EP362: The Lazy Reels Strategy That Grew Her Audience to 26K and Doubled Her Online Sales with Claire Mannheimer
What if you could grow your Instagram following from 2,500 to 26,000 followers in six months all from the comfort of your own couch?
I know it sounds too good to be true, but that’s what one of our Momentum students, Claire Mannheimer, did.
Her brand, Adorn to Rise, blew up on Instagram using what we like to call a “lazy Reels strategy.”
It’s well known that the Instagram algorithm is heavily favoring Reels content, making it one of the best ways to get exposure for your biz on social media.
But a lot of designers are intimidated by the idea of posting regular video content online, because they assume it has to be a stressful, time-consuming process.
“I hear a lot of people being really resistant to getting on the Reels train,” Claire says, “and it's like, I just lay on my couch… and I'll make a dozen reels that way.”
So if you think that growing your Instagram following with Reels is hard, and you’re tired of the social media grind, this episode will give you some hope.
Let’s dive into Claire’s “lazy” Reels strategy that makes the process fun, relaxing, and effective.
The Secret to Daily Reels: B-Roll
If you haven’t heard the term “B-roll” before, it’s basically just generic footage that can be used in a lot of different ways.
Claire records B-roll all throughout her day as a jewelry designer.
She stocks up on behind-the-scenes footage of her creative process, so that by the time she sits down to make Reels, she has plenty of pretty footage to choose from.
By documenting her work, it’s easy to make a Reel showing off a new piece of jewelry from start to finish.
“With creative businesses, everything you're doing is inherently interesting to people.” She told me, “Especially if you're making something by hand. People want to see that.”
You may be totally used to making jewelry, but a lot of people don’t know anything about the process. It’s the perfect opportunity to give your customers a peek behind the curtain and generate consistent Reels content.
Making Reels Should Be Relaxing
For Claire, making Reels is a time of rest.
So many small business owners get stuck thinking of content as a grind, but what if you looked at it as a time to chill?
“When I need a break from the studio, I go through the B-roll that I've shot all week, I'll throw together some clips that look good together or tell an interesting visual story,” Claire describes, “I'll pull some audio that I've saved that is on-brand and makes sense with my messaging…and what I'm all about.”
By being “lazy,” she’s able to batch lots of content at one time. Then, she doesn’t have to think about it for the rest of the week.
Whether it’s lounging on the couch, waiting to pick up your kids from school, or even chilling in the bathroom, your social media strategy should fit into your lifestyle.
Talk to Your Followers like You’re Face-to-Face
Claire’s genius Reels content isn’t the only reason she was able to grow her Instagram following from 2,500 to 26,000 in just six months – she also takes the time to engage with her audience.
“I don't think social media is any different than the way you would interact with people in real life,” she explains. “Like, if someone came up to your booth at a craft show, and they were like, ‘Your work is so beautiful!’ Would you just ignore them? Or would you be like, ‘Thanks so much!’”
When you make yourself available to chat with your followers, not only can it potentially lead to sales, but it also builds trust and connections that lead to lifelong customer relationships.
Plus, it’s a lot of fun!
There’s no need to overthink it. Ask yourself, “If this person was standing in front of me right now, what would I say?”
Put Yourself Out There
It’s definitely scary to get in front of the camera and share your video with the world, but Claire says it best…
“You’re not gonna make a sale from the reel that you didn’t post.”
If you were looking for a sign to jump on the Reels train, this is it m’dear!
Listen to the full episode above to hear more about the Reels content that blew up Claire’s Instagram following and doubled her sales.
xo, Tracy
Links:
Sign Up for the TYC Holiday Sales Accelerator!
Episode #312: How to Use Instagram REELS to Grow Your Business
Episode #323: Shows Are Back! It’s How You Leverage Them That Matters with Ana Maria Andricain
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