flywheel

Start creating and repurposing consistently. Track what’s working. Optimize your pathways. Let momentum build over 90 days.

Step 6: Measure and Refine

Track key metrics across your ecosystem:

  • Traffic and reach
  • Engagement rates
  • Lead generation
  • Conversion rates
  • Client acquisition cost
  • Customer lifetime value

Use data to refine your marketing strategy framework continuously.

Common Marketing Strategy Framework Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Trying to Be Everywhere at Once You don’t need to be on every platform. You need to be strategic about where your ideal clients are and show up there consistently.

Mistake 2: Creating Content Without Strategy Random content doesn’t build momentum. Every piece should serve a purpose within your framework.

Mistake 3: Ignoring Repurposing If you’re creating fresh content for every platform, you’re working 10x harder than necessary.

Mistake 4: No Clear Path to Purchase Great content that doesn’t guide people toward your offer is just entertainment, not marketing.

Mistake 5: Skipping the Nurture Phase Most people aren’t ready to buy immediately. Your marketing strategy framework must include relationship building.

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Marketing Ecosystem and Flywheel, 2026 Social Media Search Strategy, and Creating Brand Polarity

Marketing Ecosystem and Flywheel, 2026 Social Media Search Strategy, and Creating Brand Polarity

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Well hello 2026, I am excited about this year. We are going to dig deep this year and we are going to gain traction in the ways that make positive impact for ourselves and for our clients. Authentic, Natural engagement that share you and your personality with the people waiting to discover your greatness.

 

This round we are covering:

  • Marketing Strategy and Marketing Flywheel

  • 2026 Social Media Marketing Changes You Need to Know

  • Creating Friction to Polarity with Integrity

Marketing Ecosystem and Your Marketing Flywheel

Marketing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing the right things in the right order so the system carries the workload.

I learned this the hard way.

A few years ago, I was the content machine. Posting nonstop. Showing up everywhere. Creating constantly.

And getting absolutely nowhere.

Everything looked busy. Nothing was moving the business forward.

Sound familiar?

That’s when I stopped treating marketing like a checklist and started treating it like a system.

The Test That Changed Everything

One month, I tried something radical. Instead of being everywhere at once, I wrote just two newsletters. Deep, strategic, valuable newsletters. Then I repurposed them into content clusters across every platform.

Those clusters became:

  • Blog posts
  • LinkedIn articles
  • Instagram Reels
  • Carousels
  • Nurture emails
  • Video scripts
  • Social captions

Two newsletters became more than 1,500 pieces of content.

For the first time, my content wasn’t random. It was connected.

It fed my SEO. My social channels. My nurture sequences. My authority positioning.

Everything worked together instead of against my time and energy.

That’s when it clicked.

The System That Scales

Your marketing ecosystem is every part of your marketing universe. Content, SEO, newsletters, funnels, ads, referrals, all of it.

But an ecosystem without direction? That’s just overwhelming.

The flywheel is what gives it rhythm. It’s the repurposing engine, the momentum builder that keeps your ecosystem in motion without the constant hustle.

And when your ecosystem aligns with the 8 Marketing Pillars, everything becomes easier:

  1. Attract & Engage – Get the right people paying attention
  2. Capture & Convert – Turn attention into action
  3. Nurture Relationships – Build trust over time
  4. Book & Close – Make the sale
  5. Paid to Perform -Ads to close the sales cycle
  6. Deliver & Delight – Exceed expectations
  7. Upsell & Cross-sell – Expand the relationship
  8. Amplify the Love – Turn clients into advocates

Every platform. Every message. Every step of the customer journey.

All organized. All intentional. All working together.

If Marketing Feels Heavy Right Now

Nothing is wrong with you.

You’re working without a system.

Once your ecosystem and flywheel are synced:

  • Clients come in consistently
  • Content builds authority automatically
  • Growth becomes predictable

You stop reacting. You start leading.

Let’s Build Your Flywheel

I offer a Marketing Flywheel Strategy Call where we map out:

✅ Your marketing ecosystem
 ✅ Your core content engine
 ✅ Your repurposing pathways
 ✅ Your 8-pillar alignment
 ✅ Your next 90 days of strategic action

Reply FLYWHEEL or click here to book your Introductory Call.

Let’s build a marketing system that works for you, consistently, sustainably, and without the burnout.

This week's challenge: If you were to make a list of all the marketing elements you are covering what would that list look like? What's missing?

2026 Social Media Changes You Need to Know

Social media is shifting in a way most business owners haven’t noticed yet, and 2026 is going to separate those who adapt from those who disappear.

People aren’t just scrolling anymore. They’re searching.

TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube have become search engines. When someone needs a service provider, wants to learn a skill, or has a problem to solve, they’re not opening Google first, they’re typing it into TikTok, Instagram Search, or YouTube.

Platforms are now using your captions, keywords, hashtags, and on-screen text to decide if your content shows up in those searches or gets buried.

This is the biggest shift in social since Reels launched.

Add to that: AI is crawling social content the same way it’s always crawled blogs and websites. Your posts aren’t just reaching your followers anymore. They’re creating a digital footprint that tells AI what you’re an authority on, what problems you solve, and who you serve.

But here’s where most people are getting it wrong.

Less AI, More Real

AI can be your co-pilot, not your main character.

The brands winning in 2026 aren’t the ones hiding behind perfectly polished AI-generated content. They’re the ones showing up authentically, with personality, with humor, with humanity.

People can smell AI content from a mile away. And while AI can help you outline, repurpose, and scale your content creation, it should never replace your voice, your stories, or your point of view.

Use AI to support your process. Don’t let it become your brand.

What You Need to Do Right Now

YouTube is fully indexable.

If you have long-form content sitting in your Google Drive, on old hard drives, or in forgotten folders—get it live. YouTube is a search engine owned by Google. Your videos are being discovered, ranked, and recommended based on searchability.

Upload that webinar. Repurpose that training. Turn that podcast into video. The content you already created has value beyond the moment you first shared it.

Instagram is also fully indexable.

Make Instagram your hero channel in 2026. Not just for pretty posts, but for searchable, valuable, keyword-rich content that shows up when your ideal client is actively looking for answers.

Captions matter. Keywords matter. Hashtags aren’t dead, they’re search tools now. On-screen text in Reels? That’s being indexed too.

If your Instagram content isn’t structured to be found, you’re missing the entire shift.

Repurposing content is the only way to scale.

You cannot create fresh content for every platform every day and maintain your sanity. Repurposing isn’t lazy, it’s strategic.

One piece of content should live in multiple formats:

  • Blog post → Carousel → Reel → Email → Thread → Quote graphic
  • Podcast episode → YouTube video → Shorts → Newsletter → Social captions
  • Webinar → Blog series → Lead magnet → Email sequence

Same core message. Different formats. Maximum reach without the burnout.

The businesses thriving in 2026 won’t be the ones posting more. They’ll be the ones showing up smarter, with searchable, repurposed, human content that works across platforms.

What Platforms do you need to add this year?

Creating Friction to Add Polarity in Integrity

Not everyone is going to like you. And that’s exactly the point.

If you’re trying to be everything to everyone, you’re building a brand that’s forgettable, uninteresting, and exhausting to maintain.

Creating friction isn’t about being divisive for attention. It’s about being clear on who you’re for, and by default, who you’re not for.

This is polarity. And it’s one of the most powerful tools in building a magnetic brand.

When you take a stand, share your real opinions, show up authentically, and stop trying to please everyone, something shifts. The people who aren’t your people will quietly unfollow or scroll past. And the people who ARE your people will lean all the way in.

That’s the gold in authenticity. 

Why Most Brands Stay Stuck in Bland

Most businesses are terrified of losing potential clients. So they soften their messaging, play it safe, avoid taking stands, and blend into the beige background of “professional content.”

The result? No one remembers them. No one shares their content. No one feels strongly enough to refer them.

Playing it safe keeps you invisible.

I personally don’t want to work with brands who are scared to be real. I will turn down a client who is stuck in their programming, wanting to be like everyone else, or unwilling to take calculated risks.

That’s not my people. And I’m not afraid to repel them.

What I want to attract?

Clients who are ready to shake things up. Who are willing to be on camera. Who want to create funny, engaging, real content that drives organic engagement and creates warm leads left and right because they understand the market and aren’t afraid to show personality.

Those are my people. And the friction I create by being clear about that is what brings them to me.

How to Create Friction with Integrity

This isn’t about being controversial for clicks. It’s about being intentional with your positioning.

  1. Take clear stands.

What do you believe about your industry that others won’t say? What do you think is broken in how your field operates? What advice do you refuse to give because you know it doesn’t work?

Say it. Clearly. Unapologetically.

  1. Show your personality.

Humor. Sarcasm. Directness. Warmth. Whatever your natural communication style is—let it show. Sanitized, corporate-speak content doesn’t create connection.

  1. Be willing to lose the wrong people.

Not every client is your client. Not every follower is your audience. And trying to hold onto people who aren’t aligned with your values, your style, or your approach will drain you.

Let them go. Make room for the right ones.

  1. Use your content to filter.

Your content should work as a filter, not a net. It should attract the people who resonate with your approach and repel the ones who don’t.

When someone reaches out to work with you, they should already know your vibe, your values, and your style. That’s the power of polarity.

What Happens When You Embrace Friction

Your audience gets smaller, and stronger.

Your engagement increases because the people who are there actually care.

Your sales conversations get easier because you’re only talking to people who are already aligned.

Your content becomes more fun to create because you’re not performing for an imaginary audience of people you’re trying to please.

And your business becomes more sustainable because you’re working with clients who respect your approach, trust your expertise, and are excited to work with you.

Friction isn’t the problem. Trying to avoid it is.

The brands that win in 2026 won’t be the ones playing it safe. They’ll be the ones brave enough to be clear, be real, and create content that actually stands for something.

If that makes some people uncomfortable? Good. That means it’s working.

Have you thought about the right amount of friction that creates engagement?

Next Round we will be discussing:

 

  • Examples of Marketing Ecosystems

  • Disruptive Social Media Strategy

  • Why AI is killing Your Connection

See you in two weeks,

Leslie Lyon

How LinkedIn Articles Build Credibility with AI and Search Engines

How LinkedIn Articles Build Credibility with AI and Search Engines

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How LinkedIn Articles Build Credibility with AI and Search Engines

Your online presence is being cataloged by artificial intelligence right now. When someone asks ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity about experts in your industry, what shows up matters.

And right now, LinkedIn articles are one of the most powerful ways to establish your authority in these AI systems and search engines.

Most business owners don’t realize this is happening. The ones who do are building massive credibility advantages while everyone else is invisible to AI.

Here’s what you need to know about LinkedIn articles, language learning models, and why this matters for your business.

What Are Language Learning Models and Why Should You Care?

Language learning models, or LLMs, are AI systems like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and others. They’re trained on massive amounts of text from across the internet and use that data to answer questions, provide recommendations, and generate content.

Here’s what’s happening right now:

  • Someone asks ChatGPT “Who are the top experts in commercial real estate?”
  • Someone asks Claude “What should I know about starting a consulting business?”
  • Someone asks Perplexity “Who should I follow for social media marketing advice?”

The AI pulls from content it’s been trained on or can access in real time to answer these questions.

If your content isn’t out there in a format AI systems can access and understand, you’re not part of the conversation.

You’re invisible to the millions of people using AI to research, learn, and make decisions.

Why LinkedIn Articles Matter for LLM Credibility

LinkedIn articles aren’t just another social media post. They’re treated as authoritative, long-form content by both search engines and AI systems.

Here’s why LinkedIn articles are so effective for building credibility with language learning models:

1. LinkedIn Has High Domain Authority

Content published on LinkedIn ranks well in Google and is prioritized by AI systems because LinkedIn is a trusted, verified platform. According to Moz’s domain authority metrics, LinkedIn consistently ranks as one of the highest authority domains on the web.

When an AI system is deciding who to recommend as an expert, content from high-authority domains carries more weight. LinkedIn is one of those domains.

2. LinkedIn Articles Are Long-Form and Substantive

LLMs favor in-depth, well-structured content over short social media posts. A 280-character tweet doesn’t demonstrate expertise the way a 1,500-word LinkedIn article does.

LinkedIn articles give you the space to:

  • Explain complex topics thoroughly
  • Demonstrate deep knowledge
  • Provide frameworks and actionable advice
  • Show your thought process and experience

This signals to AI systems that you’re not just participating in conversations—you’re leading them.

3. LinkedIn Articles Are Tied to Your Professional Identity

When you publish a LinkedIn article, it’s attached to your verified professional profile. That creates a direct, unambiguous link between your name, your credentials, and your expertise.

AI systems can confidently say “According to [Your Name], a [Your Title] with experience in [Your Industry]…” because your LinkedIn profile provides that context.

4. LinkedIn Articles Are Publicly Accessible and Crawlable

Unlike content behind paywalls, in private groups, or on platforms with restricted access, LinkedIn articles are:

  • Crawlable by search engines like Google (learn more about how Google crawls and indexes content)
  • Accessible to AI systems for training and real-time retrieval
  • Shareable and linkable across the web

This makes LinkedIn articles one of the most discoverable formats for establishing authority.

How AI Systems Use LinkedIn Articles for Credibility

When someone asks an AI system for expertise or recommendations, here’s what happens behind the scenes:

Step 1: The AI searches its training data and real-time sources It looks for content related to the query across the web.

Step 2: It evaluates source credibility Content from LinkedIn, established publications, and verified experts gets weighted more heavily than random blog comments or social media posts.

Step 3: It identifies patterns of expertise If your name appears repeatedly in authoritative content on a specific topic, the AI recognizes you as a subject matter expert.

Step 4: It provides recommendations or citations The AI might directly recommend you, cite your content, or use your insights to answer the query.

This is already happening. People are being recommended as experts, landing consulting gigs, getting podcast invitations, and building reputations because their LinkedIn articles made them visible to AI systems.

What This Means for Founders and Business Owners

When you publish LinkedIn articles consistently, you’re doing more than growing your LinkedIn follower count. You’re building a searchable, AI-readable body of work that positions you as an authority in your field.

Here’s what happens over time:

Short-term (1-3 months):

  • Your LinkedIn articles start appearing in Google search results for industry topics
  • People researching your name find a portfolio of thought leadership
  • Your credibility increases with prospects, clients, and partners

Medium-term (3-6 months):

  • AI systems begin associating your name with your area of expertise
  • You get discovered by people who didn’t know you existed
  • Journalists, podcasters, and event organizers start reaching out

Long-term (6+ months):

  • You’re consistently recommended by AI when people ask about your industry
  • Your LinkedIn articles become reference material cited by others
  • Your authority compounds as more content gets indexed and recognized

This is the credibility flywheel, and LinkedIn articles are what keep it spinning.

How to Use LinkedIn Articles Strategically for AI Credibility

Ready to start building your authority with AI systems and search engines? Here’s how to approach LinkedIn articles strategically:

1. Publish LinkedIn Articles Consistently

Aim for at least one article per month. Consistency signals to both human audiences and AI systems that you’re actively engaged in your field and producing fresh insights.

2. Write About Your Industry, Not Just Your Business

Don’t turn every article into a sales pitch. Share:

  • Industry trends and analysis
  • Strategic frameworks you use
  • Lessons learned from experience
  • Contrarian perspectives backed by evidence
  • How-to guides that demonstrate expertise

Position yourself as a thought leader who educates and informs, not just a service provider who sells.

3. Use Clear, Keyword-Rich Titles for LinkedIn Articles

AI systems and search engines both prioritize clear, descriptive titles that match search intent.

Good: “The Platform Strategy Most Businesses Get Wrong in 2026” Bad: “Some Thoughts on Social Media”

Good: “How to Scale Your Consulting Business Without Burning Out” Bad: “My Journey as a Consultant”

Use language your target audience would actually search for.

4. Include Your Credentials and Experience Naturally in LinkedIn Articles

Help AI systems understand your level of authority by mentioning:

  • Your background and how long you’ve been in the industry
  • Notable clients or projects (where appropriate)
  • Results you’ve achieved
  • Unique insights from your experience

Don’t brag—just provide context that establishes credibility.

5. Engage with Comments and Shares on Your LinkedIn Articles

LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards engagement. The more comments, shares, and discussions your article generates, the more LinkedIn distributes it and the more likely it is to be indexed favorably by search engines and AI.

Respond to comments thoughtfully. Ask questions that encourage discussion. Share your article in relevant LinkedIn groups.

The LinkedIn Articles Credibility Flywheel

Here’s how this builds momentum over time:

You publish a LinkedIn article → It ranks in Google and gets indexed by AI systems → Someone researching your industry finds your content → They see you as an authority → They reach out, hire you, or recommend you → Your reputation grows → Your next article has even more reach and impact → The cycle repeats

Each article you publish adds fuel to this flywheel. The more you publish, the faster it spins.

What Happens If You Don’t Publish LinkedIn Articles

If you’re not creating authoritative, long-form content, here’s what you’re missing:

You’re invisible to AI systems that could recommend you as an expert You’re not showing up in search results when people research your industry You’re missing opportunities for partnerships, speaking gigs, media mentions, and high-value clients Your competitors who are publishing are building credibility advantages you’ll struggle to catch up with

The gap between people who understand this shift and people who don’t is widening every month.

How to Start Building LinkedIn Article Credibility Today

Here’s your action plan:

This week:

  • Identify 3-5 topics where you have deep expertise
  • Outline your first LinkedIn article (aim for 1,000+ words)
  • Write and publish it

This month:

  • Publish at least one more LinkedIn article
  • Engage with everyone who comments
  • Share your articles in relevant groups and on other platforms

This quarter:

  • Aim for 3-4 published LinkedIn articles
  • Start tracking whether you’re getting discovered through search or AI recommendations
  • Refine your topics based on what resonates

LinkedIn Articles and AI Credibility: The Bottom Line

Your online presence is being cataloged by AI right now. If you’re not actively creating authoritative content that AI systems can find, understand, and reference, you’re invisible in these systems.

LinkedIn articles are one of the easiest and most effective ways to establish your credibility with both human audiences and AI.

Start publishing. Your future clients, partners, and opportunities are searching for you right now. Make sure AI knows you’re an expert worth recommending.

Want to maximize your visibility even further? Learn how to use social media trends strategically and discover which platform should be your hero channel.

Trial Reels Strategy LinkedIn Articles | Content Repurposing Systems Newsletter Archive

Trial Reels Strategy, LinkedIn Articles for Credibility, and Content Repurposing Systems

Newsletter

Absolutely! Here’s everything pulled from the PDF ready to copy/paste into WordPress:

Trial Reels Strategy, LinkedIn Articles for Credibility, and Content Repurposing Systems

Part 1: How I Used Trial Reels to Hit 1 Million Additional Users and 89% Non-Followers in 7 Days

Trial Reels is a hidden gem for reach and testing.

Let me show you the exact strategy I used to hit 1 million views with 89% of these views from non-followers in a single week.

This isn’t luck. This is a testing system that removes the guesswork from what content will actually perform.

The Trial Reels Strategy That Changed Everything

Here’s what most people do: Create one reel, post it, hope it works, feel disappointed when it flops, repeat.

Here’s what I do: Create three variations of the same reel, test them all in trial reels, find the winner, post only the best version.

Here’s the exact process:

Step 1: Create Three Variations of Each Reel

Example: I did my top 3 sales on YouTube. I was making it madd in a day to match two inspo reels: however, don’t do WhatsApp (not on 8G), cold email (it’s a BIG skill employee in my team has), and a landing page with trial reels using paid traffic. Different result posting times or hour instead.

I create three different versions of the same core content. These variations can change:

  • The hook of owl country
  • The scroll footage
  • The editing part or length of the video clip

Each version serves a different angle. The execution has three different angles.

Example: If my reel is about “3 mistakes new business owners make,” I’d create:

  • Version A: Bold open-shot trvst, starts with mistake #1
  • Version B: Short text walk with “You’re not making clients plus I don’t even know”
  • Version C: Talking head (longer form start with why most small biz solutions move about posting)
  • Usually I try now with the same center

Step 2: Post All Three to Trial Reels the Day/Night Before

Every night, I post all three versions to trial reels. Trial Reels go live to about 50-200 people (Instagram says it’s “people who typically interact with your Reels” but Instagram, Instagram will show your reel to people first audience and give you performance data before it you post too your full reach.)

This is Instagram literally giving you A/B testing for free. Use it.

Step 3: Check Performance the Next Day

The next morning, I check which version of each reel performed best in trial reels. I’m looking at:

  • Views
  • Completion rate
  • Engagement (saves, shares, comments)

Out of even sat of these, one stands performs better. That’s the one I post.

Step 4: Post the Winners from Edits

Once I knock which version wins’ I go back in, that reel “before he right out of Instagram with get public Instagram and give you performance time before it you post to your full audience.)

This is Instagram literally giving you A/B testing for free. Use it.

Step 5: Save Winners for Repurposing

This step is critical and most people skip it.

I save every winning reel to my notes app continuing better to Google Drive. This becomes my “winning reel library” so I’m good for them. They’re not pressed into a folder of content that already proved it works.

If you have a ever-member looping folder, but is good for them. They’re not just sitting in a folder or content 6-8 my team. They’re working from a folder of content.

Step 6: Repeat Daily

I did this every single day for 7 days. Three topics. Three variations each. Test. Post the winners. Move on.

Step 7: Double Down on What Pops Off

During that week, three of my reels went viral. When I saw one taking off, I didn’t just celebrate and move on. I rerelated and posted it again with slight variations.

If something works, milk it. Repurpose it. Do it again.

The result? 1 million views in 7 days with 89% of those views coming from non-followers. That’s the algorithm pushing my content to new audiences because I proved it works.

Why This Works

Trial reels let you remove guesswork. You’re not hoping your content works. You’re testing your content in small doses and only rolling with the versions that get real results.

Most people make one version and pray. I create three versions and let the audience tell me which one wins.

This is how you study reach without wasting effort.

The Bottom Line

If you’re not using trial reels, you’re guessing. If you’re guessing, you’re burning…

Start testing. Post the winners. Build your repurposing library. Repeat.

That’s the system.

Part 2: How LinkedIn Articles Are Being Used as Credibility for Founders and Business Owners on LLMs

Your online presence is being cataloged by AI, and it’s affecting your credibility.

Language learning models like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and others are indexing content from across the web to build their knowledge base. When someone searches for expertise in your niche, what comes up is determined by what AI can find, understand, and trust.

And right now, LinkedIn articles are one of the most powerful ways to establish your authority in these systems.

What Are Language Learning Models (LLMs)?

LLMs are AI systems trained on massive amounts of text from the internet. They crawl the web to understand who the experts are in specific topics and pull from content that establishes authority.

When someone asks ChatGPT: “Who are the top experts in social media marketing?” or “How do I grow my business using content?” it pulls from content it has been trained on or can access in real-time. And the big AI systems (recently, of course they are fed you can set as well, you need to utilize this with content posted.

If your content isn’t out there, you’re not part of the conversation.

Why LinkedIn Articles Matter for LLM Credibility

LinkedIn articles are treated as authoritative content by search engines and AI systems. Here’s why:

1. Articles are long-form and substantive. LLMs favor in-depth, well-structured content that demonstrates expertise in a way that a short or caption or social media post can’t.

2. LinkedIn profiles are tied to professional identity. When you publish an article on LinkedIn, it’s published on your profile, which includes your credentials, your expertise, and your contact.

3. Articles are publicly accessible. Unlike some content behind paywalls or in closed platforms, most LinkedIn articles are indexed by search engines and accessible to AI systems.

4. Many people will research you via LLM. And if you’re among articles you are feed into AI systems and provide signals that readers research you via and find a library you are an expert of the information they will receive.

What This Means for Founders and Business Owners

When you publish LinkedIn articles consistently, you’re doing two things:

1. Increasing your LinkedIn authority. Content published on LinkedIn ranks well in Google and is prioritized by AI systems because LinkedIn is a trusted platform.

2. An AI system is asked to recommend experts, and your published content increases the likelihood you appear. Because AI cant published content

3. Articles are publicly accessible. Articles are searchable by name, research you and find your library of expertise.

How to Use LinkedIn Articles Strategically

1. Publish consistently. Aim for at least one article per month. Consistency signals expertise.

2. Write with depth and authority. Don’t just write business Share insights, trends, strategies, and perspectives. Position yourself as a thought leader, not just a service provider.

3. Use smart titles. Make your titles clear and benefit driven. Think about what your ideal client or system would research both people.

4. Include your expertise in your bio. Make it clear in your headline and summary what you specialize in. Build trust.

5. Engage with comments and shares. LinkedIn’s algorithm rewards posts that get conversations started. Engage actively and use these LLM’s and if you are among entities you are a signal of the information they will receive.

The Credibility Flywheel

Here’s how this builds over time:

You publish an article → It ranks in search and gets indexed by AI systems → They search you and you, or recommend you → Your reputation grows → You must multiple wheres the even create impact.

The Bottom Line

Your online presence is being cataloged by AI right now. If you’re not actually creating authoritative content, you’re missing out in these systems.

LinkedIn articles are one of the easiest, most effective ways to establish your credibility in AI-powered search.

Start publishing. Your future clients are searching for you, and AI is deciding whether or not you’re the expert.

Make sure the answer is yes.

Part 3: How to Repurpose One Piece of Content Into 15+ Assets (Without Losing Your Mind)

You created one great piece of content. Now what?

Most business owners post it once and it ends on “But they’re leaving 90% of the value on the table.

Smart content creators repurpose everything. One strong piece of content can become months’ worth of different audiences without you having to start from scratch burden every time.

Here’s exactly how to do it without burning out.

Start with One Pillar Piece of Content

Your pillar content is the foundation. This could be:

  • A blog post (1,500+ words)
  • A LinkedIn article
  • A podcast episode + transcript
  • A video (webinar or training)
  • A client case study

This is the asset you’ll break down and repurpose into everything else.

The 15+ Asset Repurposing System

From One Blog Post or LinkedIn Article:

  1. Pull 5-7 key quotes → Turn each into a quick group post
  2. Create a carousel post → Break the article into 8-10 slides for Instagram
  3. Write a shorter version → Post it as a long LinkedIn post (not article)
  4. Record a short video → Talk through the key takeaways (60 seconds for Instagram, TikTok)
  5. Visualize the main points → Use through the main points as a framework burn (Canva), suitable share
  6. Turn it into an email → Use the article as your newsletter content
  7. Extract one section into a standalone post → Eight major section can become a separate content piece
  8. Quote one surprising stat → Post it as a quick, curiosity-building social post
  9. Ask a related question → Post the article as a downloadable guide
  10. Make a PDF lead magnet → Format the article as a downloadable guide with proper with branded design
  11. Turn it into Twitter thread → Break down the video’s main ideas into a thread format (list)
  12. Pull 10-15 short clips → Cut the video into one-seed-clip for Reels, TikTok, YouTube Shorts
  13. Write a summary post → Summarize the idea in a caption with a link
  14. Write a summary post → Summarize the idea and turn ideas into a caption
  15. Create an audiogram → Turn audio clips into shareable visual content for social
  16. Create an audiogram → Break down the viewer’s main points into a downloadable guide

From One Video (Podcast, YouTube, Talking Head):

  1. Post the full video → Upload directly to LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram TV series
  2. Pull 10-15 short clips → Cut the video into one-seed clip (for Reels)
  3. Write a Twitter thread → Post shorting clips into shareab social
  4. Write a summary post → Pull shorter quotes and turn them into image quotes

The Repurposing Workflow That Actually Works

Step 1: Create the pillar content. Write the blog post, record the video, publish your article.

Step 2: Batch the repurposing. Set aside 1-2 hours after creating your pillar content to break it down into smaller pieces. Don’t try to do this over multiple days.

Step 3: Use templates. Create Canva templates for quote graphics, carousels, and infographics. This speeds up the process.

Step 4: Schedule it out. Drop all your repurposed content into a content library. Save all your repurposed content over 2-4 weeks. You’re not achieving it all at once.

Step 5: Save everything to a content library. Store all your repurposed assets in Google Drive or Notion. When you need content later, you have a folder of content that already proved it works.

The Mistake Most People Make with Repurposing

They think repurposing means posting the exact same thing everywhere.

Wrong.

Repurposing means adapting the core idea for different platforms and formats.

Example:

  • LinkedIn: article (1,500+ words), professional, 1,500 words
  • Instagram: Carousel, Visual, transmedia, 10 slides
  • TikTok: Fast-paced, engaging, 45 seconds
  • Email: Real, fast context, deep value

Same core idea. Different formats. Different audiences.

Why This Matters for Your Business

1. You create less but reach more. One pillar piece becomes weeks of content.

2. You reinforce your message. Repetition builds authority. When people see your ideas across multiple platforms and formats, it sticks.

3. You save time and mental energy. You’re not starting from nothing every day. You’re maximizing what you’ve already made.

4. You don’t need to be an expert in every platform. Some people prefer reading. Some prefer watching. Some like quick posts. Repurposing ensures you reach all of them.

The Bottom Line

Stop creating content once and moving on. Start repurposing strategically.

One solid piece of content can fuel your entire content strategy for a month. Work smarter, not harder.

Ready to Level Up Your Content Strategy?

You just learned:

  • How to use trial reels to test and scale your reach
  • Why LinkedIn articles matter for your credibility in the age of AI
  • How to repurpose one piece of content into 15+ assets

Now it’s time to implement.

If you need help building a repurposing content strategy that drives results, let’s work together to create systems that grow results, engagement, and revenue without the burnout.

Reply to this email with “STRATEGY” and I’ll send you details on how we can work together.

Next Round we will be discussing:

  • Important Changes to 2025 Social Media Strategy
  • Multi-Generational Agency
  • Branding + Sales Friendly with Integrity

See you in two weeks, Leslie Lyon


How to Use Instagram Trial Reels to Hit 1 Million Views and 89% Non-Follower Reach in 7 Days

How to Use Instagram Trial Reels to Hit 1 Million Views and 89% Non-Follower Reach in 7 Days

InstagramTrial Reels

📌 See the entire Instagram Trial Reels Resource Library 

📌 Quick Definition:
Instagram Trial Reels are a testing feature that shows your Reel to non-followers first for 24 hours. Based on engagement metrics, Instagram decides whether to push your Reel to a wider audience or limit its reach.

Already know how Trial Reels work? Check out our [complete step-by-step video guide →]

How to Use Trial Reels to Hit 1 Million Views and 89% Non-Follower Reach in 7 Days

At Leslie M Lyon for our own content and for our customers we consistently have viral content. 

This is not a one time thing.  Leslie M Lyon has consistently generated viral frameworks for our brand and our clients.  

Posting content on Instagram and hoping it performs is a gamble. What if you could test your content before it goes live and only post what you know will work?

That’s exactly what Instagram trial reels let you do. And it’s the strategy I used to hit 1 million views with 89% of those views coming from people who don’t follow me. All in 7 days.

This isn’t about luck or going viral by accident. This is a systematic approach to content testing that removes guesswork and maximizes reach.

Here’s the exact process.

If you are needing support on why trends are important in 2026 check that out here.

What Are Instagram Trial Reels?

Trial reels are Instagram’s built-in A/B testing feature. When you post a reel, you can toggle on “trial reels” before publishing. Instagram will show your reel to a small test audience first and give you performance data before it goes live to your full audience.

This is Instagram literally giving you free content testing. Most creators don’t use it. That’s their mistake. For more information, check out Instagram’s official Creator Center.

The Trial Reels Strategy: How I Hit 1 Million Views in 7 Days

Here’s what most people do: Create one reel, post it, hope it works, feel disappointed when it doesn’t, repeat.

Here’s what I do: Create three variations of the same reel concept, test them all using trial reels, then post only the winner.

Step 1: Create Three Variations of Each Instagram Reel

I create three different versions of the same core concept every single day. The topic stays the same, but the execution changes.

What I change between variations:

  • The hook or text overlay
  • The font style and color
  • The b-roll footage
  • The starting point or length of the video clip
  • The pacing of cuts and transitions

This works for both b-roll reels and talking head videos. The message is consistent. The presentation has three different angles.

Example: If my reel topic is “3 mistakes new real estate investors make,” I create:

  • Version A: Bold sans-serif font, opens with mistake #1, fast cuts
  • Version B: Script font, opens with hook “You’re losing money and don’t even know it,” slower pacing
  • Version C: Different b-roll footage, same script, medium pacing with different starting clip

Each version tests a different hypothesis about what will grab attention and hold viewers.

Step 2: Post All Three Variations to Trial Reels the Night Before

Every night, I post all three variations of each reel topic to trial reels. If I’m creating content around three different topics per day, that’s 9 total videos being tested (3 topics x 3 variations each).

How to use trial reels:

  1. Create your reel as normal in Instagram
  2. Before you hit “Share,” toggle on the “trial reel” option
  3. Post it

Instagram will show your trial reel to a smaller test audience and track performance metrics. You’ll get data on views, completion rate, engagement, and more.

This is how you let your audience tell you what works instead of guessing.

Step 3: Check Trial Reels Performance the Next Day

The next morning, I review which version of each reel performed best. I’m looking at:

  • View count: Which got the most eyeballs?
  • Completion rate: Which one did people watch all the way through?
  • Engagement: Which got the most saves, shares, and comments?

Out of each set of three variations, one always performs better than the others. That’s the version I post to my main feed.

Step 4: Post the Winning Instagram Reels from Your Drafts

Once I know which reel won the test, I go back into my drafts and post that winning version to my main Instagram feed.

At this stage, I also cross-post to Facebook. (I’m currently testing whether cross-posting helps or hurts individual post performance, and I’ll update on those findings.)

The key here is that I’m not posting blind. I’m posting content that already proved it resonates with an audience.

Step 5: Save Winning Reels to Your Content Repurposing Library

This is the step most people skip, and it’s critical for long-term content success.

Every winning reel gets added to my video repurposing folder in Google Drive. This creates a library of proven, high-performing content that I can remix, repurpose, or recreate later.

If you have a team member managing content, this is invaluable. They’re not guessing what to create. They’re working from a folder of content that already delivered results. 

What to save:

  • The video file
  • The caption
  • Performance metrics
  • Notes on what made it work

This becomes your content gold mine.

Step 6: Repeat the Trial Reels Process Daily

I did this every single day for 7 days straight:

  • Three topics per day
  • Three variations of each topic
  • Test all nine in trial reels
  • Post the three winners the next day
  • Save winners to the repurposing library
  • Move on to the next day

No overthinking. No perfectionism. Just testing, data, and execution.

Step 7: Double Down on Instagram Reels That Go Viral

During that 7-day period, three of my reels went viral. When I saw one taking off, I didn’t just celebrate and move on.

I remixed it. I created new variations with slight tweaks and posted them again.

If something works, milk it:

  • Change the hook and repost
  • Use different footage with the same message
  • Create a “part 2” that builds on the viral reel
  • Repurpose the concept for a different platform

One viral reel can become five more high-performing pieces of content if you’re strategic about it.

The Results: 1 Million Views and 89% Non-Follower Reach

By following this trial reels strategy for 7 days straight, here’s what happened:

1 million total views across all posted reels 89% of those views came from non-followers

That second stat is the most important one. The Instagram algorithm pushed my content to new audiences because I gave it content that was already proven to perform well.

I wasn’t hoping for reach. I was engineering it.

Why the Trial Reels Strategy Works

Trial reels eliminate guesswork. You’re not crossing your fingers and hoping your content resonates. You’re testing it with real data before committing to a full post.

Here’s why this approach is so effective:

  1. You learn what your audience actually wants Not what you think they want. What the data proves they want.
  2. You only invest energy in winners Why waste time promoting content that’s already underperforming? Post what works and move on.
  3. You build a library of proven content Every winner goes into your repurposing vault. Over time, you have dozens of high-performing assets to remix and reuse.
  4. You train the algorithm to push your content When Instagram sees that your content consistently performs well in tests, it rewards you with more reach on future posts.

How to Start Using Trial Reels Today

Ready to implement this Instagram trial reels strategy? Here’s your action plan:

Week 1:

  • Choose 3 content topics relevant to your audience
  • Create 3 variations of each (9 videos total)
  • Post all 9 to trial reels over 3 days
  • Track which variations perform best

Week 2:

  • Post the winning variations to your main feed
  • Start building your content repurposing library
  • Analyze what patterns emerge (do certain hooks work better? specific footage styles?)

Week 3 and beyond:

  • Make this your standard content creation process
  • Refine your variations based on what you’ve learned
  • Scale up to more topics per week as you get comfortable with the workflow

Trial Reels Strategy: The Bottom Line

If you’re not using Instagram trial reels, you’re guessing what will work. If you’re guessing, you’re losing opportunities for reach and growth.

Start testing. Post the winners. Build your repurposing library. Repeat.

This is how you scale reach without scaling effort. This is how you go from hoping your content works to knowing it will.

 

One of my most viral hooks.

 

Repurposing your content with SEO optimization built in is one of the best ways to keep your content by being indexed from all platforms like Pinterest, Youtube, and Tiktok.

Frequently Asked Questions About Instagram Trial Reels Strategy

What makes a Trial Reel perform well?

High-performing Trial Reels typically have three things in common: a strong hook in the first 1-2 seconds that stops scrolling, content that delivers on the hook’s promise, and a format that encourages saves or shares (tutorials, tips, relatable humor). Instagram’s algorithm during the trial period heavily weights watch time and save rate.

How do I know if my Trial Reel is performing well?

Check your Insights 3-6 hours after posting. Look for: 60%+ average watch time, 3-5%+ save rate, 5-10%+ share rate, and 70%+ non-follower reach. If you’re hitting these benchmarks during the trial period, your Reel is likely to get pushed to a larger audience after 24 hours.

Should I post Trial Reels at specific times?

Post Trial Reels during your audience’s most active hours for maximum initial engagement during the test period. However, since Trial Reels prioritize non-followers, your usual “best posting time” may matter less. Test different posting times and track which ones yield the strongest 24-hour trial performance.

Can I use trending audio on Trial Reels?

Yes, and you should. Trending audio increases your chances of appearing on Explore pages and in non-follower feeds. During the trial period, Instagram is testing whether your content resonates with broader audiences—trending audio helps you reach those audiences more effectively.

What types of content work best for Trial Reels?

Educational content (tutorials, tips, how-tos), value-driven posts (list-style content, “things I wish I knew”), and highly relatable content (common pain points, humor) tend to perform best. These formats naturally encourage saves and shares, which are weighted heavily during the trial period.

How is non-follower reach calculated for Trial Reels?

Non-follower reach is the percentage of people who saw your Reel who don’t follow you. For Trial Reels, you’re aiming for 70-90%+ non-follower reach, which indicates Instagram is successfully testing your content with new audiences. You can find this metric in your Instagram Insights under the specific Reel’s analytics.

Should I respond to comments during the trial period?

Yes, absolutely. Engagement signals (including comment responses) tell Instagram your content is sparking conversation. Respond to comments quickly during the 24-hour trial period to boost engagement metrics and increase the likelihood Instagram pushes your Reel wider.

Can I edit a Trial Reel after posting?

No, you cannot edit a Reel after it’s published (whether it’s a Trial Reel or regular Reel). You can only delete it and repost with corrections. Make sure your content is polished before hitting publish on a Trial Reel.

What’s a good save rate for Trial Reels?

Aim for 3-5% or higher. A save rate means people found your content valuable enough to reference later. Instagram interprets high save rates as a strong quality signal. Content like tutorials, templates, and resource lists naturally earn higher save rates.

Why did my Trial Reel stop getting views after 24 hours?

If your Trial Reel had weak engagement during the test period (low watch time, few saves/shares), Instagram decided not to push it to a wider audience. This is the feature working as intended—it prevented a low-performer from taking up valuable distribution. Use the data to improve your next Reel.

Can I use hashtags on Trial Reels?

Yes, use 3-5 highly relevant hashtags. However, during the trial period, Instagram is primarily testing your content with non-followers through algorithmic distribution rather than hashtag discovery. Hashtags still matter, but content quality and engagement metrics matter more for Trial Reels.

How do Trial Reels affect the Instagram algorithm long-term?

Trial Reels help you identify high-quality content before committing to full distribution. By consistently posting Trial Reels that perform well, you’re training Instagram’s algorithm to recognize your content as valuable, which can improve your overall account reach over time.

Should I archive poorly performing Trial Reels?

Many creators delete or archive Trial Reels that performed poorly during the test period. Since the Reel won’t get significant reach anyway, removing it keeps your profile clean and prevents low-performing content from sitting in your grid. However, keep the analytics data for learning purposes.

Can Trial Reels go viral?

Yes. If your Trial Reel performs exceptionally well during the 24-hour test period, Instagram will push it to a massive audience, often resulting in viral reach (millions of views). The 1 million view example in this post came from a Trial Reel that showed strong early engagement signals.

What’s the ideal length for a Trial Reel?

Keep Trial Reels between 7-15 seconds when possible. Shorter Reels have higher completion rates, which boosts your average watch time percentage—a key metric Instagram tracks during the trial period. Only go longer if the content absolutely requires it.

Do I need a large following to use Trial Reels effectively?

No. Trial Reels are designed to test content with non-followers, so your existing follower count matters less. Small accounts can achieve massive reach through Trial Reels if the content resonates with new audiences. This levels the playing field for newer creators.

Can I cross-post Trial Reels to other platforms?

Yes, but wait until after the 24-hour trial period. You want Instagram’s algorithm to have accurate data about how your content performs natively on Instagram. After the trial period, feel free to repurpose high-performing Trial Reels on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or other platforms.

How often should I use Trial Reels vs regular Reels?

Use Trial Reels for 50-70% of your content, especially when testing new formats, topics, or styles. Reserve regular Reels for time-sensitive content or posts where you want immediate distribution to your existing followers. Trial Reels are best for evergreen, high-quality content you want to maximize reach on.

What if my Trial Reel performs well but I want to delete it anyway?

If a Trial Reel performed well during testing, Instagram will likely continue pushing it to larger audiences. Deleting it means losing that momentum and reach. However, if there’s a compelling reason to remove it (error, outdated info), you can delete it at any time.

Can I see examples of successful Trial Reels from other creators?

Instagram doesn’t publicly label which Reels were tested as Trial Reels. However, you can identify likely Trial Reels by looking for posts from smaller creators that suddenly got massive reach (1M+ views with only 10K followers). These often started as Trial Reels that performed exceptionally during testing.

How do you get Instagram Trial Reels?

To get Instagram Trial Reels, make sure your app is updated to the latest version. When creating a Reel, tap “Advanced Settings” before publishing and toggle on the “Trial” option. If you don’t see it yet, your account may not have the feature – keep updating the app as Instagram is still rolling it out. Business and Creator accounts tend to get access first.

How many Trial Reels can I post a day?

Instagram doesn’t publish an official daily limit for Trial Reels. In practice, 3-9 per day is manageable and effective for testing. At Leslie M Lyon, we test 9 Trial Reels per day (3 topics x 3 variations each) as our standard content testing process. Quality over quantity – each variation should test a specific hypothesis about hooks, pacing, or format.


How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs

How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs

social media trendstiktok

How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs

If you are gearing up to use social media trends to grow your business in 2026, there is one thing you need to master: how to find trends quickly without getting sucked into an endless scroll.

You do not need hours on TikTok.
 You do not need to “stay up to date” daily.
 And you definitely do not need to waste time hoping the algorithm magically delivers inspiration.

Here is exactly how entrepreneurs can find TikTok trends fast, stay ahead of the curve, and use them strategically across every platform.

Use TikTok’s Trend Discovery Tools First

TikTok literally created a trend finder for you, and most creators still do not use it.

Where to Find It

  1. Open TikTok or Click Here
  2. Tap “Creative Center” or go to your profile click the three dashes in the upper right and go to Tiktok Studio, scroll down to inspo and start finding a trend you vibe with. 
     (You can also Google “TikTok Creative Center” and access it in your browser)
  3. Choose “Trends”
  4. Select one:
    • Songs
    • Hashtags
    • Creators
    • Videos

You will instantly see:

  • What is trending
  • How fast it is growing
  • What industries it works for
  • Whether it is rising or declining

This is the cleanest, most reliable trend intelligence available. No guessing. No rabbit holes. Just data.

Use Your For You Page as a Personalized Trend Forecast

Your For You Page is one of the best trend indicators because it customizes trends to your niche.

What to Watch For

Look for:

  • The same audio repeating, these audios will also be on instagram and are usually trending or about it.  

     

  • The same video format repeating

     

  • The same style or joke showing up across different creators

     

If you see something three times in ten minutes, it is an active trend.

Bonus:
 Your FYP often shows micro-trends relevant to your industry.
 If you are in real estate and suddenly see the same audio across multiple realtors, that is your green light. Now you just have to customize to your style.  This is fairly simple and if you lack creativity drop a few screenshots into chat and explain the trend and ask for ideas. 

Search TikTok for Trend Lists (Shortcut Most People Ignore)

Some creators track trends daily and share them for free. Use them.

What to Search:

  • “trending sounds”

  • “viral audio”

  • “trending now”

  • “trends this week”

You will instantly find curated trend lists that save you time and tell you what is hot today.

Let other creators do half the work for you.

Save Trending Sounds All Week Long

This is the step that makes everything effortless later.

As you scroll naturally:

  • Save trending sounds

     

  • Save formats you want to recreate

     

  • Bookmark ideas

     

Do not try to film in the moment.
 Do not break your workflow.

Just save it and move on.

When you sit down to batch your content, you will have a ready-made library of trend options already vetted by TikTok.

How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs
How to Find TikTok Trends Fast: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs

The Real Shortcut: Batch Record Your Trend Content

Most entrepreneurs waste time because they try to create trends one video at a time.

Batching solves everything.

Weekly Workflow

Friday (or your content day):
 Record 5 to 10 videos using the sounds you saved all week.

Then post:

  1. Instagram first (your hero channel)

  2. Repurpose everywhere else:

    • TikTok

    • Pinterest

    • Facebook Reels

    • YouTube Shorts

    • LinkedIn

One trend → several pieces of content → multiple platforms.

How Much Time Should You Spend Finding Trends?

  • Check TikTok Creative Center

  • Scroll your FYP

  • Save 3–5 relevant sounds

Thursday (10 minutes):

  • Search “trending sounds”

  • Re-check Creative Center

  • Save 3–5 more sounds

Friday:
 Batch record and schedule your content.

That is it.

No overwhelm.
 No burnout.
 Just consistent visibility.

Why This Works Better Than Scrolling for Hours

The creators winning with trends in 2026 are not the ones glued to their phones.

They are the ones who:

  • Use data

  • Work strategically

  • Batch record

  • Repurpose wisely

  • Choose a hero channel

  • Stay ahead of the trend curve with intention

You are not trying to “keep up.”
 You are trying to build a system.

This is the system.

Finding TikTok Trends Fast: Your Action Plan

Here is your full weekly trend routine in one place:

  • Check TikTok Creative Center

  • Scroll your FYP intentionally

  • Search “trending sounds”

  • Save relevant audio

  • Batch record content

  • Post on Instagram first

  • Repurpose everywhere else

Simple. Scalable. Sustainable.

Next Steps

To continue building your trend strategy, read the next two posts in this series:

Want weekly strategies that actually move the needle?
 Subscribe to Market Like a Lyon and get smarter marketing in your inbox every other Sunday.

Market Like a Lyon September 2026 newsletter cover: Fifty, and Only What Works. Facebook Trial Reels, Plan Q4 Now, Turning 50.
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Leslie Lyon

Fifty, and Only What Works

Facebook trial reels are real (I was wrong), the one question that decides your 2027 marketing budget, and what I’m keeping at 50.

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Instagram Hero Channel Strategy, TikTok Trends Discovery, and Social Media 2026 Predictions

Instagram Hero Channel Strategy, TikTok Trends Discovery, and Social Media 2026 Predictions

Newsletter

Instagram Hero Channel Strategy, TikTok Trends Discovery, and Social Media 2026 Predictions

I’m doubling things up with my emails/newsletters. I want to coordinate all my goodness into two longer newsletters per month. This will allow me to dive into some of the deeper topics and do a series which will allow for more details and depth.

Let me know if there are burning questions you might have…

This week’s Topics:

  • Why Insta Rocks
  • Where Trends Start
  • How to Find Them (if you’re not on TikTok already)
  • Social Media Set Up

Part 1: Why Instagram Should Be Your Hero Channel (Even Though TikTok Starts Trends)

Trends Aren’t Just for Dance Videos (And How They’ll Grow Your Business)

Hello [contact.first_name],

Let’s talk about social media trends because I know what you’re thinking: “That’s not for my business.”

Wrong.

Here’s why trends are one of the smartest moves you can make for your social media strategy. No really. And let me spell it out for ya.

1. Trends give you instant visibility.

When you use trending audio, the platform pushes your content harder. Period. Instagram and TikTok prioritize content that uses popular sounds because it keeps people on the platform longer. That’s how you get in front of people who’ve never heard of you.

2. Every trend works for every business.

“But I sell insurance/accounting services, trends don’t apply to me.”

They absolutely do. Every trend can be adapted. Take the success trend going viral right now: “Tell me you’re [profession] without telling me.” A lawyer can turn themselves walking into court into viral content with this trend. Accountants can do the same with tax jokes. Chiropractors can poke fun at people’s bad posture.

The trend gives you the format and the audio. You just adapt it to your reality. That’s what makes it work for ANY business.

3. Trends aren’t about being cringe. They’re about reach.

This is the big one. The algorithm rewards trend participation by pushing your content to people who don’t follow you yet. That’s how you break out of just reaching your existing audience.

If you’re not incorporating trends into your content strategy, you’re leaving reach on the table. Reach = growth.

Start with one trend this week. Adapt it. Post it. Watch what happens.

This week’s challenge: Pick one trend, adapt it to your business, and post it. Then tag me so I can see what you create!

Part 2: Where Trends Start (And Why Your Hero Channel Matters)

Where do trends come from?

90% of trends start on TikTok.

TikTok is the trendsetting platform and it is highly innovative. The best creator platform out there. And it’s where trends begin.

Instagram, YouTube, and others gravitate and copy ideas.

TikTok has been out of the top trending algorithm since day one, and every other platform has been playing catch-up since. If you’re not on TikTok, you’re seeing trends in second place.

So if all trends start on TikTok, why wouldn’t you make TikTok the origin point for most “viral” platforms?

Here’s the truth: TikTok is not being indexed by Google. Instagram is.

Your content on Instagram is being cataloged by search engines. It becomes part of your discoverability on your website and your newsletter on LLMs (ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, etc.).

TikTok content? Not part of that equation. It should be a part of your marketing ecosystem, no doubt about that.

This is why I tell everyone at least learn from channels:

Watch TikTok. See what the are and what when. Then use the screens seen by Instagram, so that you pick up the screens seen by Instagram, LinkedIn etc.

Your content on Instagram is being cataloged by AI, and it’s affecting your credibility.

Language learning models like ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and others are indexing content from across the web to build their knowledge base. When someone searches for expertise in your niche, what comes up is determined by what AI can find, understand, and trust.

And right now, LinkedIn articles and Instagram content are one of the most powerful ways to establish your authority in these systems.

TikTok content? Not part of that equation. It should be a part of your marketing ecosystem, no doubt about that.

This is a big line. The algorithm rewards trend participation by pushing your content to people who don’t follow you yet. That’s how you break out of just reaching your existing audience.

So if all trends start on TikTok, why shouldn’t you make TikTok the origin point for most “viral” platforms?

Here’s the truth about social media as we close out 2025 and jump into 2026:

The algorithm isn’t the enemy. It’s handing you opportunities every single day through trends, audio, and discoverability. But only if you know how to use it.

Most businesses are still treating social media like a megaphone. Post and pray. Hope someone sees it. Wonder why nothing’s working.

That’s where I come in.

I’m Leslie, and I help businesses turn social media strategies into real, tangible engagement. I’m More specifically, I help busy business owners who are tired of posting into the void. Now’s the time to actually growing you.

I offer training for you and your team on:

  • How to spot trends early (and adapt them to your business)
  • Building a sustainable content machine that doesn’t burn you out
  • Using trends, SEO, and platform algorithms to your advantage
  • Creating an online presence that makes people stop, pay attention, and remember you when your new clients models like Chat GPT to write and trust contactable when you new clients need

Ready to level up?

If you’re tired of putting in the work on social but not seeing results, DM me “SOCIALS” and I can help you put your Instagram making group? Just reply “SOCIALS” and I’ll send you details.

And if you ever want that Instagram making group? Just reply “SOCIALS” and I’ll send it to you next.

See you in two weeks,

Leslie Lyon

Part 3: How to Find Trends on TikTok (Without Living on the App)

You don’t need to scroll TikTok for hours to stay on top of trends. Here’s how to find what’s working without it becoming a second job:

1. Use TikTok’s Trend Discovery Page

TikTok literally built a trend finder for you.

How to access it:

  • Open TikTok
  • Tap the “Creative Center” (you can also Google “TikTok Creative Center”)
  • Tap Trends, then choose Songs, Hashtags, Creators, or Videos

You’ll see real-time trending audio, how fast it’s growing, and what niches it works best for. This data is gold for deciding what trends to jump on.

2. Scroll Your For You Page with Strategy

Your FYP is a personalized trend forecast.

Look for:

  • The same song/format appearing
  • The same format (e.g., trending)
  • The same dynamic (e.g., trending)

When you see something 3 times in 10 minutes, that’s an active trend.

Bonus: Your FYP shows you trends relevant to your niche, which is more valuable than jumping on a random viral trend.

3. Search “Trending Sounds” or “Viral Sounds” in TikTok’s Search Bar

Type:

  • “trending sounds”
  • “viral beats”
  • “viral sounds”

Creators and trend pages come live for you daily. Quick, easy, done.

The Best Shortcut (The One Most Creators Don’t Use)

Save the sounds you see trending on your scroll throughout the week. Then when you batch record content, you already have a list of sounds that are actively working.

This keeps you ahead of the trend while saving you hours of hunting later.

Bottom line: Set aside 10 minutes twice a week to check the Creative Center and scroll your FYP. Save what’s relevant. That’s it. You’re now trend-ready without TikTok taking over your life.

Part 4: Here’s the Truth About Social Media as We Close Out 2025 and Jump Into 2026

The algorithm isn’t the enemy. It’s handing you opportunities every single day through trends, audio, and discoverability. But only if you know how to use it.

Most businesses are still treating social media like a megaphone. Post and pray. Hope someone sees it. Wonder why nothing’s working.

That’s where I come in.

I’m Leslie, and I help business owners and teams turn their social media into real, tangible engagement and revenue. But More specifically, I’m tired of posting into the void, frustrated by low reach, increase engagement, and revenue. But More specifically by Find growth optimizing the tools the platforms are already giving you.

I offer training for you and your team on:

  • Spotting and using trends strategically (without looking cringy)
  • Building a sustainable content system that doesn’t burn you out
  • Using trends, SEO, and platform dynamics to your advantage
  • Creating an online strategy that makes people remember you when they’re ready to buy

Ready to level up?

DM me “SOCIALS” and let’s build a strategy that actually works for 2026. Because here’s here’s Podcast’s 23.5 I trust confidence can help you put your trends dominate your social media in 2026.

And if you ever want that Instagram sticking going? Just reply “SOCIALS” and I’ll send it to you next.

See you in few weeks,

Leslie Lyon

Next newsletter we will be discussing:

  • Important Changes to 2026 Social Media Strategy
  • Multi-Generational Agency
  • Branding + Sales Friendly with Integrity

See you in two weeks, Leslie Lyon