This Social Cottage
This Social Cottage is a podcast for business owners, content creators, experts and solopreneurs who want to grow on Instagram, sell their offers consistently, and still have time for the life they want. It is hosted by Gemma, a former teacher turned Instagram and offer strategist, who shares practical strategy, content clarity and sustainable growth tips. Episodes cover fast and sustainable content creation, selling offers daily without sounding salesy, and building authority when time is short. The show mixes solo episodes with guest conversations with women running businesses with heart and clarity.
Episodes
Instagram posting myths that you can flipping ignore
There is so much advice out there on Instagram about how to grow. But there is some that is just frankly nonsense! In today's episode I share what to listen to and what to ignore, so that you can ahead on content!
5 ways to get dangerously ahead in your content
Wanting to get ahead with your Instagram content by the end of 2026?In today's epsiode, I share with you the exact steps to take to get dangeously ahead with your Instagram content and what to do if your content just isn't reaching non-followers or attracting your ideal audience in a way that you would like.
Do this before you record your next piece of content
So many people are focused on going viral or getting more views and visibility, but very few people actually have the tools and systems set up so that when they do get the reach they're after, it actually makes a difference for their business. In today's episode, I share exactly what you need to set up so that when you do get the reach you need, it starts working for you. My Flodesk link: https://
How to plan your content without it taking over your life
Should you plan your content? How do you plan it without overthinking? Are there any tools and resources I should use?Today's episode covers just that!
I don't want to have a niche on Instagram
Whether you're feeling trapped by the niche that you have created for yourself or feeling like you're a multi-passionate person who doesn't want to be put inside of a box, this week's episode is for you. We cover:Should you niche down?Should you not niche down?How to get the algorithm seeing more of your content and posting the stuff you love
From losing followers daily to doubling in almost 2 months!
In today's episode, I take you behind the scenes on my client Becky's astronomical growth in the past two months, whilst having two small children at home and running her business too. Becky hasn't relied on lots of different complicated content methods. Instead, she's relied on using B-roll from her phone and photographs on her phone to overlay text because life is busy. It's for sure an episode
Behind the scenes of a 4 figure brand deal
In March this year I set out with a mission to secure more brand partnerships and in today's episode i share with you what I did with my content and my communications to secure that deal.
Getting yourself out of a content wobble
Content wobbles happen to all of us. We can find ourselves overthinking our content, doubting what we're posting and feel trapped by our own content ideas.In today's episode, I walk you through exactly what to do to get yourself out of a content wobble.
The one thing you can do to start positioning your Instagram content for better reach
In a world where everyone is trying to tell you what to post online for better reach, in today's episode I talk about the one metric that you can pay attention to and how to start positioning your content so that humans relate with it and you start growing an engaged community.
Growing from 3k to 40k followers in less than a year
Chantal has grown from 3,000 followers to 40,000 followers.Her handle is @becomingthismamaIn today's episode, she talks about how she has managed to use prompts to find her voice and her unique positioning, and how being willing to show up unafraid on the internet has resulted in an incredible community and thriving business.
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 persona
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 c
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 pathway
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 behin
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 & threadsand his newsletter Once More, With Feeling: The most dramatic newsletter on the internet https://words-hurt.myflodesk.com/newsletter
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 r
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
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 creatin
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
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 c
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 youWelcome to T
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 thatWelcome 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 creat
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 crea
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
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 conten
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 of
How to not sound like everyone else on Instagram
Should you use hooks? What if you begin to sound like everyone else on Instagram? In today's episode, I show you some great examples of content that have depth + use hooks.Creators mentioned: https://www.instagram.com/naamazusman/ https://www.instagram.com/thekindred.space/Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Instagram an
What to do when you don't know what to post
Everyone has content wobbles, and it's totally normal to freeze if you don't know what content to make. In today's episode I show you exactly what to do and how to finally get your content getting reach again.Ps the link to the waitlist of the Plotting Shed is here: 🔗 My new membershipWelcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your
How do you get shares and saves on your Instagram content?
Instagram isn't what it used to be?! Yes, but I'd argue that it's now better than ever. In today's epsiode, I walk you through how to get more shares and more saves from your Instagram content. 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 a
How to get more reach on your content in 2026
In today's episode, I walk you through two examples of some clients of mine who have exploded their reach already in 2026. We talk through how to implement this for your Instagram account and next steps to getting more eyes on your account in 2026. 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 offer
18,500 followers from one Instagram post
18,500 followers from one Instagram post?! Say whaaat?! Yes, really. In today's episode, I'm giving you the exact prompt I used to have this crazy viral post and all the learning lessons in between.Want to be the first to hear about my new membership? You can do that here!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
Your 2026 Instagram Gameplan
Your gamplan for getting reach and engagement in 2026 is here!No longer are we stressing about the algorithm or freaking out about 200 views. This is the year that you turn it all around. 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
How to make content when you're busy
It's the middle of silly season (aka Christmas) and so in today's epsiode, we're talking about how on earth to balance busyness with content creation and getting content that gets reach out there. 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 easil
This your sign to experiment with your content
I've been doing a big experiment with content over the last few days. I've noticed a shift with content and so in today's episode, I'm breaking down exactly what's happening and things you can lift for that too. 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 con
9,000 to 91,000 followers in 6 months. Jo's story.
Is it possible to grow on Instagram in 2025 into 2026 anymore? Jo has been inside my mentorship, The Orchard for the past 6 months and has grown to a whopping 91,000 followers (and still growing!). Today she's sharing her story. 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 tal
Don't check your insights too early.
We need a family meeting and a heart to heart today. If you're refreshing your insights within one day of posting, this episode is 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
Doing Black Friday? This will help your content to perform much better
Love it or hate it, Black Friday is coming. In today's episode, I give you the warm-up strategy to get your Black Friday content truly flying and to actually make you the sales you deserve. 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 i
How to launch using Instagram
Last week, I had my highest revenue day ever. So in today's epsiode, I'm walking you through how to launch using Instagram content but not spend your whole day online too.Want my Launch Planner with emails, stories, IG posts and a whole launch done for you? Link is here!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 s
Do I even need a personal brand?
Personal branding is everywhere right now on Instagram. But how do you decide what yours is and how on earth to show enough of yourself, without showcasing everything? In today's epsiode, we talk through exactly how to choose what to share and what not to share on your Instagram. Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow your Insta
Question to ask yourself before you post on Instagram
The nights are drawing in, the days are getting shorter and we're soon going to be in goal setting era. In today's episode, I'm sharing why setting goals for your Instagram might not be your best plan and how to reflect well on the year that's just passed. Journalling questions:What spaces am I creating? What’s the free value that I need everyone to have before they step a foot inside of one of my
How to get more reach with your carousel posts
It's no secret that carousel posts are having a moment right now on Instagram, but how do you get yours to have that same moment too? In today's epsiode, we chat about how to make sure your carousel posts are seen by the right people and start taking off when you post them.Wanting to join the next round of Booked from your Bio? Here's the link for you!Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma,
The secret to getting likes, saves, shares and clients on Instagram
Because that's what we're here for, right?! You want your content to get liked, saved and shared. But most of all, you want it to bring you actual clients.Today's episode will help you to do 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
This will make posting so much easier for you
You're over-complicating what you're posting on Instagram. And today, we get to make things MUCH easier for you.Here's the reels that I mentioned in today's podcastReel 1Reel 2Reel 3Adrienne's Launch your podcast course linked hereWelcome 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 t
Olivia grew 11,000 followers in 5 weeks
Today, my lovely client Olivia, is on the podcast talking about her amazing growth of 11,000 followers in just 5 weeks as a brand photographer.Olivia used both my trial reels training, and my Planting the Seeds prompts to grow her Instagram account by a crazy amount of followers in such a short period of time.You can find Olivia here: http://instagram.com/oliviabossert/And her website here: https:
If you think Instagram hates you, listen to this
Last week, I was personally victimised by the Instagram algorithm. And do you know what? It happens to us ALL. In today's episode, I share with you exactly what I did to get out of Instagram jail and the exact reel ideas and strategies that you can use to get Instagram on your side again. Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to help you grow y
How to sell out your offer with 100 followers
You've got an offer. and you're convinced more followers is the thing you need for more sales. But what if it's just a TINY mistake you're making with your content that you could fix in under 10 minutes, to sell out your offer with 100 followers?Today's episode is for you! The Digital Greenhouse launches in just one week! Doors are open for you!Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I
I want to make more sales on Instagram. How do I do it?
Using your Instagram to sell your offer? And wondering why no-one is flipping buying it? Use this method today to start getting people purchasing from you and being utterly obsessed with what you're making.The Digital Greenhouse opens 21st September to help you to create / update and launch your best offer yet.https://thissocialcottage.com/greenhouse Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, w
Should I use trial reels?
Should I use trial reels? The question that pops into my DMs sooo often. In today's episode I share with you where and why to use trial reels and of course the best strategy to get you the most reachDownload my free trial reels course hereWelcome 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
Reels to steal for more reach
This week, I'm showing you four different reels and how you can steal their approach to content to explode your reach.The thing that'll set your content out from the thousands out there? How well you simplify your messaging and call in your ideal audience.Reels mentioned this weekReel 1Reel 2Reel 3Reel 4 Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice and tips to
How to use the new reposts feature
Reposts are here and they might just be my most favourite tool that Instagram have ever released. In today's episode, I show you exactly how to use them so that you become THE go-to person in your niche, and how to make sure that your content consistently gets reposted. 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 s
An Instagram story strategy you can steal
Today I'm talking all things Instagram stories and how to actually get people to view your stories and stay there.This is my tried and tested method for finally getting your views to increase without limiting how many stories you're posting, and a way to build connection with your audience so that they eventually buy from you!Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fl
Behind the scenes on my biggest launch yet
This week has been the craziest week yet with the biggest launch I've ever had.Today I take you behind the scenes of that, and share the exact tools, stories and threads I used to sell out my offer on the first day of doors open.Want the full strategies I used? Join the waitlist for The Digital Greenhouse where I'll show you exactly how Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give yo
How to get people to care about what you're posting
Ever feel like people are scrolling right past your content? It’s not the algorithm, it’s the messaging. And the good news? We can fix that!In this episode, I show you why simplifying your language (not your expertise!) is the secret to making people actually care about the stuff that you're posting.You’ll hear real client examples including how one post went from 88 to 1,000+ likes, plus three pr
Using skills in your content: the missing piece
Ever walked through a food market and shamelessly hoovered up every free sample? It's literally the same for your Instagram content. Whether you're a parenting coach channeling your inner Bluey or a skincare expert that you know gets your clients glowing skin, your content should leave people saying: “Ooooh, I need more of THAT.” Plus join me inside Booked From Your Bio for 14 days to fix your Ins
This is how to get more reach with your content
Join me today for a mini-audit to know exactly why your content isn't getting the reach you would like it to and exactly how you're going to finally get the reach you deserve.Plus, my brand new Booked from your Bio to finally nail your Instagram messaging is here too!JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR BOOKED FROM YOUR BIO HEREWelcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you the no-fluff advice an
If your Instagram content is flopping, do this
If your Instagram content is flopping more than popping then this episode is for you.My lovely client @drkateella_health was stuck for ever at 200 followers until she used this strategy which we yap through in today's podcast.Go and take a sneaky peep of where she's at now and listen to exactly how we got her out of her flopping era.Welcome to The Social Cottage with me, Gemma, where I give you th
Freebies that grow your Instagram?
Yes, it's entirely possible.And actually, the best strategy if you want to grow your Instagram in 2025.If you've ever downloaded a "crusty PDF" freebie and thought "what the heck was that?!" orrr you've got a crusty pdf yourself that you KNOW could be better, this episode is for you. I'm sharing the freebies that are actually growing Instagram accounts right now because people are commenting for t
How to create Instagram content in 15 minutes a day
Can you really create content in just 15 minutes a day?! Um, yep. I'm breaking down my exact process that I've taught to over 6,000 people, because honestly, life's too short to spend all day creating content when life is life-ing!You'll learn why spending less time on content actually makes it perform better (yess, really!)Inside this episode:My 30-minute Friday planning session that sets up the
Doubled their Instagram following in one week by using these prompts
If you've ever thought "content prompts work for everyone except me" then you're not alone, friend.I'm sharing two real client stories that show exactly how simple shifts in messaging and content can completely transform your account.You'll see how drilling down your messaging (not niching down; there's a difference) can turn generic content into scroll-stopping posts that actually convert.Inside
Creating content the Instagram Algorithm likes
If you've ever thought "the algorithm HATES me" or "I just can't get Instagram reach right now" then this episode is for you.You’ll walk away understanding why shifts on the platform aren’t the enemy and that algorithm updates are only ever audience behaviour updates. I’m giving you practical, easy-to-implement tips you can do right away and finally create content quickly and easily.Inside this ep
Do Hashtags even work on Instagram anymore?
In this episode, I talk about: Why I often don’t use hashtags in my Instagram captionsWhat a CTA really is — and how sometimes there’s one even when it doesn’t look like itHow Instagram is shifting towards becoming a searchable platform, much like TikTokThe importance of using natural, relevant keywords within your content instead of forcing them inThe benefit of focusing on content that mirrors t
What do I do if I hate Hooks on Instagram?
If you've ever said:“Hooks feel too salesy”“Hooks never work for my niche”“I just want to post my pretty photos!”Then this episode is for you! In this episode I talk about:Why hooks feel uncomfortable (and how to fix that)How to write hooks that actually stop the scroll and connect with your audienceWhy the real issue with hooks is unclear messaging — not your niche, the algorithm, or your creativ
Should you Niche down on Instagram?
In this episode I talk about:The jargon around content pillars, niche pressure, and Instagram strategyMy own perspective: that niching is simply knowing the outcome you provide to your audienceReal examples, like how my friend Sarah the "website girl" makes content easier by anchoring to a clear outcomeWhy vague niches like “motherhood” often lead to overthinking — and how to avoid that trapHow to
Welcome to This Social Cottage
In this episode I:Welcome you to the show.Share with you why I believe in making content creation easy and fluff-free.Explain why stepping into your expert era can totally transform your content and visibility.Open up about building a six-figure business with two young children, a dog, and minimal childcare.Share how I'll be giving you a real-life, behind-the-scenes look at what’s working for me s
This Social Cottage Trailer
I am so excited to be launching 22nd May!I can't wait to share this space with 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 rig
