socialite-media

From TikTok to Snap Map...Instagram's Newest Updates Have a Familiar Vibe

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 20:16:38 GMT

Learn how to use these features to boost your social presence and stay connected.

If you haven’t updated your Instagram app this week, then stop right now and go hit that update button! Instagram just dropped two new features that are important to know about. The first one is Reposts and the second is Instagram Map. These aren’t just meaningless updates — these are going to change how people utilize the Instagram app. Here’s everything you need to know and exactly how to use them to your advantage.

1. Instagram Just Launched Reposts, Similar Vibe to TikTok’s Feature

We’ve all been there when you come across an Instagram reel or post that’s so relatable or funny and you want your followers to see it. Until now, you had to just share it to your close friends or your Instagram story. Not anymore! With Reposts, Instagram basically gave us an in-app retweet.
And yes, if this sounds familiar, it’s because TikTok has this feature already. TikTok’s “Repost” button has made it easy to boost content you love without making your own. Now Instagram has added the same feature.

How to Use It:

Find a post or reel that you would like to repost.
Hit the little repost icon under a post or to the side of a reel (it looks like two arrows forming a circle).
Then, it’ll show up on your followers’ feeds and in your very own “Reposts” tab on your profile.

Personal Usage Benefits:

This is a great way to curate your personal brand on Instagram and connect with your followers. It also gives users a chance to have a more permanent section of reposts that they can create. Imagine reposting outfit inspo, trending memes, or your BFF’s small business launch, all while giving them instant credit.

How Small Businesses Can Benefit:

Reposts let small businesses get more exposure by encouraging followers and supporters to easily share their posts. When customers repost your content, it reaches new audiences and builds trust from real users. It’s a great way to boost awareness and grow your community without extra work.

2. Instagram Map: Snap Map Energy, But On Instagram

The Instagram Map is like a digital map that highlights your friends and favorite creators. You choose if you want to share your location. When it’s on, you can share where you were last active with people you pick and see what’s happening nearby. You can find places where others posted stories, like new restaurants or events to check out.

Just like how the reposts were borrowed from TikTok, Instagram Map is clearly inspired by Snapchat’s Snap Map. Snap Map has been letting you see friends’ locations for years by using a Bitmoji character to show where people are. Instagram’s take makes it content-focused.

How to Use It:

Go to DMs, tap the little map pin icon, and decide who can see your location (Close Friends, mutual followers, or a custom list).
Scroll around the map to see where your people are posting Stories, Reels, and even Notes.
Look around the map and it will show locations along with posts your followers have tagged there.

Personal Usage Benefits:

Use it to plan what new restaurants you want to try or scope out trending events in your area that your followers or people you follow recommend or went to. However, we want everyone to stay safe with this update. If you choose to turn on your location, we recommend only sharing it with people you actually know and trust. Think of it like giving someone your address — you wouldn’t hand it out to strangers. Keep it cute and safe.

How Small Businesses Can Benefit:
Instagram Map helps local businesses get discovered by nearby users. When customers tag your location in Stories or Reels, you show up on the map. This can help by making it easier for new people to find and visit you. It’s a powerful way to connect with your community with influencers and events.

Why Do These Updates Matter?

These updates clearly show how Instagram is taking inspiration from other popular apps, like TikTok and Snapchat. They are incorporating features that make those platforms unique and engaging. Instagram is trying to bring the best of what makes those apps fun and useful right into its own ecosystem

Still, these are fun new features to try out that help you connect and share on Instagram in new ways. So next time you’re scrolling, remember you can repost a post or use a location tag to map it!

What's Working on Social Media Right Now (and What's Not)

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 19:13:57 GMT

Social media changes all the time. One day something is trending, and the next day, there is an entirely new trend people are participating in. What worked last year for making content might not work today. If you want to keep up and grow your page, it's important to know what people like to see right now. What makes people stop scrolling? What makes them like a post? What makes people feel the need to comment or share?

In this blog post, we’ll break it down for you. We’ll talk about what’s working well on social media today and what you might want to stop doing.

What’s Working

1. Short, Quick Videos

People scroll fast when on social media and want to get the point quickly. If your video is too long or slow, most viewers won’t stick around.On TikTok and Instagram Reels, short videos under 30 seconds do the best.Get right to the point.

2. Real-Life Content

Keeping your content real is essential. Perfect pictures and videos aren’t as cool as they used to be. Now, people want to see real moments. To add authenticity to your content, show your face or highlight what’s really happening. Showing everyday moments or behind-the-scenes clips feels honest and helps build trust with followers.

3. Trending Sounds and Ideas

Trends help your content get seen. Adding a popular sound to your video makes it more likely that people will see it. If lots of people are using the same sound or idea, it is best to try to make your own version of it that relates to you or your brand.

4. Text Posts That Lead to a Conversation

Not every post has to be a video. Sometimes a simple post with strong words can get a lot of attention. Right now, carousel posts that have text on them are popular to swipe through. They can start a conversation in the comments and work well especially on platforms like Instagram or Threads.

5. Talking Directly to the Camera

When you talk right to the camera, it feels personal. Talking directly to the camera works well because it creates a real connection. People are more likely to stop and listen when it feels like a real person is talking just to them. When you share your thoughts or stories, followers feel like they’re talking to a friend.

What’s Not Working

1. Long, Slow Videos

People are busy and scroll fast. Long and slow videos tend to lose viewers quickly. Make sure the first few seconds are interesting. Don’t wait to get to the good part. People want quick entertainment, not to wait for a story to develop.

Instead: Open your video with something attention-grabbing.

2. Too Much Editing or Filters

Over-editing makes content feel fake or staged to the viewers. If your video has too many effects or heavy filters, people might scroll past it. Social media audiences want authenticity, so try natural lighting and light edits only.

3. Only Promotional Posts

It’s great to talk about your product or brand, but not all the time. It is important to diversify your content, so that way every post is not a sales pitch. Costs that only promote products or brands without offering value or personality don’t do well. There can be promotional content and some fun personal content.

Instead: Use the 80/20 rule: 80% value, 20% promotion.

4. No Captions or Context

Posting a video without a strong caption or hook doesn’t work as well anymore. Your audience needs something to help them understand and connect with your content and an informative caption can help. Missing captions or context can confuse your audience. Adding a simple caption helps explain your content and makes it easier to engage with.

Instead: Write captions that tell people what to expect or ask a question to start a conversation.

5. Inconsistent Posting

Inconsistent posting can hurt your growth. Algorithms like when you post regularly and so do your followers. You don’t have to post every day, but try to have a schedule. Staying consistent keeps your followers engaged and growing.

Instead: Start with 2–3 posts per week and be consistent.

Social media right now is all about being quick and clear. The main focus is on short videos, and trending sounds mixed with authenticity and honest conversations. Try to avoid long and slow content, but keep your posts regular and easy to understand. Try these tips and you’ll see your social media game get stronger!

The Rising Power of Micro-Influencers in Digital Marketing

Tue, 15 Aug 2023 16:37:01 GMT

I n today's digital landscape, where social media lies at the forefront, the marketing industry is constantly evolving. Among the various strategies and trends, one particular approach has emerged as a game-changer: micro-influencer marketing. Harnessing the power of authentic connections, micro-influencers are reshaping the way brands connect with their target audience. Here’s everything you need to know to implement micro-influencers in your company’s future digital marketing plans.

When you think of the term, ‘influencer,’ you may imagine a creator with hundreds of thousands of followers across social media platforms who popularize different brands. Influencers are people or organizations who have an expert level of knowledge or social influence in a particular field. They have the power to affect the buying habits of others by uploading original content across social media platforms and reaching large audiences. Brands utilize this visibility in marketing partnerships, known as influencer marketing, to promote their products or services with their target audience.

There are multiple tiers of influencers with various degrees of followers and engagement rates. Most of us are familiar with macro-influencers or celebrities as they have the largest “reach” across multiple platforms. However, micro-influencers, typically individuals with a following ranging from 1,000 to 100,000, have experienced exponential growth in recent years. As of 2023, they make up 47.3%, the largest tier, of all influencers (Spiralytics). In 2021, the micro-influencer market share was at 91%, up 2% from the previous year (Spiralytics). In addition to their smaller following compared to macro-influencers or celebrities, micro-influencers tend to be known for a specific topic, such as fitness or beauty, and have a more engaged fanbase. According to HubSpot, micro-influencers generate up to 60% more engagement on social platforms than macro-influencers. This means that their followers are more likely to like, comment, share and trust their recommendations.

56% of marketers who invest in influencer marketing work with micro-influencers and praise its cost-effectiveness. Micro-influencers are not only a more affordable option but also more accessible for collaborations. The significant impact micro-influencers have on their audience leads to higher conversion rates and increased brand loyalty. And unlike macro-influencers or celebrities, micro-influencers are often seen as relatable figures who share genuine connections with their followers. This authenticity is a crucial element in building trust, as 82% of consumers have said they are “highly likely” to follow a recommendation given by a micro-influencer, according to Spiralytics. By leveraging this trust, brands can achieve deeper and more meaningful connections with their target demographic.

At Socialite Media, our CEO & Founder Holly Sias acknowledges the power of micro-influencers, stating, “micro-influencers are incredibly important for influencer marketing campaigns, especially on the local scale. If you own a local restaurant or shop, utilizing micro-influencers to get in front of your local community has proven time after time an increase in foot traffic and brand exposure in the community.” Sias adds that “while it might seem like partnering with an influencer who has hundreds of thousands of followers is the most effective, if your goal is to get in front of your local community then micro-influencer partnerships is the way to go!”

Micro-influencer marketing offers a valuable advantage by enabling brands to target niche markets effectively. These influencers possess specialized knowledge and cater to specific audience segments. By partnering with micro-influencers within your industry, you can reach the most relevant consumers, resulting in higher returns-on-investment (ROI) and more impactful campaigns.

Sanje Moono, a Content Creator and Contributor to Socialite Media, emphasizes this point, saying, “ Micro-influencers can really enhance a company. The influencers take visuals, videos, and pictures of overall experiences for these businesses which help drive traffic to their brands and reach different types of people that they may not have reached alone.” Moono describes the integral role influencer marketing specialists have in driving audience growth: “they find content creators that they believe would fit the specific brand and have them visit these locations and later share their experience with their audience. Using influencers is beneficial since as a business owner, you don't usually have the time or knowledge to build socials whereas content creators basically do the work for you.”

At Socialite Media, we have witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact of micro-influencers on our clients’ success. Some of our clients who have experienced the power of micro-influencer marketing include:

Medi Kitchen & Cocktail , a Chicago-based Mediterranean restaurant, just celebrated their two year anniversary with us and reached over 107,000 impressions following their most recent 12-week micro-influencer campaign The campaign generated over 28,500 views on Instagram and 56,500 on TikTok.

Cesar’s Killer Margaritas , a family-owned Mexican bar and grill, worked with us to collaborate on a 12-week micro-influencer campaign across four social media platforms in early spring. The partnership resulted in over 123,000 total impressions and three viral posts.

Volo Restaurant & Wine Bar , an upscale restaurant wine bar, reached over 15,000 impressions and over 23,000 views after a 12-week micro-influencer campaign this spring.

With their authenticity, higher engagement rates, and ability to tap into niche markets, micro-influencers provide an invaluable opportunity to build genuine connections with target audiences. As our CEO & Founder Holly Sias concludes, “many of [Socialite Media]’s clients are local businesses and after three years in business, we have followed, adapted and implemented influencer marketing strategies to reflect the ever-changing landscape of integrating influencer partnerships in marketing campaigns. Micro-influencers are one of the top strategies we use to partner with the local businesses we work with to drive in local foot traffic and ultimately increase sales for our clients.”

As the digital marketing industry continues to evolve, it is crucial for companies to adapt to the growing trend of micro-influencer marketing. If your brand’s goal is to increase engagement across online channels, micro-influencers are your key to success. At Socialite Media we are committed to helping brands succeed in the digital realm. Our experienced team in the Influencer Department is equipped with the knowledge and expertise to identify and collaborate with micro-influencers who align with your brand's values and goals. Together, we can create impactful campaigns that resonate with your target audience and drive meaningful results.

Contact us today to explore how we can elevate your brand through strategic partnerships with influential micro-influencers. Remember, in a world of constant digital noise, authenticity and connection are the keys to standing out.