Episode Summary: Ep. 72 – "Stuck on Instagram? Here’s How to Pivot and Grow Again with Meg Harriman"

Call Her Creator with Katelyn Rhoades
Host: Stan
Release Date: May 29, 2025

In Episode 72 of Call Her Creator, host Stan delves deep into Instagram growth strategies with special guest Meg Harriman, a seasoned social media coach and creator with over 200,000 followers. Meg shares her personal journey, effective tactics for overcoming growth plateaus, and actionable advice for creators looking to pivot and thrive on Instagram in 2025.

1. Introduction to Meg Harriman

Stan opens the episode by introducing Meg Harriman, highlighting her expertise in Instagram strategy and her impressive follower count. Meg, known on Instagram as @socialmediawithMeg, blends lifestyle content with strategic social media education, inspiring thousands to transform their Instagram presence into profit-making ventures.

Notable Quote:
Stan [00:00]: "Today's guest is someone who not only teaches Instagram strategy but lives it across two thriving Instagram accounts."

2. Meg’s Origin Story

Meg shares her journey from a holistic nutritionist to a full-time social media coach. Originally from a small town in Maine, she moved to Florida to pursue her passion for nutrition and fitness. Balancing a full-time job with building an online coaching side hustle, Meg organically grew her first Instagram account by sharing personal struggles related to mental health and body transformation.

Notable Quote:
Meg [01:18]: "I just started documenting and sharing my struggles because it was a big part of my past with mental health and my own transformation."

3. Transition to Instagram Coaching

As Meg’s initial account gained traction, she began receiving numerous inquiries about her growth strategies. This influx of questions motivated her to study marketing deeply, leading to the creation of a second Instagram account dedicated to teaching others how to grow their own platforms.

Notable Quote:
Meg [08:20]: "I decided to start a new account to teach people how to grow with zero followers, proving that I know how to do this in today's world."

4. Early Instagram Growth Strategies

Meg discusses her early Instagram tactics, emphasizing the importance of consistent posting and authentic engagement. Starting around 2015-2016, she posted almost daily, primarily using photo dumps before integrating carousels and more strategic content as the platform evolved.

Notable Quote:
Meg [04:55]: "I was posting almost every day, not because I had to, but because I had so much to share and it was fun."

5. Navigating Instagram’s Evolving Algorithms

The conversation shifts to how Instagram’s algorithms have changed over the years. Meg highlights that while tools and resources have become more accessible, the increased competition makes standing out more challenging. She addresses the misconception that it's harder to grow now, arguing that with the right strategies, growth is still attainable.

Notable Quote:
Meg [12:04]: "It's harder now with the amount of people, but with the right how you look at it, it's still manageable."

6. Overcoming Growth Plateaus

Meg candidly shares her experience with hitting a plateau after significant growth. Despite losing followers over time, she outlines her strategies to overcome stagnation, including experimenting with new content styles and leveraging trial reels to rejuvenate engagement.

Notable Quote:
Meg [15:19]: "I lost almost 4,000 followers over the last two years. It's been really hard."

7. Effective Use of Trial Reels

Both Stan and Meg discuss the concept of trial reels—reposting existing content with slight modifications to test engagement. Meg explains how she uses trial reels to maintain visibility and re-engage her audience, despite some ethical concerns regarding content duplication.

Notable Quote:
Meg [20:05]: "Even if they're just 5,000 views compared to my 1,000, I'm still posting those proven content pieces."

8. Enhancing Content with Visual Hooks

Meg emphasizes the critical role of visual hooks in the initial seconds of a Reel to capture viewer attention. She advises creators to use dynamic movements or engaging actions right at the start to stand out in a crowded feed.

Notable Quote:
Meg [32:11]: "It's the first thing that grabs attention. So walking into the frame, doing something on camera."

9. Balancing Authenticity and Aesthetics

The discussion highlights the balance between polished content and authentic storytelling. Meg advocates for a more natural and less edited approach, aligning with Instagram’s shift towards valuing genuine interactions over highly curated visuals.

Notable Quote:
Meg [26:23]: "It's more raw, more like it's more edited, but it looks less edited, if that makes sense."

10. Content Strategy and Flexibility

Meg shares her approach to content creation, balancing strategic planning with spontaneous posting. She maintains a content bank of ideas, allowing her to create on the spot while also planning strategically when promoting her products and coaching services.

Notable Quote:
Meg [28:02]: "I have a content bank of ideas and I'll go to that when I need it. But really I just love to create on the spot."

11. Importance of Market Research and Clarity Work

Meg stresses the importance of understanding one’s target audience through market research. She utilizes Instagram’s Explore page, conducts keyword searches, and analyzes top-performing posts to inform her content strategy. Additionally, she recommends clarity work—defining and refining one's content message through journaling or tools like ChatGPT.

Notable Quote:
Meg [35:13]: "Taking the time to actually sit down and journal out or use ChatGPT to get prompts and questions to really shape the message that you are giving to people."

12. Advice for New Creators

Meg offers practical advice for newcomers, urging them to prioritize content creation over consumption. She recommends muting overly influential creators to avoid comparison traps and encourages developing a unique voice by experimenting with different creation styles.

Notable Quote:
Meg [33:22]: "Create more than you consume. Even if you're not going to post something, just start creating to spark ideas and develop your own style."

13. Building Genuine Connections Over Follower Counts

Emphasizing the value of authentic interactions, Meg advises creators to focus on building meaningful connections through direct messages and comments rather than fixating on follower numbers. She believes that genuine engagement fosters a supportive community that is more valuable in the long run.

Notable Quote:
Meg [37:52]: "The real connections you make in the DMs and through comments are so much more important than the number you see next to your name."

14. Future Projects and Closing Remarks

Towards the end of the episode, Meg shares her upcoming projects, including her new podcast "Happy Creating," and encourages listeners to connect with her on platforms like Threads and YouTube. She expresses excitement about expanding her content offerings and continuing to support creators on their growth journeys.

Notable Quote:
Meg [39:15]: "I will be coming out with my podcast 'Happy Creating' in the next month, available on all major platforms and YouTube."

Key Takeaways

1. Authenticity Over Perfection: Sharing personal struggles can create a deeper connection with your audience.
2. Consistency is Crucial: Regular and frequent posting, especially in the early stages, can significantly boost growth.
3. Adapt to Platform Changes: Stay updated with Instagram’s evolving features and algorithms to leverage new growth opportunities.
4. Experiment and Pivot: Don’t be afraid to try new content styles and strategies to overcome growth plateaus.
5. Focus on Quality Connections: Building genuine relationships with your audience is more valuable than merely increasing follower counts.
6. Create More Than You Consume: Prioritize content creation to develop your unique voice and style.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Call Her Creator provides invaluable insights for anyone feeling stuck on Instagram. Meg Harriman’s candid discussion about her own challenges and proven strategies offers a roadmap for creators aiming to pivot and grow their Instagram presence effectively. Whether you're just starting out or looking to break through a growth plateau, Meg’s expertise and practical advice can help you navigate Instagram’s dynamic landscape and achieve your social media goals.

Connect with Meg Harriman:

• Instagram: @socialmediawithMeg
• Threads: @socialmediawithMeg
• Upcoming Podcast: "Happy Creating" – Launching next month

Listen to the full episode here.