That One Time I acted like a little B**** | What I assess in my clients Marketing | Gramma Vibes

with No Comment Newsletter

Saying the marketing space is saturated is the understatement of the year.

I was impressed to see myself playing victim to the saturated market bs I hear everywhere.

I preach authenticity and normally have zero issue finding mine in any space. Until this year. I’ll be honest, I was a little surprised to catch myself being a b**** about it.

That’s not my normal, so finding myself there was equal parts humbling and comical.

I’m big on showing all the way up. Going all in in life, love, and work. No half measures, no excuses.

So imagine my surprise when I realized I hadn’t touched a single thing on my website in over a year. And it showed.

I could give you 27 reasons why. But the truth? I was playing victim to the saturated market story I was telling myself and using it as a very convenient excuse to keep being a b****.

So I did something about it.

I overhauled my site. Updated my areas of expertise to fully reflect what I actually do now. Then I got to work creating content that genuinely matters to me, to my current clients, and to the ones who haven’t found me yet.

You know what happened?

I went from zero clicks, the kind of website that only gets traffic if you personally hand someone the link, to 21K unique visitors and 99 clicks in 28 days.

I laid the victim story to rest. I showed all the way up. And it moved the needle in a way I couldn’t ignore.

I’ve been in the entrepreneurial space for a long time, and I genuinely believe it is the most refining thing to ever enter my world. There are probably still areas where I’m being a b**** about it. I’m self-aware enough to know that. But this one?

This one’s done.

What about you?

Are you holding onto a victim story somewhere in your body, your mindset, or your business?

Part 2: What I look at when I assess a clients marketing.

Being heavy on content creation, it would be easy to assume that when I assess a client’s marketing I lean straight into their content.

That couldn’t be further from the truth.

I look at a series of things that get us all clear on what’s actually needed to ensure content can convert. Four of them specifically.

1. Offer Clarity

2. Customer Journey

3. Content to Business Alignment

4. Measured Reality

Offer Clarity

You might be shocked at how many people are unclear on their offer and how to explain it in simple terms. We start here and get very clear on what’s being sold and whether it actually makes sense as presented.

This can be a real challenge when you offer numerous things. I say this as someone who has lived it. Offer clarity is the foundation of every marketing system. If the offer isn’t clear, no amount of content strategy, paid ads, or platform optimization will compensate for it.

This is where most audits need to start and where most businesses have more work to do than they realize. Your offers, your website copy, and your content all need to line up. When they don’t, everything else is just noise.

Customer Journey

Where does a potential client first encounter your business and what happens next? I map this out step by step from first touchpoint to signed contract.

What I’m looking for is friction. Places where the journey breaks down, requires too much effort, or asks for commitment before enough trust has been established. Almost every business has at least two or three significant friction points that are quietly killing their conversion rate.

The goal isn’t a perfect process. It’s a journey with no unnecessary obstacles between curiosity and conversion.

Content to Business Alignment

This is where I do examine content. Less so what you’re doing on social and more so what you’re actually saying and how it’s being interpreted.

There is almost always some friction between what’s being created, how it’s being received, and how it aligns to the business. This is where the magic happens. This is where we start making real traction.

Measured Reality

You know what number doesn’t count? Probably the one you find the most ego boosting.

If you’re only measuring likes and follows you are missing the entire point of your data. What I want to see is evidence that someone is tracking profile visits, link clicks, inquiry rates, and conversion from specific content types. No measurement system means no optimization. We’re just guessing.

What This Tells Me

By the time I’ve assessed these four areas I know where the real problems are. And they’re almost never where the client thought they were when we started.

That’s the value of a strategic audit over a content review. Content is the output. Strategy is the system that makes the output worth creating.

If you’ve been wondering whether your marketing foundation is solid or whether you’re building great content on shaky ground, that’s exactly what the Fractional CMO Resource Library was designed to help you assess.

[Explore the Resource Library →]

I’m giving away a free strategy session. BOOK HERE!

I took some time at the end of March to travel and meet my youngest granddaughter.

Some of you know that my kids gifted me with three grandkids in 2025, bringing my total to eight. Eight grandkids. I’m still taking that in.

Miss Juniper isn’t making her digital debut just yet, so I’ll just say this. She has her daddy’s big blue eyes and she is the sweetest little gem I’ve met yet.

I haven’t hit 50 and by May I’m told grandbaby number nine will be here.

Here’s what I’ve found along this journey of parenthood and now grandparenthood. I am almost always a step or two behind. I learned to become a daughter when I became a parent. I learned to become a parent when I became a grandparent.

I can’t help but wonder if that’s entirely by design.

You are the magic the world needs. Especially in your business. You fuel it.

How do you feel about what you’re feeding your business and yourself?

Leslie Lyon

P.S. Questions are my absolute favorite and honestly how I create most of my content. If you have one, send it. FAQ’s are everything.

If someone sent you this and you would like to subscribe. Do so here!

The 2 Strategies every biz should have | My Favorite Case Study | Fractional CMO

with No Comment Newsletter

The two social media strategies every business should have

Two Accounts. One Strategy. Twice the Growth.

Most businesses treat social media as a single entity, one account, one voice, one feed. The brands growing fastest right now are doing something different. They’re running two strategies simultaneously, and doing it intentionally.

One account for the business. One for the founder.

Your business account is your brand. Polished, consistent, built to convert. Your founder account is your story. The personality, the opinions, the human being behind the logo.

These aren’t competing accounts. They’re complements.

People don’t buy from businesses anymore. They buy from people they know, like, and trust. But they also want proof the business is credible. Two accounts let you deliver both without forcing either one to carry the full weight.

Cross-posting and collaborations are where the growth happens. When you cross-post between accounts, you introduce each audience to the other. When you collaborate, both accounts gain visibility and the algorithm rewards both. One post. Two audiences. One growing community.

If you’re only running one account, you’re doing half the work for half the result. Let your audience see the full picture, the brand they can trust and the founder they want to follow.

My favorite case study to date!

A Caribbean real estate company came to us five months ago with a problem most businesses quietly accept as normal, they were posting consistently and nobody was closing from their social media.

Their 90-day baseline told the story: 5,967 total views, 2,497 accounts reached, and a trickle of 23 new followers in a single month.

Today that same account just crossed 1.96 million views on a single reel.

No paid promotion. No influencer partnerships. No viral luck.

Just a tested content strategy built on our Instagram Trial Reels Viral Framework – and five months of executing it.

Here is what changed in 30 days once the framework kicked in:

Views jumped from 5,967 to 540,073
Accounts reached grew by 6,772%
1,058 new followers in one month
Facebook cross-posting added 2 million more views and 5,321 new followers – a 16x growth in net followers
271 Agent Referrals in less than 5 days

That is what a tested strategy does. It does not leave results to chance.

If your Instagram is active but invisible, this is the framework that changes that. We use Trial Reels to test content with cold audiences before building your strategy around it – so when you commit to a content direction, you already know it works.

The full case study is coming to the website soon. In the meantime, if you want to know what this could look like for your business, let’s talk.

Do you have a system in place to handle 271 Referrals? I built that too!

I’m currently offering a FREE Strategy Session. BOOK HERE!

Fractional CMO what is it and who needs one.

If you’ve been wondering whether your business needs serious marketing leadership but can’t justify a six-figure executive salary, you’re asking the right question.

The answer might already exist, and it’s called a Fractional CMO.

We’ve built out a full resource library to help you understand exactly what this role looks like, what it costs, and whether it’s the right move for your business right now.

Start here:

What Does a Fractional CMO Actually Do? It’s more than strategy decks and big ideas. Here’s what the role really looks like inside your business. [Read More]

How Much Does a Fractional CMO Cost? Pricing ranges vary widely. Here’s what drives the difference and what you should expect to pay. [Read More]

5 Signs Your Business Is Ready for a Fractional CMO Not every business is at the right stage. Here’s how to know if the timing is right for you. [Read More]

Fractional CMO hiring guides Everything you need to know to hire right for your company. [Read More]

You are the magic the world needs, especially in your business you fuel it. How do you feel about what you are feeding your business and yourself.

Leslie Lyon

p.s. If you have a question, those are my absolute fav and that is how I literally make most of my content from FAQ’s.

Content Marketing Trends, Video Frameworks & Instagram Resources | March 2026

with No Comment Newsletter

Content Marketing Trends, Video Frameworks & Instagram Resources | March 2026

Welcome back to Market like a Lyon

This round we are covering:

Published Features in Marketer Mags.
4 Types of Instagram Video for Trial Reels
Instagram Trial Reels Resource Library 411

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

Marketer Magazine Expert Feature (Content Marketing Trends): 📣 I was honored to be featured alongside 24 powerhouse marketers in Marketer Magazine, here’s the Instagram Trial Reels insight I shared that’s quietly changing the game in 2026.

Read the full story here p.s. I am the very last one.

Part 2: 4 Types of Videos and 3 Types of Pitches for your Trial Reels.

📹 Not all video content is created equal and your feed knows it.

If you’ve been rotating through Reels hoping something sticks, this is your sign to stop guessing and start testing with a system.

My latest deep-dive breaks down the 4 types of video content that consistently perform in Instagram Trial Reels:

Talking Head

B-Roll

Tutorial and

Storytelling

Plus the 3-Pitch System that lets you build trust AND drive conversions without burning out your audience.

The data doesn’t lie:

Tutorial videos are hitting 78-85% completion rates.

Talking Head videos are generating the highest profile click-throughs.

And the businesses rotating all four strategically? They’re not posting more they’re posting smarter.

👉 Read the full framework here → [4 Types of Video]

If Your Video game is less about the edits and more about what you are delivering you will succeed on Instagram, especially if you loop in Trail reels.

I'm super excited to Announce my Instagram Trial Reels Viral Framework and Resource Library

🏗️ Speaking of systems… I built you one.

If you’ve been reading my content and thinking “okay but where do I actually start” I hear you. That’s exactly why I created the Instagram Trial Reels Viral Framework, and it’s now live.

This isn’t a tips page. It’s the full blueprint the exact 4-phase system I use to take brands from posting-and-praying to running a self-feeding Instagram engine that compounds over time. Brand audit. Data-driven testing. A 6-12 month strategy built from YOUR results. And execution options that work for your bandwidth, whether you want us to run it, train you, or both.

👉 See the full framework here → [Did someone say VIRAL]

And while you’re there, don’t miss the Complete Instagram Trial Reels Resource Library sitting right on that page.

It’s everything from “What even ARE Trial Reels?” all the way to hooks, templates, metrics benchmarks, and how to turn Instagram into your entire sales funnel.

All in one place. All free.

📚 Start with whatever you need most: → Just getting started? What Are Instagram Trial Reels and How They Work → Ready to optimize? Trial Reels Metrics: What Good Performance Actually Looks Like → Need content ideas? 25 Hooks + 10 Templates

I’m currently offering a FREE Strategy Session. BOOK HERE!

Next newsletter, we are doing a deep dive into:

The two, yes two social Strategies everyone needs.
Case Study of how Organic Social is always the answer.
Why your email list isn’t being fully used and how to shift that.

Every day we speak life into tomorrow make it magical.

Leslie Lyon

p.s. If you have a question, those are my absolute fav and that is how I literally make most of my content from FAQ’s.

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

Social Top of Funnel, Buyers Shortlist, & Keeping Your Vibes High

with No Comment Newsletter

Remember when social media was just “top of funnel awareness”? Post content → Hope people see you → Maybe they’ll find your website → Eventually buy something

Those days are over.

My actual Instagram sales process:

Create engaging content
They engage and follow my call to action
Call to action leads them to more of me
They either book a sales call or DM me → I close

Real estate example:

Post a property or engagment content
Client engages
Ends up on email list
Still comes back to DMs to discuss logistics
RE has a longer close cycle but this process keeps you on their short list.
See below for explainer on shortlist importance.

Why do they always end up in DMs? They want to build a relationship with who they are buying from.

Even with email lists, funnels, and fancy automation, they come back to Instagram DMs because that’s where the real conversations happen.

Instagram isn’t just awareness. It’s discovery, nurturing, AND closing.

Stop thinking 2018. Start selling 2026.

Read the full strategy →

Let me tell you about the deal you lost three months ago.

You know, the one you don’t even know about yet.

The prospect who’s currently building a mental shortlist of vendors they’ll consider when they’re ready to buy. The one who’s scrolling LinkedIn, asking peers for recommendations, and quietly evaluating who they trust.

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: by the time they reach out to you, the decision is basically already made.

The Research That Changes Everything

A study from Bain and Google (published in Harvard Business Review) found something that should make every business owner pay attention:

📊 80-90% of B2B buyers already have a shortlist of three vendors before they even begin formal research

📊 90% of purchases are ultimately made from that original “day one” list

Even more striking? Research from Wynter and Omniscient tracking 100 real B2B buying decisions shows:

📊 92% of buyers remain entirely within their initial shortlist

📊 61% of buyers already have a single preferred vendor selected before any formal evaluation begins

Translation: If you’re not on their radar early, you’re not in the running.

So How Do You Get On The Shortlist?

The research identified three key factors that put vendors on the “day one” list:

1. Previous Positive Experience They’ve worked with you, seen your work, or followed your content over time.

2. Peer Recommendations Someone they trust has mentioned you. Word-of-mouth still reigns supreme (58% of buyers say peer recommendations matter most).

3. Strong Digital Presence Your website, your content, your visibility—all of it contributes to whether you make the cut.

But here’s what the research doesn’t explicitly say (but I will):

The real differentiator is personality + a distinct point of view.

That’s what separates you from every other expert saying the same things. It’s what makes you memorable in a sea of sameness. It’s why someone remembers YOUR name when they finally decide they’re ready to buy.

What This Means For Your Business

Stop thinking about “generating leads” and start thinking about “building awareness.”

Stop optimizing for the moment someone fills out a contact form and start showing up consistently long before they know they need you.

Stop being another voice in the crowd and start having a distinct POV that people remember.

Because 97% of buyers will check out your website during their research. 78% will shortlist only 3 vendors. And if you’re not already in their awareness, you won’t make the cut.

The game isn’t won when they reach out. It’s won in the months before, when they’re quietly building their list.

The state of the world and your impact

t is safe to say the world feels heavy right now.
Most of us are carrying more than we let on.

I won’t pretend global or national events don’t affect me, they do. But I’m also aware that not every hardship lands on me in the same way it lands on others.

Over the years, I’ve learned that I don’t always need a microphone or a megaphone to live my values.

Sometimes, the most meaningful form of resistance is staying whole.
Refusing to become fragmented, hardened, or consumed by polarization.

I know this: I am no good to anyone if I allow fear, anger, or constant crisis to take me offline emotionally.

What I can do is remain available. Grounded. Compassionate. Clear.

When I’m needed, truly needed, I show up.

And when I’m not, I keep living in a way that reflects what I believe.

That’s how I protect my energy.
That’s how I stay useful.
That’s how I ensure I can make an impact when it is most needed.

I know sometimes it feels weird to keep promoting your business when some things in the world weigh us down. In truth you are supporting in the ways you can until called in another way.

So this is my encouragement that your resistance may not feel like enough but it is resistance none the less.

I’m currently offering a FREE Strategy Session. BOOK HERE!

Next newsletter, we are doing a deep dive into:

Instagram Trial Reels Resource Library
Top 4 Types of Reels for Instagram
Why everyone complicates viral content

Every thought is creating your reality, make sure you love what you are creating.

Leslie Lyon

p.s. If you enjoyed this, let me know.

Instagram Trial Reels, NotebookLM, LinkedIn’s 2026 Algorithm

with No Comment Newsletter

Welcome back to Market like a Lyon

February 2026 #1

This round we are covering:

Instagram Trial Reels Strategy: Video Tutorial
Testing out Notebooklm.google
Linkedin Algorithm

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

Stop Guessing, Start Testing: The Instagram Feature That Changes Everything

What if you could test your Instagram Reels before posting them and only share the ones guaranteed to perform?

What if you could test your Instagram Reels before posting themand only share the ones guaranteed to perform?

Most creators are shooting in the dark. They post, hope, and cross their fingers. But Instagram’s hidden Trial Reels feature lets you A/B test content with real audiences before it ever hits your main feed.

I used this exact strategy to hit 1 million views in 7 days with 89% non-follower reach. No luck. No viral accidents. Just systematic testing and data-driven decisions.

In this complete guide, I walk you through my entire process: how I create three variations of every reel, test them overnight, and only post the winners. You’ll see exactly where to find Trial Reels in your app, how to check performance metrics, and how to build a library of proven content for repurposing.

Read the full step-by-step guide →

Part 2: I tested NotebookLM and you should too!

Here’s how I multiplied my content without starting from scratch 👇

I took my top 3 blog posts already ranking on Google and dropped them into googles notebooklm.

From there, I asked for:

• A mind map

• An infographic

• A long-form YouTube video

Honestly?

It barely needed edits. The structure was solid, the message was clear, and the “meat and potatoes” were already there. Intro on the video was a touch wordy for me 😂

All I did next was:

✔️ Add a transcript

✔️ Upload it to YouTube

✔️ Done

That’s content multiplication in 2026.

Long-form content is the asset.

AI just helps you extract more value from what you’ve already created.

If you’re constantly creating new content but not repurposing what’s already working, you’re doing extra work for no reason.

Smart systems > more effort.

Has anyone else tried notebookLM yet? 👀

I would love to see what you create. Tag me!!

NotebookLM

Video Created with one click in NotebookLM

Infographics NotebookLM Pushed out from the above blog post.

LinkedIn's Illusive Algorithm had a big shift in Dec and the New Year Means New Rules

LinkedIn’s Algorithm Just Changed at the end of the Year.

If you’ve noticed your LinkedIn posts getting less reach lately, you’re not alone. The platform’s 360Brew algorithm update has caused a 50% drop in views, 25% decline in engagement, and 59% decrease in follower growth across the board.

LinkedIn intentionally shifted toward quality over quantity, and the professionals who understand these changes are seeing better results than ever before.

After working with teams from multiple companies to navigate these changes, I’ve identified the clear patterns in what works and what doesn’t in 2026.

What’s killing your reach:

Profile-content misalignment (posting outside your expertise)
Engagement bait tactics that now get penalized
Focusing on likes instead of saves
Daily posting without substance

What’s driving results:

Creating save-worthy frameworks and resources
Profile optimization that signals expertise to the AI
Content that keeps people reading (800-1000 words perform best)
Strategic relationship building over broadcast marketing

I’ve compiled everything into a comprehensive 15-minute strategy guide that covers:

✓ The real changes behind 360Brew (beyond the marketing hype)

✓ Profile optimization techniques that signal expertise

✓ Content formulas that consistently generate saves

✓ A complete 90-day implementation plan

✓ Advanced tactics for sustainable LinkedIn growth

This isn’t recycled advice or theoretical tips. These are tested strategies from hands-on experience helping businesses expand their LinkedIn reach and thought leadership.

Read the complete LinkedIn Algorithm 2026 strategy guide →

The guide includes step-by-step implementation, real examples, and practical frameworks you can start using immediately.

I’m currently offering a FREE Strategy Session. BOOK HERE!

Next newsletter, we are doing a deep dive into:

Instagram Top of Funnel
Buyers Shortlist and how to get on it
The good lord only knows because marketing changes daily and I like to flow with whatever I’m working on.

I speak to business owners daily who are worried AI is leaving them in the dust. Don’t fret those of us studying it daily and trying to keep up are also grasping to stay up to date.

It’s all working for you and in your favor even when you can’t see it,

Leslie Lyon

p.s. Thanks for reading this far.

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

with No Comment 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.

New Agents to Recruit
Buyers and Sellers in Your Area
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.

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!

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.

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

with No Comment Newsletter

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:

Attract & Engage – Get the right people paying attention
Capture & Convert – Turn attention into action
Nurture Relationships – Build trust over time
Book & Close – Make the sale
Paid to Perform -Ads to close the sales cycle
Deliver & Delight – Exceed expectations
Upsell & Cross-sell – Expand the relationship
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.

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.

Show your personality.

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

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.

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

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

with No Comment 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:

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

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

Post the full video → Upload directly to LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram TV series
Pull 10-15 short clips → Cut the video into one-seed clip (for Reels)
Write a Twitter thread → Post shorting clips into shareab social
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

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

with No Comment 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.

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