Mastering Instagram Engagement with Brandy Henry of Toastmasters District 7

In our latest podcast episode, we welcomed Brandy Henry, a seasoned social media manager and strategist affiliated with Toastmasters District 7. Brandy is on a mission to help professionals feel comfortable and confident on Instagram, transforming the platform into a powerful tool for business growth and audience engagement.

Tackling Instagram Fatigue

One of the standout challenges discussed was how busy entrepreneurs can manage their Instagram presence without feeling overwhelmed. Brandy shared her strategy for creating short, engaging video snippets. Her advice? Dedicate 30 minutes once a week to record several videos, showcasing your expertise and personality. These can then be posted consistently throughout the week, keeping your profile active while minimizing daily effort.

Optimizing Instagram Content

Brandy emphasized the importance of video formatting and engagement:

• Video Length: For Instagram posts, keep videos under a minute. For IGTV, aim for 2–3 minutes.
• Format: Use a square aspect ratio and hold your phone slightly above eye level for a flattering angle.
• Engagement: Spend a few minutes each day responding to comments and interacting with followers. Authentic engagement boosts visibility in Instagram’s algorithm, fostering stronger connections.

Instagram for Business Growth

Brandy outlined how Instagram can drive business results:

• Share behind-the-scenes stories to build a relatable brand.
• Use Instagram Stories to invite followers to sign up for newsletters or other content.
• Delegate engagement tasks to a trusted assistant to maintain responsiveness without overextending yourself.

Key Takeaways

Instagram isn’t just a broadcasting platform—it thrives on meaningful interactions. As Brandy highlighted, showing genuine interest in your audience’s posts and comments is crucial for building a loyal community. For more of Brandy’s insights, visit her website at brandywhenry.com or explore her work with Toastmasters District 7. Follow her on Instagram at @brandywhenry to see her strategies in action.  

Additional Resources:

• Hootsuite Blog: How to Use Instagram for Business - A comprehensive guide to using Instagram effectively for business purposes, including tips on engagement and content strategies.
• Sprout Social: The Ultimate Guide to Instagram Marketing - Insights and actionable steps to enhance your Instagram marketing efforts, including posting strategies and algorithm tips.
• HubSpot: A Beginner’s Guide to Instagram Analytics - An overview of how to track and analyze your Instagram performance to refine your strategy.

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Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Want to learn more? On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/District7.TM/ On Instagram: http://instagram.com/d7toastmasters On X: https://twitter.com/District7Toast   Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!  

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