Episode 41
How to Grow on Instagram with Mya Nichol
Do you HAVE to show up on camera to grow your Instagram audience? Does “niching down” actually limit your sales? Do hashtags even matter anymore?
This week, Phoebe talks all things organic growth and niche-specific marketing with Instagram expert and coach, Mya Nichol. For the past two years, Mya has been working full-time on Instagram and combines savvy strategy with tangible tips that anyone can implement daily.
Tune in to learn how Mya grew her IG following by 100K in just 6 months (!) through trial and error, why she believes all product-based business owners need to show up on camera, and why she thinks it’s essential to niche down in order to stand out in your industry.
Episode 41
"
"
Mya Nichol
If you want to build a brand, you’re gonna have to be the face of your brand…People can’t connect to a picture of earrings.
[10:25] WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU BEGAN SHARING YOUR INSTAGRAM EXPERTISE?
Before making Instagram her full-time job, Mya was in nursing school. She wanted to find a job that was flexible and would allow her to work while studying and soon fell into network marketing. After realizing she could make a real income through Instagram, she dropped out of her nursing program in 2020 and pursued network marketing full time.
[12:30] WHAT IS NETWORK MARKETING?
Network marketing, often referred to as “social selling,” involves harnessing the power of one’s personal networks to grow a business or sell a product or service.
[14:40] WHAT SERVICES DO YOU CURRENTLY OFFER IN YOUR COACHING?
Currently, Mya offers 1:1 coaching, niche discovery calls, Instagram account audits, a Reels course, and a membership.
[17:13] HOW DO YOU THINK REELS HAVE HELPED CREATIVES ON INSTAGRAM?
Mya believes Reels lets creatives form a personal connection with their audience. She believes video content better allows people to showcase who they are and demonstrate relatability while reaching a wider audience.
[19:35] DO YOU THINK IT’S NECESSARY TO SHOW UP ON CAMERA AS A PRODUCT-BASED BUSINESS?
Mya feels that all product-based business owners should show up as the face behind their brand.
[21:01] WHAT TIPS DO YOU HAVE FOR SHY AND INTROVERTED CREATIVES WHEN IT COMES TO SHOWING UP ON CAMERA?
Mya advises camera-shy creatives to first get familiar with how Reels work as well as the process of filming and editing them, then to work in small, incremental steps.
"
"
Mya Nichol
Start building an email list even if you only have 50 followers.
[23:10] WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TIKTOK + INSTAGRAM?
According to Mya, TikTok users respond well to conversational content, while those types of short-form videos perform less well on Instagram.
[29:05] WHAT IS NICHING DOWN?
Niching down involves identifying your ideal customer and aligning your marketing efforts to best serve them. Mya notes that many creatives fear they’ll limit their reach if they niche down, but points out that correlation and consistency in content are what lead to steady growth.
[31:53] WHAT ARE OTHER CONTENT IDEAS YOU HAVE FOR PRODUCT-BASED BUSINESSES?
Mya encourages product-based business owners to create content that demonstrates the value of a product as well as behind-the-scenes content that shows the process of making a product or how things are packaged for shipment.
[34:43] DO YOU THINK HASHTAGS ARE STILL IMPORTANT?
While she believes hashtags are still relevant, Mya believes they shouldn’t be the primary focus of a social media strategy. Her tips: Keep your hashtags between 30K - 500K reach and make them niche-specific (helps the algorithm understand your account goals) and client-specific (helps you target your ideal customer).
[39:18] HOW DO YOU FIND OUT WHO YOUR IDEAL AUDIENCE IS?
Mya suggests listeners look at insights for audience age range and location as well as when they’re most active on the platform. She also encourages people to take note of who comments on their posts, as that indicates who is most interested in their offerings.
"
"
Mya Nichol
[42:07] DO YOU BATCH YOUR CONTENT? IF SO, WHAT IS YOUR METHOD?
Mya believes batching content helps her stay consistent regardless of what surprises come her way in life. She batches every 2 weeks and breaks her process down into small steps, such as saving audio clips to use in a video or viewing other people’s Reels for inspiration.
[49:00] HOW DID YOU BUILD YOUR EMAIL LIST ALONGSIDE GROWING YOUR INSTAGRAM FOLLOWING?
Mya encourages listeners to begin growing their email list regardless of the size of their audience, as email marketing allows people to sell in a more authentic and personal way. To grow her list, she provides incentives such as freebies or exclusive tips.
[51:00] WHAT DID YOU DO TO PREPARE FOR YOUR MAJOR INSTAGRAM GROWTH?
At the time of this episode’s recording, Mya ran her business on her own. She admits she did not prepare for her rapid success on Instagram. Her advice to others in her position is to be adaptable and accept that it’s impossible to serve everyone.
