Instagram Growth Secrets Every Business Owner Needs with Michelle Gifford

Send us Fan Mail I am so excited to bring on one of the leading Instagram strategists for business owners — Michelle Gifford. She helps six and seven-figure brands grow their audience, sell out their offers, and generate real revenue through Instagram. She's also a coach, agency owner, podcast host of The Social Strategist, and a mother of five proving every day that it's possible to build a thriving business without sacrificing what matters most.  When I invited Michelle onto the show, I knew we'd be talking Instagram strategy. What I didn't expect was how deep we'd go into the *mindset* behind building a successful business on Instagram. Grab your notebook. **WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE**  - **03:15** How Michelle went from teaching photography as a business to becoming one of the leading Instagram strategists for six and seven-figure brands - **05:07** The moment Michelle realized she wasn't growing on Instagram even though she was teaching it, and exactly what she changed - **07:30** Why sitting on the fence wastes more time and energy than just deciding to go all in - **08:23** How to use Instagram results as information instead of validation - **09:22** The two types of Instagram users every business owner needs to recognize and the decision point each of them faces - **10:19** Why Instagram now rewards the best content creators and why that's actually a gift - **11:17** The identity mindset shift required when you move from Instagram consumer to Instagram business owner - **16:20** What's working for organic Instagram growth right now: carousels, reels, and the share rate metric you need to watch - **18:44** The content test Michelle uses before posting anything: save it, share it, or watch all the way through - **20:59** How to keep people watching reels all the way through: layered hooks, visual movement, and ruthless editing - **22:21** How long your reels should actually be and why Michelle uses a "mini skirt" rule - **23:20** Why not all content has to go viral and how to separate attract, nurture, and sell content - **30:17** How Michelle runs a business and creates content with five kids, a dog, and two cats - **35:36** How Michelle uses AI including Claude Co-Work for competitor analysis and Instagram content research - **39:05** How Claude Co-Work opens a Chrome browser and analyzes Instagram accounts in real time - **41:00** How Michelle uses AI to automate daily social media news briefings and podcast guest thank-you emails - **41:52** Michelle's Descript workflow for podcast editing **LINKS MENTIONED**  - Hot Reels (my 12-month Instagram content lab): - Michelle Gifford's Website: - Michelle on Instagram: - The Social Strategist Podcast: - Michelle AI (Michelle's custom GPT): WORK WITH ELIZABETH MARBERRY - Apply for your FREE Instagram Breakthrough Session with Elizabeth - Free guide to Monetize Your IG: Seven Simple and Proven Ways to Finally Make Money on Instagram **Follow Elizabeth Marberry on** Instagram**,** TikTok**,** Facebook **Please be sure to rate, review and follow the show on** Apple podcasts **(or wherever you find your podcasts) so we can get this free value to other people who need it.**