Have you ever wished you could sit down with someone from Meta (the company behind Facebook and Instagram) and get the inside scoop on how to grow your social media presence? Well, that’s exactly what I did—accidentally at first—and it turned into a game-changing phone call. In this blog post, I’m sharing everything I learned from my conversation with a Meta representative. Get ready to take notes and apply these tips to boost your reach, spark engagement, and streamline your social media strategy.
Why My Call With Meta Matters
After months of seeing influencers talk about their chats with Meta, I was skeptical. But when an actual Meta rep called me out of the blue—twice—I knew it was time to pick up and listen. Our 20-minute conversation spanned everything from Reels and feed posts to Threads and engagement best practices. Now, I’m passing on those insights to you.
1. Consistency: Your Not-So-Secret Weapon
One of the first points Meta emphasized was the importance of maintaining a regular posting schedule. Specifically, the rep recommended:
Three Reels per week to attract new followers.
One feed post per week to nurture existing followers.
Why it works:Reels have become the “front door” of discovery for many users, thanks to the short-video format’s viral potential. Meanwhile, feed posts help keep your loyal audience engaged, offering them a mix of static images, carousels, or long-form captions they can interact with on a deeper level.
Quick Tip: If you struggle to post this frequently, try batch-creating content. Set aside a couple of hours once a week or once a month to film Reels and design posts, then schedule them out.
2. Timing Is Everything
Does “when” you post matter? According to Meta: absolutely! The best practice is to go into your Instagram analytics and find out when your audience is most active. Then, schedule your content to go live about 30 minutes before that window.
How to find your peak times:
Go to your Instagram profile.
Tap on Insights (you’ll need a business or creator account).
Look under Audience for the days and times your followers are most active.
Why it works:By posting just before peak hours, you give your content a head start in the algorithm. That often means higher engagement and visibility in the first few minutes of your post being live.
3. Reels Best Practices: 30- to 90-Second Magic
If you’ve ever wondered why some Reels flop while others soar, length might be a big factor. Meta’s recommendation? Keep your Reels between 30 and 90 seconds.
Goldilocks Principle:
Under 30 seconds: Risk not telling enough of a story.
Over 90 seconds: Might lose viewer interest and could be deprioritized by the algorithm.
Don’t forget:
Use trending audio for a boost in discovery.
Add captions—not only for accessibility but also to hook scrollers who are watching without sound.
4. The Rise of Threads
Threads is the new kid on the Meta block. Remember when everyone was on Clubhouse for a minute? This time, Meta wants Threads to succeed, and they’re dedicating resources to make it happen.
What is Threads?It’s a Twitter-like platform integrated with Instagram. While you can easily cross-post your static Instagram content to Threads, you currently can’t do the same with Reels.
How to use Threads effectively:
Cross-promote your Instagram posts to Threads (there’s a toggle in the post scheduler).
Spark conversations: Threads is all about casual, text-based updates that encourage replies.
Show your human side: Threads values authenticity and off-the-cuff remarks over polished perfection.
By treating Threads like an extension of your Instagram—rather than an afterthought—you could gain extra visibility, especially if Meta continues to push the platform’s growth.
5. Engagement: The 15-Minute Power Move
Whether you’re building a local clientele or a global community, engagement is critical. Meta loves seeing users act as genuine community members. That means:
Replying to comments on your posts.
Commenting on other people’s posts (especially in your niche or area).
Exploring relevant hashtags and geo-tags to start conversations.
Aim to spend 15 to 20 minutes a day on these activities. It may sound like a lot, but set a timer if you must—it’s an investment that pays off.
6. Scheduling: Your Time-Saving Solution
Worried that scheduling your posts might lead to a penalty in Instagram’s algorithm? Don’t be. Meta confirmed that using Instagram’s native scheduling feature does not negatively impact your reach.
Why Scheduling Helps:
Consistency: You won’t forget to post or get overwhelmed trying to post in real-time.
Analytics: You can plan posts to go live during peak engagement hours without physically having to be online at that moment.
Creativity: Batch-working on your content can help you stay on-brand and produce higher-quality posts.
Action Steps to Implement
Audit Your Posting Habits: Check how often you’re posting now, then map out a plan for three Reels and one static feed post per week.
Plan Around Peak Times: Use Instagram analytics to identify your best posting windows; schedule posts 30 minutes before the rush.
Focus on 30–90 Second Reels: Hook your audience, tell a concise story, and wrap it up with a clear call to action.
Use Threads Strategically: Toggle on the feature to cross-post, but also share original text updates to spark real-time chats.
Engage Daily: Block out 15 minutes to like, comment, and connect. Show up as a resource in your niche or local community.
Schedule with Confidence: Utilize Instagram’s native tools (found under “Advanced Settings”) and forget the myth that scheduling hurts engagement.
Social media is often a moving target. Algorithm changes, new features, and evolving user habits can leave even the savviest creators feeling overwhelmed. But when you have direct insights from the very platforms you’re trying to grow on, it simplifies the process significantly.
Remember:
Consistency isn’t just a buzzword; it’s what builds trust and recognition.
Your story matters—tell it in Reels, on Threads, and through authentic engagement.
Don’t let the algorithm discourage you; instead, arm yourself with knowledge and make it work for you.
I hope these tips and takeaways from my Meta conversation help you feel more empowered the next time you open the Instagram app. Here’s to cracking the algorithm, one Reel (and one Thread) at a time!
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
Follow me on Instagram: @lisahuffhair
Join me on Threads: @lisahuffhair
Tune into the podcast episode: Crack the Algorithm: Practical Tips Straight from Meta
If you found this breakdown helpful, feel free to share it with a friend or leave a comment below about your own experiences with Instagram and Threads. Let’s grow smarter—and more authentically—together.
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