Marketing and Margaritas

Instagram is changing faster than ever, and the strategies that worked last year won't necessarily grow your brand today.
In this episode of Marketing & Margaritas, we're here to unpack six Instagram strategies that are driving real results in 2026. From the rise of Yap videos and Trial Reels to why caption SEO has replaced hashtags, we explore how brands can increase their reach, build genuine engagement, and stay ahead of the algorithm.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why Yap videos are outperforming overly polished content
• How to create authentic content that builds trust and converts
• Why replies matter more than likes on Instagram Stories
• The shift from hashtags to Instagram SEO
• How Trial Reels can help you reach brand-new audiences
• Why relying on Instagram alone is risky—and where you should be showing up instead
Whether you're trying to increase engagement, improve your Instagram strategy, or build a stronger social media presence, this episode will help you understand what's working now and where Instagram is heading next.

It’s time for Rapid Response, where we answer your marketing questions completely unfiltered and off the cuff.
We put up a question box on Instagram, you asked your questions, and now we’re giving you our raw, unprepared thoughts.
From strategies that work to industry hot takes, this is the no-fluff, real-talk episode you didn’t know you needed.
Follow us on Instagram to ensure you don’t miss our next Rapid Fire question box.

You all love these episodes! Ruby and Maddi breakdown their core focuses for Q3 and the new financial year including;
Improving reach
Paid ad funnels
Webinar funnels
Black Friday and more!

We're backkkk and Ruby has some exciting news to share!
With rising CPAs, unpredictable performance, EOFY pressure, and global uncertainty impacting consumer behaviour — a lot of brands are asking the same question right now: “What do we do when Meta stops working?”
In this episode of Marketing & Margaritas, Maddi breaks down why the worst thing you can do during a performance dip is panic, switch everything off and disappear.
Instead, we’re talking about the moves smart ecommerce brands make when paid ads get tough, from shifting towards efficiency campaigns, refining creative strategy, leaning into your best sellers, strengthening email marketing and exploring channels beyond Meta.
We cover:
🍸 When to pull back budget vs when to hold steady
🍸 How to adjust campaigns using cost caps and ROAS goals
🍸 Why creative cadence still matters (and what creative to prioritise)
🍸 Using organic content as your testing ground
🍸 Building revenue channels outside of Meta — TikTok, Pinterest, Google & beyond
🍸 Creating offers that drive sales without damaging your brand
🍸 Why offline activations, community and sampling still matter
Because the reality is: if one bad month on Meta can collapse your business, Meta isn’t the problem; your marketing ecosystem is.

Most marketers/business owners are wasting precious opportunities because they’re missing the true power of an effective hook. If your content isn’t passing the first 3 seconds in the attention game, all your effort may be wasted.
But what if you could flip the script and craft hooks that instantly stop scrolls and makes you sales? In this episode, Maddi dives into the psychology and mechanics behind irresistible hooks that do more than just catch the eye, they open the information gap that keeps your audience watching.
You’ll discover how to leverage a three-layer hook system; text, visuals, and sound that aligns around a core emotional trigger. Maddi reveals the three-point hook formula: pattern interrupt, angle, and curiosity loop, crafted to create content that is impossible to ignore. Whether you’re a creator, business owner, or marketer, understanding the three-layer hook framework and how to use data-driven insights will transform your reach and impact.

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