This Social Cottage

Gemma

Welcome to This Social Cottage: the podcast for business owners, content creators, experts and solopreneurs who want to grow on Instagram, sell their offers daily, and still have time for the life they actually want to live.

Hosted by ex-teacher and Instagram strategist and offer strategist Gemma, each episode is packed with strategy, content clarity, and sustainable growth tips to help you build an online presence without being exhausted by it.

Whether you’re:

Just getting started with posting and feeling overwhelmed,

Already creating content but it’s taking forever, or

Craving a sustainable way to sell your expert offers daily...
This podcast is your space.

You’ll hear solo episodes full of no-fluff Instagram growth tips, content creation strategies, and ways to show up as the expert you already are — even when life is chaotic and motherhood is... motherhood-ing. Plus, guest chats with women who are doing business with heart, clarity, and actual results.

We're talking:

Fast + sustainable content creation

Selling your offer daily without sounding salesy

Building authority when you’re short on time

Getting your Instagram working while you are offline

Balancing business and real life.

Pour a cup of tea, plug in on the school run, or pop me in your ears while you tidy up — and let’s make your Instagram finally start working for you

New episodes every Thursday!

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20 episodes
Updated Wednesday

Episodes20

Newest first

Wednesday · 11 min
The content trend taking over Instagram this summer
Are you feeling like your reach and engagement have dipped over the summer? That's really normal this season, but there are things you can do to give it a little helping shove. Instagram is in its mega personal recommendation era, and the mistake most of us make is thinking people care that we say things "as a doctor" or "as an expert." They don't. What actually gets reach is marrying that personal recommendation energy with what your audience is actually asking for. In this episode: Instagram's shift into its personal recommendation phase, and the mistake most people make trying to use it A real example of why personal recommendation content stops the scroll Prompt to steal: "A lot of people ask how I'm able to ___. Here's what I tell them." Another prompt to steal: "Five things you won't find me recommending to [this type of person/situation]." Breaking down a national park carousel that pulled 36,000 likes, 26,000 shares, and 15,000 new followers from one post, and exactly why it worked Pause the episode, use the prompts, and then come tell me you did it over on Instagram!
July 23 · 11 min
Instagram Q&A: Canva carousels, trial reels, and dead accounts
There's so much nonsense out there about Instagram right now, and today I'm answering your questions about all of it. You sent these into my story question box, and I'm deep-diving on each one because I want to assure you that Instagram doesn't have to be complicated. It gets to be enjoyable once you find your unique perspective and positioning! In this episode: Are designed Canva posts or in-feed carousels better? Is effort ever actually wasted on Instagram, or is it a perspective and positioning problem? Does Instagram throttle a trial reel that doesn't get traction in the first 24 hours? Why trial reels don't work the way they used to Should you start a new account or stick with the one you've got Does format (reels vs. carousels) actually matter for reach If you've got a question I haven't answered today, come find me in my DMs. I'd love to chat and feature it in a future episode.
July 16 · 12 min
Do hooks give you the ick? Or do you just not know your positioning yet?
Be honest with me. Have hooks ever given you the ick? Have you ever gone to create a piece of content and thought, I cannot believe I've stooped this low, or tried to shoehorn some phrasing into your post that just doesn't sound like you? You are not alone, and I hear this conversation a lot. This week, I'm breaking down what to do when hooks make you feel this way, and how to start opening pathways of conversation in your content instead. In this episode: "I hate hooks" usually means "I don't know my positioning well enough" Going from under 1,000 to 100,000+ followers and other client stories The algorithm is just a person interacting with a piece of content Depth vs. superficial content The reverse-engineering method: start with the thought in your head, not the prompt Go check out Lauren and Chantal’s content so you can see their growth for yourself. I'm in the DMs, and I'm also inside the Plotting Shed if you need some extra support. Come and chat with me, I'd love to connect with you!
July 9 · 13 min
What would you post if you already had the followers you want?
I want you to imagine that you have just woken up with the number of followers that you are craving. Maybe that's 10k, 50k, or 100k… whatever it is for you, sit with it for a second. Then ask yourself: what's the content that got you there? If we're honest with ourselves, most of us would say the same thing: that we would've been bolder and braver than what we're currently posting. Not hiding behind the perfect hook or worrying about the timing of the video, but saying what we really think. In this episode: The follower-number exercise to run on yourself before you post again Why 3-4 posts a week with real depth beats mediocre content posted daily The two questions to ask if your growth has felt slower than you'd like What's eating your content-creation time Why one person disagreeing with your post doesn't mean you change direction If this one resonated, come inside my DMs because I love to chat about this stuff! And if you want help getting your hooks and content ideas out of your head and onto the grid, that's exactly what we work on inside The Plotting Shed and with Planting the Seeds.
June 25 · 8 min
Should I post on Instagram over the summer?
Should you post on Instagram over the summer? What happens if your capacity is literally zero? In today's episode, I show you how to make posting over the summer easier on yourself and still give yourself lots of space and capacity.
June 11 · 11 min
10 things I've learned about content that gets reach
i've been supporting folks with their content for a long old while now. In today's episode, I break down the 10 things all successful content does, and the tweaks that you can make to get more reach.
June 4 · 12 min
Lessons from viral videos and million dollar launches
The whole of the marketing world has been going crazy over million dollar launches and talking to the camera. Today I share the lessons we can learn for our own content and the patterns to spot to get your content visible.
May 28 · 11 min
Does your content have impact? Or are you just posting for the sake of it?
What does posting on Instagram for impact look like? What happens if you're posting just for the sake of it? In today's episode I walk you through the exact questions to ask yourself and to get out of a rut.
May 13 · 28 min
How to sound like yourself online with Kal from Words Hurt
How do you sound like yourself online, particularly when AI is rife?! Kal from Words hurt Copy joins me in today's episode to share his perspective: You can find Kal at: Website: www.words-hurt.com @wordshurt.copy on instagram & threads and his newsletter Once More, With Feeling: The most dramatic newsletter on the internet https://words-hurt.myflodesk.com/newsletter
May 7 · 8 min
AI wont be able to steal your personality on Instagram
In a world where 'claude wrote my content in 30 minutes', where do we draw the line about where we're letting AI take over the conversations we're having on Instagram? Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
April 30 · 13 min
Things to start doing immedieately if you're serious about growing on Instagram
Serious about growing your Instagram account? But not sure where your focus should be? I've got you! These are my non-negotiables that will actually get you out of 200 view jail for good. Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
April 23 · 12 min
Get more people watching your Instagram stories
You know you want more people seeing your Instagram stories, but how do you do it? And how do you make them quickly so that you're not spending all day on your phone? That's exactly what I cover in this episode today! Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
April 16 · 12 min
How to get your content seen by more people
Getting out of 200 view jail and having your content reach more people can feel impossible these days on Instagram, right? In today's episode, I walk you through exactly how to do that, and with it taking you far less time than you think! Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
April 9 · 15 min
How to get your next 1,000 followers on Instagram
Stuck in 200 view jail? Desperate to get to 1,000 followers to get trial reels, or wanting to get more eyes on what you do? In today's episode I cover the type of content you need to get your next 1,000 followers. Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
April 2 · 13 min
Using your content to grow a waitlist and sell your offers
You heard me the other week say that Instagram isn't for selling, so how on earth do you use it to grow your waitlist and to sell out your offers? In today's episode, I walk you behind the scenes in doing just that, without having to ever feel salesy. Ps, you can also catch a fab episode where I chat with Rachel Emma Waring on her podcast Launch Like A Creator, too! Link is here for you Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
March 26 · 14 min
How to know if your hook is working
We all stress and fuss about hooks a lot, but how do you know if it's working? How do you kow that what you're posting online is resonating well and being seen by the right people? In today's episode, we cover just that Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
March 19 · 11 min
Should you sell on your Instagram grid?
Should you sell on your Instagram grid? Or what should go there instead if you don't? In today's episode, I give you a sneak peek behind my latest launch and what on earth to post on your grid if you're needing to sell. Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
March 5 · 35 min
When the Instagram gal met the website gal: Do you need a website if you're just posting content?
Do you need a website when you're posting content on Instagram? Would a Linktree or Stan Store just be better? Sara Joelle from Between the Lines Copy shares her expertise as a Website Copywriter and an ADHD business owner. Sara's website: https://betweenthelinescopy.com/ Sara's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/btlcopy/ Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
February 26 · 8 min
How to get carousel posts reaching non-followers on Instagram
My DMS have been FULL of folks asking how on earth they can get their carousel posts to reach non-followers. In today's episode, I cover all you need to know about finally getting traction on those carousels. Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.
February 19 · 13 min
Make talking to camera feel easier on Instagram
Talking to camera can easily give you the wibbles, right? In today's episode, I show you how to make that much easier and how one small tweak to your planning can make all the difference between talking heads that perform and talking heads that don't. Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram and sell more of your offers daily. We'll be talking creating content more easily and in less time, building real authority as an expert in your space and getting your offers in front of the right people online so that you can live more of your life offline. Quick links 🔗 Instagram 🔗 Threads 🔗 This Social Cottage website. 🔗 My new membership You can join my Planting the Seeds prompts subscription here.