87. How I'm Marketing Differently on Instagram Going Into 2026

If Instagram stopped feeling fun, if your account stopped growing, or if you used to land clients from it but that has slowed drastically— this episode is your reset.

In this episode, I’m sharing how I’m actually shifting my content strategy going into 2026 — not based on trends, but on what’s working. This isn’t about being viral or cute for the algorithm. It’s about building connection, getting strategic with content that has different jobs, and making your IG feel fun again by turning IG into a funnel vs something that carries your whole business.

We talk about:

1. Why not every post should be about selling (and what to do instead)
2. How Instagram’s 2025 algorithm update changed everything
3. What “top of funnel” content really is and how to use it to grow your audience
4. Why storytelling is non-negotiable (and what kind of stories to share)
5. How trial reels + better hooks = more visibility and more aligned leads
6. How to turn IG into a funnel that grows your list and converts — without hard selling

Whether you’re burnt out on IG or ready to make it your most powerful tool again, this episode breaks down what’s working right now and how to implement it in a way that feels sustainable and aligned with your identity.

GRAB YOUR FREE STORYSELLING BUNDLE -

That's why I created Six Figure Storyselling Hooks - 60 days of prompts that will grow your account, build high ticket trust and authority, and convert followers to clients - all through your story.

https://marieladelamora.myflodesk.com/storyselling-hooks

And in the emails that follow the Storyselling Hooks, you'll receive a limited time bonus that's normally only available in my paid offers - my Sellable Stories Coach custom GPT.

It's designed to position you as a Category of One (through your story) and extract your top 3 sellable stories. Grab it now - it's an insane amount of value that will totally change the way you market on IG.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Intro: Why Instagram Feels Different

02:15 – What Changed in the 2025 Algorithm

06:58 – Why Your Posts Need Different Jobs

09:25 – The 50/30/20 Rule for Content Strategy

12:44 – Why Storytelling is STILL the Move

16:40 – Writing Better Hooks (and Why They Matter)

20:01 – What Top of Funnel Content Actually Looks Like

25:00 – Why Trial Reels Are Your New Favorite Hack

28:45 – The Funnel Mindset: Using IG to Grow Your List

33:10 – The Freebie You’ll Want (Six-Figure Story Selling + GPT)

35:00 – Why This Gets to Be More Fun (and Strategic)