Close Friends, No Filter

On this, the final episode of Season 2, your Close Friends are getting real about what it takes to launch and sell on Instagram! And who could be better to share wisdom than the absolute Queen of Launches, Manu? We're diving deep into strategy, mindset traps to avoid, and achieving the balance between quantity AND quality. Soak it all in until next season!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

With more content being posted than ever before, it's imperative to stand out and stop the scroll. Lucky for you, your Close Friends are masters at creating thumb-stopping content that attracts and converts! Listen in for tips you'll want to try and mistakes you'll want to avoid. For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

We know, another change on Instagram! But before you start rolling your eyes, take a few moments to hear out your Close Friends. Today on the podcast Manu and Laura are dishing everything we know about the Video and Reels merge on Instagram. Harnessed correctly, could this change be exactly what we've been looking for? Tune in to find out.  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)  Episode Links:  Stop the scroll with https://yoursocial.team/ (Your Social Team Template Shop)! Use code: NOFILTER for 10% off your order!  Follow the podcast onhttps://www.instagram.com/closefriendsnofilter/ ( Instagram )and let us know what YOU would like to hear about! Learn more about https://www.instagram.com/stephjgilbert/ (Stephanie) + https://thesocialmedia.ceo/ (The Social Media CEO) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/thesocialmedia.ceo/ (Instagram!) Learn more about Manu + https://yoursocial.team/ (Your Social Team )+ http://www.yourtemplate.club (Your Template Club) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/yoursocialteam/ (Instagram!) Learn more about Laura + https://www.bsquared.social/ (B Squared Social) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/bsquared.social/ (Instagram!) https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61eb28d260ada4164ea6ebff (Click here) to get the Close Friends in your Inbox!

When it comes to Instagram, it often feels like there's so much we can't control. Today your Close Friends, Manu and Laura, are going to fill you in on what you CAN control, starting with your expectations. Managing expectations on Instagram is essential for a healthy and tactful approach to using social media to grow your business. Listen in for your Close Friends' favorite perspective shifts.  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)  Episode Links:  Stop the scroll with https://yoursocial.team/ (Your Social Team Template Shop)! Use code: NOFILTER for 10% off your order!  Follow the podcast onhttps://www.instagram.com/closefriendsnofilter/ ( Instagram )and let us know what YOU would like to hear about! Learn more about https://www.instagram.com/stephjgilbert/ (Stephanie) + https://thesocialmedia.ceo/ (The Social Media CEO) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/thesocialmedia.ceo/ (Instagram!) Learn more about Manu + https://yoursocial.team/ (Your Social Team )+ http://www.yourtemplate.club (Your Template Club) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/yoursocialteam/ (Instagram!) Learn more about Laura + https://www.bsquared.social/ (B Squared Social) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/bsquared.social/ (Instagram!) https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61eb28d260ada4164ea6ebff (Click here) to get the Close Friends in your Inbox!

Another day, another change on Instagram. It's easy to get flustered every time the Head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, posts a new reel. That's why your Close Friends, Manu and Laura, are dropping this bonus episode on how to hone your mindset when it comes to changes on Instagram. So don't panic! Take a deep breath with your Close Friends and let's navigate these changes together.  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

Going viral: the good, the bad, the ugly. Today your favorite Viral Reel Queens are discussing it all! Sure, we all want to go viral…but are you ready to attract the right audience? Is your messaging clear or is it just another dance trend? Tune in for the hot take from your Close Friends!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

Okay, we've all been thinking it…What even is the TikTok algorithm? Well, today your Close Friends take the “If you can't beat ‘em, join ‘em,” approach by embracing the suck on TikTok. Listen in as Laura and Manu dish about lazy TikTok, trolls, and deciding just to have fun! Have a topic you'd love your Close Friends to discuss on the podcast? Reach out on Instagram @closefriendsnofilter!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

Not so fast! Before you hit the archive button, you might want to give that flopped feed post a closer look. Today your Close Friends are discussing the renaissance of feed posts and how to tell if your post is making a  comeback. Plus, are we prioritizing the wrong metrics? Listen in to learn more!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

Today your Close Friends are going green…reusing, recycling, and repurposing content! Listen in as Stephanie, Manu, and Laura share their most valuable tips when it comes to making content last longer. Because why should your brilliant posts make one short appearance and end up in the trash? Time to start working smarter across platforms with your Close Friends!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

Time waits for no one, especially during an Instagram doom scroll! But how does one set boundaries when social media is their job? Cue time management tips with your Close Friends! Listen in as Steph, Manu, and Laura share their time management tools as well as reveal how much time they're actually spending on the apps. You don't want to miss this!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

When it comes to the social media game, mindset is everything. Just take it from Steph, Manu, and Laura on today's episode! They're discussing their own mindset journeys and the most important tips to keep grounded on this crazy algorithmic ride. Maintaining a healthy mindset is a practice, so take the first step today with your Close Friends! For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

You heard ‘em! Time to work smarter by batching tasks in your business. Today the Close Friends break down the science behind batching work and reveal exactly how they use it in their own businesses. You don't want to miss out on these tips. You know what they say, “Happy brain, happy content calendar!” And by “they” we mean Laura. Enjoy!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

Welcome back for Part 2 of the Close Friends No Filter interview with the anonymous creator behind @workinsocialtheysaid! Join in to discuss the platforms we love (and love to hate) and the difference between Mean Girls memes, and mean girl memes. You don't want to miss the fun with the Close Friends and our special guest!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)  Episode Links:  Use the CODE: CFNF20 to save 20% at https://thesocialmedia.ceo/template-shop (The Social Media CEO Template Shop)! Get a http://www.yoursocial.team/instagram-content-growth-strategy-signup (FREE training from Your Social Team: Content Strategy vs Growth Strategy) Follow https://www.instagram.com/workinsocialtheysaid/?hl=en (@workinsocialtheysaid) on Instagram!  Follow https://www.tiktok.com/@workinsocialtheysaid (@workinsocialtheysaid) on TikTok! Follow https://twitter.com/WorkInSociaI?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor (@WorkInSocial) on Twitter! Follow the podcast onhttps://www.instagram.com/closefriendsnofilter/ ( Instagram )and let us know what YOU would like to hear about! Learn more about https://www.instagram.com/stephjgilbert/ (Stephanie) + https://thesocialmedia.ceo/ (The Social Media CEO) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/thesocialmedia.ceo/ (Instagram!) Learn more about Manu + https://yoursocial.team/ (Your Social Team )+ http://www.yourtemplate.club (Your Template Club) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/yoursocialteam/ (Instagram!) Learn more about Laura + https://www.bsquared.social/ (B Squared Social) and follow her on https://www.instagram.com/bsquared.social/ (Instagram!) https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61eb28d260ada4164ea6ebff (Click here) to get the Close Friends in your Inbox!

Your Close Friends are back with a brand new season and they're kicking it off with an exclusive two-part interview! For the very first time, the anonymous creator behind @Work in Social They Said steps to the mic. Listen in to hear about what inspired this account, the benefits (and challenges) of remaining anonymous, and some lol-worthy confessions from other social media managers around the globe. You do not want to miss this!   For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

It's the Season 1 Finale and we are getting wildly strategic over here. What's the difference between a social media manager and a social media strategist anyway? Are you clear as a provider? As a client? Today the Close Friends are breaking it all down.  Providers and clients alike should be crystal clear on this difference to make sure everyone is on the same page, getting what they pay for, and in service of “the goal”. You've got one of those right? Tune in for some valuable insight and find out where you can become the master strategist of your dreams!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

If you're going to listen to one episode of this podcast, let this be it! Setting boundaries in your business, on and off social media, is crucial for a balanced life and successful biz. It seems particularly easy for social media managers to let these boundaries fly out the window. Trust us, we see you.  Today on the pod, the Close Friends discuss their own boundaries, tips for keeping them in place, and ways you might be crossing the boundaries of others without even realizing it! Social media never sleeps, but you should. So take a nice deep breath and settle in for the episode you didn't know you needed.  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

Falling into the trap of compare and despair isn't just triggered by Instagram filters. Oftentimes we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and our accounts by comparing ourselves to others online. But is “overnight success” even a thing? And if it is, is your business ready for it? Join the Close Friends today as they share the growth journeys of their own accounts, how to avoid unhealthy expectations, and how to set realistic goals that support your profile and your business. Get ready to shake off old mindsets and set new goals. We've got your back here on Close Friends, No Filter!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

We all knew the boy who cried wolf, and now we know the Instagram account that cries “Shadowbanned!” But are you actually shadowbanned or just violating the Instagram Community Guidelines? This week the Close Friends are cluing us in on why our content may not be getting as much engagement and how to find out if we've been violating the terms of service. Tune in for the advice, features, and fun you've come to expect here at Close Friends, No Filter!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

While it may seem that the most viral reels out there are the ones telling you how to make a viral reel, today the Close Friends are reminding you to think twice before taking click-baity advice. Is it really enough to be consistent and authentic? Is being first and being right more important than having a life? Let's ditch the 30-day challenges and create sustainable social media practices that align with your business and bandwidth. Join Laura, Stephanie, and Manu as they share important tips, traps to avoid, and why your stubbornness could ultimately serve you! You don't want to miss it.  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

Do's and Don'ts and Bots galore! Today the Close Friends are serving up the DM etiquette reminders you didn't know you needed. Whether you're reaching out to your favorite thought leaders, or a business owner on the receiving end, this episode is for you.  Is it possible to harness the power of DMs to grow your business without burning out? Is there a non-weird way to use voice memos? Listen in as the Close Friends set the record straight and reveal some DM horror stories of their own. You don't want to miss it!  For more info + resources, head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

Face it. We're all guilty of falling victim to the endless Instagram to-do list in the name of “growing a business”. But do 10k followers equate to 10k dollars in the bank? Not necessarily.  We've got A LOT to do to ensure our businesses survive and thrive, and our time is valuable! Today the Close Friends share tips and insight around prioritizing what matters most in this chapter of your business and setting boundaries around social media. Forget everything you think you know about how to be “successful” on Instagram and redefine what success looks like to you on this episode of Close Friends, No Filter!  For more info + resources head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

This week the close friends are calling BS and putting viral rumors to rest once and for all! They've said it before, and they'll say it again, social media “gurus” need to start reading the Instagram terms of service and stop calling features a hack. But what is a hack, really? Tune in to learn the difference and even discover a few hacks of your own! Come for the truth bombing, stay to witness Manu's Scorpio side, to hear what Laura and her therapist are talking about these days, and to learn what Steph and your grandmother might have in common. Things are heating up, and you don't want to miss it!  For more info + resources head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/) 

It's easy to lose sight of what's important when it comes to your social media metrics and the “why” behind it all. If you're using social media to grow your business, then it's all about the Benjamins. So why are we all stressing over our like counts? Time to weed out the vanity metrics from the KPIs. In this episode, the close friends drill down, debate, and debunk everything you've been told about the metrics that matter. Listen in to get the DL on vanity metrics, the ugly truth about buying followers, and the VIP KPIs to aim for. You don't want to miss this BS-free, giggle-filled episode! For more info + resources head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

Raise your hand if you panic when engagement is down. Keep it up if the phrase “My content sucks!” has ever crossed your mind. Lucky for you, you've got close friends like us to break down the fundamentals of social media engagement and reveal the mindset shifts that will help you stop the scroll and keep your cool.  How do we deal with moments of low engagement? What kind of engagement actually matters as a business owner? And why do bots keep calling Stephanie “Bert”?! All will be revealed in this episode of Close Friends, No Filter! For more info + resources head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

Welcome to the very first episode of Close Friends No Filter! On this podcast, we want to help you stop the endless scroll of IG BS and give you real talk on how to grow your business with social media. Get to know your hosts and new close friends, Manu, Laura, and Stephanie. We dive into the archives of their pasts, why NOW is the perfect time for this podcast, and how they plan to vanquish the social media gatekeeping once and for all. Follow along for all the fun! For more info + resources head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

Today we're dishing real talk on Instagram Reels! When Reels first dropped we felt the collective eye-roll of all social media managers. In time, we've seen the kind of engagement that can be had when we harness the power of Reels to boost our brands and businesses in a way that feels authentic to us. But why brave it alone?! Listen in to hear Stephanie, Manu, and Laura give their two cents on Instagram Reels, as well as some of their favorite advice. We even spill some hot tips from Laura, our very own Reels Queen, on how she turned Reels videos into real dollars. You're not going to want to miss this episode. For Reel! For more info + resources head to https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/ (https://www.closefriendsnofilter.com/)

Tired of listening to social media "gurus" spitting the same old tips, tricks, and hacks? Exhausted by all of those self-proclaimed experts desperately trying to sell you a one-size-fits-all strategy? Wish there was a way to cut through all the noise, so you can focus on creating real and lasting results in your business using social media? Introducing the Close Friends, No Filter Podcast. With a combined 25 years in the industry, our hosts, social media experts Stephanie Gilbert, Manu Muraro, and Laura Bitoiu will help you sift through all the social media madness and get to the truth. So you can stop worrying about rumors and focus on growing your business!