Podcast Summary: The Marketing Millennials

Episode: New Instagram Tactics to Use | Bathroom Break #75

Host: Daniel Murray
Guest: Jay Schwedelson (Do This, Not That podcast, subjectline.com)
Release Date: September 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This quick-fire "Bathroom Break" episode features Daniel Murray and Jay Schwedelson diving into the latest Instagram marketing tactics and platform updates. The discussion delivers rapid, actionable tips suitable for both B2C and B2B marketers and emphasizes practical applications over theory. With candid anecdotes and banter, the hosts focus on strategies that marketers can implement immediately to gain more visibility and engagement on Instagram.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Surviving the Conference Circuit – Marketing Life on the Road

• [01:04] Jay shares his aversion to business travel, preferring the comfort of home and TV ("I just want to stay home and watch Kitchen Nightmares"). He explains his minimalist approach: always packing light (carry-on only) and strategically declining conference events in favor of downtime.
  • Quote:
    “There’s a lot of lying that goes on when I go to these events.”
    – Jay Schwedelson [01:33]
• Tone: Playfully honest, with a confessional style that sets a relaxed, relatable mood.

2. Instagram Is For Everyone—Not Just B2C

• [01:55] Jay stresses that Instagram’s massive user base (over 3 billion MAUs) means B2B and nonprofit marketers should be active there.
  • Quote:
    “Stop being a clown. So let’s talk about some changes that are going on.”
    – Jay Schwedelson [01:59]

3. Tactic: Drive Engagement in Instagram Stories

• [02:21] Daniel reveals an effective method: soliciting DMs through Stories instead of using outbound links.
  • The Instagram head has said 80% of platform activity is in Stories and DMs.
  • Instead of pasting a registration link, Daniel invites users to reply to his Story (e.g., “Reply if you want the link”).
  • This results in significantly more replies, story views, and overall engagement.
  • Quote:
    “Instead of getting a thousand views on that story…I probably get like 30,000 views. It’s actually like a 300x.”
    – Daniel Murray [03:09]

4. New Instagram Post Format: The “Banner”

• [04:20] Jay brings up the new horizontal banner post format (dubbed “468 by 60”), reminiscent of old web banner ads.
  • Both hosts dislike the aesthetic but agree on the importance of experimenting with new formats early, as platforms usually boost new feature adoption.
  • Quote:
    “When they launch a new feature, always test the new feature…because it’s a way that’s getting attention.”
    – Daniel Murray [04:49]

5. Comment Pinning Update

• [05:23] Jay highlights a newly launched feature: you can now pin your own comments on your posts.
  • Use-case: Add “Part 2” or important additional information in a pinned comment to capture more attention.
  • Quote:
    “For some odd reason…you couldn’t pin a comment you made on your own post, but now you can.”
    – Jay Schwedelson [05:28]

6. Crafting Captions for SEO & Discoverability

• [06:07] Daniel urges marketers to write Instagram captions with searchability in mind, likening the shift to TikTok’s SEO move.
  • Instagram posts can now surface beyond Instagram (e.g., Google, chatbots), so include relevant search keywords in captions to improve discoverability.
  • Quote:
    “When you’re crafting your posts, think of SEO…what are some keywords that I want to relate?”
    – Daniel Murray [06:39]

7. Hashtags: No Longer Crucial for Reach

• [07:06] The head of Instagram announced hashtags have no impact on reach or virality.
  • Formal hashtags now only help with categorization, not with getting more views.
  • Quote:
    “If you’re using hashtags, use it for categorization, don’t use it as a way to get more attention on the platform.”
    – Daniel Murray [07:22]

8. Staying Ahead: Adapt or Miss Out

• [07:40] Jay underscores the ever-changing nature of platforms and the value of small tactical tweaks, framing them as reasons some accounts succeed while others stagnate.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “There’s a lot of lying that goes on when I go to these events.”
  – Jay Schwedelson [01:33]
• “Stop being a clown. So let’s talk about some changes that are going on.”
  – Jay Schwedelson [01:59]
• “Instead of getting a thousand views on that story…I probably get like 30,000 views. It’s actually like a 300x.”
  – Daniel Murray [03:09]
• “When they launch a new feature, always test the new feature…because it’s a way that’s getting attention.”
  – Daniel Murray [04:49]
• “If you’re using hashtags, use it for categorization, don’t use it as a way to get more attention on the platform.”
  – Daniel Murray [07:22]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:04] - Jay’s approach to surviving conference season
• [01:55] - Instagram’s expanding value beyond B2C
• [02:21] - Getting exponential engagement through Stories DMs
• [04:20] - The new banner-style post format and the importance of adopting new features
• [05:23] - Pinning your own comments for multi-part posts/announcements
• [06:07] - Switching to SEO-minded caption writing
• [07:06] - Hashtags are dead for reach, use for categorization only
• [07:40] - Why tactical adjustments are essential in fast-moving platforms

Additional Banter

• Miami Weather Mini-Review
  Daniel jokingly advocates for Miami life, pushing back on “bad summer” stereotypes and plugging the city’s air conditioning and lifestyle perks.

  • Quote:
    “There’s air conditioning. There’s mornings and nights…stop hating, dude.”
    – Daniel Murray [08:40]

• The episode closes with light-hearted jokes on travel, family, and Miami, maintaining a conversational and energetic tone throughout.

Summary Takeaways

• Instagram tactics are rapidly evolving: focus on DMs and interactive Stories for higher engagement.
• Test and adopt new Instagram features early to be favored by the algorithm.
• Craft captions for SEO; treat Instagram like a searchable content platform.
• Hashtags are for categorization, not reach.
• Small tactical tweaks separate accounts that soar from those that stall.

For more actionable marketing insights, follow The Marketing Millennials or check out Jay Schwedelson's “Do This, Not That” podcast.