Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me th Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me they do not work anymore.

Here is my take. Hashtags are still live on Instagram and they are still one of the main ways people search through the platform. Until Instagram tells us they are done I am going to keep using them, intentionally.

What has changed is how you should be using them.

Instagram has officially capped hashtags at 5 per post. Instagram made this change deliberately because stuffing 20 to 30 generic tags into every post was not serving anyone. Hashtags are no longer a reach tool. They are a clarity tool that helps the algorithm understand what your content is about.

5 intentional hashtags beat 30 random ones every single time.

Here is how to pick yours:

-Think about your niche, your audience, and your location
-Think about what someone would actually search — not what you would call your post
-A clown costume post might use #halloweencostume or #cosplay instead of #clowncostume because that is what someone searching for inspiration is actually typing

One more thing most people are missing. Instagram is leaning heavily into SEO and keyword search now. The words in your caption are doing work that hashtags used to do. Write descriptively and use natural language your audience would actually search. The algorithm is reading your words so give it something to work with.

Save this before you write your next post.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo sho As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo shoot I had to circle back to this gem. I think this year will top it. I think 🤔 #halloween #costume #crystalball #cosplay #spookyseason👻
@tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snig @tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snight #justagirl
We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october # We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october #costumeseason #90snight
@blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoir @blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoirsofatraveler and I have never found a better description of my life. Every night out dancing ends with a PT appointment with @therapeuticbydesignpt the next week.  These knees are not 22 anymore.
The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my o The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my outfit #mirrorselfie
Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a c Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a creator has during the holiday season — and most people are not using them.

This is part one of two. Today we are talking about gift guides for creators. Next Tuesday we are talking about gift guides for retail businesses and small business owners. Save both.

Here is what a well built gift guide actually does for you as a creator:

	•	Drives affiliate revenue through platforms like LTK, ShopMy, Amazon Associates, Collective Voice, Mavely, and Howl
	•	Lives on your blog with its own URL so you own it and it keeps working long after the holidays
	•	Gives you content to distribute across every platform including two Pinterest pins per guide — one to your LTK post and one to your blog
	•	Opens the door to add gift guides as a bonus deliverable in brand collab pitches — and yes, services count too

Start by planning your categories. Gifts for her. Gifts under $50. Stocking stuffers. The more specific the guide the more useful it is — and useful content gets saved and shared.

The creators who win the holiday season start building now.

Save this and start planning your first guide this week.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one hair prevails. #thisis40 #thisisperimenopause #losinghaironmyhead #growingiteverywhereelse
Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. 

Last night @abbydumatrait and I were able to check out all of @shopcosmiccollective runway show pieces as well as her new fur and fringe combo stoles. @theclosetbyscsc hosted and we scoured the racks of what is available to rent. Yes, rent. The Closet is open by appointment to rent their clothes as well as jewelry, hats and other accessories. 

We ended the night with @bylauracitron and @anyoldiron at the grand opening party for Any Old Iron on Magazine Street. Their shop is the perfect addition to New Orleans and needs to be your next shopping stop!! Andrew and Laura are both just so incredibly talented and I’m excited for them to be in our city.
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content creation, digital marketing · July 24, 2025

The Content Creator’s Mid Year Reset

At the beginning of the year, I made a promise to myself: no more setting big goals in January only to forget about them by spring. I wanted to be more intentional this year. More present. More structured but in a way that worked with my life, not against it.

So I hired Kat Parker to help me map things out, and we broke my goals down into three categories: work, home, and personal. I started tracking everything inside my Lavendaire planner and committed to actually checking in. Not just once at the end of the year when I’m scrambling to remember what I even wrote down in January, but monthly, weekly, and quarterly. The kind of check-ins that keep your goals top of mind instead of lost in a notebook somewhere.

And now here we are. Halfway through the year. In the past, I might’ve let this moment pass me by, but not this time. This time I’m slowing down, taking a breath, and sharing what I’m doing to reset and realign. Not because I’ve figured it all out, but because this process has helped me so much, and I know it can help you too.

Tiffany working on her goals

Revisit Your January Goals: What’s Working, What’s Not

You don’t have to spill your entire goal list to do a check-in, and honestly, you probably shouldn’t. This is about getting real with what’s actually moving forward and what’s just sitting there.

Tiffany 2025 goals sheet

The truth is, not every goal is designed to be finished in six months. Some things take time, some things shift, and some things lose their importance as the year unfolds. That doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It just means you’re allowed to be flexible.

What I’ve been doing is taking a look at the goals I set at the start of the year and asking a few simple questions:

  • Is this still important to me?
  • Have I made progress?
  • Do I need to adjust the timeline?
  • Is it time to let this one go?

You can do this kind of check-in with a planner, a notes app, or just a quiet morning and your favorite pen. What matters is that you pause long enough to get honest with yourself. That’s where the clarity starts.

Audit Your Content Silos: Keep, Shift, or Let Go

One of the best things I’ve done for my content is build silos, those main categories I create around that keep me from feeling all over the place. But just like goals, silos aren’t set in stone. They can change, and this year, mine did.

When I mapped out my content plan back in January, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to focus on. But as the months went by, I realized some of those categories weren’t lighting me up anymore. And instead of pushing through just to stick to the plan, I gave myself permission to pivot. I shifted my content focus, and honestly? It’s been the best thing I could’ve done.

If you’re feeling stuck, scattered, or just a little off with what you’re posting it might be time to audit your silos. Ask yourself:

  • What content feels easy and exciting to create?
  • What’s performing well?
  • What have I been forcing that no longer fits?

Sometimes the smartest move isn’t to do more, it’s to refocus on what’s actually aligned. Your audience can feel that shift, and so can you.

Tiffany's feed on IG
Screenshot

Does Your Style Still Reflect Your Message?

You are your brand. That’s true whether you’re showing up in a blazer and heels or a messy bun and bike shorts. And while I haven’t made any big changes to my visual branding this year, I’m always checking in with how I’m showing up because what you wear, how you speak, and the energy you bring is all part of the message.

I shift my style a little depending on which brand I’m representing. When I’m working as The Organized Social, I lean more polished, more professional. It’s strategy-forward and collaborative, so I dress the part. But when I’m showing up as Tiffany King Creative, it’s a lot more open, colorful, casual, and creative because that’s what that space is meant to be.

If you’re feeling disconnected from your brand, this might be the easiest place to start. Ask yourself:

  • Does my visual style still represent the vibe I’m trying to give off?
  • Does my content look like the person behind the business?
  • Am I showing up with intention, or just throwing things together last minute?

You don’t have to change your entire wardrobe to be aligned. You just have to be mindful of what your style is saying and whether or not that message is still true for where you are now.

Tiffany's bucket list

Metrics That Matter

Let me just say it: I don’t stress over likes anymore. I used to, like a lot. But the truth is, likes are one of the easiest, least meaningful ways someone can interact with your content. It’s quick, it’s passive, and it doesn’t always tell you anything about whether your content is actually working.

These days, the metrics I care about most are shares and saves. If someone’s hitting share, that means they saw value. If they’re saving it, that means they want to come back to it. To me, those are the clearest signs that I’ve created something that’s connecting, educating, or inspiring and that’s what I want.

Yes, I still check views, and I glance at reach and engagement rate, but I don’t let the numbers run the show. I usually monitor each post for about three to five days. After that, I let it go and move on. For clients, I take a longer view usually over a 30-day span, but I still prioritize meaningful engagement over vanity metrics every time.

If you’re deep in a numbers spiral, take a breath. Ask yourself this:

  • Is this metric helping me grow, or just feeding my ego?
  • Am I chasing views, or am I connecting with the people who actually need what I offer?

Because at the end of the day, I’ll take one person who converts or messages me or shares my work over 10,000 likes from people who forget me by next week.

What to Keep, What to Quit, and What to Build On

The biggest thing that’s worked for me this year? The check-ins. They’ve given me space to step back and really ask if what I’m doing is serving me not just crossing something off a list because I wrote it down in January.

I’ve learned to refocus my goals mid-stream. I’ve added things that feel right for this season and let go of things that no longer fit. And I’ve released the pressure to stick with a goal just because it was part of The Plan.

Sometimes what we thought we wanted back in January isn’t it anymore. Maybe something better has come along. Or maybe the best thing you can do is pull back, rest, or maintain what you’ve already built. Growth doesn’t have to be the goal all year long.

For me, the first half of the year ended up being less about expansion and more about retention and intention. I poured into my current clients, got clear on what matters most, and gave myself room to breathe.

But now? I’m ready to build. The second half of the year is for growth and I’m walking into it more aligned than I’ve ever been.

Mid-Year Reset Prompts

If you’re ready to check in with your goals, here are a few questions to get you started:

  • What goal still lights me up when I think about it?
  • What am I holding onto out of guilt or pressure that no longer fits?
  • Where have I seen real growth, even if it wasn’t part of the original plan?
  • What would it look like to shift directions now instead of waiting until January?
  • What do I want the second half of the year to feel like?

You don’t need to have all the answers right now. You just need to be honest with yourself and willing to pivot when your path calls for it.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing magic about January. You don’t need a new year to start fresh. You just need a moment, like this one. Pause, reflect, and decide what’s next. Whether you’re shifting gears, letting go, or gearing up for your biggest season yet, give yourself the freedom to do it on your terms.

This reset isn’t about perfection. It’s about honesty, alignment, and giving yourself permission to change. You’ve still got time. You’re allowed to evolve. Let’s make the second half of the year count.

XO,

Tiffany

In: content creation, digital marketing

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About Me
I'm Tiffany. Although some of my favorite people call me Tippy. My favorite color is pattern. Seriously, I've never met a pattern I didn't like. My style is as bold as my personality and you should never trust my hair color. I am all about size inclusive style on a Nordstrom Sale budget.
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  • Night Time Swimming: Perfect Dinners for the Pool

Facebook

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Instagram

Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me th Every time I bring up hashtags someone tells me they do not work anymore.

Here is my take. Hashtags are still live on Instagram and they are still one of the main ways people search through the platform. Until Instagram tells us they are done I am going to keep using them, intentionally.

What has changed is how you should be using them.

Instagram has officially capped hashtags at 5 per post. Instagram made this change deliberately because stuffing 20 to 30 generic tags into every post was not serving anyone. Hashtags are no longer a reach tool. They are a clarity tool that helps the algorithm understand what your content is about.

5 intentional hashtags beat 30 random ones every single time.

Here is how to pick yours:

-Think about your niche, your audience, and your location
-Think about what someone would actually search — not what you would call your post
-A clown costume post might use #halloweencostume or #cosplay instead of #clowncostume because that is what someone searching for inspiration is actually typing

One more thing most people are missing. Instagram is leaning heavily into SEO and keyword search now. The words in your caption are doing work that hashtags used to do. Write descriptively and use natural language your audience would actually search. The algorithm is reading your words so give it something to work with.

Save this before you write your next post.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo sho As I’m planning out this years Halloween photo shoot I had to circle back to this gem. I think this year will top it. I think 🤔 #halloween #costume #crystalball #cosplay #spookyseason👻
@tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snig @tiffanitrancalix throws the best parties… #90snight #justagirl
We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october # We’ve never met a theme we didn’t like. #october #costumeseason #90snight
@blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoir @blaumshavemorefun sent me this reel from @_memoirsofatraveler and I have never found a better description of my life. Every night out dancing ends with a PT appointment with @therapeuticbydesignpt the next week.  These knees are not 22 anymore.
The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my o The truth is I’m in a better mood when I like my outfit #mirrorselfie
Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a c Gift guides are one of the most powerful tools a creator has during the holiday season — and most people are not using them.

This is part one of two. Today we are talking about gift guides for creators. Next Tuesday we are talking about gift guides for retail businesses and small business owners. Save both.

Here is what a well built gift guide actually does for you as a creator:

	•	Drives affiliate revenue through platforms like LTK, ShopMy, Amazon Associates, Collective Voice, Mavely, and Howl
	•	Lives on your blog with its own URL so you own it and it keeps working long after the holidays
	•	Gives you content to distribute across every platform including two Pinterest pins per guide — one to your LTK post and one to your blog
	•	Opens the door to add gift guides as a bonus deliverable in brand collab pitches — and yes, services count too

Start by planning your categories. Gifts for her. Gifts under $50. Stocking stuffers. The more specific the guide the more useful it is — and useful content gets saved and shared.

The creators who win the holiday season start building now.

Save this and start planning your first guide this week.
More digital strategy every Tuesday — follow along so you do not miss it.
Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one Through shaving, waxing, laser, threading this one hair prevails. #thisis40 #thisisperimenopause #losinghaironmyhead #growingiteverywhereelse
Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. Fashion week never really stops in New Orleans. 

Last night @abbydumatrait and I were able to check out all of @shopcosmiccollective runway show pieces as well as her new fur and fringe combo stoles. @theclosetbyscsc hosted and we scoured the racks of what is available to rent. Yes, rent. The Closet is open by appointment to rent their clothes as well as jewelry, hats and other accessories. 

We ended the night with @bylauracitron and @anyoldiron at the grand opening party for Any Old Iron on Magazine Street. Their shop is the perfect addition to New Orleans and needs to be your next shopping stop!! Andrew and Laura are both just so incredibly talented and I’m excited for them to be in our city.
Good morning. I’ll be your halloqueen for the next Good morning. I’ll be your halloqueen for the next 31 days. #halloween #kingoween #halloqueen

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